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Labor protections worth delay of Arlington Career Center construction, unions and lawmakers say
Arlington unions and state representatives are doubling down on calls for more labor protections in the construction of the new Arlington Career Center. A $132 million construction contract is up for consideration at an Arlington School Board meeting on Thursday. At least a year of delays would likely result if the School Board seeks a prevailing wage agreement for the project, guaranteeing that workers get paid wages comparable to market rates, Arlington Public Schools staff said at a meeting last month.
From VPAP Early Voting in June Primaries
VPAP has updated its early voting dashboard to include ballots for the June 18th primaries. Republican primaries are occurring for the U.S. Senate and three U.S. House districts. Toggle to see the Democratic primaries for six U.S. House districts, or choose a locality for more details.
Opponents respond as Mountain Valley Pipeline segment ruptures during test
A picture of a ruptured section of the Mountain Valley Pipeline circulating on social media this week ignited a fury of opposition from those who have protested the project for years. The damaged pipeline, which the photo showed being hauled down a roadway, was the end result of hydrotesting on a section of the mainline pipe on May 1 near Route 221 on Brent Mountain. The incident came as the pipeline’s developers asked the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission for an in-service date of June 1, a decision protesters continue to oppose.
UAE plans diplomatic compound in McLean after paying $55M for 3 lots
The United Arab Emirates paid a staggering $55 million for 18 acres overlooking the Potomac River in McLean, where the government now plans to build three diplomatic residences and a nearly 11,500-square-foot “exercise structure.” The UAE acquired 1019, 1049 and 1079 Crest Lane in September 2022 in a single off-market transaction that was never recorded with the area’s listing service, but does appear in public records.
Federal, State Agencies Quiet About Mountain Valley Pipeline Failure
The state and federal regulatory agencies that oversee the Mountain Valley Pipeline have said little about a rupture last week during a pressure test. Groups that oppose the Mountain Valley Pipeline say last week’s failure in Roanoke County, Virginia, shows the risks the project poses to communities and property. Because it is undergoing testing now, Wednesday’s rupture only released water. But the pipeline’s builder, Equitrans Midstream, has asked federal regulators for permission to begin operations at the end of this month.
Dominion: Nuclear plant upgrades on budget and schedule
Dominion Energy‘s push to extend the life of its two half-century old nuclear power stations is on target with its $1.2 billion phase 1 budget and schedule, although one critical step, replacing the giant heat exchangers around each reactor, has been more complicated than first thought. The aim is to extend the life of its Surry and North Anna power stations, in Surry County and Louisa counties respectively, for another three decades.
Loudoun Supervisors Ratify County’s First Collective Bargaining Agreement with Firefighters
The Board of Supervisors on Tuesday ratified a tentative collective bargaining agreement between the International Association of Fire Fighters Local 3756 and the county government. The 8-0-1 vote of approval came nine days after the agreement was ratified by union members.
Youngkin holds event in Richmond on National Fentanyl Awareness Day
Preliminary data from the Virginia Department of Health shows more than 1,900 Virginians died from fentanyl overdoses in 2023. That’s why Governor Glenn Youngkin and First Lady Suzanne Youngkin held an event at City Stadium in Richmond on May 7, which is National Fentanyl Awareness Day.
Del. Rasoul seeks cease-fire for Gaza
Roanoke citizens and a state lawmaker responded to heightened conflict in Gaza this week, urging people to speak out against Israeli-Palestinian violence. Israeli troops seized control of a border crossing in Rafah, a city in the southern Gaza Strip, according to news reports on Tuesday. The latest military action follows months of Israeli bombardment in the Gaza Strip, retaliating for a terrorist attack conducted by Hamas last October. As reports about an incursion into Rafah spread, state Del. Sam Rasoul, D-Roanoke, on Monday sent an email asking people to call their congressperson and demand President Joe Biden enact a cease-fire.
Hemp market collapses, frustrating network of Southwest Virginia growers
Since its height in 2020, the “green rush” to grow hemp in Southwest Virginia has slowed to a standstill as falling prices eventually made harvesting pointless, but that hasn’t stopped local growers from seeking to stake their claim in what they hope will eventually be Virginia’s new legal cash crop: cannabis. With bipartisan efforts in the state legislature making to the governor’s desk, it looked possible that the 100-plus members of the farming and small business network Purely Appalachia might be growing and selling cannabis in Southwest Virginia very soon. But Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s recent veto of HB 698 and SB 448 means the group’s hopes will be stalled, at least until his term ends.