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Speed cameras in Chesapeake, Suffolk have raked in millions in fines as lawsuit challenges use

By NATALIE ANDERSON, Virginian-Pilot (Metered Paywall - 2 articles a month)

Two cities in Hampton Roads with new speed cameras have raked in around $20 million in revenue since implementing the technology over the last two years. But the legality of the processes used to issue citations and collect fees is now being questioned in a lawsuit filed by a former state legislator who says it’s not exactly what the General Assembly intended when it crafted the legislation allowing municipalities to deploy speed cameras.

VaNews April 24, 2024


CoStar to receive a grant from Richmond worth millions

By ERIC KOLENICH, Richmond Times-Dispatch (Metered Paywall - 7 articles a month)

The city of Richmond will give CoStar Group Inc. a grant worth several million dollars, a recognition of the company’s plan to build an office tower expected to generate more than $30 million in new tax revenue. Richmond City Council on Monday approved an ordinance that will refund some of CoStar’s real estate and business property taxes after the 26-story building is complete. “This project is an incredible success story for the city,” said Leonard Sledge, Richmond’s head of economic development.

VaNews April 24, 2024


Environmental groups challenge Mountain Valley Pipeline extension in federal court

By MATT BUSSE, Cardinal News

Eight environmental groups have filed a petition in federal court challenging regulators’ approval of a planned extension of the Mountain Valley Pipeline, arguing that the project’s scope has changed so much that an earlier approval is no longer relevant. The pipeline developers’ latest plans for the MVP Southgate extension from Pittsylvania County into North Carolina call for a shorter route and a wider pipe to transport nearly twice as much gas as previously planned. Developers have also abandoned plans for a new compressor station in Pittsylvania.

VaNews April 24, 2024


Yancey: 20 questions for the next governor

By DWAYNE YANCEY, Cardinal News

Just like that — snaps fingers — Abigail Spanberger is the presumptive Democratic nominee for governor next year. To be fair, she’s had that position for a while now, which is no doubt what led Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney to drop his gubernatorial bid Tuesday and announce instead for lieutenant governor. That instantly led state Sen. Aaron Rouse, D-Virginia Beach, to announce what had been widely known anyway: that he’s also a candidate for lieutenant governor. So is Babur Lateef, the chair of the Prince William County School Board. Will a three-way race induce others to enter on the theory that the vote will be chopped up and a majority may not be necessary to win?

VaNews April 24, 2024


Violent crime survivors, loved ones share stories with Virginia AG at forum

By MARTA BERGLUND, WVEC-TV

Shana Turner is the founder of Hampton Roads Mothers Against Senseless Killings (M.A.S.K.). She started the organization after her son, Shaquille, was killed in 2017. … Turner co-hosted a crime victims’ rights forum Tuesday night, alongside Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares, Pastor Calvin Durham of New Hope Church of God in Christ and local law enforcement leaders.

VaNews April 24, 2024


Judge nixes lawsuit challenging Virginia law on broadband crossings of railroads

By TAD DICKENS, Cardinal News

A federal judge has dismissed a lawsuit that disputed a Virginia law governing internet service providers’ ability to string fiber across railroad lines. The lawsuit, which the Association of American Railroads filed last year on behalf of Norfolk Southern and CSX, was a response to a new state law that reduced the approval process time and costs to ISPs, particularly the state’s electric cooperatives, that were trying to reach rural customers across railway tracks.

VaNews April 24, 2024


Who in Virginia is running for Congress? Here are the 2024 candidates.

By PRESTON STEGER, WVEC-TV

Virginia is once again gearing up for primary elections, as voters across the Commonwealth will pick who they want to represent them in the U.S. Congress later this year. One of Virginia’s two seats in the Senate, and all 11 House of Representatives seats are on the ballot on Nov. 5, 2024. Primary elections for those seats will be held on June 18. Several races already have party nominees in place, since those candidates didn’t have anyone else running against them. The deadline to become a candidate in the Democratic or Republican primaries was April 4.

VaNews April 24, 2024


Graves and Hernandez: Governor should sign bill to protect health workers

By ANGELIA WILLIAMS GRAVES AND PHIL HERNANDEZ, published in Virginian-Pilot (Metered Paywall - 2 articles a month)

Right now on the governor’s desk sits landmark legislation that is essential for the safety of doctors, nurses, and other hospital workers. House Bill 861, which we passed through the General Assembly earlier this year, is known as the “Protecting Frontline Healthcare Workers Act.” We call on the governor to sign it into law. This bipartisan bill would finally make it illegal to knowingly bring a firearm, large-blade knife, explosive or other dangerous weapon into a hospital or emergency department. Believe it or not, there is no current state law that directly prohibits this conduct.

Del. Hernandez represents Norfolk’s 94th House District and sponsored HB861. Sen. Graves represents Norfolk’s 21st Senate District and sponsored SB515.

VaNews April 24, 2024


Stoney ends gubernatorial bid, announces run for lieutenant governor

By MARKUS SCHMIDT, Cardinal News

Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney on Tuesday ended his gubernatorial bid, saying that he would run for lieutenant governor instead. Stoney’s decision puts Rep. Abigail Spanberger, D-Henrico County, who was the first candidate to jump into the 2025 race in November of last year, on a clear path to win the Democratic nomination to become the 75th governor of Virginia. … Less than two hours later, Sen. Aaron Rouse, D-Virginia Beach, who’s not even halfway through his first term in the state Senate, announced his own bid for lieutenant governor.

VaNews April 24, 2024


Kaine, Warner urge coverage of IVF treatment for federal workers

By CHARLOTTE RENE WOODS, Richmond Times-Dispatch (Metered Paywall - 7 articles a month)

U.S. Sens. Tim Kaine and Mark Warner, both Virginia Democrats, joined lawmakers from the House and Senate to urge the Office of Personnel Management to require all health insurance carriers in the Federal Employee Health Benefits Program to cover in-vitro fertilization treatments and medications. If the agency were to take up the request, this would affect federal employees, many of whom live in Northern Virginia.

VaNews April 24, 2024