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Yancey: The Alexandria arena is dead: Potomac Yard claims a second governor

By DWAYNE YANCEY, Cardinal News

There must be something magical about Potomac Yard that, like mythical sirens calling out to sailors, lures unsuspecting governors to their political doom. More than three decades ago, then-Gov. Douglas Wilder looked at the old railyard in Alexandria and saw a football stadium. He negotiated a deal with Jack Kent Cooke, then owner of Washington’s National Football League team, and in July 1992 announced with great flourish a plan to move the team to Virginia. “The announcement at Potomac Yard was a media extravaganza,” The Washington Post reported. “Local television carried the event live. There was a large model of the 78,600-seat stadium on display, as well as signs declaring the site the home of ‘Jack Kent Cooke Stadium at Potomac Yard.’” The NFL commissioner was on hand, and so was the team’s legendary coach, Joe Gibbs.

VaNews March 28, 2024


Haas: By vetoing gun storage bill, Youngkin plays politics with public safety

By LORI HAAS, published in Richmond Times-Dispatch (Metered Paywall - 7 articles a month)

Does Gov. Glenn Youngkin truly prioritize the safety of our children? Clearly, he does not when he ignored a crucial opportunity. Gov. Youngkin had the chance to sign a bill that many might call a no-brainer. A bill with rigorous research to support it and widespread public support. A bill solving a problem that we’ve already seen play out in Virginia too many times. A bill that would require the safe and secure storage of firearms to keep them out of the wrong hands. A bill that Gov. Youngkin just vetoed.

Haas is the advocacy manager for the Johns Hopkins Center for Gun Violence Solutions.

VaNews March 28, 2024


‘We are not going to be able to survive’: Business owners urge Youngkin to sign bill allowing regulated skill games

By SIERRA KRUG, WRIC-TV

Since 2020, it’s been a hot and cold, unpredictable ride as the legality of convenience stores operating skill games came into question time and time again. Business owners started unplugging their machines last year after the Virginia Supreme Court ruled electronic, slot-like machines were too close to illegal gambling. Now, new legislation on the table could shuffle the cards once again. On Tuesday, March 26, local business owners and skill game advocates gathered in Capitol Square, pleading for Gov. Glenn Youngkin to sign a bill into law that would revitalize what they call a major source of revenue, while adding some regulations.

VaNews March 28, 2024


Governor’s VCU, Mason course review requests reflect a pattern

By NATHANIEL CLINE, Virginia Mercury

George Mason and Virginia Commonwealth Universities have submitted their syllabi for courses about diversity, equity, inclusion and race to Secretary of Education Aimee Guidera for review at the request of Gov. Glenn Youngkin, a move that sparked frustration among some of the schools’ students and staff who said political influence has no place in classrooms. The administration previously reviewed and rescinded similar materials related to racism, discrimination and equity from Virginia Department of Education teacher training and classroom resources, following Youngkin’s 2022 executive order to eliminate “inherently divisive concepts” from being taught in Virginia public schools.

VaNews March 28, 2024


A lack of child care can be a barrier for community college students. Virginia is looking for answers.

By LISA ROWAN, Cardinal News

When Taneisha Mathews went back to school, her daughters went with her. It was Mathews’ second attempt at working toward an associate degree. When she first enrolled at Central Virginia Community College in Lynchburg in 2014, she was a teen mom who felt that going to college was what she was supposed to do — but she didn’t know yet what she wanted her career to look like. “I ended up flunking out because I mentally was forcing myself to do it,” she said.

VaNews March 28, 2024


Soil & Water Conservation district to pay state $300,000 for unauthorized approvals

By CHARLIE PAULLIN, Virginia Mercury

A group responsible for managing soil and water conservation efforts in Appomattox incorrectly authorized state payments for farming practices to reduce pollution entering waterways, an investigation found, and will have to pay back about $300,000 to the commonwealth. The Virginia Soil & Water Conservation Board voted Wednesday to direct the Robert E. Lee Soil and Water Conservation District, based in the Appomattox area, to make the payment after a former employee, John Wooldridge, approved the state funds to be used for several water- and soil-saving practices without having the authority to do so.

VaNews March 28, 2024


ABC balks at adopting revised revenue forecast in face of shortfall

By MICHAEL MARTZ, Richmond Times-Dispatch (Metered Paywall - 7 articles a month)

The Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Authority failed again on Wednesday to adopt a revised financial forecast to reflect declining sales revenues that have created an estimated $110 million shortfall in profits that the authority had promised for the pending two-year state budget. Interim CEO Tom Kirby did not ask the authority board of directors to adopt the revised forecast for the second time this month, noting that Gov. Glenn Youngkin and the General Assembly had not asked for further updates since the scope of the projected shortfall became public on March 19.

VaNews March 28, 2024


Wizards, Caps to stay in D.C. after Alexandria kills proposed Potomac Yard arena

By LIAM GRIFFIN, Washington Times

Washington Wizards and Capitals owner Ted Leonsis, who confirmed Wednesday his teams will stay in the District through 2050, praised the $515 million neighborhood redevelopment package put together by Mayor Muriel Bowser and anti-crime legislation recently approved by the D.C. Council. Mr. Leonsis, head of the teams’ parent company Monumental Sports and Entertainment, said at an evening press conference alongside the mayor that the deal would include 200,000 square feet of expansion of the existing Capital One Arena complex into the nearby Gallery Place space, the creation of an entertainment district in the city’s surrounding Chinatown neighborhood and safety and transportation upgrades.

VaNews March 28, 2024


Amtrak service delay to Christiansburg could also impact Bristol

By DAVID MCGEE, Bristol Herald Courier (Metered Paywall - 15 articles a month)

Passenger rail service to the New River Valley has been pushed back to at least 2028 and potential changes there could impact extending service to Bristol. The Virginia Passenger Rail Authority notified stakeholders in the New River Valley in late January of the delay. Amtrak service from Roanoke to the greater New River Valley area was originally proposed by 2025 or 2026.

VaNews March 28, 2024


Alexandria declares $2 billion arena project dead; Youngkin blames legislature

By MICHAEL MARTZ, Richmond Times-Dispatch (Metered Paywall - 7 articles a month)

The city of Alexandria declared the $2 billion Monumental arena project dead on Wednesday, expressing disappointment in the acrimonious political stalemate between the Virginia General Assembly and Gov. Glenn Youngkin, who had championed the project as his top legislative priority. Instead, Ted Leonsis, owner of the NBA’s Washington Wizards and the NHL’s Washington Capitals, announced a deal with Washington D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser to keep the teams in Washington until 2050.

VaNews March 28, 2024