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Ambitious vision has the Port of Virginia positioned for success
The Port of Virginia has big plans for the future — and that’s great news for Hampton Roads and the larger commonwealth. Friday’s State of the Port event saw officials outline an ambitious timeline for growth, including becoming the deepest and widest East Coast port by next year. Success in those efforts should ensure that the billions in economic activity generated by the port — the revenue it produces and the jobs it creates and maintains — continue to serve our communities.
Loudoun considers delayed-start days to give teachers training time
Loudoun County schools is considering delaying the start of classes by two hours on some days in the next academic year to help free up time to offer training for new teaching standards required by the state. The 16 delayed start days would be spread out throughout the year. Dismissal would occur at the same time, district leaders said, meaning students could lose about 32 hours of classroom instruction over the year.
Virginia State University left out in the cold after candidates determine debate schedule
Virginia State University said Wednesday it was "disappointed" over reports that VSU appears to have been dropped from the upcoming presidential debate schedule, yet hopeful that an arrangement can be worked out. "A presidential debate at VSU is a huge win, not only for our students and campus community but for the greater community in general," university spokesperson Gwen Williams Dandridge said in a statement.
Yancey: In agreeing to debate, Biden and Trump cast aside a Virginia school
The presidential debate deal announced Wednesday may be good for the two candidates (they wouldn’t have agreed to it if it weren’t) — and might even be good for voters. It won’t be good for one Virginia school. Virginia State University had been picked by the Commission on Presidential Debates as a site for one of three presidential debates this fall. Instead, the campaigns of President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump decided to bypass the commission and agree to two debates, each handled by a major television network. The Republican National Committee voted two years ago to withdraw its support for the debate commission, believing it was biased against the party’s candidates (even though one of the commission’s co-chairs is a former chair of the RNC). What’s new here is that the Democrats have now ditched the commission as well.
Virginia State University presidential debate imperiled as Biden rejects commission’s plans
President Joe Biden on Wednesday rejected the fall schedule proposed by the Commission on Presidential Debates, imperiling Virginia State University’s chance to host a presidential debate in October. … The nonpartisan Commission on Presidential Debates in November announced that it had chosen VSU for the site of the second presidential debate, on Oct. 1. The school in Ettrick … said it would be the first historically Black college or university to host a general election presidential debate.
Colonial Williamsburg archaeologist uncovers Revolutionary War barracks
A revolutionary discovery has been made at Colonial Williamsburg. Archaeologist have uncovered evidence of a Revolutionary War barracks on foundation property near the regional visitor center. According to 18th-century maps and other documents, a barracks was constructed in 1776-1777 to accommodate up to 2,000 soldiers and 100 horses. The barracks are believed to have been destroyed by fire in 1781 by General Cornwallis’ troops.
Loudoun parents, activists question need for SROs in elementary schools
Some parents and liberal groups have pushed back on a panel’s recommendation to place security guards or police officers at each of the county’s 61 public elementary schools. Several activist organizations, including the Loudoun Democratic Committee, endorsed a May 13 statement that said stationing police officers, known in this context as “school resource officers,” in schools does not make students safer.
SCC Hearing Examiner Recommends Denial of Greenway Toll Increases
State Corporation Commission Senior Hearing Examiner Michael Thomas on Wednesday released a report recommending denial of a rate increase submitted by Toll Road Investors Partnership II, the company that owns the Dulles Greenway. He ruled the increase in the maximum tolls charged to most drivers because it would “materially discourage use of the Greenway,” in violation of state law. The request, submitted in July of last year, is to increase rates to $8.10 during peak hours, up from the current $5.80; and to $6.40 during off-peak hours, up from $5.25. A hearing on the application was conducted in February, following a public comment period and public hearings.
Kempsville High baseball season ended over ‘racism, hate speech, and harassment’ within team
Kempsville High School’s baseball season is over after “a lengthy investigation” found that “racism, hate speech, and harassment” have been prevalent on the team for multiple years, according to a note principal Melissa George sent to parents in recent weeks. “After our lengthy investigation after we received allegations of racism on the baseball team earlier in April, we have found that racism, hate speech, and harassment have been an ongoing issue for multiple years,” George wrote in the message, first reported by WTKR. “Due to additional information we have through our investigation, at this time we are forfeiting (the May 2) game against (Princess Anne).”
Search warrants claim ‘pattern of money laundering’ at some Va. cannabis-related stores
Newly unsealed search warrants in Washington County allege that some of the cannabis-related stores that were targeted in a region-wide raid last fall were involved in money laundering. Dozens of stores across Southwest Virginia were raided in September. While the ownership structure of many of the shops is unclear, the search warrants show that the homes and banking records of two people who owned multiple locations also were searched. Among the items that were seized were a number of guns — pistols, rifles and shotguns — as well as ammunition, computers, cellphones and vehicles, including two Rolls-Royces.