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Luna claws back cash, benefits from former CEO Graeff
Luna Innovations declared this week that its former president and CEO, Scott Graeff, engaged in prohibited conduct in connection with a series of incorrect financial statements — triggering a claw back of severance and stock benefits payable to Graeff for his assisting the company after his March 24 retirement, according to the company. A personnel shakeup continued as Luna leadership also fired Chief Technology Officer Brian Soller for cause Friday … The disclosures appeared in a late Wednesday afternoon filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and triggered a temporary plunge in company stock to near $2 a share.
Hanover officials discuss major solar farm development
Hanover County is in the early stages of reviewing what would be the largest solar development to come to Hanover’s Beaverdam District since the county adopted a broadened solar policy. The project was submitted by North Carolina-based Strata Clean Energy LLC, who has constructed 12 solar projects in Virginia. To date, Hanover has only approved four solar projects in the county. Strata aims to rezone around 1,477 acres of privately-owned land adjacent to the North Anna River in order to build a solar farm capable of producing 72-megawatts worth of electricity; enough to power around 18,000 homes.
Youngkin announces formal relationship between Virginia National Guard, Finland
Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin, who is currently traveling through Europe on an international trade mission, has announced a formal relationship between the Virginia National Guard (VNG) and Finland. According to Youngkin’s office, the Virginia National Guard was selected as the U.S. partner to Finland as part of the Department of Defense National Guard Bureau State Partnership Program. Youngkin took part in an official state partnership signing ceremony at the Finnish Ministry of Defense in Helsinki to commemorate the relationship.
As early voting begins in Virginia, the key races to watch
On May 3, Virginia voters can begin in-person early voting for the June primary elections, where two open congressional seats in the northern part of the state have fueled competitive nomination contests while Rep. Bob Good (R) is facing a heated challenge in his Charlottesville-area district. Both Democratic Reps. Jennifer Wexton and Abigail Spanberger have said they do not plan to seek reelection, making their Northern Virginia seats more vulnerable in November contests that are likely to attract large influxes of cash from both major political parties. Statewide, Democrats hope to pick up a few seats after redistricting made some Republican seats more vulnerable.
Bedford County School Board cuts damages sought in lawsuit against parent to $1
The Bedford County School Board has reduced the price tag on its lawsuit against a parent from $600,000 to just $1. The school board sued David Rife for damages of $600,000 in late March, alleging he used crude language and threatened police and legal action during repeated calls to the school district about his son. Rife’s son, who attends Staunton River High School, is on an individualized education program for a learning disability, but Rife has claimed repeatedly over the course of several years that his son wasn’t receiving the services outlined in his plan.
Funding from the Virginia Lottery a drop in the bucket for school divisions
As funding troubles put some schools in our region on the chopping block, some may wonder why lottery funds aren’t coming to the rescue. After all, since the year 2000, all lottery profits have gone to education by law. The big jackpots bring in big money for the Virginia lottery, with dreamers hoping to cash in on prizes like April’s $1.3 billion Powerball jackpot.
Metro, Council of Governments create regional task force to begin discussions on funding solutions
Setting up Metro with dedicated funding has been discussed for decades in the region but still hasn’t come to fruition. Now, WMATA and the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments hope a regional task force can finally bring about an agreeable plan of action. … According to COG, in addition to solutions for funding Metro, a new group will look at how all regional transportation agencies work together and are governed. DMV Moves is a 20-member task force that will be made up of local and state leaders from D.C., Maryland and Virginia.
After suing parent for $600K, Bedford School Board reduces case to $1
The Bedford County School Board is deescalating its efforts to sue a parent with a history of hostile interactions with school staffers about accommodations for his special needs son. But an attorney for the father involved blasted the statement the board issued this week and suggested the case may not be over yet. The board announced Wednesday that its earlier request for at least $600,000 in damages has been reduced to just $1 after the parent, David Rife, agreed to new ground rules on how he and school personnel would communicate.
Hashmi enters lieutenant governor contest as ‘progressive champion’
Sen. Ghazala Hashmi, D-Chesterfield, formally entered the Democratic nomination contest for lieutenant governor on Thursday, calling herself a “progressive champion.” The 2025 Democratic contest already features four candidates — Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney; Sen. Aaron Rouse, D-Virginia Beach; Dr. Babur Lateef, an eye surgeon and chairman of the Prince William County School Board; and Hashmi.
Lower fuel prices mean a break for Dominion customers
Dominion Energy‘s monthly bills are headed lower — about 3% for a benchmark residential customer bill — as prices of the fuel it burns to spin its electricity generators declines. The electric monopoly is asking the State Corporation Commission to approve a drop in its pass-along for fuel costs, with that savings partly offset by an increase to cover higher costs for its transmission lines.