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The Post’s choices in Northern Virginia’s U.S. House primaries
Two Democratic congresswomen in Virginia who defeated Republican incumbents in 2018 have opted not to seek reelection this year: Rep. Jennifer Wexton of the 10th Congressional District suffers from a rare neurological disorder; Rep. Abigail Spanberger of the 7th District is running for governor in 2025. Nineteen Democrats are vying to succeed them in the state’s June 18 primaries. Ten Republican contenders are also running for their party’s nominations that day.
Va. mail delivery no longer the worst, but still pretty bad
Virginia’s postal service is no longer the worst in the country, according to the agency’s main watchdog. From October to December in 2023, Virginia’s on-time delivery of first-class mail was at its lowest level in years, with a 66% on-time delivery rate. January to March of this year saw the state jump to 77%, shedding last place to Georgia. Despite the improvement, the state is still in the bottom ten of nationwide U.S. Postal Service regions for on-time delivery. Only Georgia and Wisconsin are worse.
How Massive Resistance delayed school desegregation in Virginia
Friday may mark 70 years since the Supreme Court’s landmark 1954 Brown v. Board decision, but Virginia schools wouldn’t see desegregation in any meaningful sense for nearly two decades. The architect of Massive Resistance — the concerted political effort to thwart racial integration of schools by any means necessary — was Sen. Harry Byrd Sr., the powerful Virginia politician whose influence stretched into state and local governments. A former state senator and Virginia governor, Byrd and his family essentially controlled state and local politics for more than half of the 20th century through what was dubbed the “Byrd Machine.”
Large industrial proposal could feature data centers on Ashland-Hanover line
A Reston-based developer is seeking zoning approval for a project that could take the form of either an industrial park or data center campus on Ashland’s eastern boundary with Hanover County. The WestDulles Properties project, dubbed Iron Horse Business Park, would take shape on a 230-acre site split about 60-40 between Ashland and Hanover.
Free Clinic looks to raise $1 million in one day
The Moss Free Clinic is asking the community to support its efforts by donating $1 million on Tuesday, May 28, during its inaugural Day of Giving. Donations will enable the clinic to continue to provide medical and dental care, screenings and treatments and free medications to uninsured and underinsured individuals. The clinic was established more than 30 years ago, but has faced the possible threat of closure as the long-term relationship between Moss and Mary Washington Healthcare has changed.
Hanover County School Board adopts new policy for parental involvement regarding library books in schools
The Hanover County School Board voted to approve a revised policy regarding school libraries and media centers in schools across the county. … Of the multiple additions, a new section called “Parental Involvement” was added. Parents and guardians will now have the option to decide whether or not their children access instructional materials in both classroom and school libraries.
Salem pharmacy fined $75,000 for vaccine, drug violations in 2021, 2022
A CVS in Salem delegated the provision of COVID-19 vaccines in 2021 to an untrained nurse who injected a youth with six doses at once, according to state records. One of a dozen violations found in connection with a routine inspection in January 2022, authorities cited the drugstore for posing a danger to the public’s health. The long-pending case was resolved when the Virginia Board of Pharmacy fined the store $75,000 earlier this month for violations of state law including the state Drug Control Act.
School segregation in Virginia is increasing 70 years after Brown v. Board ruling
Racial segregation in Virginia’s public schools has increased over the last three decades, according to an Axios review of federal data. Segregated schools disproportionately hurt Black and Latino students because schools where they’re the majority often have fewer resources, more teacher shortages, higher student-to-school counselor ratios and greater suspension rates — all of which impacts quality of education. Seventy years after the Brown v. Board of Education ruling, which declared racially divided schools as unconstitutional, Virginia’s population is the most diverse it’s ever been.
Congress clears major aviation policy bill adding flights to Reagan airport
The House voted Wednesday to send the biggest aviation bill in five years to President Joe Biden’s desk. The bill, H.R. 3935, cleared on a 387-26 vote, would inject $105 billion into the Federal Aviation Administration over five years and guide policy for everything from drones and air taxis to technology intended to help planes avoid runway collisions. It will also add five long-haul, round-trip flights a day to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, despite objections from D.C.-area lawmakers.
Fewer Virginia kids are overdosing on cannabis products following new law
The number of children and teens in Virginia going to the emergency room for cannabis-related sickness has declined, following a law passed last year that regulates the sale of THC in commercial hemp products or extracts. An analysis from the Virginia Hospital & Healthcare Association determined the number of cannabis-related pediatric ER visits dropped 14% between the second half of 2022 and the second half of 2023. The decline is a sign the new law is working, said Ryan McKinnon, a spokesperson for a group called Virginians for Cannabis Safety.