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Henry County to demolish dozens of blighted properties
An abandoned property sticks out among the row of modest houses in the Greyson Street neighborhood in Henry County’s Collinsville district. For years, the home has been vacant, with overgrowth almost completely covering its street-facing exterior, to the dismay of some neighbors. “It’s about time,” said Aesha Mitchell upon learning about plans to demolish the house and similar structures throughout the county. . . . At their June 5 meeting, county supervisors voted unanimously to demolish 39 properties deemed unsafe.
As AI booms and the grid strains, Virginia grapples with competing energy visions
A new report from the Department of Energy warns that, without increased energy production, the nation’s power grid could face a sharp rise in blackouts by 2030. In Virginia, Republicans are sounding the alarm, arguing that Democratic-led efforts to expand renewable energy and combat climate change are hindering the state’s ability to meet growing demands.
Army lacks accountability in D.C. air disaster, families say
The Army has avoided accountability and shirked oversight months after the deadly midair collision between a passenger jet and a military helicopter in Washington, dozens of family members said in a letter to the Army’s top official, calling for action and greater transparency. . . . The Army stands alone in its lack of transparency and candor, 168 family members and loved ones said in a letter addressed to Army Secretary Dan Driscoll on Wednesday and obtained by The Washington Post. Army officials have not had meaningful dialogue with families since a short briefing from Army aviation officials in the days after the collision, with the families noting the rare disclosures related to the incident seemed deliberately timed near holidays to minimize public attention.
Underwater cable plant project in Chesapeake receives $28 million in state, local grants
A major facility that will produce underwater cables for the offshore wind energy industry is receiving about $28 million in state and local grants, with more than half of that coming from Chesapeake’s coffers. The grants are being awarded to a 750,000-square-foot manufacturing facility being constructed in the city by LS Greenlink USA, a subsidiary of South Korean-based LS Cable & System. Once constructed and operable by 2028, the plant will produce undersea cables used in the offshore wind industry.
Rep. Beyer highlights research grants canceled by Trump administration at Capitol Hill event
Congressman Don Beyer (D-VA) joined scientists from across the nation on Capitol Hill today to showcase research that has been halted due to grant cancellations by the Trump administration. Congressman Beyer, who represents the 8th Congressional District of Virginia (which includes Alexandria), spoke at “The Things We’ll Never Know: A Science Fair of Canceled Grants,” a three-hour event hosted by House Democrats on the Science, Space, and Technology Committee in the Rayburn House Office Building Foyer. More than twenty researchers whose federal grants have been terminated presented their work to lawmakers and discussed the impact of the funding cuts.
Turnout rate was up slightly in Virginia's June primaries, data show
What was the voter turnout for Virginia's local primary elections? The Virginia Public Access Project reports that turnout ranged widely for the June 17 primary election, with some localities having a turnout rate of more than 20%. VPAP referenced data from the Virginia Department of Elections, using the total number of votes cast for candidates running for the listed office.
HD33 GOP nominee to be chosen by district committee by end of July
The Republican nominee for House District 33 will likely be selected by the end of July by a four-member committee representing each county in the district. With the majority of the weighted vote, Shenandoah County, represented by Sheriff Timothy Carter, holds the deciding share. ... The party plan directs Legislative District Committees to select a nominee when a certified candidate withdraws after the primary deadline, as occurred when Delegate Todd Gilbert stepped down as the candidate earlier this month following his appointment by President Donald Trump to U.S. Attorney.
Virginia’s AG race heats up with GOP's ‘Soft Jay Jones’ campaign
Virginia Republicans might not be unified at the top of their statewide ticket, but they are unified in their attacks against the Democratic nominee for attorney general, painting him as a far-left criminal sympathizer. The Republican Party of Virginia launched a new attack campaign against the Democratic nominee for attorney general Jay Jones this week, dubbed “Soft Jay Jones.” The campaign, paid for by the Virginia GOP and authorized by Republican Attorney General Jason Miyares, who is running for reelection, cites some of Jones’ voting record as a delegate in Virginia’s General Assembly and paints Jones as soft on crime.
Joint cannabis commission holds first meeting amid push for regulated market
The newly formed joint commission tasked with overseeing Virginia’s transition to a legal retail cannabis market held its inaugural meeting in Richmond Wednesday, launching what lawmakers described as the next chapter in the commonwealth’s winding path toward a regulated marijuana industry. Del. Paul Krizek, D-Fairfax, who sponsored the House resolution creating the commission earlier this year, was elected chair during the meeting at the state Capitol. While no other formal action was taken, the panel laid out its mission and signaled it would use previously vetoed legislation as a foundation to craft a new proposal for 2026 — when Virginia will have a new governor.
Northern Va. state senator seeks answers from Walmart concerning sexual health products
As Virginia customers of Walmart shop on the company’s website, shoppers are receiving a message telling them they need to provide consent for data collection to search for items including pregnancy tests, birth control items and even a baby registry. State Sen. Barbara Favola, a Democrat representing Arlington, said the new message is coming in response to a law designed to protect people’s privacy when it comes to sexual health and reproductive information. Favola wrote the law aimed at providing enhanced privacy concerning this sensitive matter. She said she is surprised by the pop-up . . .