Search
Yancey: Avian flu has ravaged American poultry, just not in Virginia. Here’s why.
My favorite scene in the mostly accurate HBO miniseries “Chernobyl” comes when the Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev dispatches an unenthusiastic lower-level Kremlin bureaucrat to investigate the accident. That dull-witted apparatchik, Boris Shcherbina, is forced to take along a scientist, Valery Legasov, who desperately tries to explain to him how nuclear energy works and how he should be on the lookout for graphite, because that would indicate an alarming breach of the reactor’s nuclear core. Shcherbina makes it clear he has little interest in such annoying details and resents the scientist’s very presence.
USDA issues warning to Norfolk-based medical school over animal testing
The United States Department of Agriculture has sent a warning to the Eastern Virginia Medical School at Old Dominion University alleging research done in years prior using animals violated the Animal Welfare Act. Specifically, the warning notes issues in past research using chinchillas and monkeys. The USDA’s warning alleges that researchers at the school, formerly known as Eastern Virginia Medical School, modified their research without proper approval.
Virginia’s 2025 elections packed with contenders
The 2025 election season in Virginia is officially underway — and the landscape is coming into sharp focus after last week’s filing deadline for the June 17 primaries. With the top of the tickets now set and the full list of candidates for the House of Delegates finalized, both parties are preparing for what could be one of the most consequential election years in the commonwealth’s recent history.
Kizart: The business case for diversity, equity and inclusion locally
Diversity, equity and inclusion are more than just words. They are a call to action to work towards building a better world for us all. Yet, confusion and misunderstanding around these concepts have led to backlash. As our population shifts and the workforce evolves, however, the work of honoring diversity and cultural awareness, as well as cultivating equitable opportunities and inclusivity, is essential to economic growth and regional prosperity. That’s why this should matter first and foremost to business.
Lewis: Her time has come: Virginia will, after four centuries, have a woman governor
It’s only taken Virginia 400-plus years to get around to it, but a fairly routine political event last weekend made it nearly an absolute certainty that next January, the commonwealth will inaugurate its first woman governor. The Republican Party of Virginia announced on Saturday that former state Sen. Amanda Chase, a right-wing lightning rod who described herself as “Trump in heels,” had failed to gather enough signatures on qualifying petitions by that day’s deadline to appear on the Republican gubernatorial primary ballot. That made Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears the party’s nominee, obviating the necessity for a Republican Primary in June. That created a direct, head-to-head general election match-up in November with former U.S. Rep. Abigail Spanberger, who is unopposed for the Democratic nomination.
Revamped proposal pitched for Iron Horse data center project’s Hanover side
After getting approval from Ashland but denied by Hanover for a data center campus that would straddle the town-and-county line, the project’s developer is back with a tweaked proposal. Reston-based WestDulles Properties last month filed a new zoning application for the Hanover side of its proposed Iron Horse project, which would be built on a 180-acre site that’s split by the boundary between the county and town.
Former Culpeper sheriff convicted of taking $75K in bribes hopes Trump will intervene
A former Virginia sheriff who was convicted of taking more than $75,000 in bribes said he plans to appeal and hopes President Donald Trump will intervene. Scott Jenkins, the former sheriff of Culpeper County, told the court last week he plans to appeal his conviction. He was sentenced last month to a decade in prison and has not yet reported to start serving. On a webinar hosted by the Constitutional Sheriffs and Peace Officers Association, Jenkins said he has no money for an appeal and now hopes Trump will help.
USDA uproots local fresh foods pipeline for Virginia schools, food banks
An effort to connect Virginia public schools with local farms to improve food security in low-income communities won’t be getting any federal support beyond this summer’s harvest. With President Donald Trump and billionaire Elon Musk picking apart deeply rooted agencies and initiatives that sprouted during the previous White House administration, the U.S. Department of Agriculture has eliminated two nascent programs designed to help small farms supply local schools and food banks with fresh fruit, produce and meat.
White House denies a military parade is scheduled for Trump’s birthday, but local officials have been contacted
The White House is denying reports that it plans to hold a military parade in Washington on President Donald Trump’s birthday in June — though local officials have been in contact with the administration about a celebration. Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser and Takis Karantonis, the chair of Virginia’s Arlington County Board, on Monday confirmed discussions with administration officials about plans for a military parade this summer. ... Both Bowser and Karantonis said the parade plans appeared to be in the preliminary stages.
Senator: ‘We are trying to get an answer’ as $100M still in limbo for Pittsylvania project
A $100 million federal grant for a Tennessee-based company planning on bringing 2,000 jobs to Pittsylvania County remains in limbo, causing frustration for Sen. Mark Warner. ... Warner said the Trump administration has put a hold on money destined for other areas as well, like nearly $200 million for the Volvo Trucks plant in Pulaski County and about $60 million for a cement company near Roanoke. Even though Warner is concerned about being in the dark about the money, Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin appears confident the overall Microporous project will continue.