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Yancey: Hanover Co. court delivers victory for ‘skill’ games, but General Assembly may have to resolve status (again)
One day last October, an undercover officer for the Hanover County Sheriff’s Office walked into the Breez-In convenience store in Mechanicsville (the home of “Virginia’s Finest” chicken) in pursuit of what authorities assumed was an illegal “gambling device” under state law. Deputy Josiah Robertson saw a row of electronic games. However, the games were not set up to receive money, so there was no way for him to turn them on. Instead, the deputy went to the cashier, handed over a $20 bill and the cashier pushed a button behind the counter to turn on machine No. 1, a Queen of Virginia Skill 2 game. For making such a gaming machine available to the public, the owner of the Breez-In was charged with a misdemeanor under Virginia’s gambling laws.
Tysons casino proponent donates $15K to Arlington delegates
A developer hoping to bring casino gambling to Northern Virginia has contributed $15,000 to two of Arlington’s state delegates. Incumbent Del. Patrick Hope (D-1) on March 26 received a $10,000 campaign contribution from Reston-based Comstock Hospitality Holdings, which for the past two years has worked to secure General Assembly approval to allow for a casino in Tysons. This was the largest recent outside campaign contribution to any of the three contenders in the 1st District Democratic primary, according to recently filed finance reports with the Virginia Department of Elections.
Amtrak service to Christiansburg on track to resume within two years, rail official says at renovation groundbreaking
With Gov. Glenn Youngkin front and center, sporting a hardhat and bright yellow construction vest, the most dignified of a tent full of dignitaries tossed a golden shovel full of ceremonial dirt on Thursday morning in front of the future railway platform in front of Christiansburg’s Cambria station. For the many advocates of expanded rail service to the New River Valley, it was a moment some had longed to see ever since the last passenger train headed out of town limits more than four decades ago.
Metro’s future: No rail expansion, more bus lanes
Metro unveiled some preliminary plans for future investment on Thursday, which include a clear shift away from rail expansion in favor of more frequent bus service. At a board meeting, Metro officials laid out the overall direction the transit agency should take in the coming years in a presentation titled, “World Class Transit.” They said rail construction has become too expensive in the U.S., and the transit system should use its capital funds on more cost-effective ways to improve service.
Youngkin, Kaine kick off groundbreaking for $264.5M New River rail project
Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin, U.S. Sen. Tim Kaine and other dignitaries broke ground Thursday on the long-awaited New River Valley Rail Project in Christiansburg, which will return passenger service to the New River Valley for the first time since 1979. The $264.5 million project involves railroad infrastructure upgrades that will allow the Virginia Passenger Rail Authority to extend its Amtrak Virginia service from Roanoke to Christiansburg.
Virginia sees spike in abortions due to influx of out-of-state patients
Virginia was among the states that saw a substantial increase last year in the number of abortions provided. That’s according to a new report from the Guttmacher Institute, a research organization that advocates for access to reproductive care including abortion. The increase is likely due to an influx in patients from states with new or more restrictive abortion bans. Virginia saw 5,500 more clinician-provided abortions in 2024 than the year before, a 16% increase. That’s an outlier compared to the national trend, where there was just a 0.4% increase in states without total bans.
Loudoun schools superintendent explains why district won’t sign anti-DEI certification
Loudoun County Public Schools are defying a state and federal deadline by the U.S. Department of Education. The superintendent of the Northern Virginia district said in a letter Thursday that they will not sign an anti-discrimination certification amid a fast-approaching deadline to cut diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programs or risk losing funding. In the letter, Superintendent Aaron Spence called the Education Department’s demands “vague” and "overly broad.”
Justices’ repayments to Carter Bank top $50 million
U.S. Sen. Jim Justice and his family companies have paid more than $56 million of their overdue loans to Martinsville-based Carter Bank, the bank said Thursday. In mid-2023, the bank placed more than $300 million in loans personally guaranteed by Justice; his wife, Cathy; and their son, Jay, in nonaccrual status, which means the loans would not earn interest because payments weren’t being made. With the Justices now paying down the balance, including paying $6.9 million during the first quarter of this year, the amount due stood at $245.1 million as of the end of March.
Warrenton to grow by 240 acres after judges approve Arrington annexation
Three judges settled a decades-long debate over whether to expand Warrenton town limits through the annexation of about 240 acres that were previously home to Alwington farms. The panel, convened by the Virginia Supreme Court, approved an agreement between the Town of Warrenton and Fauquier County for the town to annex the land – and the development planned for the site. The judges’ decision finalizes the plan, which was first pitched in 1998 when a joint town-county committee explored the possible expansions of the town’s boundaries to give it greater zoning control over areas close to the service district and thus the future of Warrenton.
Report shows Bon Secours made $276 million by exploiting program for Richmond hospital in low-income community
A new U.S. Senate committee report indicates that the not-for-profit organization, Bon Secours, made more than $276 million from a neglected Richmond hospital using a federal prescription drug discount program. Committee chair Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-La.) announced the release of the new report on Thursday, April 24, calling for Congressional action to reform the 340B Drug Discount Pricing Program — a program that allows hospitals in low-income areas to buy medication at lower prices.