The Center Square, Author at The Virginia Star

Poll: Majority of Americans Support Trump’s Plan to Declare Emergency at Border

November 21, 2024 The Center Square

A majority of Americans support President-elect Donald Trump’s plan to declare a national emergency over the border crisis, according to a new poll. Declaring such an emergency would allow Trump to utilize the military to secure the border and help with his plan to deport violent criminal foreign nationals in the U.S. illegally.

The Napolitan News Service survey of 1,000 registered voters was conducted online by pollster Scott Rasmussen Nov. 18-19. It asked: “President Trump has said that he will declare a national emergency because of the illegal immigration problem. This would let the Trump Administration use military force to help with a mass deportation of illegal immigrants. Do you favor or oppose declaring a national emergency to address the problem of illegal immigration?”

Wisconsin Lawyer: Race Prioritization by USDA Needs to Be Stopped

November 20, 2024 The Center Square

Citing discrimination against nonminorities in farming assistance programs, the Wisconsin Institute for Law and Liberty has filed an amicus brief in support of plaintiff Robert Holman’s litigation against the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

He’s a corn and soybean farmer.

Helene: Youngkin Requests $4.4 Billion in Federal Relief

November 20, 2024November 20, 2024 The Center Square

In the wake of the devastation impacting southwestern Virginia following Hurricane Helene, Gov. Glenn Youngkin is requesting additional federal assistance to support recovery efforts.

Youngkin submitted a request for $4.4 billion in federal support on Friday to President Joe Biden, President-elect Donald Trump and congressional appropriators. The governor said the aid would support recovery efforts, which damaged farms, homes, businesses, “critical” infrastructure and tourism assets.

Pentagon Still Can’t Pass Audit Despite Years of Trying

November 18, 2024 The Center Square

The U.S. Department of Defense’s annual audit once again resulted in a disclaimer.

That means the federal government’s largest agency – with a budget of more than $840 billion – can’t fully explain its spending. The disclaimer this year was expected. And it’s expected again next year. The Pentagon previously said it will be able to accurately account for its spending by 2027.

Harvard Economist Warns of ‘Resurgence of Inflation’

November 17, 2024 The Center Square

Federal pricing data released this week for consumer and producer prices shows that inflation rose last month.

Harvard professor and former economic advisor to President Barack Obama Jason Furman said the consumer data could show a “resurgence of inflation” not to the ultra high levels in recent years but to more recent elevated data.

Florida Sues Former FEMA Officials over Hurricane Helene, Milton Failures

November 15, 2024 The Center Square

The state of Florida is suing current and former federal employees personally for allegedly ignoring storm victim households solely because of their political affiliation.

Attorney General Ashley Moody sued current and former Federal Emergency Management Agency officials for “conspiracy to discriminate” against Florida hurricane victims because they expressed support for President-elect Donald Trump.

ISIS-Linked Houston Man Indicted, Planned 9/11 Style Terrorist Attack

November 15, 2024 The Center Square

A 28-year-old man in Houston, Anas Said, has been indicted and arrested on charges he attempted to provide material support to the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS), a federally designated foreign terrorist organization (FTO).

Texas Officers Apprehend Human Smugglers, Rescue Unaccompanied Children

November 15, 2024 The Center Square

Texas Department of Public Safety troopers continue to apprehend human smugglers and rescue unaccompanied minors at the border through Gov. Greg Abbott’s border security mission, Operation Lone Star.

Virginia Political Candidates Look Ahead to 2025

November 13, 2024November 13, 2024 The Center Square

As President-elect Donald Trump is making cabinet picks and Congress orients its new members, Virginia is gearing up for its next elections.

One week after election day, campaign announcements for 2025 are popping up across the commonwealth. Virginia is one of just a handful of states that holds major elections in off years, so while special elections to replace state Sens. John McGuire, R-Goochland, and Suhas Subramanyam, D-Loudoun – both elected to Congress last week – are the most immediate, they’re just the beginning of the political contests Virginians will see in 2025.

U.S. Youth Joins European Youth in Rightward Shift

November 12, 2024 The Center Square

The youth vote has been a liability for the Republican Party since 2008.

But on Election Day, President-elect Donald Trump made the largest gains of any Republican since George W. Bush, winning 11% more voters aged 18 to 29 than he did in 2020.

Watchdog Highlights Financial, Staffing Issues at Virginia Department of Health

November 8, 2024November 8, 2024 The Center Square

Virginia’s legislative watchdog agency presented a stark review of ongoing financial management and staffing issues at the Virginia Department of Health to legislators Thursday.

Republican and Democratic state legislators alike were surprised at the severity and extent of the department’s issues, calling the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission staff’s findings “very sobering,” “shocking” and “disturbing.”

Referenda: Noncitizen Voting Prohibitions Go 8-for-8 in Emphatic Approvals

November 7, 2024November 6, 2024 The Center Square

Voters across multiple states cast ballots on who should be allowed to join them in referenda directed at voting rights, including the issue of noncitizen voting.

There’s national divide, highlighted by recent conversations on election integrity and immigration. Tuesday’s ballot measures were no different, reflecting a battleground that could potentially shape policy in future elections.

Referendums: Abortion Measures Pass in Seven States

November 6, 2024 The Center Square

Voters nationwide approved seven of 10 ballot initiatives preserving abortion rights.

‘Inspiring and Eye-Opening’: Gen Z’s Interest in Skilled Trades Rises

November 5, 2024 The Center Square

Social media’s influence is causing Gen Z’s interest in skilled trades to rise, according to a report by Thumbtack – something a trade organization co-director said is “inspiring and eye-opening.”

“55% of Gen Zers are considering a skilled trade career (up 12% from last year) – including 72% of those with a college degree,” Thumbtack’s report stated.

Texas Sees 51 Percent Drop in Border Apprehensions After Operation Lone Star Expands

November 2, 2024 The Center Square

Border Patrol apprehensions of illegal border crossers in Texas dropped 51% in one year, according to federal data. The stark decline comes after Gov. Greg Abbott expanded Operation Lone Star border security efforts in the state.

In fiscal 2023, Border Patrol agents reported 1,045,655 apprehensions of illegal border crossers in five U.S. Customs and Border Protection sectors in Texas, excluding those apprehended in New Mexico which fall into one of these sectors, in fiscal 2023. In fiscal 2024, the number dropped to 534,333, according to U.S. Customs and Border Protection data and exclusive data obtained by The Center Square.

Helene: Recovery Loans Available to Virginia Farming, Forestry Small Businesses

November 1, 2024November 1, 2024 The Center Square

Virginia agricultural and forestry small businesses impacted by Hurricane Helene now have another place to turn for help.

Individuals and state and local governments in federally designated disaster zones can already apply to the Federal Emergency Management Agency for assistance, as the president approved a Major Disaster Declaration for the commonwealth within a week of the storm.

Judge Seeks ‘Limited Protective Order’ in Trump Assassination Case

October 29, 2024 The Center Square

A judge overseeing the case against the man accused of trying to kill former President Donald Trump during a round of golf ordered prosecutors and defense attorneys back to the drawing board on a proposed protective order.

Prosecutors had sought a broad order that would prevent 58-year-old Hawaii resident Ryan Wesley Routh from having access to evidence in the case outside the presence of his attorneys unless authorized by prosecutors.

Over 3 Million Border Crossers from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela Have to America During Biden-Harris Administration

October 29, 2024 The Center Square

Of the 14 million illegal border crossers reported under the Biden-Harris administration, more than 3 million are from four countries whose citizens were granted expanded entry through a parole program created by U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas: Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua and Venezuela (CHNV).

At least 2,496,080 illegal border crossers from CHNV countries were reported under the Biden-Harris administration, according to U.S. Customs and Border Protection data. The data represents fiscal years 2021-2024, excluding the first three months of fiscal 2021 under the previous administration. The federal fiscal year is from Oct. 1 through Sept. 30.

VA Reports Housing Nearly 48,000 Homeless Vets in 2024

October 27, 2024 The Center Square

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs announced Thursday it housed 47,925 veterans experiencing homelessness in fiscal year 2024, besting an earlier goal.

That’s the largest number of veterans experiencing homelessness the federal agency has housed since fiscal year 2019 and 16.9% over its goal of 41,000.

Youngkin Issues Executive Order to Combat Gang Violence

October 24, 2024October 24, 2024 The Center Square

Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin issued his 41st executive order Thursday establishing a statewide gang and community violence prevention partnership and enforcement strategy to confront gang violence.

In addition to combating gang violence, the order will target drug and human trafficking and violence committed with firearms. The action also aims to provide support to communities and victims.

Existing Home Sales Drop as Presidential Election Approaches

October 24, 2024 The Center Square

The upcoming presidential election might keep some would-be homebuyers on the sidelines, according to a real estate economist.

Existing-home sales declined 1% in September as prices continued to climb higher, according to figures released Wednesday by the National Association of Realtors.

Report: Immigration Courts Broke Records in Fiscal 2024

October 23, 2024 The Center Square

The number of cases before federal immigration judges totaled nearly 1.8 million, a record, in fiscal 2024, according to the latest analysis by Syracuse University’s Transactional Records Access Clearinghouse, a nonpartisan, independent research organization.

Federal immigration courts fall under the Department of Justice and are located in 28 states, the Northern Mariana Islands and Puerto Rico. The DOJ’s fiscal 2024 year was Oct. 1, 2023, through Sept. 30, 2024.

Texas Sues Administration for Not Verifying Voter Registration Citizenship Info

October 23, 2024October 23, 2024 The Center Square

Following Florida, Texas sued the Biden-Harris administration Tuesday after requesting citizenship status information about registered voters in Texas, and not receiving it from federal agencies as required by law.

Last week, a coalition of attorneys general, including from Florida and Texas, called on Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas to provide the requested information. They made the requests as multiple states removed thousands of noncitizens from their voter rolls. After not receiving the information, Florida sued last week. Other states in the coalition are also expected to sue.

New Rule Proposed for No-Cost Over-the-Counter Birth Control

October 23, 2024 The Center Square

The Biden administration said Monday it wants to expand contraception access as women’s reproductive rights remain a focal issue in the 2024 election.

On Monday, Vice President Kamala Harris said the proposed changes would cover over-the-counter daily contraception without a prescription, emergency contraception, condoms and spermicide at no cost. Private insurance would also be required to inform women about no-cost contraception options and could no longer claim moral exemptions on religious grounds.

Voters Overwhelmingly Say Schools Should Not Keep Student Gender Transitions Hidden

October 22, 2024October 21, 2024 The Center Square

The overwhelming majority of Americans do not believe schools should hide a student’s gender change at school from parents, according to a recent poll of over 2,200 likely voters.

The issue of parental notification regarding a student’s gender transition has been hotly contested in recent years, especially in California, where the state has sided against school districts that have passed policies to let parents know students are using different names or pronouns.

16 AGs Call on DHS to Verify Citizenship Information of Registered Voters

October 19, 2024 The Center Square

Sixteen attorneys general, led by Ohio AG Dave Yost, called on Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas to provide voter registration information to states, particularly when it relates to citizenship status.

The AGs “raise grave concerns that by failing to work with States to verify voter registration information, your office has failed to discharge its duty ahead of a national election,” the letter to Mayorkas states.

24 States Join Court Case Seeking to Stop Electric Semitruck Mandate

October 19, 2024 The Center Square

A coalition of 24 states, led by Nebraska Attorney General Mike Hilgers, have signed a brief against a federal electric truck mandate.

On March 29, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency rolled out a new electric truck mandate to increase sales of electric semitrucks from 2027 through 2032.

Several Virginia Locations Under Consideration for Shore-Based Nuclear Power Sites

October 18, 2024October 18, 2024 The Center Square

Four of seven locations the Navy is considering for potential shore-based nuclear power sites are in Virginia, according to information recently released by the department.

Naval Air Station Oceana in Virginia Beach, Naval Support Activity South Potomac in Dahlgren, Naval Weapons Station Yorktown, and Marine Corps Base Quantico are the sites under consideration. Installations in Maryland and North Carolina are also being considered.

America’s Largest Retail Group Says Holiday Shopping Sales to Grow More Slowly

October 18, 2024 The Center Square

The largest retail group in the country says it expects consumers to spend more this holiday season, but the growth in sales will be slower than last year.

The National Retail Federation (NRF) said its 2024 forecast shows winter holiday spending is expected to grow between 2.5% and 3.5% over 2023.

Poll: Americans Broadly Support Federal School Choice Program

October 17, 2024October 16, 2024 The Center Square

A new national poll shows a majority of Americans support school choice measures that would allow families to use taxpayer funds to attend a private school.

The Center Square Voters’ Voice Poll conducted by Noble Predictive Insights found that over two-thirds of the more than 2,200 likely voters polled support giving families choices using public funds.

Lawsuit: More than 6,000 Noncitizens on Virginia Voter Rolls in the Balance

October 15, 2024October 15, 2024 The Center Square

Over 6,000 “noncitizens” could be added back to Virginia’s voter rolls if the U.S. Department of Justice and a coalition of groups advocating on behalf of immigrants prevail in their lawsuits against the commonwealth.

A pair of lawsuits filed against the state target Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s Executive Order 35, which aims to increase election security. However, the cases are focused on the commonwealth’s ongoing efforts to clean voter roll logs, specifically “noncitizens” registered to vote.

More than 80 Percent of All Voters Support Major Election Reform Including Requirements on Proof of Citizenship, Limits on Early Voting: Poll

October 15, 2024 The Center Square

A vast majority of voters want policies and procedures in place to guarantee the integrity of elections, according to new polling.

That includes 86 percent of those surveyed who agree that election officials should have access to all necessary information to verify that the number of ballots cast matches the number of voters, and 85 percent who say that election officials should verify the accuracy of the information they receive before signing off on certifying election results. Majorities of Republicans, Democrats and Independents support the proper verification of voting.

Majority of Voters Favor Federal Ban on Transgender Procedures for Minors, New Poll Finds

October 14, 2024 The Center Square

Most registered voters, 59 percent, support a federal ban on transgender procedures such as puberty blockers and gender reassignment surgeries for minors, a new national poll found.

The strongest support for a federal ban came from registered Republicans (82 percent), while the lowest amount of support for it came from registered Democrats (36 percent). Independents polled offered majority support for a ban, with 56 percent in favor.

New Rule Could Cost Small Businesses $73.1 Billion over 10 Years

October 13, 2024 The Center Square

A legal challenge to new reporting requirements for small business owners, potentially costing them $73.1 billion over a decade, has begun with a request for preliminary injunction in a federal courtroom in Texas.

The National Federation of Independent Business, in a hearing, is seeking to stop the reporting requirements in the Corporate Transparency Act from implementation on Jan. 1.

Small Businesses’ Uncertainty Hits New High, Survey Finds

October 12, 2024 The Center Square

American small business uncertainty hit an all-time high and optimism remains low just weeks before Election Day, according to the latest survey.

The National Federation of Independent Businesses on Monday released the survey, which showed small business uncertainty rose last month to the highest level ever recorded by NFIB.

Recovery Ongoing in Florida from Milton

October 11, 2024 The Center Square

Recovery in Florida continued Friday morning following Wednesday’s overnight strike of Hurricane Milton that left 12 dead and millions without power.

25 Governors Demand Answers on How Many Migrants Flown to States

October 10, 2024October 9, 2024 The Center Square

Twenty-five Republican governors want to know how many illegal foreign nationals have been flown into their states by a Biden-Harris administration plan they argue is burdening their residents and creating an unsafe environment.

Those being flown in have arrived through more than a dozen parole programs created by U.S. Department of Homeland Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas. The governors only inquired about one: the CHNV parole program, created to fast track previously inadmissible citizens of Cuba, Honduras, Nicaragua and Venezuela moving into the country.

‘Suspect:’ Lawmakers Ratchet up Investigation into Soros Radio Station Deal

October 8, 2024 The Center Square

Republican lawmakers on Monday ratcheted up the investigation into billionaire George Soros’ purchase of a wide swath of U.S. radio stations.

Soros is a major donor to Democratic and liberal causes whose purchase of American radio stations just before the election raised eyebrows and drew Congressional inquiry.

Stadium and Arena Subsidies Not Worth It for Taxpayers: Report

October 8, 2024 The Center Square

Professional sports teams and government officials promise tax revenue benefits when taxpayer subsidies are used to build new or renovation stadiums and arenas.

But those benefits consistently do not come to fruition, according to a report from the Tax Foundation.

Report: More Than 50 Jihadist Cases in 29 States Show ‘Persistent Terror Threat’

October 7, 2024 The Center Square

A new report published by the U.S. House Committee on Homeland Security states that “foreign jihadist networks and homegrown violent extremists” represent a “persistent terror threat to America.”

Purdue Survey Finds More Farmers Worried About Economy

October 7, 2024October 7, 2024 The Center Square

Farmer pessimism about the economy is at its lowest in nearly a decade. That’s according to a recent survey conducted by the Purdue Center for Commercial Agriculture.

The Purdue University-CME Ag Economy Barometer Index for September was at 88. That’s down 12 points from the August survey and 25 from July’s results. It’s also down 18 points from where the index was a year ago, with growers’ concerns for both the future and present leading to steep drops in both subcategories.

Harris Dodges One October Surprise, Faces Another in Tight Race

October 6, 2024 The Center Square

American voters are one month out from election day, and some new developments threaten to upset the close race.

Seattle Approves Highest Minimum Wage in the U.S.

October 6, 2024 The Center Square

Seattle employees making the minimum wage will see a mandatory raise starting next year, making them the highest paid minimum wage workers in the country.

Starting at the beginning of 2025, all employers regardless of size will be required to pay their employees at least $20.76 an hour.

At Least 1.5 Million Illegal Southwest Border Crossers Reported in Fiscal Year 2024

October 5, 2024October 4, 2024 The Center Square

A minimum of 1,525,210 foreign nationals illegally crossed the Southwest U.S. border in fiscal 2024, according to preliminary data The Center Square exclusively obtained from a Border Patrol agent on condition of anonymity for fear of reprisal.

The data excludes Office of Field Operations data, gotaway data (those who illegally entered and evaded capture), and northern border apprehension data, meaning the overall number is likely much higher.

Report: ‘High Risk Noncitizens’ Without IDs Flying Across U.S.

October 4, 2024 The Center Square

Twenty-three years after Islamic terrorists used airplanes to conduct the worst terrorist attack on U.S. soil, the federal agency created to protect Americans from national security threats “cannot ensure they are keeping high-risk noncitizens without identification from entering the country.”

The potentially high-risk noncitizens are being flown on domestic flights without identification, creating a public safety risk, according to the latest Office of Inspector General report assessing several federal agencies within the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

Swing States Hurting from Inflation, Want More from Trump, Harris on Energy Policies

October 2, 2024 The Center Square

Swing state voters are feeling the pain of high prices and want to hear more from presidential candidates about their energy policies, newly released polling data shows.

A new Morning Consult/American Petroleum Institute poll obtained exclusively by The Center Square surveyed registered voters in the key swing states of Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin.

East Coast Port Strikes Could Bring Shortages, Rising Prices

October 1, 2024 The Center Square

Some 50,000 International Longshoremen’s Association members went on strike Tuesday against the East and Gulf Coast ports, snarling the flow of goods in what some predict could be the most disruptive strike in decades.

The strike, which extends from Maine to Texas, could affect everything from bananas to European beer and automobiles.

Universities Secretly Take Billions in Foreign ‘Ghost Dollars’: Report

September 30, 2024 The Center Square

American colleges and universities are accepting billions of dollars in foreign money without reporting it, according to a new report.

The National Association of Scholars released the report, which says that taking money from foreign governments and organizations without reporting it has become commonplace among American universities.

New Research Shows Students from Schools That Closed During COVID Are Not Returning

September 30, 2024 The Center Square

New research shows that school enrollment has declined in over 5,000 public schools in the U.S., suggesting families are rejecting traditional schools because of the pandemic.

The Fordham Institute’s new study, conducted by researcher Sofoklis Goulas from the Brookings Institution, released Wednesday, found that families were over twice as likely to leave low-performing public schools.

Helene Drowns Southeastern United States, Leaves a Path of Destruction

September 29, 2024September 29, 2024 The Center Square

At least 26 people across four states have died as a result of the storm formerly known as Hurricane Helene that has produced widespread flooding and tornadoes.