The South Archives - Page 11 of 68

Lumber Company Expanding in Southwest Virginia

July 2, 2023July 1, 2023 The Center Square

Southwestern Virginia is set to benefit from a $7.5 million expansion of Musser Biomass and Wood Products, bringing new, high-paying jobs to the area and more than doubling its production of dried hardwood chips and sawdust.

Musser’s parent company, Musser Lumber Company, has contributed to the Wythe County economy since 1968 when it was founded, and today has customers across the country and worldwide. The company specializes in preparing hardwood lumber for flooring and paneling, and sources lumber from dozens of regional sawmills.

Pornhub Blocks Its Access in Virginia Due to State’s New Age Verification Law

July 1, 2023June 30, 2023 Just the News

Pornhub, the adult-content website, has blocked users from the state of Virginia due to its new age verification law that will take effect July 1.

The law, titled SB 1515 and proposed by Republican state Sen. William M. Stanley Jr., will require sites with pornographic content to verify users in Virginia are at least 18 years old before they allow them to view the content on the website.

Former Mississippi Governor Points to Success of Legislation Leading State’s Fourth-Graders to Become Top Reading and Math Achievers

June 30, 2023 Susan Berry, PhD

Former Mississippi Gov. Phil Bryant (R) is celebrating the “comeback story” of his state’s fourth graders, who ranked on 2022 national test scores as the nation’s top performers in reading, and second in math, following the enactment of literacy legislation he spearheaded that saved the state from its “dead-last ranking in the United States.”

Virginia Ranks First for Customized Workforce Training

June 30, 2023June 29, 2023 The Center Square

Virginia ranked first in the nation in customized workforce training, according to the recently released annual State Rankings Report by Business Facilities magazine.

The Virginia Talent Accelerator Program earned the commonwealth its coveted ranking in the report by Business Facilities, a national publication that serves as a resource for corporate site selection.

Maryland and Virginia to Receive Federal Funds to Expand Broadband Access

June 29, 2023June 28, 2023 The Center Square

As part of the “Internet for All” initiative, Virginia is set to receive $1.4 billion in federal funds, while Maryland is poised to receive $267 million to expand broadband access across both states.

The program aims to level economic and educational playing fields by providing reliable internet access to “unserved and underserved locations.”

Environmental Groups File Suit Against the Navy over Naval Surface Warfare Center in Virginia

June 28, 2023June 28, 2023 The Center Square

Two environmental groups have filed a federal lawsuit alleging the Naval Surface Warfare Center at Dahlgren, Virginia, violated the Clean Water Act through munitions testing in and over the Potomac.

Republican Votes Still Being Counted to Determine McPike’s Opponent for Virginia’s State Senate District 29 Seat

June 27, 2023June 26, 2023 The Center Square

With his Republican opponent still to be determined, Democratic State Sen. Jeremy McPike is a winner in Virginia’s District 29, accepting a concession on Sunday from Del. Elizabeth Guzman.

The Republican race from last Tuesday remains too close to call. In the most recent announced tabulation, only two votes separate candidates Nikki Rattray Baldwin, the leader, and Maria Martin.

Virginia Looking to Spend COVID Relief Child Care Funds

June 25, 2023June 24, 2023 The Center Square

Virginia has received more than $1 billion in COVID-19 relief funding for its child care sector since the beginning of the pandemic, and it continues to appropriate those funds as the deadline to disburse more than $763 million approaches.

The federal government apportioned $52.5 billion to the child care industry in three pandemic relief packages, according to the U.S. Government Accountability Office.

Lawsuit Against Virginia Tech Bias Response Team May Land Before Supreme Court

June 24, 2023June 23, 2023 Admin

A recent federal court ruling siding with Virginia Tech’s bias response team has prompted center-right watchdogs to call for the U.S. Supreme Court to take up the case to protect free speech in higher education.

The controversy centers on a 2021 complaint from Speech First, a nonprofit committed to safeguarding freedom of speech on college campuses, which argued Virginia Tech’s Bias Intervention and Response Team policies and procedures infringe on students’ ability to speak freely about controversial issues.

Democratic Virginia Candidates Compete for Primary Wins in Newly Drawn Districts

June 23, 2023June 22, 2023 The Center Square

In yesterday’s General Assembly primaries, competition was fierce among Democrats for unclaimed Senate districts newly defined in Virginia’s last redistricting in 2021.

Incumbents represented a little more than one-third of the commonwealth’s senatorial candidates. Ten Democratic Senators returned to contend for their seats, with eight competing against newcomers and two squaring off against each other for the up-for-grabs 18th District. Four of the eight incumbent-challenger Democratic races went to the current Senators.

Virginia Primary Voters Decide on GOP Candidates

June 23, 2023June 22, 2023 The Center Square

Tuesday’s primaries in Virginia saw two hotly contested Republican Senate races, and five that were won by a substantial margin after the most recent redistricting scrambled seats.

Former state Sen. Glen Sturtevant eked out a victory over Sen. Amanda Chase, the incumbent of the 11th district, which was redistricted to what is now the commonwealth’s 12th Senate district. Newcomer Nikki Baldwin ran for the 29th district in her first race for public office while battling it out with Maria Martin, who competed unsuccessfully in 2019 against Democrat Luke Torian for Delegate district 52, in her second race for public office.

Global Shipping Container Company Announces Virginia Expansion

June 22, 2023 The Center Square

A global shipping container company announced plans to expand its headquarters in Virginia with a $30 million investment.

ZIM American Integrated Shipping Services Company, a subsidiary of the publicly held international cargo shipping company ZIM Integrated Shipping Services Ltd, based in Israel, chose the Hampton Roads region to relocate and expand its U.S. headquarters.

State Bar of California Begins Trial to Disbar Trump’s Attorney John Eastman Over 2020 Election

June 21, 2023 Rachel Alexander

The State Bar of California (SBC) began a trial on Tuesday seeking to disbar conservative legal scholar John Eastman over his role advising former President Donald Trump and state legislatures on challenging the 2020 election results. The proceedings arose out of a complaint against him made by the States United Democracy Center (SUDC). SUDC is run by a former Obama appointee, Norm Eisen, and its advisory board includes former Arizona governor and Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano.

The SBC charged Eastman with 11 ethics violations in January. Eastman filed a 100-page response containing thousands of attachments, and published a rebuttal on his Substack. He said the SBC’s complaint “is filled with distortions, half truths, and outright falsehoods.”

Virginia Senators Look to Permanently Expand Medicare Telehealth Services

June 21, 2023June 20, 2023 The Center Square

Virginia Sens. Tim Kaine and Mark Warner are cosponsoring bipartisan legislation to expand Medicare coverage of telehealth services and “make permanent telehealth flexibilities that were enacted during COVID.”

The federal government dictates how Medicare and self-insured plans cover telemedicine, whereas Medicaid and fully insured private plans fall within the purview of the states.

Virginia U.S. Rep. Wittman Introduces Legislation to Decrease Shark Depredation

June 20, 2023June 19, 2023 The Center Square

Virginia U.S. Rep. Rob Wittman (R-VA-01) is co-sponsoring legislation designed to decrease shark depredation to protect sharks from “unsafe conditions and food sources.”

Shark depredation occurs when sharks bite or consume marine animals that fishermen are trying to catch, which both recreational and commercial fishermen experience.

Virginia Gov. Youngkin Signs ‘Historic’ Legislation to Improve Behavioral Health Care Access

June 18, 2023June 17, 2023 The Center Square

Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin signed 24 bills for improving behavioral health care access as part of the governor’s “historic” Right Help, Right Now plan.

The legislation is intended to improve insurance coverage for behavioral health in the commonwealth, while strengthening the behavioral health workforce and easing the strain on public safety.

Virginia AG Leads Coalition on Recommendations for Artificial Intelligence Governance

June 17, 2023June 16, 2023 The Center Square

A bipartisan coalition of 23 attorneys general, co-led by Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares, submitted a letter advising the National Telecommunications and Information Administration on governance policies on artificial intelligence.

As part of creating policy recommendations on AI, the NTIA invited policymakers and subject matter experts for expertise and commentary.

Gov. Youngkin Announces Famed Fireworks Maker Pyrotechnique by Grucci Expansion in Virginia

June 16, 2023June 15, 2023 The Center Square

Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin announced the commonwealth beat out New York in a bid for a new location of a sixth-generation pyrotechnic company that contracts with the Department of Defense to expand in Pulaski County.

The New York-based Fireworks by Grucci, has an existing presence in the commonwealth through its manufacturing arm, Pyrotechnique by Grucci. The former is an American company that has supplied thousands of celebrations with its pyrotechnic arts since 1850, notably eight presidential inaugurations and four Olympic Games.

It’s Official: Miami Mayor Francis Suarez Announces Run for President

June 15, 2023 Admin

Miami’s conservative Mayor Francis Suarez announced Thursday morning he’s seeking the Republican nomination for president in 2024, joining an increasingly growing GOP primary field.

Virginia to Receive $366 Million from Opioid Settlement

June 15, 2023June 14, 2023 The Center Square

Virginia is slated to receive approximately $366 million as part of the $17.3 billion nationwide settlements with opioid manufacturers Teva and Allegan and pharmacies CVS and Walgreens, Attorney General Jason Miyares announced.

“This milestone settlement with two major drug makers and two major pharmacies has been a long time coming,” said Miyares. “I look forward to seeing the positive impacts on our communities and lives this money will have across Virginia.”

Virginia Attorney General Subpoenas School District over Merit Awards Investigation

June 15, 2023June 14, 2023 Just the News

Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) officials announced that they’ve been subpoenaed by the Virginia Attorney General’s Office to release a report on an investigation into the district’s failure to notify some students of their National Merit Awards. FCPS says it’s fighting the subpoena by taking “legal action.”

FCPS says it conducted an independent investigation into their notification process and released a summary of the investigation in March. The investigation concluded that educators did not do anything to intentionally harm students or their college applications, according to FCPS.

Tennessee U.S. Rep Mark Green Says He Has Evidence That Some Chinese Migrants Are Tied To CCP, PLA

June 14, 2023 Admin

House Homeland Security Committee Chairman Mark Green possesses evidence that some Chinese migrants that crossed the southern border illegally and were released into the U.S. under the Biden administration are connected to the Chinese Communist Party and China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA), he told the Daily Caller News Foundation during a press conference Wednesday.

Virginia Employees of Federally-Contracted Call Center Go on Strike

June 13, 2023June 12, 2023 The Center Square

Hundreds of employees of the country’s largest federally-contracted call center went on strike in Virginia last week to protest claims of “unfair layoffs,” poor pay, lack of career advancement opportunities and racial inequality in the workplace.

Maximus is contracted with the Department of Health and Human Services to supply call center services for the federally-mandated health care marketplace, Medicaid and Medicare enrollees, and the CDC-INFO line. Maximus employees handle millions of calls on behalf of HHS every year.

Northern Virginia Commission Identifies $600 Million Worth of Climate-Change Projects

June 12, 2023June 11, 2023 The Center Square

The Northern Virginia Regional Commission evaluated the climate-change readiness of the region and its military installations – identifying 129 projects to address readiness gaps.

Utilizing a $1.5 million Department of Defense grant, multiple counties and municipal governments participated in the study, such as Arlington, Fairfax, Prince William and Stafford counties, home to Joint Base Ft. Myer-Henderson Hall, Ft. Belvoir and the 58,000-acre Quantico Marine base.

Virginia Gov. Youngkin Rails Against ‘Two-Tiered Justice System’ After Trump Indictment

June 11, 2023June 10, 2023 Just the News

Virginia Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin on Friday fumed over the charges against former President Donald Trump brought special counsel Jack Smith, contending the case signified a stark disparity in the application of justice by the government.

“These charges are unprecedented and it’s a sad day for our country, especially in light of what clearly appears to be a two-tiered justice system where some are selectively prosecuted, and others are not,” the governor tweeted. “Parents in Virginia know firsthand what it’s like to be targeted by politically motivated actions. Regardless of your party, this undermines faith in our judicial system at exactly the time when we should be working to restore that trust.”

Virginia Hospital and Healthcare Association Releases Videos Highlighting Health Care Professionals’ Personal Stories Regarding Workplace Violence

June 9, 2023June 8, 2023 Kaitlin Housler

The Virginia Hospital & Healthcare Association (VHHA) released a series of videos featuring the stories of hospital nurses across the state who have firsthand experience with workplace violence in clinical settings.

The videos have been released in recognition of the annual Hospitals Against Violence initiative, which focuses on “identifying strategies to combat workplace and community violence,” according to VHHA.

Virginia Department of Education Releases Report on Recommendations to Promote Excellence

June 9, 2023June 8, 2023 The Center Square

The Virginia Department of Education released a report on recommendations for the General Assembly, and the status of the commonwealth’s commitment to promote excellence in education.

Leaders and stakeholders met to evaluate and recommend specific policies and performance standards for public education in the commonwealth.

Virginia Senators Announce $22 Million for Abandoned Mine Lands Projects

June 8, 2023June 7, 2023 Virginia Star Staff

Virginia Sens. Tim Kaine and Mark Warner have announced $22.78 million in federal funding to reclaim abandoned mine lands in the commonwealth – supporting projects eliminating dangerous environmental hazards and redevelopment.

The senators touted the funding as part of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act passed in 2021, saying the money would boost the commonwealth’s economy while improving the environment.

DeSantis to Visit Southern Border

June 7, 2023 Admin

Republican Florida Gov. and 2024 presidential hopeful Ron DeSantis will travel to the southern border Wednesday, his office said in a statement to the Daily Caller News Foundation.

Virginia to Receive over $2 Million in Suboxone Settlement

June 7, 2023June 6, 2023 The Center Square

Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares announced a $102.5 million settlement with the makers of Suboxone for alleged illegal monopoly tactics, for which the commonwealth will receive more than $2.3 million.

The settlement stems from a complaint filed against Indivior Inc., the maker of Suboxone, alleging the pharmaceutical company used “illegal means” to switch the Suboxone market from tablets to film. The suit says the company attempted to destroy the market for tablets in an effort to preserve its drug monopoly.

Virginia’s Gov. Youngkin Latest to Scrap College Degree Requirement for Most State Jobs

June 6, 2023June 5, 2023 Admin

Virginia axed bachelor’s degree requirements for 90 percent of state jobs this week, following a precedent adopted by several states with bipartisan support over the last year.

“Governor Glenn Youngkin announced today a landmark change in how state agencies will recruit and compete for talent by eliminating degree requirements, preferences or both for almost 90% of state classified positions,” according to a Tuesday news release from the governor’s office.

One-Fourth of Virginia State Senate Incumbents Are Running in Contested Primaries

June 4, 2023June 3, 2023 The Center Square

Democrats currently hold a 22-18 majority in the Virginia State Senate, which holds elections every four years rather than every two.

The chamber is already poised to welcome at least 11 new members next year: ten incumbents are retiring, and two incumbents are running in the same district, leaving 11 districts open, over one-fourth of the chamber.

Virginia Gov. Youngkin Eliminating Degree Requirement for Many State Jobs

June 2, 2023June 1, 2023 The Center Square

Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin is taking historical measures by eliminating degree requirements and preferences for nearly 90% of commonwealth classified positions.

The new “landmark” hiring preferences will provide equal consideration for all qualified applicants and allow state agencies to broaden their recruitment and talent pool.

Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz Declares ‘Huge Victory’ as Pentagon Cancels ‘Child-Friendly’ Drag Show at Nevada Air Base

June 1, 2023 Susan Berry, PhD

The Department of Defense has put a stop to a “child-friendly” drag show event slated for Thursday at Nellis Air Force Base in Nevada.

Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin to Deploy National Guard Troops to Southern Border

June 1, 2023May 31, 2023 Virginia Star Staff

Republican Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin will deploy National Guard troops to the southern border, his office announced Wednesday.

The Virginia governor will send 100 troops to the Texas-Mexico border to address the surge in illegal immigration and drug smuggling that he says is killing five Virginians each day, according to the announcement. Youngkin joins Florida, Tennessee and Nebraska in helping Republican Texas Gov. Greg Abbott secure the southern border.

Virginia Middle School Students Host ‘Fight Clubs’ with Parental Help, Principal Says

May 31, 2023May 30, 2023 Just the News

Middle school students in northern Virginia have created “fight clubs” with the assistance of parents, and the violence is entering the school building, the school’ principal says.

Tea Party Patriots Action Condemn House Speaker McCarthy for Debt Ceiling Deal, Urge Republicans to Vote in Opposition

May 30, 2023 Kaitlin Housler

Tea Party Patriots Action (TPPA), the national conservative nonprofit group founded at the height of the Tea Party Movement, is condemning House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA-20) for negotiating an increase of $4 trillion to the national debt over the next 18 months and calling on House Republicans to vote against the bill.

As Space Runs Out, Iconic Virginia’s Arlington National Cemetery Future Uncertain

May 30, 2023May 29, 2023 The Center Square

by Sarah Roderick-Fitch Virginia’s Arlington National Cemetery, one of America’s most notable symbolic memorials to freedom, will soon run out of room. Despite two extensions in progress meant to expand capacity until 2060, the 639-acre cemetery’s eligibility requirements and geographical footprint must change to preserve space for future generations…

Republican Lawmakers Call for DEI Spending Report to Investigate Virginia Public Colleges

May 30, 2023May 29, 2023 Admin

Republican lawmakers in Virginia are requesting a spending report that focuses specifically on the diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) efforts at state colleges and universities, Higher Ed Dive reports.

Two lawmakers in particular are paving the way for this new initiative: House Speaker Todd Gilbert and House Majority Leader Terry Kilgore. In a May 4 letter, Gilbert and Kilgore requested the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission (JLARC) “to study the growing cost of public higher education in the Commonwealth.”

Russia Issues Arrest Warrant for Senator Lindsey Graham

May 30, 2023 Admin

by Ailan Evans Russia issued an arrest warrant for Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina Monday, following comments he made about the war in Ukraine. The warrant was issued by Russia’s Interior Ministry on Monday, with an additional announcement that a criminal investigation had been opened into Graham, according…

Louisiana Republican State Senator Joins Democrats to Kill Bill to Protect Minors from Gender Transition Hormone Drugs and Surgeries

May 28, 2023 Susan Berry, PhD

Louisiana State Sen. Fred Mills (R-Acadiana), a former Democrat and a pharmacy owner backed by the pharmaceutical industry, joined with Democrats of the Senate Health and Welfare Committee to kill a bill, already passed by the state House, that would have protected minors from life-altering gender transition procedures.

HB648, a bill that would “prohibit certain procedures to alter the sex of a minor child,” including providing puberty blockers, cross-sex hormones, and surgeries such as elective double mastectomies and castrations, was killed in committee, by a vote of 5-4, with Mills, the GOP chair of the committee, breaking the tie to side with the Democrats.

Poll Shows a Majority Support Easing Perimeter Rule around Reagan National

May 28, 2023May 27, 2023 The Center Square

A recent poll shows a majority of northern Virginia residents support expanding the flight distance perimeter around Reagan National Airport, allowing the airport to accommodate more routes, thus making fares more competitive, according to supporters of the measure.

Recent legislation introduced by Utah congressmen Burgess Owens and Hank Johnson, known as The Direct Capital Access Act, part of the 2023 Federal Aviation Administration Reauthorization bill, would allow for the increase and creation of longer-haul flights in and out of Reagan. The legislation would add 28 flights in and out of the 1960s-era perimeter rule for incoming and outgoing flights.

Music Spotlight: Noah Riley Teal

May 28, 2023 Bethany Bowman

Noah Riley Teal is an Americana singer, songwriter, and guitarist who will be releasing his debut self-titled album on July 7th. His latest single, “I’m Coming Around” is out now.

Virginia’s Miyares Joins Lawsuit Against Robocall Company

May 27, 2023May 26, 2023 The Center Square

Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares has joined a nationwide lawsuit against Avid Telecom for “violating” the Telephone Consumer Protection Act for allegedly “facilitating billions of illegal robocalls.”

Miyares is joining a bipartisan coalition of 48 attorneys general from across the country in filing the lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the District of Arizona.

Virginia Legislation Introduced to Help Navy Sailors Combat Mental Health Issues

May 26, 2023May 25, 2023 The Center Square

A group of Virginia bipartisan congressional leaders are leading the charge with legislation to improve access to mental health services and reduce suicides among Navy sailors.

Reps. Jennifer Kiggans, Rob Wittman, Bobby Scott and Jennifer McClennan are leading efforts to increase access to mental health resources while requiring mental health screenings for sailors on limited duty, entitled the Sailor Standard Care Act.

South Carolina Becomes 23rd State to Protect Babies with Heartbeat

May 26, 2023 Susan Berry, PhD

South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster (R) signed the Fetal Heartbeat and Protection from Abortion Act Thursday morning, legislation that protects babies in the state from abortion from the time a heartbeat is detected.

McMaster’s signature on the bill now makes South Carolina the 23rd state to protect babies with a heartbeat, and marks that half of the United States is now protecting babies from abortion at or before 12 weeks.

Virginia Records the Largest Job Increase in Nearly a Decade

May 25, 2023May 24, 2023 The Center Square

Virginia’s labor participation rate rose to the highest recorded in nearly a decade, according to the Bureau of Labor and Statistics Local Area Unemployment Statistics.

April’s labor force participation rate increased by 0.3% to 66.2%, the highest since June 2014. The labor force in the commonwealth has risen by 21,687 this month. The BLS recorded more than 25,000 Virginians were employed in April than in March – leading the decline in unemployment to 3.1%.

Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin Is ‘Reconsidering’ Running for President in 2024: Report

May 24, 2023May 23, 2023 Admin

Republican Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin is reportedly “reconsidering” his decision not to run for president in 2024, according to Axios.

Youngkin was often named as a potential candidate for president, but seemingly closed the door when he announced on May 1 that he wouldn’t run for president “this year.” Republican donors are urging Youngkin to reconsider as Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is expected to jump in the race Wednesday and former President Donald Trump continues to dominate in the polls, according to Axios.

Virginia Gov. Youngkin Finalizes Legislation from Reconvened Session

May 21, 2023May 20, 2023 The Center Square

Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin took final action on 17 pieces of legislation pending from the reconvened legislative session, signing 12 and vetoing five.

The legislation ranged from energy to medical marijuana. The governor celebrated the General Assembly voting approving nearly all of his amendments. Youngkin expressed disappointment for a few pieces of legislation rejected by the Assembly – mainly a key piece of energy legislation and the protection of minors regarding social media.

Virginia Revenue Collections Remain Ahead by Nearly $500 Million

May 20, 2023May 19, 2023 The Center Square

Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin says the commonwealth is ahead almost $500 million for the year-to-date general revenue collections – consistent with a prior forecast.

The revenue collections in the first 10 months of the fiscal year were 2.7% higher – adjusted for policy or timing impacts. Although, the unadjusted revenue collections were down 8.2% in April, a 0.9% reduction for the fiscal year-to-date.