Virginia Archives - The Virginia Star

Virginia U.S. Rep. Spanberger Says Tulsi Gabbard ‘Dangerous’ as Trump’s Pick for Director of National Intelligence

December 31, 2024December 31, 2024 Tom Pappert

Outgoing U.S. Representative Abigail Spanberger (D-VA-07), who is leaving Congress to pursue the Democratic Party’s nomination for Governor of Virginia, said it was “dangerous” for President-elect Donald Trump to nominate Tulsi Gabbard to serve as Director of National Intelligence (DNI) in an interview with ABC 7 News published Tuesday.

Spanberger, who formerly worked as a federal agent for the U.S. Postal Inspection Service and a case officer for the CIA, made the remarks about Gabbard when asked about those nominated by Trump to serve in key intelligence positions during his second term in the White House.

Virginia AG Jason Miyares Asks Supreme Court to Uphold TikTok Ban as January Deadline Looms

December 30, 2024December 30, 2024 Tom Pappert

Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares has asked the U.S. Supreme Court to maintain the law requiring for ByteDance, the Chinese parent company of the social media platform TikTok, to sell its American operations or face a ban in the country.

After Congress raised concerns about TikTok’s connections to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), President Joe Biden signed legislation in April that gave ByteDance until January 19, 2025 to sell its American operations. ByteDance sued to block the legislation, but the federal government obtained rulings allowing the law in place from lower courts, leading to the Supreme Court deciding to take the case on January 10, 2025.

Virginia Democrat Claims Trump’s Plan to Relocate 100,000 Federal Jobs from D.C. Will Boost Democratic Turnout in Special Elections

December 27, 2024December 27, 2024 Tom Pappert

Virginia House of Delegates Speaker Don Scott (D-Portsmouth) said on Thursday that the “Agenda 47” plan by President-elect Donald Trump to relocate up to 100,000 federal employees from Washington, D.C. to other parts of the country will help unite Democrats ahead of the January 7 special elections.

Scott made the remarks during an appearance on MSNBC’s “The Katie Phang Show,” telling the eponymous host he is optimistic his party will fare well in the upcoming special elections sparked by the electoral victories of U.S. Representatives-elect Suhas Subramanyam (D-VA-10) and John McGuire (R-VA-05).

Virginia Bill Would Require Security Paper, Watermarks on Mail-in Ballots

December 26, 2024 Tom Pappert

Legislation filed ahead of the upcoming legislative session in Virginia would require the commonwealth to use security paper and watermarks on absentee ballots.

Fusion Power Plant Coming to Virginia

December 26, 2024December 24, 2024 The Center Square

The world’s largest private fusion company has announced that it has chosen Chesterfield, Virginia, as the site of the world’s first grid-scale commercial fusion power plant, which will also be its first power plant.

Founded in Massachusetts as a result of decades of research at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Commonwealth Fusion Systems is at the forefront of efforts to “build a full-fledged fusion energy industry” that aims to help meet the energy demands of the future without relying on fossil fuels.

DOJ Attorney Who Prosecuted Former Arizona Sheriff Runs for Lieutenant Governor of Virginia

December 25, 2024December 24, 2024 Tom Pappert

Victor Salgado, the former Department of Justice attorney who successfully prosecuted Joe Arpaio, the former sheriff of Maricopa County, Arizona, announced on Thursday he is joining the race for the Democratic nomination for Lieutenant Governor of Virginia.

Salgado’s entry to the race was first divulged by The Richmond Times-Dispatch, which reported the candidate cited the immigration policies planned by President-elect Donald Trump as his decision to leave the Department of Justice (DOJ) and enter politics.

Former Virginia Governor Claims Lack of Democrat ‘Solidarity’ Could Lead to Republican Governor in 2025

December 23, 2024 Tom Pappert

Former Virginia Governor Douglas Wilder cautioned Democrats in the commonwealth against a tumultuous primary, arguing it was a lack of Democratic solidarity preceded the 2021 election of Governor Glenn Youngkin.

Intelligence Officials Claim Virginia Casino Could Help Spies ‘Blackmail’ Government Employees

December 20, 2024 Tom Pappert

A letter signed by more than 100 current and former intelligence or national security officials urged a northern Virginia county against allowing a the construction of a casino, was published Thursday, with the officials arguing the casino would pose threats to recruitment and national security.

Virginia State Police Confirm 150 Reported Drone Sightings in December, Urge Public to Send Tips

December 19, 2024 Tom Pappert

The Virginia State Police (VSP) on Thursday confirmed citizens have reported 150 drone sightings throughout the commonwealth during the month of December in a statement that urged the public to notify authorities if they see drones flying over sensitive areas.

Chair of Virginia Democrats Tells Journalist to ‘Delete’ Himself in Deleted Tweet

December 18, 2024December 18, 2024 Tom Pappert

The chair of the Democratic Party of Virginia told an independent journalist to “delete himself” in a post to the social media platform X, which has now been deleted in turn.

“Delete yourself,” Chairwoman Susan Swecker told Substack writer Ken Klippenstein after he questioned the decision by Democrats in the U.S. House of Representatives to vote for Representative Gerry Connolly (D-VA-11) to represent the party on the House Oversight Committee.

Virginia Democrat Leader Says Youngkin’s No Tax on Tips Proposal May Not be ‘Responsible’

December 17, 2024December 17, 2024 Tom Pappert

Virginia House Speaker Don Scott (D-Portsmouth) reportedly said in a Monday press conference that Democrats are only likely to support Governor Glenn Youngkin’s proposal to stop taxing tips if it is “responsible,” suggesting the governor’s proposal to mirror the federal campaign promise by President-elect Donald Trump within the commonwealth could face opposition over financial concerns.

Scott said during his Monday press conference, “Any idea that’s going to put money back into the pockets of hard work of Virginians, we’re going to strongly consider and take a look at it,” reported VPM.

Virginia U.S. Rep-Elect John McGuire Urges Party Unity After Luther Cifers Wins GOP Nomination for State Senate

December 16, 2024December 16, 2024 Tom Pappert

U.S. Representative-elect John McGuire (R-VA-05) urged Republicans in Virginia’s 10th State Senate district to unite behind Luther Cifers, the outsider businessman who secured the Republican Party’s nomination to run for McGuire’s former seat.

Cifers won the nomination during the Friday mass meeting in Goochland that The Daily Progress reported drew 1,000 Republicans, ultimately securing more votes than Louisa County Board of Supervisers Chairman Duane Adams in the third round of voting, which was concluded at about 1 a.m. on Saturday.

‘Suspicious’ Drone Sightings Reported in Virginia

December 14, 2024 The Center Square

Law enforcement officials in Virginia have reported “suspicious” drone sightings appearing over counties containing sensitive military bases and national security facilities.

The Stafford County Sheriff’s Office reports the sightings of “suspicious drones flying over” Stafford, King George and Spotsylvania counties.

Virginia Immigrant Group Opposing Youngkin’s Sanctuary City Proposal Lost $1.5 Million over Lip Balm, Fidget Toy Purchases

December 13, 2024December 13, 2024 Tom Pappert

The immigrant group that opposes the proposal by Governor Glenn Youngkin to strip funding from so-called sanctuary cities that refuse to cooperate with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), was denied federal funding by the Prince William County commission in February after it reportedly filed nearly $200,000 in expenses that are unfit for federal dollars distributed by the county.

Youngkin on Thursday unveiled a budget plan that includes a “No Sanctuary Cities” proposal that would require local law enforcement agencies to coordinate with ICE or lose funding.

‘Suspicious’ Drone Sightings Reported in Virginia

December 13, 2024December 13, 2024 The Center Square

Law enforcement officials in Virginia have reported “suspicious” drone sightings appearing over counties containing sensitive military bases and national security facilities.

The Stafford County Sheriff’s Office reports the sightings of “suspicious drones flying over” Stafford, King George and Spotsylvania counties.

Virginia Man Faces Prison for Allegedly Sending Bitcoin to ISIS Members in Syria Through Turkish Intermediary

December 11, 2024December 11, 2024 Tom Pappert

The trial began this week for Virginia man Mohammed Chhipa, who prosecutors say immigrated to the United States from India but is now a naturalized citizen who has lived in Virginia since 2008 and faces charges related to the alleged transfer of Bitcoin to a Syrian member of the Islamic State (ISIS) terrorist group through an intermediary in Turkey.

Prosecutors said on Tuesday that Chhipa converted over $74,000 into Bitcoin that was then transferred to ISIS members in Syria, according to Fox 5 DC, with the outlet reporting an undercover FBI agent testifying conversations about Chhipa sending the money happened alongside others about suicide bombings.

George Mason Students Trespassed over Anti-Israel Vandalism Reportedly Owns ‘Several Firearms,’ Hamas and Hezbollah Flags

December 10, 2024 Tom Pappert

Police reportedly removed multiple firearms from the home of Jena and Noor Chanaa, where a police document states authorities found anti-American slogans and flags associated with terrorist groups.

Virginia Bill to Require Physicians Affirm Biological Gender of Athletes, Ban Male-to-Female Transgender Students from Girls’ Teams

December 9, 2024December 9, 2024 Tom Pappert

Legislation proposed in the Virginia General Assembly on December 1 by Senator Tammy Brankley Mulchi (R-Clarksville) would require student athletes to provide a written statement by a physician that affirms they seek to participate in a sports team that corresponds to their biological gender, prevents biological males from playing on teams designated for girls, under the threat of civil litigation.

Blankley Mulchi’s SB 749 would require schools to clearly state whether sports teams are male, female, or coed, and mandates any team participating in the Virginia High School Sports League which “is expressly designated for ‘females,’ ‘women,’ or ‘girls,'” must “not be open to any student of the male sex.”

Virginia Sheriff Calls for Strict Borders After Two Illegal Immigrants Arrested for Shooting in Alleged Road Rage Incident

December 6, 2024December 6, 2024 Tom Pappert

The Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office on Friday confirmed the arrest of two illegal immigrants who were charged with firing at a moving vehicle during a road rage incident, causing damage to the vehicle but no injuries to its passengers, prompting Sheriff Mike Chapman to urge the federal government to improve border security.

In a press release, the sheriff’s office announced the arrests of Aldo Betancourth Rivera and Jimmy Paredes Madrid, who authorities described as, “both of Sterling and undocumented.”

Virginia Election Official Resigns After Report Found He Spent $500,000 on Alcohol, Hotels, Private Security, and Office Remodel

December 4, 2024December 4, 2024 Tom Pappert

The top two election officials in Richmond, Virginia, resigned on Wednesday after a report claimed their office misappropriated $500,000 on expenses, including alcohol, unnecessary hotel stays, private security, and a luxury remodeling of office space leased by a government agency. Their resignations will reportedly take effect on December 31.

Richmond General Registrar Keith Balmer resigned on Wednesday, with the Richmond Electoral Board reportedly accepting both his resignation and the resignation of his deputy, Jerry Richardson. This comes just one week after Richmond Inspector General James Osuna released a report claiming their office wasted almost $500,000 in taxpayer money.

Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin Backs Trump’s Tariff Threat Against Mexico, Predicts ‘Extraordinary Economic Expansion in America’

November 27, 2024November 27, 2024 Tom Pappert

Governor Glenn Youngkin on Tuesday confirmed he supports President-elect Donald Trump’s plans to impose new tariffs against Mexico to compel the neighboring nation to cut the flow of fentanyl over the southern border. Youngkin argues that Trump’s plans will ignite an expansion in manufacturing for Virginia.

Youngkin reportedly confirmed his support for Trump’s tariffs during a Tuesday press conference, as he provided an update on the commonwealth’s efforts to curtail fentanyl overdoses with Attorney General Jason Miyares.

Virginia Election Official Wasted $500,000 on Alcohol, Private Security, and Remodel of Leased Office Space: Report

November 25, 2024November 25, 2024 Tom Pappert

The top election worker in Richmond, Virginia allegedly wasted nearly $500,000 on a combination of alcohol, private security and efforts to create his own security staff, and the remodel and purchase of new furniture for leased office space, a report from the city’s watchdog agency claims.

The Richmond Office of the Inspector General (OIG) released a report Monday revealing Richmond General Registrar Keith Balmer is accused of wasting nearly $500,000 in taxpayer resources through a pattern of behavior that apparently began in 2023.

Virginia Bill Would Require Students to Pass Citizenship Test Questions for Graduation

November 25, 2024 Tom Pappert

The Virginia House of Delegates in January will consider HB 1548, submitted by longtime Virginia Delegate Lee Ware (R-Powhatan), which would require Virginia students pass an exam featuring questions from the civics portion of the U.S. naturalization test.

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.

Virginia Places Second in National Hospital Safety Grade Fall 2024 Ranking

November 19, 2024 Kaitlin Housler

Virginia ranked second in the Fall 2024 Leapfrog Group Hospital Safety Grade state rankings for patient safety in hospitals, marking the fifth consecutive time the commonwealth ranked second overall.

Virginia A.G. Jason Miyares Seeks Reelection, Leaving Governor Race to Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears and Rep. Abigail Spanberger

November 18, 2024November 18, 2024 Tom Pappert

Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares on Monday announced he will seek reelection, officially ending speculation he would launch a gubernatorial bid in an effort to maintain Republican control over the Executive Mansion, as Governor Glenn Youngkin is prevented from seeking a second consecutive term by the Virginia Constitution.

Miyares announced his reelection bid in a post to the social media platform X, where he wrote, “We are not going back to the failed policies of the past; our families’ safety and Virginia’s future depends on it.”

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.

Biden Taps Coordinator of Obama’s Iran Nuclear Deal to Lead Trump Transition at State Department

November 11, 2024November 11, 2024 Tom Pappert

The Biden U.S. State Department announced on Thursday the agency’s transition to the Trump administration will be coordinated by Stephen Mull, a former longtime State Department official who most recently served as the lead coordinator for the Iran nuclear deal reached under former President Barack Obama, and who is now the provost for the University of Virginia (UVA).

State Department spokesman Matthew Miller confirmed Mull was appointed by Secretary of State Antony Blinken to lead the agency’s transition in a press conference. He told reporters the agency views a “peaceful transition of power” as an “essential part of our democracy that is vital to our nation’s security.”

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.”

Trump Says He Can Expand Swing State Victories to Virginia, New Mexico, and New Jersey

November 4, 2024November 4, 2024 Tom Pappert

Former President Donald Trump claimed on Sunday that he can win more than the seven expected swing states, offering Virginia, New Mexico, and New Jersey as states that may offer possible victories on Election Day despite his campaign’s relative lack of resources spent there.

Trump on Sunday predicted the possible victories after to NBC News reporter Dasha Burns raised an outlier poll of Iowa voters that found Vice President Kamala Harris winning the state.

Virginia A.G. Miyares Concerned over Potential Foreign Money Seeping into U.S. Election via ActBlue

November 4, 2024November 4, 2024 Just the News

Virginia GOP Attorney General Jason Miyares said this week that he is worried about the potential influence of foreign money impacting U.S. elections through the Democratic online fund-raising platform ActBlue that he is investigating.

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.

Virginia A.G. Jason Miyares Still ‘Deeply Concerned’ by Biden-Harris Push for Noncitizen Voters After Supreme Court Victory

October 30, 2024October 30, 2024 Tom Pappert

While the U.S. Supreme Court on Wednesday affirmed the right of Virginia to remove noncitizens from its voter rolls, Attorney General Jason Miyares said on Wednesday he remains “deeply concerned and alarmed” by the legal action taken against Virginia by the Biden-Harris Department of Justice (DOJ) prior to the high court’s intervention.

The Biden-Harris administration sued Virginia earlier in October, claiming they violated the National Voter Registration Act (NVRA) by removing about 1,600 noncitzens from the commonwealth’s voter rolls within 90 days of an election.

Supreme Court Takes Rapid Action in Appeal to Remove Noncitizens from Virginia Voter Rolls

October 28, 2024October 28, 2024 Tom Pappert

The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday docketed the appeal filed Sunday by Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares after a federal appeals court declined to overrule a lower court’s decision to force Virginia to add approximately 1,600 noncitizens back to its voter rolls.

According to the Supreme Court’s online portal, the case was docketed on Monday after Virginia submitted its appeal for the high court to reverse a lower court’s decision on Sunday.

Virginia Asks Supreme Court to Let It Remove Noncitizens from Voter Rolls

October 28, 2024 Daily Caller News Foundation

Virginia asked the Supreme Court Monday to block a lower court order to return over a thousand alleged noncitizens to the voter rolls.

John Fredericks: Virginia AG Miyares Will Appeal Decision by Federal Judge Forcing Commonwealth to Place Illegal Aliens on Voter Rolls at Request of Weaponized Biden-Harris DOJ

October 25, 2024October 25, 2024 Kaitlin Housler

Pennsylvania-based radio show host John Fredericks said Friday’s federal court decision ordering Virginia to place non-citizens back on its voter rolls proves the Biden-Harris administration’s intentions to have illegal aliens vote in U.S. elections.

Youngkin, Miyares Vow to Appeal for Virginia’s Right to Remove Illegal Voters ‘All the Way to the Supreme Court’

October 25, 2024October 25, 2024 Tom Pappert

Governor Glenn Youngkin and Attorney General Jason Miyares on Friday vowed to appeal after a federal judge ordered Virginia to restore about 1,500 noncitizens to the commonwealth’s voter rolls.

U.S. District Judge Patricia Trolliver Giles, an appointee of President Joe Biden, announced her decision after the Biden-Harris Department of Justice (DOJ) sued to force Virginia to restore the noncitizen voters, alleging the commonwealth violated the National Voter Registration Act by removing them so close to an election.

Federal Judge Orders Virginia to Place Non-Citizens Back on Voter Rolls

October 25, 2024October 25, 2024 Just the News

A federal judge in Virginia on Friday ordered the commonwealth to place non-citizens back on its voter rolls.

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.

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.

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.

Gov. Youngkin, A.G. Miyares Vow to Fight ‘Politically Motivated’ Biden-Harris DOJ Lawsuit over Removal of Non-Citizens from Voter Rolls

October 13, 2024 Tom Pappert

Governor Glenn Youngkin and Attorney General Jason Miyares have vowed Virginia will fight the lawsuit launched by the Biden-Harris Department of Justice (DOJ) over the commonwealth’s recent effort to remove non-citizens from its voter rolls, with both noting it was filed less than one month before Election Day.

Former Virginia Teacher Receives $575,000 Settlement After Being Fired over Refusing to Use Transgender Pronouns

October 1, 2024October 1, 2024 Tom Pappert

A former teacher in Virginia received $575,000 in a settlement to end his lawsuit after he was fired by West Point High School in 2018 for refusing to use the preferred gender of a student who identified as transgender, the conservative legal organization behind the lawsuit announced on Tuesday.

The Alliance for Defending Freedom (ADF) announced on Tuesday it reached a settlement with the West Point School Board after the firing of Peter Vlaming, who taught French at West Point High School prior to his firing in 2018.

Vindman Running for House as a Centrist, but Using Sanders-Linked Strategy Firm

September 30, 2024 Just the News

Democratic U.S. House candidate Eugene Vindman has disbursed millions of dollars to a Bernie Sanders-linked strategy group that works with “progressive campaigns” while running on a moderate message, emphasizing local issues and the importance of rejecting extremism.

Virginia Poll Shows Tied Gubernatorial Race, Nearly Tied Presidential Race

September 27, 2024September 27, 2024 The Center Square

Virginia’s current political contests could hardly be closer, according to the University of Mary Washington’s Center for Leadership and Media Studies Fall 2024 poll.

A little over a year out, the poll showed Rep. Abigail Spanberger, D-07, and Republican Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears, the leading candidates for the commonwealth’s 2025 gubernatorial race, in a dead heat. When respondents were asked who they would vote for between the two “if the election were held today,” 39% indicated Spanberger, and 39% indicated Earle-Sears. Twelve percent didn’t know who they’d vote for.

Dominion Energy Offering Home EV-Charger Installation

September 24, 2024September 24, 2024 The Center Square

While Dominion Energy works to install a record-breaking solar project at Dulles International Airport and an offshore wind farm along Virginia’s coast, it’s also advancing the state’s green energy ecosystem in other ways.

The utility provider recently announced a new program to make owning an electric vehicle easier.

Rep. Elise Stefanik Predicts ‘Trump is Going to Win Virginia’ at Rally as Poll Shows Race Tied

September 23, 2024September 22, 2024 Tom Pappert

Representative Elise Stefanik (R-NY-21) on Saturday predicted former President Donald Trump will win Virginia during a Women for Trump rally in Charlottesville.

Stefanik made her remarks at the Women for Trump rally held at the Trump Winery in Charlottesville by Rally Virginia amid the release of polling that shows a statistical tie between Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris, who has sought to reverse the loss of Democratic support in Virginia that reportedly helped prompt President Joe Biden to drop his bid for reelection.

Loudoun County Guaranteed Income Pilot Program Voted Down

September 22, 2024September 21, 2024 The Center Square

After months of discussion and the adoption of similar programs by some of its neighbors, Loudoun County leadership voted down a guaranteed income pilot program.

In a surprising turn of events, Loudoun County’s Board of Supervisors abandoned the pursuit of a new economic mobility pilot in a 3-5-1 vote. Months earlier, in May, the board had voted 6-2-1 in favor of appropriating $2 million of county fund balance dollars to the program’s development.

Poll: Harris, Trump Tied in Virginia

September 21, 2024September 21, 2024 The Center Square

As early voting gets underway Friday in Virginia, a new poll shows Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump in a dead heat in the commonwealth.

A poll conducted by the Center for Leadership and Media Studies at the University of Mary Washington shows Harris leads Trump by 1%, with the vice president at 47% and the former president at 46%. The poll was conducted among 1,000 Virginians on Sept. 3-9, before the first and what appears to be the only debate between Harris and Trump.

The result is a statistical tie, given the margin of error is +/- 3.0%.

Virginia A.G. Jason Miyares Urges EPA to Block California Electric Truck Mandate, ‘Extreme Environmental Agenda’

September 20, 2024September 20, 2024 Tom Pappert

Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares urged the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to maintain its block on the California electric truck mandate created by Governor Gavin Newsom, declaring the state is “playing games with America’s livelihood.”

Miyares on Monday announced he joined a comment letter urging the EPA to maintain its federal block on California’s Advanced Clean Fleets (ACF) regulation, which mandates every major commercial trucking company either maintain an “zero-emission-vehicle” (ZEV) fleet or have a plan to retire traditional internal combustion engines in accordance with the regulation.