Virginia Archives - Page 2 of 63

Ex-Gov. Terry McAuliffe Disputes Virginia Poll Showing Trump Tied with Harris, Argues Federal Employee Turnout Pivotal

August 23, 2024August 22, 2024 Tom Pappert

Former Governor Terry McAuliffe on Thursday disputed the results of a Virginia poll that showed former President Donald Trump statistically tied with Vice President Kamala Harris in the commonwealth, raising allegations about the pollster’s credibility and claims its data was skewed, before arguing federal workers would turnout in sufficient numbers to propel the Harris-Walz ticket to victory.

McAuliffe claimed the pollster who released the Tuesday survey showing Trump and Harris statistically tied, with the Democrat leading the former president by just 3 percent, “has never had a poll that’s been correct in their life,” according to The Washington Times.

Poll Says Harris and Trump in Statistical Dead Heat in Virginia

August 21, 2024August 20, 2024 The Center Square

Virginia appears to be in play in the presidential election, with Vice President Kamala Harris holding a slight lead over former President Donald Trump in the commonwealth, according to a poll released Tuesday morning.

The Institute for Policy and Opinion Research at Roanoke College shows Harris ahead of Trump by three percentage points (47%-44%) in a head-to-head matchup. When other candidates were included, Harris still leads by three points (45%-42%). When factoring in the poll’s 4.5% margin of error, Harris and Trump are in a statistical dead heat.

Dominion Ups Investments in Offshore Wind Energy as Virginia Industry Surges Forward

August 17, 2024August 16, 2024 The Center Square

As President Joe Biden’s presidential term comes to a close, the administration is bearing down on its goal of 30 gigawatts of offshore wind energy and 15 gigawatts of floating offshore wind by 2035.

As of 2021, the administration had approved two commercial-scale offshore wind projects, and seven have been approved within the past year.

Virginia’s Open Records Laws Show Room for Improvement in Key Areas, Says Expert

August 14, 2024August 13, 2024 The Center Square

The Freedom of Information Act exists to promote governmental transparency, although it doesn’t always accomplish that end, according to the Executive Director of the Virginia Coalition for Open Government, Megan Rhyne.

And though Virginia’s not unique in that regard, it’s difficult to compare states’ open records laws because they can differ by many variables, according to Rhyne.

Embattled Lynchburg Mayor Faces More Allegations of Bullying, Verbally Abusing Constituents

August 13, 2024August 13, 2024 Peter D'Abrosca

After a story published Sunday by Just The News accusing Lynchburg Mayor Stephanie Reed of bullying constituents whom she believes have wronged her, well as employing the same tactics against members of the Lynchburg City Council, The Virginia Star has received similar allegations from more Lynchburg residents.

Lynchburg Mayor Shuts Down Critics, Exerts ‘Chilling Effect on Free Speech’ amid Controversy

August 12, 2024August 12, 2024 Just the News

The Republican mayor of Lynchburg, Va., has allegedly repeatedly attempted to silence her critics during her two-year term, according to residents, which has had a “chilling effect on free speech.”

Virginia Revitalization Commission to Pilot Workforce Housing Development

August 10, 2024August 9, 2024 The Center Square

The Virginia Tobacco Region Revitalization Commission recently approved a pilot workforce housing program to make the region more attractive to new businesses and job seekers.

The commission was founded to foster economic growth and opportunity in 34 counties and six independent cities comprising Southwest and Southern Virginia – a region where tobacco farming was once integral to the economy. It’s funded entirely by proceeds from a major 1990s tobacco lawsuit settlement.

Virginia U.S. Senate Nominee Hung Cao Slams VP Nominee Tim Walz over ‘Disqualifying’ Stolen Valor Allegations

August 9, 2024August 8, 2024 Tom Pappert

Republican U.S. Senate candidate Hung Cao, himself a decorated veteran of the U.S. Navy, on Wednesday said the allegations of stolen valor levied at Democratic vice presidential nominee Governor Tim Walz are “disqualifying” and reveal “hypocrisy” on behalf of the media.

Youngkin Issues Executive Order Codifying Election Security Measures

August 8, 2024August 7, 2024 Just the News

Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin, R, signed an executive order Wednesday, codifying election security measures and listing procedures to prevent non-citizens from voting in elections.

The executive order directs the Commissioner of the Department of Elections to annually certify that election security measures are in place regarding ballot security, testing and certification of ballot counting machines, triple-checking the accuracy of election results, and daily updating of voter rolls.

Miyares Joins 20 Other AGs in Support of Federal TikTok Ban

August 7, 2024August 6, 2024 The Center Square

Republican attorneys general from 21 states, led by the attorneys general of Montana and Virginia, submitted an amicus brief to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia defending the federal law banning TikTok in the U.S.

President Joe Biden signed the legislation into law in April due to concerns that through Chinese-owned parent company Bytedance, the Chinese Communist Party might be able to gain access to users’ private data or influence American youth toward communism. The law threatens to prohibit the app in the U.S. if Bytedance does not sell its shares in the social media company by Jan. 19, 2025.

Virginia Military Institute Alumni File Lawsuit Against Institute’s Official Alumni Association

August 5, 2024 Virginia Star Staff

A frustrated group of Virginia Military Institute alumni, some of whom have previously spoken out against the institution’s growing embrace of DEI, have taken on a new battle.

The disgruntled alumni have filed a civil rights lawsuit against VMI Alumni Agencies, arguing the relationship between the official alma mater organization and the institute itself is inappropriate, that school leaders have too much control over it.

Virginia A.G. Jason Miyares Demands Answers from Democrat Fundraising Platform ActBlue over Fraud Allegations

August 3, 2024August 2, 2024 Tom Pappert

Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares on Friday sent a letter to ActBlue, the top fundraising platform for Democrats and liberal issues, demanding answers over the money laundering and fraud allegations levied by journalist James O’Keefe and his O’Keefe Media Group.

Miyares posted his letter to the social media platform X, confirming his office questioned ActBlue over allegations of “fraudulent, deceptive, and/or otherwise illegal acts,” including “hundreds of thousands of dollars of contributions through individual donors” in Virginia who purportedly donated “in volumes that are facially implausible and appear suspicious.”

RNC Chair Declares Virginia ‘Competitive’ for Trump Campaign, Evidenced by ‘Trailblazer’ Youngkin

August 2, 2024August 2, 2024 Tom Pappert

The chair of the Republican National Committee (RNC) confirmed the party considers Virginia “competitive” for former President Donald Trump in his campaign to retake the White House in November, pointing toward the 2021 victory by Governor Glenn Youngkin as evidence conservatives can still win statewide elections in the commonwealth.

RNC Chair Michael Whatley told the Richmond Times-Dispatch on Wednesday that Virginia will be competitive for the Trump campaign after Youngkin showed “how a Republican can win Virginia” with his 2021 victory.

Good Loses Congressional Seat Following Primary Recount

August 2, 2024August 2, 2024 The Center Square

Chairman of the House Freedom Caucus Virginia Rep. Bob Good has been unseated after losing a recount stemming from a close June primary race.

Virginia County Supervisor Calls for End of Sanctuary Policies In Wake of Illegal Migrant Arrests for Murder

July 31, 2024July 30, 2024 Virginia Star Staff

A county supervisor in Virginia on Monday called for an end to sanctuary laws for illegal migrants after two murder suspects were confirmed to be living in the U.S. illegally, 7News reported.

Fairfax County Supervisor Pat Herrity, the one-and-only Republican supervisor in the deep blue jurisdiction, is demanding county officials put an end to laws that protect illegal migrant criminals in the county, according to 7News. Herrity’s public comments follow a brutal murder earlier this month along a popular hiking trail in Oakton, Virginia, with accusations that at least one of the illegal migrant suspects benefited from sanctuary laws before the murder.

Virginia School Boards Respond to Gov Youngkin’s Executive Order on Cellphone Use During Classes

July 30, 2024 Just the News

Virginia school boards are issuing cellphone free mandates in their local communities, after Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin ordered schools to draft plans for cell phone-free education in K-12 public schools.

Virginia Police Clear Anti-Israel Encampment Outside Antony Blinken’s House After Six Months

July 30, 2024 Tom Pappert

Anti-Israel protesters outside of Anthony Blinken's home

Virginia State Police cleared the anti-Israel encampment constructed near the home of Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Saturday after it subsisted for over six months.

The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) worked with the Virginia State Police to clear the encampment previously constructed on the shoulder of Chain Bridge Road near Blinken’s home on Saturday, with VDOT stating to WTOP the encampment was “unsafe for motorists, bikers and pedestrians and blocks access to emergency vehicles and personnel.”

Miyares Supports Local School Policy Segregating Sports by Biological Sex

July 30, 2024 The Center Square

Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares filed an amicus brief Thursday on behalf of the Hanover County School Board, which barred a middle school male student identifying as a transgender girl from playing on the girls’ tennis team.

“Neither the federal Constitution nor any federal statute require Virginia school boards to allow biological males to play on a girls sports team,” Miyares said in a statement. “Rather, civil rights law is meant to protect female equity in athletics. I urge the court to ensure that women’s rights and opportunities remain protected in Virginia.”

Reckoning at Hampton VA Hospital After ‘Widespread Failures and Deficiencies’

July 27, 2024July 26, 2024 The Center Square

The executive director, chief of staff and chief of surgery at the Hampton VA Medical Center are all leaving after investigations revealed substandard care and potentially willful negligence.

Their exodus stems from congressional investigations and a Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General report. The OIG began its latest probe into the hospital (there have been others) after learning of six instances of substandard care by the hospital’s assistant chief of surgery and spotting implications of a lack of internal reporting, oversight and accountability.

Virginia Democratic Delegates Unanimously Vote to Support Vice President Kamala Harris at August Convention

July 24, 2024July 23, 2024 Tom Pappert

The Democratic Party of Virginia (DPVA) confirmed on Tuesday that its delegates to the Democratic National Convention voted unanimously on Monday to nominate Vice President Kamala Harris as the party’s nominee for the president during its convention next month.

In a statement posted to the social media platform X, the Virginia Democrats confirmed the delegates “met virtually” and “unanimously voted to join President Joe Biden in endorsing Vice President Kamala Harris for the 2024 Democratic nomination for President of the United States.”

Vance Rallies in Virginia, Focuses on Manufacturing and Energy

July 23, 2024July 23, 2024 The Center Square

Republican vice presidential nominee J.D. Vance drew on his Appalachian upbringing to connect with supporters at a rally in Virginia on Monday night, focusing on the region’s depleted manufacturing industry, fentanyl and surging immigration crisis.

Many Celebrate as Military Education Benefit Program Restored

July 22, 2024 The Center Square

Members of the military receiving diplomas

Two months after lawmakers passed the commonwealth’s biennial budget containing changes to its tuition assistance program for some military families, legislators reconvened at the Capitol Thursday and passed legislation fully reinstating the program.

Representatives from Veterans of Foreign Wars attended the session and extolled the outcome afterward.

JD Vance to Headline Rally in Virginia After VP Nod

July 21, 2024July 20, 2024 Just the News

Ohio GOP Sen. JD Vance will headline a rally in Radford, Va., on Monday as the campaign hopes to flip the Old Dominion into the Republican camp for the first time in 20 years.

Former President Donald Trump announced Vance as his running mate this week amid the Republican National Convention. Though formerly a Trump critic, Vance has emerged as one of his most stalwart supporters in the upper chamber.

Virginia Lawsuits Challenging Year-Old Model Policies in Full Swing

July 20, 2024July 19, 2024 The Center Square

One year after the Virginia Department of Education rolled out new model policies for the treatment of transgender students, the ACLU has undertaken several lawsuits on behalf of students identifying as transgender, saying the policies violate state and federal law.

One lawsuit was dismissed Monday, and the other two will be heard on Aug. 6 and 20, one in federal court and the other in state circuit court.

Trump Ticks Ahead in Virginia in RCP Polling Average

July 19, 2024July 18, 2024 Just the News

Former President Donald Trump has inched ahead of President Joe Biden in Virginia, a state no Republican has won at the presidential level since 2004.

The RealClearPolitics polling average currently shows Trump with 43.8% support to Biden’s 43.4%. The average includes five surveys from Emerson, VCU, NY Times/Siena, Fox News, and Roanoke College.

New Pre-Shooting Poll Shows Narrow Lead for Biden in Virginia

July 17, 2024July 16, 2024 The Center Square

The New York Times/Siena College poll just released results from a voter survey taken before the Trump rally shooting, showing President Joe Biden leading former President Donald Trump by just a few percentage points.

The results are causing more chatter about the role Virginia could play in the upcoming election since Biden won Virginia by 10% in 2020. Prior to a May poll by Roanoke College that showed the presidential candidates tied 42%-42%, Virginia was considered reliably blue for Biden – due to his previous performance and to the fact that George W. Bush was the last Republican presidential candidate to win the commonwealth in 2004.

Youngkin Orders U.S. and Virginia Flags ‘Flown at Half-Staff’ in Remembrance of Corey Comperatore

July 15, 2024July 15, 2024 Just the News

Gov. Glenn Youngkin, R-Va., ordered the U.S. and state flags to be “flown at half-staff'” on Monday in remembrance of Corey Comperatore, a volunteer fireman, was killed at Trump’s rally in Butler, Pa. where Trump survived an assassination attempt.

Report: Increase in Virginia Traffic Fatalities Reflective of National Trends

July 15, 2024 The Center Square

Virginia’s traffic fatalities decreased last year for the first time since the pandemic and after a significant increase from 2020-2021 — but they’re still up by 24 percent since 2013.

These trends generally mirror national traffic trends, with traffic fatalities up 25 percent nationally during that same period, according to TRIP, a national transportation research nonprofit. The U.S. saw a dramatic rise in traffic fatalities in 2021 and a “modest decrease” in 2022 and 2023.

Virginia Named Best State for Business in Annual CNBC Ranking

July 13, 2024July 12, 2024 The Center Square

Virginia has again ranked first in CNBC’s annual America’s Top States for Business index, its sixth time topping the chart since CNBC started the survey in 2007.

States are ranked on 128 metrics in 10 “broad categories of competitiveness” selected through consultation with business and policy specialists and the states.

Ignoring Parents’ Objections, Virginia County’s School Board Unanimously OKs Gender Ideology Lessons

July 11, 2024July 10, 2024 Admin

A Northern Virginia school district will teach kindergartners about gay parents and middle schoolers about transgenderism in the wake of a unanimous vote late last month—despite significant parental opposition.

House Freedom Caucus Boots Rep. Warren Davidson After He Endorsed Bob Good Challenger: Report

July 10, 2024July 9, 2024 Just the News

The House Freedom Caucus reportedly voted to remove Ohio GOP Rep. Warren Davidson after he endorsed a challenger to the caucus’ chairman, Virginia GOP Rep. Bob Good, according to The Hill, citing an unnamed member and a “source familiar.”

The move follows a difficult and as-yet-unresolved primary for Good, who has vowed to request a recount after the Virginia Board of Elections certified the race in favor of challenger John McGuire.

Sen. Tim Kaine Claims Debate Created ‘Excitement and Interest’ for Biden Campaign, Calls Push to Step Aside ‘Not Helpful’

July 10, 2024July 9, 2024 Tom Pappert

Senator Tim Kaine (D-VA) maintained his support for President Joe Biden on Monday, claiming the first presidential debate on CNN generated “excitement and interest” among Democratic voters despite resulting in a “tough stretch” for Democrats.

After reports surfaced that Senator Mark Warner (D-VA) was organizing senators to convince Biden to step aside, Kaine told members of the press that Biden’s debate performance increased Democratic voters’ energy.

Report: Warner Hopes to Enlist Senate Democrats to Encourage Biden to Leave Race

July 7, 2024 The Center Square

Sen. Mark Warner, D-Va., is trying to gather a cohort of his Democratic Senate colleagues to convince President Joe Biden to withdraw from the 2024 presidential race, the Washington Post reported Friday.

Virginia House and Senate Reach Deal on Military Education Program

July 6, 2024July 5, 2024 The Center Square

Monday ended with another disappointment for those unhappy with recent changes to a state education assistance program for military families, but by Tuesday night, things had turned around.

Tuesday evening, the Senate of Virginia issued a press release stating that the House of Delegates and Senate finance chairs had finally reached an agreement on the Virginia Military Survivors and Dependents Education Program after a month and a half of upheaval surrounding changes made to the program in the latest state budget.

Virginia Democrat Reportedly Compared President Joe Biden to Jesus Christ in Fundraising Pitch

July 5, 2024July 4, 2024 Tom Pappert

U.S. Representative Don Beyer (D-VA-08) reportedly compared President Joe Biden to Jesus Christ during a Tuesday fundraising event in McLean, Virginia, drawing similarities between the suffering Jesus experienced when crucified to the various political and personal tragedies of the president’s life.

Beyer apparently “invoked the crucifixion of Jesus” during the fundraising event, according to The Washington Free Beacon.

Leaked Post-Debate Poll Claims Biden Tied in Virginia, Down Seven in Pennsylvania as Nearly Half of 2020 Voters Want Him Replaced

July 4, 2024July 3, 2024 Tom Pappert

A leaked memo published on Tuesday claims internal polling data shows President Joe Biden was down by more than 7 percent in Pennsylvania, and at risk of losing Virginia and other swing states, following his poor debate performance against former President Donald Trump last week.

The memo, which claims to contain the contents of a poll completed within 72-hours of the presidential debate, was leaked to Puck News, which reported it was distributed by OpenLabs, a progressive nonprofit that conducts “polling and message-testing” for Democratic groups including a nonprofit associated with “the preferred Super PAC for Biden’s reelection campaign.”

Virginia Board Certifies Primary Results, Declares Victory for John McGuire over Bob Good

July 3, 2024 Just the News

Virginia GOP Rep. Bob Good officially lost his primary on Tuesday, after the Virginia Board of Elections certified the election results in the state’s fifth Congressional district in favor of challenger John McGuire.

Sen. Tim Kaine Defends President Joe Biden After Abysmal Debate as Opponent Hung Cao Promises to ‘Flip Virginia Red’

July 3, 2024July 2, 2024 Tom Pappert

Senator Tim Kaine (D-VA) at a campaign stop on Monday defended President Joe Biden after his poor debate performance provoked calls for the 81-year-old president to end his reelection campaign and allow a younger candidate to face former President Donald Trump in November.

Kaine confirmed he continues to support the 81-year-old president after Petersburg Vice Mayor Darrin Hill called for Democrats to “turn down the noise” about Biden’s candidacy, reported USA Today.

Virginia A.G. Jason Miyares Teases Run for Governor at Trump Rally Where Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears was Not Invited

July 2, 2024 Tom Pappert

Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares hinted he may announce his run for governor following the conclusion of the 2024 presidential election. Miyares made the remarks while attending former President Donald Trump’s rally in Chesapeake, Virginia on Friday.

Miyares made the comments after National Review asked the attorney general whether he was considering a run to succeed Governor Glenn Youngkin, who is unable to seek another term.

Trump Takes Post-Debate Victory Lap in Virginia in Bid to Flip the Commonwealth to ‘Red’

June 30, 2024June 29, 2024 Just the News

Former President Donald Trump on Friday seized on his post-debate momentum to bolster his efforts in Virginia, appearing alongside the Old Dominion’s GOP heavyweight Gov. Glenn Youngkin at a rally in Chesapeake.

Formerly regarded as a prospective presidential candidate himself, Youngkin opted against such a campaign and has instead been floated as a potential vice presidential candidate.

Gov. Glenn Youngkin Declares ‘Virginia Is in Play’ After Poor Debate Performance by President Joe Biden

June 29, 2024June 28, 2024 Tom Pappert

Governor Glenn Youngkin declared in an interview that “Virginia is in play” for former President Donald Trump, following President Joe Biden’s poor debate performance on Thursday.

Youngkin said of the Thursday debate during his Friday morning “Fox & Friends” appearance, “America saw, it was on display, strength versus weakness.”

Gov. Glenn Youngkin Congratulates Sen. John McGuire on Apparent Victory, Acknowledges Rep. Bob Good’s ‘Right’ to Recount in Call for Unity

June 28, 2024June 27, 2024 Tom Pappert

Governor Glenn Youngkin on Wednesday night congratulated State Senator John McGuire (R-Goochland) on his apparent victory over Representative Bob Good (R-VA-05) in the close Republican primary race in Virginia’s 5th Congressional district.

Noting the candidates are separated by less than 400 votes, or about 0.6 percent of the more than 62,000 ballots cast, Youngkin stated he will respect Good’s “right tor request a recount,” but concluded his message with a call for Republican unity.

Youngkin: America’s Foundations Crumbling Under Biden, Progressives

June 25, 2024 Virginia Star Staff

The Founders built America on a rock, but today, because of the Left, the rock is crumbling, and the country must assert moral clarity on several fronts to fix it, said Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin, who fired up the crowd at the Road to Majority Conference Saturday.

“They built it on rock. They unleashed a wave of freedom across the world with the prosperity of seeing a shining sea, the greatest nation ever built,” Youngkin said. “Yet today, we can feel the great American house shaking. Across our college campuses, echoes of extermination speech, while chaos roars across our borders.”

Virginia Expands Online Permitting Efficiencies

June 25, 2024 The Center Square

Virginia’s permit-tracking website has expanded from including permits from three state government departments to six.

Virginia residents and businesses can now follow online in real time the permits they’ve submitted to the Virginia Department of Health, Department of Transportation, and Department of Conservation and Recreation, as well as permits from the state Department of Environmental Quality, Virginia Marine Resources Commission and Department of Energy.

Virginia Congressional Primary Race Could Take ‘Weeks’ to ‘Complete’

June 22, 2024June 21, 2024 The Center Square

Tuesday’s Republican primary race for Virginia’s 5th Congressional District between state Sen. John McGuire and incumbent U.S. Rep. Bob Good is still too close to call.

McGuire holds a razor-thin lead of 313 votes, according to the latest numbers from the Virginia Department of Elections. Good, chairman of the Freedom Caucus, is holding on to hope that lingering votes will save his seat.

Virginia Set to Benefit from New Defense Budget

June 19, 2024June 18, 2024 The Center Square

The latest defense budget passed Friday authorizes over $920 billion in spending and contains significant investments in Virginia.

The commonwealth has one of the biggest military populations in the U.S., and the defense industry comprises a large portion of its economy.

Virginia Lawsuit Filed to Halt Prosecution of Speed Camera Violations by Citing Constitution

June 15, 2024June 14, 2024 The Center Square

A former Virginia delegate has filed an injunction against the city of Chesapeake for its prosecutions of speed camera violations in a case that could have implications for the whole state.

Virginia law allows the city to prosecute cases in a way that may violate the Sixth Amendment of the United States Constitution, according to attorney and former delegate for Hampton Roads District 83 Tim Anderson.

Virginia Task Force Hears from Angered Military Families on Education Program Changes

June 12, 2024June 11, 2024 The Center Square

The first meeting of the task force Preserving Virginia Military Survivors and Dependents Education Program was held Monday, with many of its members and those in attendance raising their voices or holding back tears as they spoke.

“I thought VMSDEP was a formal thank you to the families of veterans, the Gold Star families,” said one attendee, the wife of a retired marine. “I am so sorry that we cost you too much,” she said, choking back tears.

Governor Glenn Youngkin Says Virginia will Ignore California Emissions Rules

June 8, 2024June 7, 2024 Virginia Star Staff

On Wednesday, Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin (R-Va.) announced that, as of the end of 2024, the commonwealth will no longer attempt to enforce the vehicle emissions rules demanded by the state of California.

As reported by ABC News, Youngkin’s announcement comes after Attorney General Jason Miyares (R-Va.) released his opinion on Tuesday declaring that Virginia is not legally required to follow the orders of the California Air Resources Board (CARB). The new CARB regulations are set to take effect on January 1st, 2025.

Virginia Capital’s Guaranteed Income Pilot Program Showing Signs of Success

June 4, 2024 The Center Square

A study has yielded mostly positive results on the initial phase of Richmond, Virginia’s guaranteed income program.

The University of Pennsylvania Center for Guaranteed Income Research recently released a report on the city’s first cohort of participants in its pilot guaranteed income program.