Connect with us

Virginia

Virginia Senate returning to Richmond to discuss legislation on skill games, education for military dependents

Published

on

Virginia Senate returning to Richmond to discuss legislation on skill games, education for military dependents


RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) – The Virginia Senate is set to return to Richmond Tuesday to take up key issues, including skill games and the Virginia Military Survivors and Dependents Education Program (VMSDEP).

Last month, the budget passed by the Virginia General Assembly and signed into law by Gov. Glenn Youngkin made VMSDEP, which waives college tuition for the kids and spouses of qualified disabled military veterans, harder for families to access.

After considerable backlash, Youngkin has called on the General Assembly to repeal the changes entirely. However, Democratic leadership has stopped short of calling for a full repeal. Instead, they favor exempting gold-star families and those wounded in combat from the changes.

“Like I said, I support the issue, I support our military families and our veterans as well, and we will make sure we solve this issue when we get back to Richmond tomorrow,” Sen. Aaron Rouse (D-Virginia Beach) told 8News.

Advertisement

Also on the docket are bills to legalize skill games in Virginia. Earlier this year, Youngkin vetoed a bill to do just that, after it received bipartisan support in the General Assembly. A spokesperson from Youngkin’s office shared the following statement with 8News in regards to both issues:

Governor Youngkin has been clear that he will not consider any other legislation until the General Assembly has done the right thing for our military heroes, first responders and their families by fully repealing and reversing the VMSDEP waiver changes. The Governor made his position on skill games legislation clear in his amendments and has indicated a willingness to continue the discussion, but only after the VMSDEP issue has been resolved.



Source link

Virginia

Developers seek to revive data center next to Virginia battlefield

Published

on

Developers seek to revive data center next to Virginia battlefield


One backer of a massive data center planned near a Civil War battlefield is trying to revive the project with an appeal to the Virginia Supreme Court this week, filed just one day after another developer pulled out citing ongoing legal challenges.

Neighbors have objected to Digital Gateway — a 37-building data center complex slated for a tract next to the Manassas National Battlefield Park — because of the area’s historical significance and worried about 14 planned electric substations and hundreds of diesel generators.

The Virginia Court of Appeals halted construction in April, siding with Prince William County residents and the American Battlefield Trust, finding that area leaders had not given proper notice for a 2023 hearing where the Board of Supervisors approved development.

Advertisement

The ruling gave QTS Realty Trust and Compass Datacenters — which jointly proposed the project — until April 30 to appeal to the state Supreme Court.



Source link

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Virginia

Virginia 11-year-old has published more than 50 books and wants kids to love reading

Published

on

Virginia 11-year-old has published more than 50 books and wants kids to love reading


RICHMOND, Va. — J’Ana Price published her first book at age 5. Now 11, she has more than 50 titles to her name and a platform aimed at getting kids excited about reading and writing.

Price appeared at the Chickahominy River Women Chapter SocieTea Talent Showcase in Richmond, Virginia, where I had the chance to talk to her about about her work as an author.

She told me her father, who is also an author, inspired her to start writing. Her first book, “Finding Myself,” remains meaningful to her.

“It’s like a memento,” Price said. “It shows where I started.”

Advertisement

Her catalog spans inspirational and educational themes, all focused on encouraging young readers.

“I think it’s important because without reading, you basically got nothing,” Price said. “Reading is really good for your mind and comprehension.”

Price also spoke about the role imagination plays in reading.

“Your imagination is the most important thing that you have… and when you read a book, your imagination is activated,” Price said.

Through her platform, J’Ana’s Planet, she offers resources and guidance for young aspiring authors.

Advertisement

Her advice for kids who struggle with reading: “Practice makes perfect. The more you read, your vocabulary gets better… and soon you’ll be reading like it’s second nature.”

Depend on CBS 6 News and WTVR.com for more complete coverage of news in your neighborhood and community. Have a story idea, email our team at newstips@wtvr.com. Or click here if you are interested in having a CBS 6 anchor, reporter or meteorologist attend or MC an event.

Find unique, award-winning stories every day on CBS 6 News

Advertisement

📲: CONNECT WITH US

Blue Sky | Facebook | Instagram | X | Threads | TikTok | YouTube

This story was initially reported by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. Our editorial team verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy. To learn more about how we use AI in our newsroom, click here.





Source link

Continue Reading

Virginia

Pipeline developer to restart Virginia project this week

Published

on

Pipeline developer to restart Virginia project this week


The developer of the Mountain Valley pipeline expansion plans to restart construction this week in Virginia after a federal appeals court opted not to halt that work as litigation plays out.

Mountain Valley informed the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission in a letter Wednesdaythat “it intends to resume work” on the MVP Southgate project for its Virginia facilities, notifying the agency on the same day the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals issued its orders.

The Southgate project, approved in its current form in December, is a 31-mile extension of the main Mountain Valley gas pipeline, which travels more than 300 miles from West Virginia into southern Virginia. The Southgate project, which would be operated by the gas producer EQT, is designed to provide gas to North Carolina utilities.

Advertisement

The court’s decision Wednesday is a positive step for Mountain Valley, which secured FERC permission in late March to launch construction in Virginia on the Southgate project. Mountain Valley had stopped all construction activity on Southgate after the 4th Circuit in late March issued orders that granted temporary administrative stays.



Source link

Advertisement
Continue Reading
Advertisement

Trending