Virginia

Thousands of Virginians compete in 35th annual Commonwealth Games

Published

2 years ago

July 20, 2024

Thousands of Virginians compete in 35th annual Commonwealth Games

LYNCHBURG, Va. (WDBJ) – LYNCHBURG, Va. (WDBJ) – This weekend, 5000 athletes and over 15,000 spectators from across Virginia came out to Liberty University for the largest multi-sport festival in the state.

“We are basically Virginia’s Olympics. There’s just about something for everybody,” said Charity Waldron, the Director of Operations and Media Relations for Virginia Amateur Sports.

People of all ages compete in dozens of sports for Virginia Amateur Sports’ 35th annual Commonwealth Games.

“It truly is like the Commonwealth coming together,” added Waldron.

Youth basketball dominated the courts on Saturday as teams competed for several hours.

“We hoopin as you can see, getting buckets, you know,” said Jayden Reid, a 10th grader from Grassfield High School in Chesapeake.

Reid is one of the players on team Ground & Pound from Portsmouth. The team has been competing in the games for over 5 years.

“Our team, we brothers,” said Reid. ”We’ve been playing with each other for like, since we was in second grade. So like we have a tight bond. It’s a family at the end of the day,” he said.

Ground and Pound coaches Chris, Anwan, and Kenny bring the team back each year because of that brotherly bond and the chance for the players to make more.

“Just seeing all the kids together, all of them getting along. No altercations,” said Chris. “I liked that part of it because you get to meet people from other parts of Virginia that we normally wouldn’t get to see. So I think that’s a good experience for them and them just sharing stories and the camaraderie that go along with them.”

All three coaches agreed their favorite part of the weekend is how the impact on the players goes beyond the courts.

“They get the college experience,” said Chris. “It kinda makes them want to go to college by seeing the campus and a facility. So we definitely love that part of it.”

They’re confident in the team as the second day of the tournament wraps up.

“We’ve been playing great so far. You know, they’re coming together, they’re gelling at the right time. So I think we got a legitimate shot to go this year,” said Chris.

Although the 2024 games wrap up this weekend, the competition, fun and new friendships will be back. Registration is open in January on commonwealthgames.org for anyone who wants to join the Virginia Olympics next year.

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Virginia

Virginia State Parks recognized as a 2026 top Virginia employer for interns

Published

12 hours ago

April 15, 2026

Press Room

Virginia State Parks recognized as a 2026 top Virginia employer for interns

VIRGINIA – Virginia State Parks just earned a major accolade. The Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation announced that the park system has been named a 2026 Top Virginia Employer for Interns by the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia.

This honor celebrates employers who go above and beyond in mentorship, professional development, workplace culture and giving students real opportunities to contribute.

“DCR recognizes the exceptional work Virginia State Parks does to open doors for students and service members pursuing careers in conservation,” said DCR Director Nikki Rovner. “This recognition underscores Virginia State Parks’ dedication to fostering future leaders, and it’s gratifying to see their efforts recognized statewide.”

Virginia State Parks offers a range of hands-on experiences through its internship programs, including the new Ranger Conservation Corps, which launched in 2025, and participation in the U.S. Department of Defense SkillBridge program for transitioning service members. The Ranger Conservation Corps is designed to immerse students in natural resource management, environmental education and park operations.

“Developing the next generation of conservation leadership in Virginia is critical to our mission to protect and conserve Virginia’s natural and cultural resources for the future,” said DCR Deputy Director of Operations Frank Stovall. “Our state parks personnel, with support from our human resources team, have created an award-winning program that prepares interns for the next steps in their conservation career.”

Every year, Virginia State Parks hosts interns from colleges, universities and service members from across the state.

To learn more about internship and career opportunities with Virginia State Parks, visit www.virginiastateparks.gov.

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Virginia

Greensburg Central Catholic star Erica Gribble changes plans, follows coach from Richmond to Virginia of the ACC

Published

1 day ago

April 14, 2026

Press Room

Greensburg Central Catholic star Erica Gribble changes plans, follows coach from Richmond to Virginia of the ACC

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Virginia

Virginia’s Spanberger Approves Workplace Heat Safety Standards

Published

2 days ago

April 14, 2026

Press Room

Virginia’s Spanberger Approves Workplace Heat Safety Standards

Virginia will join a growing list of states with workplace heat safety standards that private-sector employers must follow under legislation approved by Gov. Abigail Spanberger (D).

The bill (SB 288) tasks the state’s Safety and Health Codes Board with creating standards for indoor and outdoor workplaces no later than May 1, 2028, adding Virginia to a handful of states that have dictated heat safety protocols in the absence of a federal standard.

The US Occupational Safety and Health Administration continued work on developing a national heat safety rule in 2025, but President Donald Trump’s deregulatory goals are likely to yield a more employer-friendly standard than those passed in Democratic-majority states.

Virginia employers will be required to provide water, access to shade, rest periods, acclimatization, and training for working in heat. High-heat procedures would take effect at a temperature threshold to be determined by the board in its rulemaking.

Deciding on an appropriate temperature threshold to trigger protections has been a notable challenge, both in state proposals and OSHA’s federal regulatory efforts.

California, Maryland, Minnesota, Oregon, and Washington state have mandated workplace heat safety standards, while Colorado has imposed a standard specific to agriculture workers.

Virginia regulators previously considered a workplace heat safety proposal but halted the rulemaking process in late 2021, with some board members citing concerns it would conflict or be redundant with the federal regulation that they thought at the time would be implemented soon.

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