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Developers seek to revive data center next to Virginia battlefield

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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.

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



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Virginia General Assembly approves budget days before potential partial government shutdown – WTOP News

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Virginia General Assembly approves budget days before potential partial government shutdown – WTOP News


Virginia lawmakers approved a two-year spending plan Monday, ending months of negotiations as the deadline to avoid a partial government shutdown approached.

Virginia lawmakers approved a two-year spending plan Monday, ending months of negotiations as the deadline to avoid a partial government shutdown approached.

The Senate approved the plan with a 23-16 vote, and the House of Delegates passed it 71-22. Now it heads to Gov. Abigail Spanberger’s desk.

The votes end a saga that included name-calling and finger-pointing, as senators hoped to end a sales tax exemption for data centers. The House and Spanberger expressed concerns about the potential consequence of taking that step, hoping to keep existing agreements in tact.

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The compromise, detailed late last week, keeps the sales tax exemption in place but calls for a new data center electricity consumption tax. The $0.011 fee per kilowatt-hour of electricity used is expected to generate $600 million in revenue each of the next two years.

“This conference report took longer than most, but the senate conferees and I spent a lot of time trying to find the right balance between compromising with the House and the governor and having something that made the data centers pay their fair share,” Sen. Louise Lucas said. “This budget achieves that right balance, and the Senate and House and the governor’s office all had input into this final project.”

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Virginia man arrested after reported larceny in Elizabeth City

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Virginia man arrested after reported larceny in Elizabeth City


ELIZABETH CITY, N.C. — A Virginia man is facing multiple charges after a reported larceny in Elizabeth City on Friday evening.

According to the Elizabeth City Police Department, officers responded to a reported larceny in the 1100 block of Ehringhaus Street around 5:11 p.m. on June 19.

While officers were en route, dispatchers received information that the suspect had fled on foot and that a concerned citizen was following him.

Officers located the suspect and joined the foot pursuit. The suspect was taken into custody near the intersection of Walker Avenue and Renaissance Circle.

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Police identified the suspect as Lamar Jones, 39, of Portsmouth, Virginia.

Jones was charged with felony larceny from a person, felony assault on an individual with a disability, felony possession of stolen goods, and resisting a public officer.

After being processed, Jones was transported before a magistrate and later booked into the Albemarle District Jail under a $100,000 secured bond.

He is scheduled to make his first court appearance Monday, June 22, at 9:30 a.m. in Pasquotank County District Court.

The investigation remains active. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the Elizabeth City Police Department at (252) 335-4321, the Crime Line at (252) 335-5555, or submit a tip through FUSUS Text-a-Tip at (252) 390-8477.

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Five new Virginia laws starting July 1: What you need to know

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Five new Virginia laws starting July 1: What you need to know


Several new Virginia laws take effect July 1, touching nearly every corner of daily life — from gun sales and criminal records to job applications, speeding and even takeout containers.

Here’s a look at five changes Virginia residents may want to know about.

New restrictions on semi-automatic firearms, high-capacity magazines

Virginia will limit the future sale, manufacture and transfer of certain semi-automatic firearms and high-capacity magazines beginning July 1.

Current owners may keep firearms they already legally own, but the new restrictions are already sparking debate over gun rights and public safety.

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Clean Slate Act seals criminal records

The Clean Slate Act allows eligible misdemeanors and some low-level felonies to be automatically sealed, making it easier for Virginians to find jobs and housing.

Supporters estimate more than 100,000 criminal records to be sealed belonging to people who were convicted but have not reoffended in the past seven years.

While the Clean Slate Act expands access to record sealing, eligible Virginians will still need to apply through the courts in many cases to have their records sealed.

Wage transparency, salary history ban

Many Virginia employers will now be required to disclose salary ranges in job postings, giving applicants more information and bargaining power before they apply.

A companion salary history ban also takes effect July 1, prohibiting employers from requesting a candidate’s past salary or wage history.

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Speed-limiting devices for reckless drivers

Judges will have the authority to require certain speeding offenders to install speed-governing technology in their vehicles. The measure targets repeat reckless drivers and high-speed offenders.

Supporters say it’s aimed at preventing dangerous repeat behaviors and reducing deadly crashes on Virginia roads.

Styrofoam ban expands statewide

More food vendors across Virginia will be required to stop using foam takeout containers starting July 1 as part of the state’s ongoing, phased environmental initiative.

The ban enters phase two on July 1, expanding from large chain restaurants to all remaining food vendors statewide.

While all five laws officially take effect July 1, some elements of enforcement may roll out gradually over time.

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