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Virginia Senator Lucas rejects arena funding bill: 'Dead on arrival'

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Virginia Senator Lucas rejects arena funding bill: 'Dead on arrival'


The monumental battle continues. 

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In the coming weeks, lawmakers in Virginia will decide on the future home for the Washington Wizards and Capitals. 

It’s been nearly two months since Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin and Monumental Sports owner Ted Leonsis announced that D.C.’s professional basketball and hockey teams were moving to Virginia. 

Since then, there’s opposition coming from different sides: labor unions, residents, and some state lawmakers, including Virginia Senator Louise Lucas. 

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She’s been very vocal since the start about not wanting the teams in the Commonwealth. 

RICHMOND, VA – FEBRUARY 20: Virginia state Senator Louise L. Lucas(D-18) at work in the statehouse, on February, 20, 2019 in Richmond, VA. (Photo by Bill O’Leary/The Washington Post via Getty Images)

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Lucas, a Democrat, who is also the chair of the state’s finance committee, recently shot down a bill in the Senate that would basically help finance the $2 million Potomac Yard arena project backed by Governor Glenn Youngkin. 

She says the bill is not ready for prime time. 

But there’s a version of that bill that’s currently in the House, and getting bipartisan support. 

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Lucas says if the legislation finds its way back to her desk it’s “dead on arrival” for a number of reasons. 

“Virginia’s hard-working taxpayers deserve to have that money utilized in such a way that it benefits them, and not billionaires that want to enrich themselves further on the backs of hard-working people,” Senator Lucas told FOX 5 Wednesday. “It’s not good for us when we got to allocate general fund dollars to make this thing happen when we have education needs, health needs, and all kinds of public safety needs that we need to fund.”

Governor Youngkin says this move would have a huge economic impact on the state and create about 30,000 jobs. 

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In a recent statement, the governor said, “I will continue to work with the General Assembly to complete this opportunity and bring $12 billion in economic contributions that will fund shared priorities in Virginia.”

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Virginia lawmakers have until the end of the session, which is on March 9, to finalize the state’s budget and decide on the future location of the Wizards and Capitals. 



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Virginia’s Spanberger Approves Workplace Heat Safety Standards

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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.

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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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Bill signing aims to bolster horse racing industry in West Virginia

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Bill signing aims to bolster horse racing industry in West Virginia


Gov. Patrick Morrisey signaled support for the horse racing industry in West Virginia through a bill signing Monday.

Senate Bill 1060 updates laws to include certified thoroughbred horses and raises a funding cap for restricted races from $1 million to $2 million.

The measure allows horses that have lived in West Virginia for six months to compete for larger purses. State leaders are hopeful the move will incentivize out-of-state horse owners to relocate to West Virginia.

In addition, the bill would allow licensed racing associations to transmit broadcasts of races with a portion of wagers going toward the West Virginia Thoroughbred Development Fund.

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Changes will go into effect on June 7.

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Currently, horse races are held in West Virginia’s panhandles, at the Mountaineer Racetrack and Resort in New Cumberland and the Hollywood Casino in Charles Town.



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Virginia Beach police investigate teen brawl at Nova Adventure Park

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Virginia Beach police investigate teen brawl at Nova Adventure Park


VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (WAVY) — Virginia Beach police are investigating after a large crowd of teens were fighting Saturday evening at Nova Adventure Park.

A Virginia Beach police officer was in the 2000 block of Lynnhaven Parkway at approximately 9:35 p.m. when a large group of teens started fighting. Additional officers arrived and the teenagers disbursed.

Police said at least one victim involved suffered an injury that was not life-threatening.

The incident is under active investigation.

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