Virginia
Why we can’t fall for arguments against speed cameras – Virginia Mercury
Decades-long experience with speed cameras shows they can reduce deaths and serious injuries by 20-25% and more. Arguments lodged against speed cameras are easily refuted or at least insubstantial when weighed against their life-saving benefits.
People are dying on our highways in dramatically increasing numbers. Speeding is one of the most significant causes of these deaths. Across the U.S., pedestrian deaths are up 77% over the last decade. Urban areas are hit the hardest: Although they contain just 15% of the nation’s roads, they account for 67% of pedestrian deaths. According to local records, Hampton Roads pedestrian deaths are up 38% over the last decade. In 2022, pedestrian deaths were up 50% over 2021 in Northern Virginia. They increased nearly 77% in Richmond, 2010 to 2021.
Speed kills. The likelihood of death grows rapidly with vehicle speed. A vehicle going 42 mph has a nearly fivefold higher probability of killing a pedestrian it hits than if it were going 25 mph. It’s quite common for vehicles to be traveling 42 mph in 25 mph urban/residential areas. I have captured and documented this in the past, having tracked and documented over four million vehicle traversals on residential streets in Charlottesville with an open source validated speed tracking system I developed. I have presented my findings in testimony to Virginia’s legislature three different times.
More Virginia communities add speed cameras at school crossing zones — and that’s a good thing
I have analyzed how traffic calming approaches – narrow lanes, bump outs, chicanes and all the rest,with the possible exception of speed bumps – don’t work. Comprehensive enforcement by police officers could work but is unrealistic. Virginia localities face persistent staffing shortages on police forces, and tight budgets. Police traffic stops have declined considerably across the U.S. and become more dangerous, putting both officers and drivers at risk.
Speed cameras can address these issues, and more. They allow police forces to spend more time on other issues and they reduce risk associated with traffic stops for all. They are race/gender/wealth agnostic. They are much less costly than the traffic calming efforts which don’t work anyway. They can make pedestrians and bicyclists feel much safer. Parents might actually let their kids walk to school again.
A handful of arguments come out whenever speed cameras are proposed. Let’s explore these.
“Speed cameras aren’t reliable.” Yes, they are, exceedingly so. The Washington Post has reported that speed camera tickets are the most reliable kind issued in D.C. Over 98% of speed camera tickets hold up in court. Of the small percentage of people who challenge their speed camera tickets, more than 80% lose their appeal, according to the Post. Speed cameras are routinely tested and calibrated to ensure accuracy.
“Speed cameras violate privacy.” Actually, they violate privacy less than an officer on a motorcycle with a radar gun who ultimately stops you if you’re speeding. If you are not speeding as you drive by a speed camera, no data about you is collected. If you are speeding, only your speed, license plate number and an image of your vehicle are collected. Enabling legislation can mandate a short retention period of that data. By contrast, think about driving by all those Ring doorbell cameras in your neighborhood, or about all the data manufacturers are collecting every time you drive a new car. (One car company makes you grant permission for them to collect and use for marketing purposes information including your religious affiliation, sex and gender.) And, there is no law that says anyone has a reasonable expectation of privacy related to the operation of their vehicle on public roads.
“Communities deploy speed cameras to make money.” Perhaps some do, but most are just trying to keep speeders from killing their citizens. And the legislature can place strings on how the money is spent if they so choose. Finally, if you’re not speeding, you’re not contributing to the community’s coffers, so just what is the complaint really?
“Due process suffers.” No, it doesn’t. Virginia’s current speed camera laws for work and school zones require that a human review every camera-based speeding violation for accuracy before a ticket is issued. And recipients of a ticket can appeal. Contrast this with the innocent owner burden in Virginia’s asset forfeiture laws!
“Speed cameras are unfair to the poor.” All fines weigh more heavily on the poor. Whether the fine is for a ticket issued by a speed camera or by an officer is immaterial. If the concern is that fines are regressive, allowances can be built into the fining structure. If the argument is that the poor will get more tickets per capita, that seems like an offensive assumption.
“I got a ticket and wasn’t driving.” Current Virginia speed camera law allows you to file an affidavit saying who was.
Speed cameras only cost you if you speed, rich or poor. In the balance, decades of experience across the globe shows the technology has a profound beneficial effect on vehicle-related deaths and serious injuries. These benefits far outweigh any of the arguments lodged against them, and justify support for proposed legislation – like House Bill 20 – that would expand speed camera usage in Virginia.
Virginia
Virginia Lottery Powerball, Pick 3 Night results for Feb. 28, 2026
Powerball, Mega Millions jackpots: What to know in case you win
Here’s what to know in case you win the Powerball or Mega Millions jackpot.
Just the FAQs, USA TODAY
The Virginia Lottery offers multiple draw games for those aiming to win big.
Here’s a look at Feb. 28, 2026, results for each game:
Powerball
Powerball drawings are held Monday, Wednesday and Saturday at 11 p.m.
06-20-35-54-65, Powerball: 10, Power Play: 4
Check Powerball payouts and previous drawings here.
Monday, March 02, 2026
Pick 3
DAY drawing at 1:59 p.m. NIGHT drawing at 11 p.m. each day.
Night: 1-7-2, FB: 7
Day: 6-6-5, FB: 7
Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.
Pick 4
DAY drawing at 1:59 p.m. NIGHT drawing at 11 p.m. each day.
Night: 3-0-2-2, FB: 8
Day: 8-2-7-9, FB: 3
Check Pick 4 payouts and previous drawings here.
Pick 5
DAY drawing at 1:59 p.m. NIGHT drawing at 11 p.m. each day.
Night: 1-3-5-7-5, FB: 9
Day: 4-4-7-7-0, FB: 7
Check Pick 5 payouts and previous drawings here.
Cash Pop
Drawing times: Coffee Break 9 a.m.; Lunch Break 12 p.m.; Rush Hour 5 p.m.; Prime Time 9 p.m.; After Hours 11:59 p.m.
Coffee Break: 13
After Hours: 04
Prime Time: 10
Rush Hour: 02
Lunch Break: 07
Check Cash Pop payouts and previous drawings here.
Cash 5
Drawing every day at 11 p.m.
04-14-16-30-39
Check Cash 5 payouts and previous drawings here.
Bank a Million
Bank a Million draws are held every Wednesday and Saturday at 11 p.m.
02-03-04-05-08-35, Bonus: 14
Check Bank a Million payouts and previous drawings here.
Millionaire for Life
Drawing everyday at 11:15 p.m.
13-20-28-44-48, Bonus: 04
Check Millionaire for Life payouts and previous drawings here.
Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results
This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Center for Community Journalism (CCJ) editor. You can send feedback using this form.
Virginia
Virginia U.S. Sen. Kaine: Strikes on Iran ‘a colossal mistake’ – WTOP News
As Republicans praise President Donald Trump for taking military action against Iran, Democrats are demanding Congress provide authorization for the attack and a more detailed explanation of its ultimate goals.
WTOP’s Mitchell Miller joined anchor Del Walters earlier to talk about the political reaction to the U.S.-Israeli military operation against Iran.
As Republicans praise President Donald Trump for taking decisive military action against Iran, Democrats are demanding Congress provide authorization for the attack and a more detailed explanation of its ultimate goals.
Virginia U.S. Sen. Mark Warner, who serves as the vice chair of the Senate Intelligence Committee, said Iran has a long history of terrorism in the Middle East, but that “does not relieve any president of the responsibility to act within the law, with a clear strategy and with Congress.”
Like many other Democratic lawmakers, Warner said Congress can’t be sidelined.
“The Constitution is clear: the decision to take this nation to war rests with Congress and launching large-scale military operations — particularly in the absence of an imminent threat to the United States — raises serious legal and constitutional concerns,” Warner said in a statement on Saturday.
Warner and other Democrats called for the administration to fully brief lawmakers and explain the specific aims of the U.S.
U.S. Sen. Tim Kaine has a war powers resolution that was prepared before the attack took place, and there’s a push to quickly bring it to the Senate floor for a vote.
In a statement released Saturday, Kaine noted that for months he has “raised hell about the fact that the American people want lower prices, not more war.”
“These strikes are a colossal mistake, and I pray that they do not cost our sons and daughters in uniform and at embassies throughout the region their lives,” he said.
Kaine said the Senate should immediately return to session to vote on his war powers resolution.
He said all senators need to go on the record on what he referred to as, “this dangerous, unnecessary, and idiotic action.”
Kentucky Rep. Thomas Massie, a Republican, has a war powers resolution pending in the House.
He called for Congress to convene Monday to consider it.
The Norfolk-based aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford is in the region to support the military action against Iran. The carrier and its sailors have already been at sea for more than eight months.
Kaine said it could end up being the longest deployment for a U.S. aircraft carrier since the Vietnam War. The carrier previously supported U.S. military operations off the Venezuelan coast.
House speaker says lawmakers were briefed
House Speaker Mike Johnson said Saturday that Iran is “facing the severe consequences of its evil actions,” noting that the president and the administration had made extensive efforts to pursue a diplomatic solution to “the Iranian regime’s sustained nuclear ambitions.”
“The Gang of 8 was briefed in detail earlier this week that military action may become necessary to protect American troops and American citizens in Iran,” Johnson said.
The briefing of the top congressional leaders, which included Warner, took place before the president’s State of the Union address earlier this week.
Johnson said he also received updates from Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) praised Rubio for providing updates on the situation, and said he looks forward to administration officials briefing all senators about the military operations.
“I commend President Donald Trump for taking action to thwart these threats,” he said.
One of the first officials to publicly praise the president for attacking Iran was U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham, a close Republican ally of Trump.
“As I watch and monitor this historic operation, I’m in awe of President Donald Trump’s determination to be a man of peace but at the end of the day, evil’s worst nightmare,” he said in an X post. “Well done, Mr. President.”
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Virginia
How to Watch Virginia vs. Duke Basketball Game Online Without Cable
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This weekend’s college basketball slate kicks off with a blockbuster showdown between the No. 11 Virginia Cavaliers and the top-ranked Duke Blue Devils. They’ll be playing in Durham, where Duke has been undefeated for over a year. Virginia (25-3), however, has been on point all season and stands a chance at snapping the Blue Devils’ home court winning streak.
At a Glance: How to Watch Virginia vs. Duke Basketball Game
- Stream: Sling
- TV channel: ESPN
- Date, time: Saturday, Feb. 28 at noon ET
The Cavaliers are coming off a big 90-61 win over NC State, and are looking to extend a nine-game winning streak. The Blue Devils are hot off a massive 100-56 victory against Notre Dame. Duke is seeking another shot at the title this year after falling to No. 1 Houston in last year’s Final Four.
If you don’t have a way to watch Saturday’s Virginia vs. Duke game, read on. Ahead is a quick guide on how to livestream Virginia vs. Duke with Sling, plus key details about the matchup.
How to Watch Virginia vs. Duke Basketball Game Online
Saturday’s Virginia vs. Duke matchup will air on ESPN. If you don’t have cable, you can watch the game online using any live TV streaming service that carries the channel. One of our favorites is Sling, which offers flexible packages and a great channel lineup.
ESPN is included in Sling’s Orange and Orange + Blue packages. The Orange plan carries 30+ channels, including CNN, TNT, HGTV, and ID, as well as ESPN. This plan is available as a monthly subscription, starting at $45.99 a month, but Sling also offers short-term passes that are ideal for catching individual games or tournaments. A one-day pass costs $4.99, a three-day pass costs $9.99, and a seven-day pass costs $14.99.
If you want more channels, upgrade to the Orange + Blue package. This plan starts at $60.99 a month and carries 50+ channels, including local networks (in select markets), Fox News, NFL Network, and everything in the Orange package.
Virginia vs. Duke Game Date, Start Time
The next Virginia vs. Duke basketball game takes place on Saturday, Feb. 28. Tip-off is at noon ET.
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