Recent Articles from Kate Andrews
Youngkin appoints lottery director, tax commissioner and chief transformation officer
Gov. Glenn Youngkin announced three new hires in his administration Friday, including a new lottery director, chief transformation officer and tax commissioner. Khalid Jones, a hedge fund founder, attorney and licensing firm partner, was appointed director of the Virginia Lottery, assuming the role previously held by Kelly Gee, who was named secretary of the commonwealth […]
Bruce Smith teams with Cordish on Petersburg casino plan
Virginia Beach developer and NFL Hall of Famer Bruce Smith is vying for the chance to develop a casino in Petersburg and has joined forces with Cordish Cos., the Baltimore-based entertainment company that has already made inroads in Virginia. There’s just one obstacle facing Smith and other prospective developers, including Bally’s, Penn Entertainment, Rush Street Gaming […]
Senate Dems criticize Youngkin’s budget amendments
Virginia Senate Democrats had a lot of criticism Tuesday for Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s proposed reworking of the state’s 2024-26 budget but held back on saying whether they would vote yea or nay on his 233 amendments. Senate Majority Leader Scott Surovell, D-Fairfax, said late Tuesday afternoon that he and fellow legislators had not had time […]
Youngkin removes tax cuts, RGGI mandate in budget
Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin on Monday released a slate of 233 amendments to the state budget passed by the General Assembly — calling it an opportunity for “common ground.” However, his budget removes language that would mandate Virginia’s future participation in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, which has been a high priority for Democrats. It […]
Pharrell biopic musical to film in Va. this year
Virginia Beach-born-and-bred entertainment superstar Pharrell Williams will film a movie this spring and summer in Virginia based on his childhood, Gov. Glenn Youngkin announced Friday. There had been rumors about the musical film project, called “Atlantis” in movie trade publications recently, but Youngkin confirmed the feature is being made in Central Virginia and Hampton Roads, [&he[...]
Second new SCC judge is sworn in
Attorney Kelsey A. Bagot was sworn in Monday as the newest judge on the Virginia State Corporation Commission, filling its three-commissioner bench for the first time since March 2022. The SCC’s panel was short two judges after the December 2022 resignation of Judge Judith Jagdmann, and nominations were held up by partisan politics. In March, […]
Atlantic Union completes $507M purchase of American National
Richmond-based Atlantic Union Bankshares completed its acquisition Monday of Danville-based American National Bankshares, parent company of American National Bank and Trust. Based on the $35.31/share closing price Thursday of Atlantic Union common stock, the transaction value was approximately $507 million, according to Atlantic Union’s news release Monday. The deal was announced in July 202[...]
Truth, justice, and the Liberty Way
The past four years have been rough on Liberty University’s reputation, judging by the sheer tonnage of negative press that the Lynchburg-based evangelical education powerhouse has received. But with a $2 billion-plus endowment and one of the nation’s largest private, nonprofit college enrollments, Liberty appears to be not only surviving but thriving, even amid embarrassing […]
Youngkin vetoes cannabis, minimum wage legislation
Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin vetoed legislation Thursday that would have put Virginia on the path to a $15 per hour minimum wage and set up a retail cannabis market, killing bills that were important to Democratic state legislators he blamed for torpedoing the $2 billion Alexandria sports arena deal he’d championed. Amid a deepening partisan […]
Washington Wizards, Capitals reach deal to stay in D.C.
The Washington Wizards and Capitals NBA and NHL teams are staying put in the District of Columbia and will not be moving to Alexandria, according to announcements from Washington, D.C., and Virginia officials Wednesday. These events put the final nail in the coffin of a controversial $2 billion Alexandria arena proposal touted by Virginia Gov. […]