White House decisions weigh heavily on Va., Hampton Roads economies, experts say
While federal workers ponder taking a buyout offer from President Donald Trump and a now-rescinded federal funding freeze memo caused confusion and worry over the status of major economic development projects in Virginia, economists at Old Dominion University say uncertainty in Washington, D.C., is the major factor affecting the state’s and Hampton Roads‘ economic futures […]
Fairfax casino bill moves forward in Va. Senate
A Virginia State Senate bill that could bring a casino to Tysons won a vote in the Senate Finance Committee on Tuesday, pushing it forward to a full Senate vote later in the Virginia General Assembly session. If passed by the state legislature and signed by Gov. Glenn Youngkin, Fairfax County voters would have the […]
Trump’s pause on $3T in federal funding could impact Va.
Update, 7:30 p.m. A federal judge temporarily blocked President Donald Trump‘s freeze on federal spending until at least Feb. 3, but the White House did not immediately respond to the judicial order. On Monday, Trump ordered a freeze on more than $3 trillion in federal financial assistance, including grants and loans backing economic development and […]
Spanberger leads Earle-Sears in early state polling
It’s still early days, but in Virginia’s 2025 gubernatorial race, Democratic candidate Abigail Spanberger leads Republican Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears in a pair of new statewide polls. In the Virginia Commonwealth University Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs poll released Friday, former U.S. Rep. Spanberger has the support of 44% of people polled, and […]
Something in the Water gets extension from Va. Beach
Pharrell Williams’ Something in the Water festival got a bit of a break Tuesday from Virginia Beach City Council members, who agreed to give the Virginia Beach-born music and fashion maven more time to fulfill an overdue part of the festival’s contract with the city. City Council voted 8-2 Tuesday to indefinitely defer an earlier […]
What to expect from the 2025 Va. General Assembly
The General Assembly enters the fourth year in the gubernatorial cycle with even more gridlock than usual. Democrats hold narrow majorities in both the House of Delegates and Senate, but are vulnerable to vetoes by Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin, who begins the final year of his constitutionally mandated single term. Hopes for bipartisan compromise were […]
Youngkin proposes eliminating tax on tips in Va. budget
Gov. Glenn Youngkin announced Monday a budget proposal to exempt service tips from Virginia’s state income tax, an idea that’s gained bipartisan support federally. In a statement, Youngkin said that Virginians who receive tips — hair stylists, restaurant workers, bellhops and other service industry professionals — would benefit from being able to claim deductions on […]
Earle-Sears, Spanberger talk biz credentials in Va. Chamber forum appearances
They didn’t meet face-to-face, but the presumptive Republican and Democratic nominees for Virginia’s 2025 governor race addressed the same audience Friday at the 2024 Virginia Economic Summit and Forum on International Trade in Richmond. Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears, the frontrunner for the GOP nomination, spoke just after 9 a.m. at the event co-sponsored by the […]
Judge rules Youngkin’s RGGI exit was unlawful
A Floyd County Circuit Court judge ruled this week that Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s decision to withdraw Virginia from the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative was unlawful, but the governor plans to appeal the decision, according to a spokesperson. Judge Randall Lowe ruled that “the only body with the authority to repeal the RGGI regulation would be […]
Miyares declares run for 2nd term as Va. AG
Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares declared Monday he will run for a second term in 2025, leaving Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears a clear path to the Republican nomination for governor. Gov. Glenn Youngkin, who is prohibited by state law from serving consecutive terms as governor, endorsed both candidates following Miyares’ announcement. A former Virginia Beach […]
Developer downscales plans for Pittsylvania power plant/data center campus
The developer planning a natural gas power plant and data center campus on 2,233 acres in the Banister and Callands-Gretna districts of Pittsylvania County withdrew its rezoning application Monday, after facing vocal opposition from residents at public meetings held last week. Instead, Herndon-based Balico, the development company behind the project, intends to file a rezoning […]
Trump Town owner calls assault, indecent exposure charges ‘fake news’
Donald “Whitey” Taylor, owner of Trump Town, a Boones Mill store dedicated to merchandise celebrating the 45th president, and a candidate for mayor in that same small town, was arrested Tuesday on charges of indecent exposure and assaulting store employees. Taylor, 74, sent a text to Virginia Business, describing the criminal charges against him as […]