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IRS drops plan to use Va. firm’s facial recognition tech
The Internal Revenue Service is dropping a controversial plan to require taxpayers to submit to facial recognition to access their online accounts, the agency announced Monday. McLean-based contractor ID.me was working on the facial recognition system, which the IRS had earlier said would be implemented on its website this summe[...]
Avula tapped as Va. social services commissioner
Dr. Danny Avula, the director of Richmond and Henrico County’s health districts and the state’s former COVID vaccine coordinator, has accepted Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s appointment to become commissioner of the state’s Department of Social Services, the health districts announced Friday. In January 2021, Avul[...]
Va. Senate committee rejects former EPA chief for Cabinet
The Virginia Senate Privileges and Elections Committee voted 9-6 Tuesday against confirming former Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Andrew Wheeler, Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s appointment for state secretary of natural and historic resources. The vote does not eliminate Wheeler’s chances of confirmation. Young[...]
Va. bills advance to halt minimum wage increases
RICHMOND, Va. – Two bills introduced by Republicans to halt future minimum wage increases have advanced to the House floor. Minimum wage in Virginia increased to $11 an hour on Jan. 1 and is set to increase to $12 next January. The House Commerce and Energy committee approved House Bill 320, introduced by Del. Nicholas [&helli[...]
New Va. unemployment claims down 32%
Virginia’s new unemployment claims declined by almost 32%, the Virginia Employment Commission reported Thursday. For the filing week ending Jan. 22, Virginians filed 1,940 initial claims, down 909 from the previous week. Continued claims totaled 7,543, an increase of 484 claims from the week before. Compared to the same we[...]
Lawmakers debate human trafficking bill
RICHMOND, Va. — Legislators raised a few questions with a measure that would deploy hotel staff to help combat human trafficking. The bill introduced by Del. Shelly A. Simonds, D-Newport News, was heard Thursday in a House subcommittee. House Bill 258 would authorize the Department of Criminal Justice Services to create an[...]
Virginia ABC stores to change to noon opening
The Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Authority will change its daily opening hours to noon at its 395 stores starting Monday. Staffing stores has become difficult as “increasing numbers of ABC’s retail employees continue to be affected by COVID-19,” the authority said in a news release. Store closing times will rema[...]
Heritage Foundation exec tapped as Va. diversity officer
Gov. Glenn Youngkin rounded out his Cabinet picks Wednesday by announcing Angela Sailor as his choice for the state’s chief diversity, opportunity and inclusion officer, a change in title from the Northam administration’s post. Sailor is currently vice president of the Feulner Institute at the Heritage Foundation and[...]
Youngkin sworn in as Virginia’s 74th governor
RICHMOND, Va. — Republican Glenn Youngkin was sworn in Saturday as Virginia’s 74th governor on the steps of the state Capitol. The political newcomer and former private equity executive is the commonwealth’s first Republican governor since Bob McDonnell, who took office in 2010. The commonwealth also made histo[...]
Youngkin names secretary of health and human resources
Gov.-elect Glenn Youngkin announced Monday former Magellan of Virginia President John Littel as his state secretary of health and human resources. “The COVID-19 pandemic has had devastating impacts on Virginians across the commonwealth, and John will play a pivotal role in overseeing our efforts in protecting Virginians[...]
Northam calls state of emergency to increase hospital staffing
With an all-time high number of Virginians hospitalized for COVID-19 on Friday, Gov. Ralph Northam issued a 30-day executive order Monday to expand the number of available hospital beds, increase staffing capacity at hospitals and nursing homes, and allow public health agencies greater flexibility. “It is painful to see [...]
Youngkin announces transportation secretary
Gov.-elect Glenn Youngkin announced Friday W. Sheppard “Shep” Miller III, former chairman of Virginia Beach-based defense contractor KITCO Fiber Optics, as his state secretary of transportation. “Shep will be an invaluable leader as secretary of transportation as we fulfill our promises to all Virginians to invest in roads[...]
