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Governor ends mask mandate for vaccinated people, effective midnight
Following federal recommendations, Gov. Ralph Northam lifted Virginia’s mask mandate Friday, effective at midnight, for all vaccinated Virginians. He also announced Friday afternoon that all distancing and capacity restrictions will be lifted May 28, two weeks sooner than planned. Masks will still be required at Virginia&#[...]
Va. officials ‘reviewing’ new CDC mask guidance
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued new guidance Thursday that people who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 — meaning they received their final shots at least two weeks earlier — can stop wearing masks and maintaining social distance in most indoor and outdoor areas. So, what does that mean for Virginia[...]
Va. sees small decrease in new jobless claims
The fluctuating numbers of initial unemployment claims in Virginia took a break last week, with little change from the previous week, the Virginia Employment Commission reported Thursday. For the filing week ending May 8, 11,270 people submitted new jobless claims, a decrease of 961 claimants from the previous week, or 7.8%. In [...]
Federal judge throws out Chase lawsuit against state Senate
A federal judge tossed out state Sen. Amanda Chase’s civil rights lawsuit against the Virginia State Senate, in which she attempted to get her January censure removed from the public record. Judge Robert E. Payne of the U.S. District Court in the Eastern District of Virginia ruled Thursday that the legislative body and Sen[...]
Vaccination of adolescents age 12+ starting now in Virginia
With the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s approval late Wednesday afternoon, Virginia public health authorities gave their OK to expanding Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine shots to children ages 12 and older Wednesday night. In an update Thursday, state vaccination coordinator Dr. Danny Avula said that schools around th[...]
Va. General Fund revenue up 41.9% in April compared to 2020
Virginia’s General Fund revenue for April 2021 increased by 41.9% compared with April 2020, the largest increase in this century, Gov. Ralph Northam announced Wednesday. Total revenue collections rose 12.8% through April on a fiscal year-to-date basis, which was well ahead of the 2.7% growth forecast. “Virginia is posting the largest monthly revenue increase in […]
Northam, GA leaders pledge to invest $4.3B in federal funds in special session
Gov. Ralph Northam on Wednesday issued a statement with General Assembly leaders outlining their priorities for a $4.3 billion windfall from the most recent federal stimulus package passed in March. Among their plans during a special legislative session this summer will be to allocate money from the $1.9 trillion American Rescue[...]
ABC stores return to pre-pandemic hours Friday
Officials with the Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Authority announced Tuesday that all ABC stores will return to pre-pandemic operating hours on Friday. For more than a year, Virginia’s ABC stores have operated at reduced hours due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Officials decided to limit hours the stores were open to allow time for staff to […]
Northam declares state of emergency related to gas pipeline shutdown
Gov. Ralph Northam declared a state of emergency Tuesday, five days after the Colonial Pipeline was shut down due to a cyber-attack. The Texas pipeline is the primary source of gasoline for many retailers in Virginia and elsewhere on the East Coast, so its prolonged closure would interrupt distribution of gas to the state, the [[...]
Virginia awaiting CDC approval before vaccinating kids ages 12-15
Although the U.S. Food and Drug Administration on Monday expanded its emergency use authorization of the Pfizer Inc. COVID-19 vaccine to include children ages 12 and older, Virginia will wait for action from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention before administering shots to adolescents, state vaccination coordinator Dr[...]
Arlington County names new planning director
Arlington County has promoted Anthony Fusarelli Jr., a 15-year veteran planning employee, to planning director effective in early June, the county announced May 6. Fusarelli started as a principal planner with the county in 2006. Most recently he served as assistant director of the county Department of Community Planning, Housin[...]
Va. GOP prepares for nomination convention on Saturday
On Saturday, roughly 54,000 Virginia Republican convention delegates will have the opportunity to choose their party’s 2021 nominees for governor, lieutenant governor and attorney general. Unlike the typical “firehouse convention,” currently prohibited due to COVID-19 precautions, the state GOP has opted for an[...]
