COVID roundup: AG says Va. public colleges can require vaccine
As more Virginians get vaccinated, the attorney general has issued an opinion concluding that the state’s public colleges and universities can require COVID-19 vaccinations for in-person attendance this fall — although it remains up to individual institutions. “There is no question that the General Assembly could enact[...]
Fortnite video game CEO makes Va.’s largest land conservation gift
North Carolina billionaire and Epic Games Inc. CEO Tim Sweeney has donated 7,300 acres of privately-owned land in Halifax County to the state — the largest single private land conservation gift in Virginia history, Gov. Ralph Northam announced Friday. Cary, North Carolina-based Epic is the company behind the massively popular [...]
Northam: State to loosen more restrictions May 15
Beginning May 15, the state will loosen more restrictions, including allowing larger social gatherings and expanded audiences for entertainment venues and sporting events, Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam announced in a video message released Thursday. Restaurants will also be allowed to resume serving alcohol after midnight. Northa[...]
Va. jobless claims up 173% from last week
For the April 13-17 filing week, 13,751 Virginians submitted initial unemployment claims, a 173% increase from the previous week, but an 83% decrease from this time a year ago when jobless claims were near a peak during the COVID-19 pandemic. Last week’s new claims rose by 8,717 compared to those from the week ending Apri[...]
Bar seating reopened statewide, governor declares
For the first time in more than a year, Virginians are now allowed to sit at bars for service as long as they stay at least six feet apart. Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam amended Executive Order 72 on Wednesday without an announcement, making the following policy change for restaurants, breweries, distilleries, wineries and tasting[...]
McAuliffe has significant lead among Dems in latest poll
In a poll released Thursday, 47% of Virginia Democratic voters surveyed are backing former Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe’s primary bid for his party’s gubernatorial nomination, according to data from Christopher Newport University’s Wason Center for Public Leadership. Two months ago, McAuliffe had 26% of the vo[...]
Unison acquires Price Systems
Dulles-based Unison Software Inc. announced Wednesday that it has acquired New Jersey-based Price Systems LLC for an undisclosed amount. Both companies provide software to support governmental missions, acquisition professionals, government contractors and manufacturers. “Our customers’ mission-critical programs continue to grow more complex. Price Systems best practices, thought leadership and unrivaled data-driven software are[...]
Leidos awarded $480M contract from U.S. Customs and Border Protection
Reston-based Fortune 500 company Leidos Holdings Inc. announced Tuesday it has been awarded a $480 million contract by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to provide multi-energy portal (MEP) systems for nonintrusive inspections of commercial vehicles at land and sea ports of entry. The award for the science and technology company includes a base period […]
Northrop Grumman lands $2.3B ICBM contract
Falls Church-based Northrop Grumman Corp. has been awarded a U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) contract for up to $2.3 billion to support propulsion subsystems for intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBM), DOD announced on Tuesday. The 18.5-year contract provides assistance to the government in maintaining the Minuteman III weapon system. The work will be performed primarily in […]
COVID roundup: Va. now offering vaccines to everyone age 16+
All Virginians age 16 and up are now eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine, which you may have heard Monday morning in a loud public safety alert sent to smartphones by the Virginia Department of Health. All U.S. states met President Joe Biden’s April 19 deadline to expand vaccine eligibility for all adults, regardless of job,[...]
Va. unemployment stayed steady in March
Virginia’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate remained above 5% in March, dropping just 0.1 percentage points below February’s jobless rate. March’s 5.1% unemployment rate was 2.5 percentage points above March 2020’s rate. Virginia contends to trend lower than the nation, however. The U.S. unemployment rate for March was 6%. “Virginia’s unemployment rate is steadily improving and […][...]
VEDP, Martinsville receive $3.9M in federal grants
The city of Martinsville and the Virginia Economic Development Partnership have been awarded $3.9 million in federal CARES Act grants to boost economic development during the downturn related to the COVID-19 pandemic, the U.S. Department of Commerce announced Thursday. Martinsville will receive a $3 million grant from the Commerce Department’s Economic Development Administration to expand […][...]