Lawmakers advance bills to compensate first responders hit by COVID-19
RICHMOND, Va. — Virginia lawmakers have passed bills that allow certain first responders to file workers’ compensation benefits for being disabled from COVID-19, but still need to reach agreement on some differences. The measures would make COVID-19 an occupational disease for firefighters, emergency medical services per[...]
Va. vaccine doses will get ‘big bump’ next week
Virginia’s vaccine coordinator, Dr. Danny Avula, said Friday he expects about 213,000 COVID-19 vaccine doses to come to the state weekly, beginning next week. That’s an increase of about 60,000 doses from the past week. Last week, White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said the federal government would up weekly natio[...]
Court upholds state GOP’s May convention plan
The Republican Party of Virginia is clear to move forward with its plans for a May 1 convention, after a Richmond Circuit Court judge on Friday tossed out a lawsuit filed by state Sen. Amanda Chase to force the party to hold a primary election to choose its candidates for governor, attorney general and lieutenant […]
Chase, McAuliffe lead gubernatorial races, Wason Center poll finds
Former Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe and state Sen. Amanda Chase, R-Chesterfield, lead the packs in pursuit of their parties’ gubernatorial nominations, according to a poll released Friday by the Wason Center for Civic Leadership at Christopher Newport University. McAuliffe, who has outraised other Democrats in campaign fu[...]
Virginia lawmakers advance Consumer Data Protection Act
RICHMOND, Va. — The General Assembly is advancing legislation that allows Virginia consumers more protection with their online data, though opponents say the measure does not include the ability for people to file private lawsuits against companies that breach the proposed law. The measure is known as the Consumer Data Pro[...]
State GOP seeks dismissal of Chase lawsuit
The Republican Party of Virginia is asking the Richmond Circuit Court to toss out a lawsuit by state Sen. Amanda Chase, R-Chesterfield, that seeks to force the party to hold a primary election instead of a nominating convention. In papers filed this week by Washington, D.C., attorney Lee Goodman, the Republican Party of Virginia[...]
Reston federal contractor names COO
Reston-based federal contractor Preferred Systems Solutions Inc. announced Thursday it has hired Cynthia Barreda as its chief operating officer. Barreda most recently served as CEO of Herndon-based tech company NetCentrics Corp., where she had been since 2002. In her new role, she will work on strategy and vision for the compa[...]
BAE Systems wins $247M Space Force contract
Arlington-based defense contractor BAE Systems announced Wednesday it has received a $247 million U.S. Space Force contract to design and manufacture an advanced GPS receiver and semiconductor. Work on the contract will be performed for the Space Force’s Space and Missile Systems Center. The technology will provide positioning[...]
State launches COVID-19 vaccine hotline
Gov. Ralph Northam announced Wednesday that a COVID-19 vaccine hotline, staffed with about 750 customer service employees, has launched. The number is (877) VAX-IN-VA, or (877) 829-4682. The phone number, targeted for Virginians without reliable internet access, opened the day after the Virginia Department of Health started a st[...]
Yorktown consulting firm sues SCHEV over VMI probe contract
A Yorktown-based consultancy is suing the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia and the firm conducting an investigation into Virginia Military Institute’s racial attitudes and practices, a contract the plaintiff unsuccessfully bid on last year. In a civil suit filed Feb. 11 in Richmond Circuit Court, the Center f[...]
Business groups ask Va. lawmakers for higher PPP tax deductions
Virginia’s two legislative bodies have not yet agreed on an amount that Virginia businesses can deduct from federal Paycheck Protection Program loans they received last year, and how much of the loans they’ll have to pay state taxes on. Business groups are asking state lawmakers to allow higher deductions — especia[...]
Statewide COVID vaccine registration site launched
The Virginia Department of Health launched its COVID-19 vaccine registration system Tuesday, available at vaccinate.virginia.gov. A phone hotline will open Wednesday, allowing Virginians who don’t have reliable internet access to register for the vaccine. The site comes after local health districts had set up local sites f[...]