Australian maritime co. to start sub/shipbuilding school in Hampton Roads
An Australian maritime company announced Tuesday it will set up a submarine and shipbuilding training institution in Norfolk for the short term and will seek a permanent home in Newport News. Quality Maritime Surveyors (QMS), based in the suburbs of Adelaide, Australia, is one of the pioneering companies to take the plunge into [...]
Youngkin appoints lottery director, tax commissioner and chief transformation officer
Gov. Glenn Youngkin announced three new hires in his administration Friday, including a new lottery director, chief transformation officer and tax commissioner. Khalid Jones, a hedge fund founder, attorney and licensing firm partner, was appointed director of the Virginia Lottery, assuming the role previously held by Kelly Gee, [...]
Reston software firm boosted by $60M investment
Raft, a Reston-based software engineering firm and government contractor, has received a $60 million investment from Washington Harbour Partners, a Washington, D.C.-based private investment firm. Founded in 2018, Raft will use the funds to “intensify its research and development efforts, significantly enhancing its command[...]
Senate Dems criticize Youngkin’s budget amendments
Virginia Senate Democrats had a lot of criticism Tuesday for Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s proposed reworking of the state’s 2024-26 budget but held back on saying whether they would vote yea or nay on his 233 amendments. Senate Majority Leader Scott Surovell, D-Fairfax, said late Tuesday afternoon that he and fellow legisla[...]
Youngkin removes tax cuts, RGGI mandate in budget
Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin on Monday released a slate of 233 amendments to the state budget passed by the General Assembly — calling it an opportunity for “common ground.” However, his budget removes language that would mandate Virginia’s future participation in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, which[...]
Pharrell biopic musical to film in Va. this year
Virginia Beach-born-and-bred entertainment superstar Pharrell Williams will film a movie this spring and summer in Virginia based on his childhood, Gov. Glenn Youngkin announced Friday. There had been rumors about the musical film project, called “Atlantis” in movie trade publications recently, but Youngkin confirmed[...]
Virginians wagered $545M on sports in February
Virginians bet $545 million on sports in February, 25.6% more than in February 2023, according to data released Monday by the Virginia Lottery. February’s handle was a 16.5% decrease from the $652.87 million Virginians bet in January. Virginia bettors won approximately $495 million in February and more than $587.5 million in J[...]
Second new SCC judge is sworn in
Attorney Kelsey A. Bagot was sworn in Monday as the newest judge on the Virginia State Corporation Commission, filling its three-commissioner bench for the first time since March 2022. The SCC’s panel was short two judges after the December 2022 resignation of Judge Judith Jagdmann, and nominations were held up by partisan pol[...]
Fort Monroe Authority exec director to retire
G. Glenn Oder is retiring as executive director of the Fort Monroe Authority in October, the authority announced Friday. Oder has led the FMA for the past 12 years after leaving the General Assembly, where he served as a state delegate from 2002 to 2012, representing the 94th District in the House of Delegates. “On [&helli[...]
Youngkin vetoes cannabis, minimum wage legislation
Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin vetoed legislation Thursday that would have put Virginia on the path to a $15 per hour minimum wage and set up a retail cannabis market, killing bills that were important to Democratic state legislators he blamed for torpedoing the $2 billion Alexandria sports arena deal he’d championed. Amid a dee[...]
General Assembly tackles consumer transparency, fails to fix ticket service fees
RICHMOND — Virginia lawmakers, in alignment with recent federal attempts, introduced consumer protection bills to tackle surprise tickets fees and recurring subscriptions, but only one measure passed. Autorenewal notification updates — passed Del. Michelle Maldonado, D-Manassas, introduced House Bill 744 to update current st[...]
Franklin County names economic development director
Roanoke County’s assistant director for economic development, Danielle Poe, will start her new job as director of economic development for Franklin County on April 15. Since joining Roanoke County in 2022, Poe has been responsible for real estate development, business retention and expansion and key community partnerships, F[...]