Virginians debate mandatory COVID-19 vaccinations
RICHMOND, Va. — Though the federal government is asking states to prepare for the possibility of a COVID-19 vaccine within months, some Virginians differ on whether the vaccine should be mandatory when it becomes available. Virginia Freedom Keepers, a nonprofit that advocates for medical freedom, gathered in Richmond this [...]
Kanye West does not qualify as a candidate in Va., court rules
A Richmond Circuit Court judge ruled Thursday afternoon that Kanye West is not a viable presidential candidate on Virginia’s ballots — although his name is on some that have already been printed. Judge Joi J. Taylor granted the injunction motion filed by two plaintiffs, Suffolk residents who said they were tricked into signing a form […]
Va. jobless claims during pandemic exceed Great Recession
While Virginia saw a slight decrease in the number of initial jobless claims last week, the Virginia Employment Commission reported Thursday that the total number of initial claims filed since the beginning of the pandemic is greater than the combined totals filed during the 2007-09 Great Recession and the economic recession in [...]
Fed says Fifth District economy continues to improve, but activity remains low
The economy of the Fifth District of the Federal Reserve (which includes Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, West Virginia and Maryland) has continued to improve in recent weeks, but activity has remained below pre-pandemic levels in most industries, according to the latest edition of the Federal Reserve’s Beige Book, released Wednesday. The Beige Book is published […]
ABC reports record $1.2B in FY 2020 revenue
The Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Authority (ABC) broke its gross revenue record again during fiscal year 2020, reporting $1.2 billion in gross revenue, the ABC announced Wednesday. Last year, the state agency surpassed $1 billion in revenue for the first time. ABC’s profits of $545.3 million (an increase of $45.8 million over last year) will […]
Arlington, Chesterfield named top digital counties in U.S.
Chesterfield and Arlington counties (along with three California localities) tied for the top spot on the Center for Digital Government (CDG) and the National Association of Counties (NACo)’s 18th annual Digital Counties Survey, which was released Tuesday. The survey identifies the best technology practices among U.S. county governments by evaluating initiatives that streamline delivery of […][...]
Emergency hearing on Kanye’s ballot quest set for Thursday
Updated 4:30 p.m. Claiming that Virginia electors for Kanye West — hip-hop superstar, presidential hopeful and husband of Kim Kardashian — were obtained fraudulently, Attorney General Mark Herring requested an emergency hearing in Richmond Circuit Court on Wednesday to stop West’s name from appearing on the state’s ballots. The hearing has been set for 2:30 […]
Newport News federal contractor acquires Vienna firm
Newport News-based federal contractor and professional services company ITA International announced Tuesday it has acquired Vienna-based management consulting firm Innovative Decisions Inc. (IDI). A transaction amount was not disclosed. IDI provides decision and risk analysis, operations research and systems engineering services for business and government customers, while ITA International provides analysis, planning, training, exercis[...]
SAIC wins $79M Air Force contract
The U.S. Air Force awarded Reston-based Fortune 500 federal contractor Science Applications International Corp. (SAIC) a five-year, $79 million contract to deliver mission engineering services to one of the branch’s missile systems, the company announced Tuesday. Under the contract, SAIC will work on the 414th Supply Chain Management Squadron’s Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) LGM-30 Minuteman […][...]
Eastern Va. restrictions to remain through Labor Day weekend
Gov. Ralph Northam said Tuesday during a news conference that he would not roll back COVID-19-related restrictions in Eastern Virginia prior to Labor Day. On Friday, Virginia Beach Mayor Bobby Dyer sent a letter to Northam asking the governor to allow alcohol sales until 11 p.m. and requesting that the state eliminate the 50% oc[...]
Augusta County expands business relief fund
The Augusta County Economic Development Authority (EDA) announced Tuesday it has expanded its Disaster Recovery Grant Fund to allow businesses that have previously received Paycheck Protection Program loans (PPP) or Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) to apply for grants of up to $15,000. “The expansion of our grant fund will allow additional Augusta County businesses […]
Calabash Seafood ordered closed by court
Updated 2:45 p.m. A Hanover County seafood restaurant was ordered closed by a Hanover County Circuit Court judge Tuesday after the restaurant continued to operate with a suspended license due to COVID-19 safety violations. Judge Patricia Kelly issued a temporary restraining order effective as of 10 a.m. Tuesday, temporarily shutting down Mechanicsville’s Calabash Seafood, which […]