A session to remember
In the six weeks between the Virginia General Assembly’s March 12 adjournment and its April 22 veto session, the world changed. The dramatic societal shifts brought on by the coronavirus pandemic were on display during the historic, surreal April meeting, in which the lawmakers gathered at unusual locations — the Senate at t[...]
Making a difference
As health care systems raced to locate new sources of personal protective equipment during the first months of the COVID-19 pandemic, Virginia’s engineering schools stepped up with innovative plans for manufacturing in-demand PPE. In Roanoke, where the number of COVID-19 cases has remained much lower than Northern, Eastern and[...]
Richmond merchants pick up pieces after protests
At 3:30 a.m. on Sunday, May 30, Greg Milefsky stood in the middle of his store on Richmond’s West Broad Street. The windows were broken, and the bikes — both the ones for sale and the ones left by customers for repair — were all gone. “People were coming in and stealing everything that was […]
Ex Chesterfield pharma CEO pleads guilty in federal opioid treatment investigation
Shaun Thaxter, former CEO of Chesterfield County-based pharmaceutical manufacturer Indivior PLC, pleaded guilty Tuesday in federal court in Abingdon to a misdemeanor criminal charge related to the U.S Justice Department’s probe into the marketing of Suboxone, Indivior’s opioid addiction treatment drug. Thaxter pleaded guilty to one count of violating the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic […][...]
Cameron Foundation awards $1.13M in local grants
Petersburg-based The Cameron Foundation announced Tuesday it has awarded $1.13 million in grants to 24 nonprofit organizations in Central Virginia during its first round of funding for 2020. The two largest economic development grants went to Virginia’s Gateway Region and Virginia Local Initiatives Support Corp. (LISC). Virginia’s Gateway Region was awarded $136,063 for general operating […][...]
Virginia Employment Commission closes HQ due to COVID-19
The Virginia Employment Commission is temporarily closing its Richmond headquarters office after the fourth VEC employee in three months has tested positive for COVID-19, the VEC announced Tuesday. The closure affects 350 employees who work out of the Richmond office. VEC call centers and district offices have not been affected and will continue to process […]
VCU, UCLA research could lead to better computer memory storage
Researchers at Virginia Commonwealth University and the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), released research findings Tuesday that could lead to more energy efficient memory storage for computers and other electronic devices. Magnets are used for computer memory due to their “up” or “down” polarity. The magnet[...]
Two Va. lawyers plead guilty in $200M extortion plot
Two Virginia lawyers have pleaded guilty to an extortion plot targeting a multinational chemicals company with demands for $200 million in “consulting fees,” according to a U.S. Department of Justice news release. Lawyers Timothy Litzenburg of Charlottesville, and Daniel Kincheloe of Glen Allen, both pleaded guilty June 19 in Charlottesville federal court. They face up […]
Genworth Financial acquisition delayed again
The $2.7 billion acquisition of Henrico County-based Genworth Financial Inc. by China-based Oceanwide Holdings Group Co. Ltd. has been postponed — yet again — the companies announced Tuesday. The Virginia State Corporation Commission’s Bureau of Insurance reapproved the merger, and the companies agreed to a 15th waiver and agreement to each party’s right to terminate […]
United Way of Greater Charlottesville teams up with Va. 30 Day Fund
The United Way of Greater Charlottesville announced Monday it has partnered with the Virginia 30 Day Fund with a goal to disburse $100,000 in funding to local early education centers, family day homes and minority-owned businesses facing financial challenges due to COVID-19. The United Way has made an initial $24,000 seed grant [...]
Richmond Airport CEO named secretary, treasurer of American Assoc. of Airport Executives
The Alexandria-based American Association of Airport Executives (AAAE) announced Friday its 2020-21 leadership board, which includes Richmond International Airport President and CEO Perry Miller, who was tapped as the organization’s secretary and treasurer. Kelly Campbell, executive director of aviation at the Lubbock Pr[...]
Lumber company to invest $11M in Caroline County
Gatesville, North Carolina-based lumber company Ashton Lewis Lumber Co. will invest $11 million to establish a specialty Southern yellow pine sawmill in Ruther Glen (part of Caroline County), Gov. Ralph Northam announced Friday. The company has also committed to sourcing 90% of its pine lumber purchases from Virginia forestland owners as part of the investment. […]