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The Mailroom: No excuses for illegal immigration

I was disappointed to see that your July column about illegals had a strong liberal slant. The term “undocumented” is liberal speak for illegal entry. It’s crime. We have a legitimate entry vehicle that includes green cards and visa programs in addition to normal .

There is no excuse for endorsing illegal activities in the name of cheap . If there is a crisis in low-cost labor, then expand the visa programs. Don’t make up a legitimate sounding name for these folks and give them benefits the rest of us worked hard for years to obtain. For sure, don’t give them Social Security numbers and other things so they can vote in OUR elections.

Democrats tried this tactic in the 1800s when they touted justification for slavery. Looks like the Republicans are fighting the same battle with cheap labor, only those were forced entry immigrants that by virtue of their work experience were granted freedom.

The current generation doesn’t want to work at the lower end of the skill spectrum. Fortunately, with the exponential growth of AI and robotics, there’s no shortage of cheap labor from onshoring. The manufacturing floor is now more friendly. There is no justification for just opening the borders and letting people invade of all types and moral ethics. Bad folks now are here. Temporary workers failing to leave when their visas expire are illegal. Even if they’re decent people, back door entry is just as illegal. Just do it right, and as Trump says, “Use the front door.”

R. Noftsinger

To submit a letter to the editor, please send your email of no more than 250 words to Associate Publisher & Editor Richard Foster at [email protected]. Letters chosen for publication may be edited for clarity, AP Style, brevity and grammar.

New Sentara and VWU college to launch in January


SUMMARY:

Sentara Health and Virginia Wesleyan University announced on Wednesday that the new will launch in January 2026.

The health system and the university previously announced in June that they had signed a letter of intent to jointly create the college. The announcement came after Sentara said in April it would end its degree programs at the Sentara College of Health Sciences (SCOHS) in Chesapeake, instead transitioning those programs to state and regional universities.

On Wednesday, Sentara provided additional details. Starting Jan. 1, 2026, SCOHS will be operated as the Sentara College of Health Sciences of Virginia Wesleyan University, a professional college within ‘s academic structure, housing all existing degree and certificate programs.

Sentara says that through summer 2026, all current students will complete their programs and courses of study under the SCOHS name. But starting in fall 2026, students will receive their credentials from the Sentara College of Health Sciences of Virginia Wesleyan University. For current students, there will be no changes to out-of-pocket costs, courses of study or graduation timelines.

Furthermore, Sentara states that students, faculty and staff will continue to use the existing SCOHS campus and facilities, allowing them to maintain continuity while Sentara prepares to transition all programs to the VWU campus.

“Our shared vision is to prepare the workforce of the future while honoring Sentara College’s deep community ties and proud academic legacy,” said Sentara College of Health Sciences President Angela Taylor in a statement. “We look forward to working closely with Virginia Wesleyan University to create new opportunities for students, expand access to in-demand programs and continue meeting the growing health care workforce needs of our communities.”

Sentara says prospective students should contact the VWU enrollment office for the most up-to-date information.

“We are proud to build on our strong relationship with Sentara as we take this important next step forward,” VWU President Scott D. Miller said in a statement. “Integrating Sentara College into Virginia Wesleyan’s academic community will create exciting new opportunities for students and strengthen health sciences education across our region.”

Both institutions are working on the required regulatory and accreditation processes as part of the transition.

A Sentara spokesperson said in June that SCOHS has 238 degree-seeking students enrolled in nursing, cardiovascular technology and surgical technology programs. It also has 20 students enrolled in a patient care technician summer program and has 100 students admitted to certificate programs that begin in the fall.

Based in , Virginia Wesleyan University is a private university with 1,674 undergraduate students and 131 graduate students. A not-for-profit health system, Sentara operates 11 hospitals in Virginia and one in northeastern North Carolina. It has 34,000 employees. The Sentara Health Plans insurance division has more than 1 million members in Virginia and Florida.

Rheinmetall subsidiary relocates U.S. hub to Fairfax

German defense manufacturer and Rheinmetall has relocated the headquarters of two of its U.S. subsidiaries to a new, 10,000-square-foot space in .

The move relocated and American Rheinmetall Munitions, previously based in and Stafford respectively, to a new office at 2600 Park Tower Drive in . Also known as Metro Place II, it is a 250,000-square-foot Class-A office building that offers close proximity to the Dunn Loring-Merrifield Metrorail station.

“This move reinforces our brand presence, brings us even closer to key government stakeholders, improves our access to a wonderful human resource talent pool in the region and strengthens our ability to support U.S. defense strategy with speed, innovation and an enduring commitment to being part of the fabric of the U.S. defense industrial base,” American Rheinmetall Defense CEO Stephen Hedger said in a statement.

Rheinmetall did not disclose the financial terms of the lease, its investment in Fairfax County or the number of employees being relocated to the site. An American Rheinmetall Defense spokesperson said the companies began moving into the new space in July and that the move is an ongoing process.

Rheinmetall builds combat vehicles, ground-based defense systems and advanced military weapons and equipment. Its subsidiary, American Rheinmetall Defense, serves as Rheinmetall’s U.S. hub, bringing the company’s products to the U.S. market and supporting Rheinmetall’s family of U.S. companies, including American Rheinmetall Munitions. American Rheinmetall Munitions specializes in producing large- and medium-caliber ammunition, propellants and protection systems for vehicles.

American Rheinmetall Defense also supports defense subsidiary businesses in Michigan, Ohio, Maine and Arkansas.

“This investment strengthens not only our local economy but also the broader national security alliances, and we look forward to supporting Rheinmetall as they continue to grow and build enduring partnerships in the Washington, D.C., region,” Fairfax County Authority President and CEO Victor Hoskins said.

Based in Düsseldorf, Germany, Rheinmetall generated 2024 sales equivalent to about $11.3 billion. It employs 40,000 people globally at 174 sites, including nearly 2,000 who work within the defense business across the U.S.

Virginia tourism hits $35.1B record spending in 2024

SUMMARY:

  • Virginia saw $35.1 billion in visitor spending in 2024, a 5.4% increase from 2023
  • More than 44.7 million overnight visitors came to Virginia in 2024
  • Tourism supported over 229,000 jobs and $2.5 billion in tax revenue
  • Transportation spending accounted for 30% of all tourism dollars

Virginia’s tourism industry generated $35.1 billion in in 2024, achieving a record, announced Tuesday.

That’s a 5.4% increase over the $33.3 billion visitors spent in 2023, and well over the pre-pandemic visitor spending of $29.1 billion in 2019.

Additionally, the ‘s annual of Travel study for 2024 reported that Virginia had 44.7 million overnight visitors last year, an increase of more than 1 million people from 2023.

“I think is healthy and going in the right direction,” Candace Fitch, the Feiertag Professor of Practice in Hospitality Leadership at Virginia Tech, said after reviewing the study Tuesday.

Virginia is attractive to tourists, according to Fitch, because the commonwealth offers a lot of different types of experiences.

“If you want to go to the beach, you go to the beach,” she said. “If you want to go to the mountains, you go to the mountains. If you want to go to the city, you go to the city.”

Travelers spent $96 million per day in Virginia in 2024. In 2023, they spent $91 million per day.

Fitch pointed out that out of the $35.1 billion in visitor spending in Virginia in 2024, transportation accounted for $10.4 billion or 30%.

“Virginia has so many different options for airports,” she said. “We also have so many interstates. There are so many driving options, [including] scenic routes.”

Visitors to Virginia generated $2.5 billion in state and local tax revenue last year, an increase of $100 million over 2023.

“This unprecedented level of economic activity not only supports hundreds of thousands of good-paying jobs and strengthens local businesses, but it also generates crucial state and local tax revenues that help ease the tax burden for Virginia families,” Youngkin said in a news release.

The tourism industry in Virginia directly supported over 229,000 jobs in 2024, an increase of nearly 5,000 jobs since 2023.

Nearly all lodging employment, 26% of recreation employment and 25% of food and beverage jobs in 2024 were supported by visitor spending, according to the study.

The Tourism Economics group within Oxford Economics, an United Kingdom-based economic advisory firm, provided the economic impact data to VTC. A visitor, for the purpose of the research, is someone who stayed overnight or traveled more than 50 miles.

Thalhimer taps new commercial property services leader

Glen Allen-based firm announced that Jim Roman has joined the company’s office as and new leader of , which manages more than 28 million square feet across Virginia.

Roman, who started his new role Monday, is succeeding David P. Oddo, who retired on Aug 1.

“I’m incredibly humbled and excited to join the Thalhimer family,” Roman said in a statement. “I very much value Thalhimer’s market-leading presence, integrity, expertise and deep commitment to its clients and community. I look forward to making an impact and contributing to the firm’s continued growth and success.”

Roman has more than 25 years of experience working in the commercial real estate industry. He was most recently director of property management for CBRE in Greenville, South Carolina, where he provided leadership over more than 38 million square feet of commercial properties throughout South Carolina and coastal Georgia for the past 16 years.

He graduated from the Virginia Military Institute with a bachelor’s degree in economics and business.

Thalhimer President Eric Robison said the firm selected Roman after a nationwide search of property management leaders.

“Jim stood out above all of them with his even-keeled demeanor, commitment to best-in-class client service and proven track record of growing his business line,” Robison said.

Thalhimer praised the work of outgoing CPS leader Oddo, who joined the company in January 2024, saying that he helped secure more than 3.6 million square feet in new management accounts and fostered a culture of “outstanding client service.”

“It has been my honor to be associated with Thalhimer,” Oddo said. “I have truly enjoyed getting to know everyone and playing a small role in advancing the Thalhimer brand and legacy. I will deeply miss the culture and friendships that this organization has created and sustained for so long. Although I am retiring from the business after nearly 40 years, I couldn’t be prouder to have had my finale at Thalhimer. It will always hold a special place in my heart — both personally and professionally.”

Founded in 1913, Cushman & Wakefield | Thalhimer has offices across the state and has nearly 100 broker professionals and employs about 530 associates. In 2024, Thalhimer completed over 1,800 transactions with a transactional volume of more than $1.96 billion.

V2X wins $4.3B Air Force contract

Reston-headquartered aerospace and defense contractor announced last week that it has been awarded a potential nine-year, $4.3 billion contract by the U.S. for supply services supporting T-6 aircrafts.

The company will provide supply support to ensure the aircraft is safe, flyable and meets the daily flight schedules and depot requirements of the Air Force, and .

“We are honored by this award and for the trust placed in us by the U.S. Air Force,” V2X President and CEO Jeremy C. Wensinger said in a statement. “This contract reflects the dedication of our team and the pride we take in supporting the readiness of our nation’s aircraft. We are excited to begin this new work and look forward to serving the mission for years to come.”

The company will perform the work at various military bases across the United States and expects it to be completed by July 2034.

“This is a proud moment for our entire aerospace team,” said Vinny Caputo, V2X’s of aerospace systems. “The T-6 program is foundational to pilot training across the services, and we are committed to delivering the highest standards of performance, reliability and mission readiness. We’re excited to bring our proven supply chain expertise to this critical effort.”

V2X was formed by the $2.1 billion merger of Vertex and Vectrus in 2022 and has about 16,000 employees. The company reported $4.32 billion in revenue in 2024, up 9% from the previous year.

Solar-powered Flying Squirrels stadium on way


SUMMARY

  • to install over 1,700 solar panels at new stadium
  • Five solar-covered carports will also be installed in an adjacent parking lot
  • Installation will generate about one megawatt of electricity
  • Project will be the largest solar setup in pro baseball, pending approval

The Flying Squirrels will definitely be bringing the heat soon, as the Minor League Baseball team’s new stadium will have professional baseball’s largest solar panel array, subject to local and state approval.

Dominion Energy Virginia announced Tuesday it plans to install a solar array on the roof and parking lot of CarMax Park, the future home of the , the city’s Double-A team. The park is slated to open in spring 2026, but the installation of more than 1,700 solar panels will take place after the season.

The solar array will generate about 1 megawatt of electricity or enough to power 250 Richmond homes at peak output, according to the Richmond-based Fortune 500 utility.

“This project isn’t just about what happens inside the ballpark; it’s about stepping up as a community partner and using our platform to help bring clean energy to the city,” Lou DiBella, managing partner of the Flying Squirrels, said in a statement.

Dominion Energy’s Virginia solar fleet is the third largest in the nation, producing enough electricity to run more than 750,000 homes at peak output.

“We’re thrilled that such an iconic Richmond landmark will help deliver reliable, affordable and increasingly clean power for our customers,” said Ed Baine, Dominion Energy’s executive vice president of utility operations and president of Dominion Energy Virginia.

CarMax Park is under construction next to the city’s 41-year-old Diamond, the Squirrels’ home since 2010. After years of discussion, the city, team and developers finalized plans for the $2.44 billion, 67-acre Diamond District development, which is centered around the $117 million, 8,000-seat baseball stadium. A hotel with at least 180 rooms, 891 residential units and 30,000 square feet of commercial space are also on tap.

Dominion’s plans

Meanwhile, Dominion received baseline approval for its 2024 Integrated Resource Plan on July 15, as the Virginia State Corporation Commission called the document “legally sufficient.” Submitted in October 2024, the plan calls for more offshore wind and solar energy development, as well as small modular nuclear reactors starting in the mid-2030s.

Natural gas is still in play too, representing about 20% of all power generation for the next 15 years, even though the state’s Virginia Clean Economy Act enacted in 2020 requires 100% carbon-free sources for electricity generation by 2045. The current IRP, which is not binding but is supposed to indicate the utility’s direction for the next two years, received criticism from environmentalists.

“Dominion’s 2024 IRP effectively ignored the carbon-neutral requirements of the VCEA,” Peter Anderson, director of state energy for environment nonprofit Appalachian Voices, said in a statement to Virginia Business on Tuesday. “Any planning model that takes into account the VCEA’s 2045 carbon-free deadline — which was only 21 years away when Dominion published its IRP — would make significantly different investment decisions.”

While accepting the document, the SCC instructed Dominion to include at least one model that complies with VCEA regulations for future IRPs. However, under the , solar and wind power is in disfavor, and many state political experts say that the VCEA’s rules may need to be adjusted to allow natural gas to remain part of the mix longer, especially with new data centers and AI use growing exponentially.

Trump narrows Fed chair candidates to four, excluding Treasury Secretary Bessent

  

SUMMARY:  

  • Trump names Warsh and Hassett among finalists 
  • Scott Bessent ruled out; two other candidates unnamed 
  • Decision follows ‘s resignation from the Fed 
  • Warsh has criticized Fed ; Hassett backs Trump’s agenda 

 

WASHINGTON (AP) — said Tuesday that he’s whittled down his list of potential chair candidates to four as he considers a successor to Jerome Powell — a choice that could reset the path of the U.S. economy.

Asked on CNBC’s “Squawk Box” for a future replacement to Powell, Trump named , director of the National Economic Council, and , a former member of the Federal Reserve Board of Governors.

“I think Kevin and Kevin, both Kevins, are very good,” Trump said during an interview on CNBC’s “Squawk Box.”

He said two other people were also under consideration, but Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent is not among them.

“I love Scott, but he wants to stay where he is,” Trump said. He did not name his other two top candidates but used the opportunity to disparage Powell, whom he has dubbed “too late” in cutting interest rates.

The news that Trump plans to make a decision on the Fed chair “soon” comes as the Republican president has been highly critical of current Powell, whose term ends in May 2026. Trump recently floated having the Fed’s board of governors take full control of the U.S. central bank from Powell, whom he has relentlessly pressured to cut short-term interest rates in ways that raise questions about whether the Fed can remain free from White House politicking.

Trump has openly mused about whether to remove Powell before his tenure as chair ends, but he’s held off on dismissing the Fed chair after a recent Supreme Court ruling suggested he could only do so for cause rather than out of policy disagreements. The president has put pressure on Powell by claiming he mismanaged the Fed’s $2.5 billion renovation project, but he’s also said that he’s “highly unlikely” to fire Powell.

One of the Fed’s governors, Adriana Kugler, made a surprise announcement last Friday that she would be stepping away from her role. That created an opening for Trump, who called her departure “a pleasant surprise,” to name a new Fed governor. Trump told CNBC it’s “a possibility” that his pick to replace Kugler could also be his choice to replace Powell.

Here’s what to know about the two known candidates:

Kevin Hassett

Hassett, director of the White House National Economic Council, has been supportive of the president’s agenda — from his advocacy for income tax cuts and tariffs to his support of the recent firing of BLS Commissioner Erika McEntarfer.

Hassett served in the first as chairman of the Council of Economic Advisers. He has a doctoral degree in economics from the University of Pennsylvania and worked at the right-leaning American Enterprise Institute before joining the Trump White House in 2017.

As part of Hassett’s farewell announcement in 2019, Trump called him a “true friend” who did a “great job.” Hassett became a fellow at the Hoover Institution, which is located at Stanford University. He later returned to the administration to help deal with the pandemic.

On CNBC on Monday, Hassett said “all over the U.S. government, there have been people who have been resisting Trump everywhere they can.”

Kevin Warsh

A former Fed governor who stepped down in 2011, Warsh is currently a fellow at the Hoover Institution. He has been supportive of cutting interest rates, a key goal of Trump’s.

“The president’s right to be frustrated with Jay Powell and the Federal Reserve,” Warsh said on Fox News’ “Sunday Morning Futures” last month.

Warsh has been increasingly critical of Powell’s Federal Reserve and in July, on CNBC, called for sweeping changes on how the Fed conducts business as well as a new Treasury-Fed accord “like we did in 1951, after another period where we built up our nation’s debt and we were stuck with a central bank that was working at cross purposes with the Treasury.”

He said the Fed’s “hesitancy to cut rates, I think, is actually quite a mark against them.”

“The specter of the miss they made on inflation” after the pandemic, he said, “it has stuck with them. So one of the reasons why the president, I think, is right to be pushing the Fed publicly is we need regime change in the conduct of policy.”

“He’s very highly thought of,” Trump said in June when asked directly about Warsh.

Palantir books its first $1 billion in quarterly sales and dodges DOGE axe

  

SUMMARY:  

  • posts $1B in quarterly sales for the first time 
  • Q2 profit rose 33% to $327M as AI demand drives growth 
  • Stock rose above $170 premarket, eyeing fifth 2025 record 
  • Company raises full-year outlook amid accelerating profits 


NEW YORK (AP) — Shares of Palantir Technologies sailed past previous record highs Tuesday after booking its first $1 billion sales quarter and raising its performance expectations for the year.

The stock rose above $170 Tuesday after breaking previous records four times this year in the global artificial intelligence race. The previous high for the stock was set just over a week ago when its stock closed at $158.80.

Since going public in 2020 when it posted a $1.17 billion annual loss, the artificial intelligence software company has swung swiftly to a profit and sales are booming. Profit rose 33% to $327 million in the second quarter.

Its $1 billion quarterly revenue haul was fueled by a 53% spike in government sales, despite massive spending cuts under President and his Department of Government Efficiency, once led by the world’s richest man Elon Musk.

“DOGE has had zero negative impact on Palantir’s U.S. government business, which achieved its fastest growth rate since the second quarter of 2021,” wrote William Blair analysts Louie DiPalma and Bryce Sandberg. “Palantir is clearly benefiting from AI industry momentum across its government and commercial customer bases.”

The company also recorded a 93% jump in business sales. Overall U.S. revenue surged 68% to $733 million.

Late Monday, Palantir raised its annual revenue expectations to between $4.14 billion and $4.15 billion. It also raised its U.S. commercial revenue guidance to more than $1.3 billion, which would mean that Palantir achieved a growth rate of at least 85%.

“This was a phenomenal quarter,” CEO Alex Karp said in a statement accompanying the earnings release. “We continue to see the astonishing impact of AI leverage.”

Karp believes AI will benefit everyone, saying during a call with industry analysts on Monday that Palantir is, “bullish on all aspects of American life, including and especially people in the blue collar.”

He said Palantir wants to “arm the working class or blue collar workers with AI agency enhancing skills,” and said that the company will reach out to leaders to help familiarize workers with the technology.

“People with less than a college education are creating a lot value and sometimes more value than people with a college education using our product,” Karp said.

Palantir, headquartered in Denver, specializes in software platforms that pull together and analyze large amounts of data.

Not wasting away: Hooker Furnishings to launch Margaritaville collection

SUMMARY:

A familiar brand is making its home furnishings debut at High Point Market in October.

Hooker Furnishings has announced that it is partnering with Margaritaville for a global launch in High Point, North Carolina, bringing a beloved consumer brand to home furnishings.

Inspired by musician and his signature iconic brand, the Margaritaville collection represents an exclusive licensing partnership that addresses consumer demand for home furnishings that provide a “full lifestyle experience,” according to company officials. The collection spans multiple Hooker Furnishings divisions including Sunset West, Hooker Furniture, Hooker Upholstery, HF Custom, Bradington-Young and H Contract.

“This isn’t just a furniture collection — it’s a fully immersive brand experience,” said Jeremy Hoff, CEO of Hooker Furnishings. “With nearly 80% unaided brand awareness among consumers, Margaritaville resonates deeply across nearly every demographic. We’ve captured that emotional connection and translated it into a fresh merchandising opportunity.

“It’s easy to think of Margaritaville as being only coastal, but that’s truly not the case. Fans of the brand embrace a spirit of escape and joy that translates to virtually any environment — whether it’s a mountain retreat, a city loft, or somewhere in between,” said Hoff.

The Margaritaville collection will feature four unique lifestyle aesthetics with a nod toward regional adaptability, officials said, noting that the lines within the collection include:

  • Island Reserve – Coastal casual styling with high-performance fabrics and artisan textures. Indoor-outdoor versatility included.
  • JWB Signature – Sophisticated comfort with elevated finishes. Woods, leathers and a nod to Jimmy Buffett‘s lifestyle passions.
  • Paradise Valley – Grounded, nature-inspired luxury for non-coastal markets. Rugged, relaxing and retail-ready, channeling the mountain lifestyle that Jimmy called heaven on earth.
  • Somewhere – Playful, colorful and expressive, this collection leans into the spirited Caribbean lifestyle. A standout story that makes a statement.

To support success at retail, Hooker Furnishings is launching an immersive Margaritaville Experiential Display Program that officials said is designed to foster an emotional connection with consumers, drive engagement and increase store traffic. The furniture collection will be merchandised alongside Margaritaville-branded products from additional sub-licenses including top-of-bed, lighting, décor, mirrors, rugs, wall art and mattresses.

To kick off High Point Market, Margaritaville and Hooker Furnishings will co-sponsor High Point Market Authority’s Saturday night concert featuring the legendary Coral Reefer Band, founded by Jimmy Buffett and highlighting Buffett’s easygoing, Caribbean-inspired music.

“Margaritaville is more than a destination; it’s a state of mind,” said Scott Coble, director of consumer products licensing at Margaritaville. “This new collection brings that lifestyle into the home like never before, delivering both design and comfort with the emotional resonance consumers have come to know and love. Whether you’re furnishing a coastal getaway, an urban retreat or your own personal oasis, Margaritaville captures the essence of escapism in every piece.”

The Margaritaville Collection will debut at High Point Market from Oct. 25–29 in Hooker Furnishings’ showroom on the third floor of Showplace, in a new 14,000-square-foot Margaritaville-branded space that was designed in conjunction with The McBride Design Group, which has partnered with Margaritaville for over 25 years.