Author: By Shirleen Guerra | The Center Square
Virginia panel backs proposed chatbot protections
(The Center Square) – A Virginia legislative commission backed proposed protections for artificial intelligence chatbot users Thursday. The Joint Commission on Technology and Science accepted recommendations organized around six policy principles to guide legislation in the next General Assembly session. The proposals include parental controls, reminders to take breaks and protocols for responding to people…
Stafford approves data center with reduced setbacks
(The Center Square) – Stafford County supervisors on Thursday approved a two-building data center campus and electrical substation on separate 4-3 votes, allowing reduced setbacks from residential property lines. The decision allows Falmouth Tech LLC to move forward with the Accokeek Center project on about 121 acres between Interstate 95 and Richmond Highway in the…
Proposed Head Start changes would eliminate slots for Virginia children experiencing homelessness
Pending changes to Head Start initiated by President Donald Trump’s administration could make it harder for Virginia families to utilize the program, including those whose families lack permanent shelter. A U.S. Department of Health and Human Services proposal would eliminate a rule that allows Head Start centers to reserve admission
Constitutional: The amendment that could permanently protect reproductive rights in Virginia
Kacia Kriener Putman credits abortion access with her ability to grow her family. Three weeks before first pregnancy’s due date, the Alexandria resident developed pre-eclampsia, a potentially life-threatening high blood pressure condition that occurs in some pregnancies and can cause organ damage. She also developed HELLP, a syndrome that affects
Hardywood buys Starr Hill in major Virginia beer deal and more state headlines
• “Hardywood buys Starr Hill in major Virginia beer deal.” — Axios • “‘I don’t care if I go to jail’: Newly released video shows 6-year-old defiant after Virginia school shooting.” — NBC News • “ICF International to lay off 82 employees.” — Virginia Business • “Damascus cancels Flock contract,
Warner, Mizusawa outline competing approaches to disability policy
U.S. Sen. Mark Warner, D-Va., called for federal artificial intelligence regulations and stronger healthcare funding Wednesday as he and Republican challenger Bert Mizusawa outlined competing approaches to protecting Virginians with disabilities at a virtual candidate forum. Mizusawa emphasized enforcing existing discrimination laws and cracking down on waste in federal programs.
Voters in midterm elections identify a culprit for rising cost of living: Trump’s tariffs
WASHINGTON — Rebecca Myers lives in one of the nation’s most hotly contested congressional districts, and tariffs were on her mind as she voted early and in-person in Suffolk, Virginia in late September. The 44-year-old trained social worker said she and her husband, who recently retired after 25 years in
Richmond forecast shows budget gaps ahead
(The Center Square) – Richmond could spend more than it brings in for three straight years, according to a new forecast of the city’s finances. The outlook projects a $17.3 million general fund shortfall in fiscal 2028, which begins July 1. The gap would be $16.2 million the following year and $19.4 million in fiscal…
Americans’ water bills are growing faster than groceries, overall inflation
Household water bills are increasing faster than inflation and income, according to a new analysis. The environmental advocacy nonprofit Food and Water Watch analyzed water bill data among the nation’s 500 largest community water providers. Those systems serve a collective 155 million people — nearly half the nation’s population. Between
Regulator determines Google a wholesale power seller in PJM area
(The Center Square) – The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission on Thursday officially designated Google Energy as a Category 2 seller of wholesale electricity in the PJM power market, marking the tech giant’s transition from energy buyer to potential seller as the company’s total power generation capacity exceeded 500 megawatts. Google, to meet the huge energy…
