Author: Charlotte Rene Woods

Black lung cases surging again in Southwest Va., Appalachia; miners blame blocked regulations
With new research showing that black lung disease among Appalachian coal miners has reached an almost 50-year high, advocates are demanding federal regulations be enforced. The data published in the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine is also part of a peer-reviewed research letter from the National Institute

DOT says it’s entitled to CDL information as 22 states sue
(The Center Square) – Twenty-two states have gone to court to block the Trump administration from accessing a database containing the personal information of roughly 17 million commercial drivers. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy says the federal government is entitled to that data and needs it to keep the highways safe. This is the latest in…

Downey joins race for Virginia Senate seat
(The Center Square) – Two Democrats are now seeking the nomination to challenge Republican Sen. Danny Diggs in Virginia’s 24th Senate District next year. Del. Mark Downey announced his campaign Thursday, joining Jason Parker in the race. Diggs is seeking reelection to a second term. The district includes York County, Williamsburg and Poquoson, along with…

Lowdown from Loudoun: Virginia official shares data center tips with Maryland audience
Michael Turner, a county supervisor in Loudoun County, Virginia, estimates that the public perception of hyperscale data centers has shifted considerably in the last six to nine months — and he isn’t sure why. Turner, a government official in the county with one of the world’s highest concentrations of data

Hampton Roads tenants describe landlord’s abuse, retaliation after landmark fair housing settlement
A new settlement with Hampton Roads landlord David Merryman — who is currently serving a 17-year sentence for defrauding the federal government — means several of his former tenants will receive a piece of $2.5 million in financial compensation over the next year. Merryman must sell his Virginia properties, numbering

Voting rights anniversary spotlights America’s enduring anti-Black contempt
Civil rights stalwarts, politicians and academics held a requiem for the Voting Rights Act on its 61st anniversary last week, lamenting the neutering of a law that had propelled African Americans – especially in the South – into choosing their own leaders without fear of violence, murder or lesser polling

Firefighters union censures Spanberger over collective bargaining, more Va. headlines
• “Firefighters union censures Spanberger over collective bargaining.” — Richmond Times-Dispatch • “James City County partners with Virginia Commonwealth University to test drone defibrillator delivery.” — WHRO • “(Virginia Lt. Gov.) Hashmi teams up with Virginia Humanities for student poetry contest.” — CBS 19 • “‘A beautiful tradition’: What goes

DOJ targets 3 more states in effort to axe in-state tuition for immigrants
WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Justice has sued New York, Connecticut and Vermont over laws that allow immigrants in the country without permanent legal status to pay in-state college tuition in the states where they live. The suits, filed Aug. 10, are part of a larger push from the Trump

Firefighters’ union censures Virginia governor
(The Center Square) – A national firefighters union has censured Virginia’s governor over her veto of legislation that would have expanded collective bargaining rights for public employees. Delegates to the International Association of Fire Fighters voted unanimously Wednesday to approve the censure during the union’s convention in Arlington, Texas. The resolution was submitted by the…

Three amendments head to Virginia voters this fall
(The Center Square) – Virginia voters will decide three proposed changes to the state Constitution this fall. The questions deal with reproductive freedom, marriage and voting rights for people convicted of felonies. All three will appear on the Nov. 3 ballot. The General Assembly approved each amendment in two consecutive sessions, as required before a…










