News

WASHINGTON — President Donald J. Trump on Wednesday announced a new effort to accelerate federal permitting for data center infrastructure, aiming to streamline the development of facilities critical to supporting the growing demands of artificial intelligence, cloud computing and other digital technologies.

The directive instructs federal agencies to prioritize and expedite the review process for data center projects, citing the need to strengthen American technology infrastructure, reduce permitting delays and encourage private investment. The initiative also calls for improved coordination among federal, state and local agencies.

“Data centers are the backbone of our digital economy and vital to national security,” Trump said in a statement. “My administration is cutting red tape to ensure the United States leads in AI, quantum computing, and next-generation technologies.”

The move is expected to ease permitting timelines for the construction, expansion and power needs of data centers, which require reliable access to large amounts of energy and water. The administration’s action builds on earlier efforts to reform the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) review process and reduce regulatory hurdles across infrastructure sectors.

Industry leaders have long cited permitting delays as a major challenge in building new data center capacity, especially in fast-growing regions like Northern Virginia — home to the world’s largest concentration of data centers. The administration says the new policy will help ensure these projects are approved faster while maintaining environmental safeguards.

The full White House fact sheet is available at: https://www.whitehouse.gov/fact-sheets/2025/07/fact-sheet-president-donald-j-trump-accelerates-federal-permitting-of-data-center-infrastructure/

Edited by Dan McDermott

AUGUSTA COUNTY — Virginia State Police have identified the two individuals who died in a single-vehicle crash early Tuesday morning on Interstate 64 eastbound near the 89-mile marker.

According to police, a 2026 Freightliner TMA crash truck was traveling eastbound around 6:19 a.m. on July 22 when it overcorrected, ran off the right side of the interstate, went through the guardrail, down an embankment, struck a tree, and overturned on its side.

Both the driver and passenger were pronounced dead at the scene.

The driver has been identified as Georgeanna L. Hardesty, 51, of Iron Gate, Va. The passenger has been identified as Sabrina L. Harris, 50, of Covington, Va. Both were wearing seatbelts.

The crash remains under investigation.

Information from a release. Edited by Dan McDermott.

Problem Solved by Christopher Elliott

Barbara Bowman’s credit card was stolen and used at Sam’s Club. She wants a refund, and she has the perfect alibi: She’s never been a Sam’s Club member. 

Q: My USbank Kroger credit card was stolen, and the thief charged $1,238 at a local Sam’s Club. The thief also used my stolen Capital One and Cabela’s credit cards to try and charge $1,032 and $1,238, respectively, all at the same Sam’s Club. Fortunately, the Capital One and Cabela’s charges were declined, and the companies issued new credit cards. 

I reported the theft to USbank the next day, called Sam’s Club to report the fraudulent charges, and filed a police report. I’ve called US Bank at least once a week since this happened. I gave them the police report case number and the name and number of the supervisor at Sam’s Club who I spoke with. US Bank is still saying I must pay the $1,238. 

I am almost 80 years old with excellent credit. Also, I have never been a Sam’s Club member. Please help me! — Barbara Bowman, Delphi, Ind.

A:  You shouldn’t have to pay for this, but not for the reasons you think.

You did everything right by reporting the theft to your bank, the merchant, and the police. You also kept a detailed record of your communication, which is important. 

It helps that you were never a Sam’s Club member, but unfortunately, that doesn’t prove your innocence. A quick review of Sam’s Club policies shows it accepts all major U.S. credit cards, but they do not have to belong to the member. So, for all Sam’s Club knows, you could have given your card to a friend who was a member, and the charges would have been legitimate.

Still, it’s unacceptable that US Bank refused to remove the fraudulent charges from your account. Under the Fair Credit Billing Act, your bank should have clawed back the money from Sam’s Club. You had a police report and all of your documentation was watertight.

You could have escalated your case in writing to one of the executives at your bank or at the retailer. I list the names, numbers and email addresses of the USbank executives and the Sam’s Club executives on my consumer advocacy site, Elliott.org.

Lately, I’ve noticed a lot of credit card disputes that are summarily dismissed because the bank is using artificial intelligence to determine if a claim is valid. I don’t know if that happened in your case, but if I had to make an educated guess, I would at least say that your bank didn’t review your dispute carefully enough.

You asked my advocacy team for help and I contacted Sam’s Club on your behalf. In response, you received a notice that USbank had closed your case and issued a full credit to your account. “This nightmare is finally over,” you told me.

Christopher Elliott is the founder of Elliott Advocacy (https://elliottadvocacy.org), a nonprofit organization that helps consumers solve their problems. Email him at [email protected] or get help by contacting him at https://elliottadvocacy.org/help/

© 2025 Christopher Elliott.

The Stephens City Police Department is warning residents and local businesses to be on the lookout for counterfeit currency labeled “For Motion Picture Purposes” or “Replica.” These fake bills, which resemble $20 and $100 denominations, have been reported in the area and can be easily purchased online.

“We want to raise awareness that these fake bills are out there,” the department stated in a social media post. “If you work in a field that receives cash payments, please use extra care to ensure the authenticity of all money exchanged.”

According to the release, the counterfeit notes include clear markings such as “FOR MOTION PICTURE PURPOSES” or “COPY” where official security features or legal tender markings would normally be.

Officials urge anyone who encounters these bills to refuse them and immediately contact their local law enforcement agency.

Edited by Dan McDermott

A man was revived and flown to a trauma center after being electrocuted and falling from a ladder while working on a cable line in the Shenandoah Farms area on Thursday, July 18.

Warren County Fire and Rescue (WCFR) responded to the incident on Wendy Hill Road, where the worker was reportedly struck by electricity suspected to have arced from a nearby powerline due to high humidity in the air. The shock caused the worker to fall approximately 25 feet from the ladder he was using.

Coworkers quickly rushed to help and found the man in cardiac arrest. Bystander CPR was performed immediately, and when emergency medical personnel arrived, they were able to restart the man’s heart. EMS crews provided advanced life support at the scene and determined the patient needed trauma care due to the severity of his injuries.

AirCare 4, based in Front Royal, transported the patient to MedStar Washington Hospital Center.

“We applaud the quick actions taken by the patient’s coworkers. Without their help, the outcome probably would’ve been different,” said Fire Chief James Bonzano. “This incident highlights the critical importance of being CPR certified. Every second counts, and having the knowledge and skills to perform CPR can make the difference between life and death.”

Units responding to the call included Ambulance 6 (Shenandoah Farms), Engine 4 (Linden), Medic 10 (North Warren), and Battalion Chief 1.

WCFR offers monthly CPR courses, which can be found at www.warrencountyfire.com/635/events.

Information from a release. Edited by Dan McDermott.

RICHMOND — AstraZeneca has chosen Virginia as the site of its largest single manufacturing investment in company history, Governor Glenn Youngkin announced this week.

The global biopharmaceutical leader plans to build a state-of-the-art drug substance facility in the Commonwealth as part of its broader $50 billion U.S. investment strategy by 2030. Governor Youngkin was joined at the announcement by AstraZeneca CEO Pascal Soriot and White House National Economic Council Director Kevin Hassett.

“This project will set the standard for the latest technological advancements in pharmaceutical manufacturing,” Youngkin said. “It will create hundreds of highly skilled jobs and further strengthen the nation’s domestic supply chain.”

Soriot called the decision a reflection of Virginia’s workforce and life sciences ecosystem.

“It reflects the Commonwealth of Virginia’s desire to create highly skilled jobs in science and technology, and will strengthen the country’s domestic supply chain for medicines,” he said, adding that the investment will help AstraZeneca reach its goal of $80 billion in annual revenue by 2030.

The new facility will incorporate artificial intelligence, automation, and data analytics to support production in key therapeutic areas, including oncology, cardiovascular, renal, metabolism, respiratory, immunology, and rare diseases.

Virginia officials hailed the announcement as a major win for the state’s growing life sciences sector.

“This new partnership with AstraZeneca is an amazing opportunity for the Commonwealth,” said state Sen. Creigh Deeds. “It will transform our bioscience economy and reshore our critical pharmaceutical supply chain.”

AstraZeneca, headquartered in the United Kingdom, sells medicines in over 125 countries. The company focuses on developing treatments in oncology, rare diseases, cardiovascular, respiratory, renal, metabolism, and immunology.

Edited by Dan McDermott

By Christopher Elliott

What would you do if you logged into your Chase account and found 200,000 Chase Sapphire points were missing?

You’d freak out, right? 

And what if Chase refused to return the missing points?

You’d be pretty steamed. I know I would be.

So the fact that Seth Bloom was as level-headed as he was when he reached out to my advocacy team — well, that says a lot about him. The points, which are worth $2,000, had been redeemed in one of the scammiest ways possible: as Apple gift cards sent to an unknown address.

“It’s ridiculous,” Bloom told me.

Bloom’s case raises several important questions:  

• What should you do if your rewards points are stolen?  
• How can you prove fraud when the evidence is digital?  
• What rights do consumers have when their accounts are hacked?  

So let’s cut to the right to the chase.

“I can’t prove a negative”

Bloom’s ordeal began a few months ago when his Chase Sapphire account was hacked. The thief used his rewards points to buy 20 $100 Apple gift cards. Bloom didn’t notice the fraud until a few days later, when he logged into his Chase app and saw the deductions.  

“I was shocked,” Bloom said. “I’ve been a loyal Chase customer for 15 years. I pay a hefty annual fee for this card. I expected better.”  

(He pays $95 a year for his Chase Sapphire Preferred card.)

Bloom immediately called Chase, reported the fraud, and had his card canceled and replaced. He also changed his account password. But when he asked Chase to restore his stolen points, the company refused, demanding “evidence” that he didn’t receive the gift cards.  

“How do you prove you didn’t receive something?” he says. “I can’t prove a negative.”  

Bloom spent weeks calling Chase, emailing executives, and even contacting Apple for proof that the gift cards were never sent to him. But Chase’s fraud department remained unmoved.  

“They kept saying they needed more evidence,” Bloom said. “I felt like I was stuck in a loop.”  

What should you do if your rewards points are stolen?  

If someone steals your rewards points, time is your most valuable asset. Acting quickly can make the difference between recovering your points and losing them for good. Here are the steps you need to to take to protect yourself and increase your chances of a resolution:  

Report the fraud as soon as possible. Contact your credit card company the moment you notice suspicious activity. Most companies have dedicated fraud departments to handle these problems. The sooner you report it, the better your chances of recovering your points.  

Change your account credentials. Update your password and enable two-factor authentication (2FA) if it’s available. This adds an extra layer of security to your account and makes it harder for hackers to regain access. And they will try. 

Collect evidence. Save emails, text messages and statements. If the company asks for proof, this documentation can strengthen your case.

Document everything. Keep a detailed record of all communications with the company. Note the dates, times, and names of customer service representatives you speak with. If possible, follow up with an email summarizing the conversation to create a paper trail.  

Escalate the issue. If the frontline customer service team isn’t helpful, ask to speak with a supervisor or escalate the issue to the Chase executive team. Again, many companies have dedicated executive customer service departments that handle complex cases.  

File a police report. While it may seem excessive, filing a police report can provide an official record of the fraud. Some companies require this step before they’ll investigate further.  

One more thing: You’ll want to monitor your account carefully after a theft. Keep a close eye on your account for any additional unauthorized activity. Hackers may try to strike again if they still have access.  

In Bloom’s case, he reported the fraud to Chase within days of discovering it. He also changed his password and documented his interactions with the company. But despite his quick action, Chase’s response was slow, and its demand for evidence left him frustrated.  

“It felt like they were putting the burden of proof on me,” Bloom said. “I did everything I was supposed to do.”  

How can you prove fraud when the evidence is digital?  

Proving digital fraud can feel impossible, especially when the stolen assets — like rewards points — are intangible. But with the right approach, you can build a strong case to support your claim. 

Take screenshots. Take images of any unauthorized transactions, including dates, amounts, and descriptions. They’ll serve as visual proof of the fraud and can be invaluable when disputing charges.  

Gather third-party verification. Contact any companies involved in the fraudulent transactions. For example, if your rewards points were used to purchase gift cards, reach out to the retailer to document that the cards were never sent to you.  

Check your account activity logs. Many online accounts track login attempts and IP addresses. If someone hacked your account, this information can help prove that someone else accessed it.  

And if that doesn’t work, you may have to look for outside help. A complaint with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau or a consumer advocate can help. 

Bloom sent Chase screenshots of the fraudulent transactions. Despite this evidence, Chase refused to restore his points, demanding even more proof.  

Here’s the frustrating reality: Companies often place the burden of proof on consumers, even when the fraud is obvious. Also, many disputes are never seen by a person but processed by an AI bot. These systems fail to adequately review the case or can’t see an obvious sign of fraud.

The key is to be thorough and persistent. Digital fraud may be hard to prove, but with the right evidence and a proactive approach, you can fight back.

What should you do if your credit card account is hacked?  

Under federal law, consumers are protected from unauthorized transactions on their credit cards. The Fair Credit Billing Act limits your liability for fraudulent charges to $50, and many credit card companies offer zero-liability policies.  

But rewards points are in a gray area. They’re not considered cash or currency, so they’re not always covered by the same protections.  

In other words, if someone steals your loyalty points, there’s probably no law that specifically protects you. Instead, you need to lean on the bank or credit card company to fix the problem as a goodwill gesture. (Technically, the points don’t even belong to you; the bank owns them. I have details on this bizarre rule in my guide to loyalty programs.) 

So are the 200,000 points lost forever?

I reviewed Bloom’s paper trail, and it looked like someone from Chase had assured him by phone that this was “obviously” fraud and then promised a refund of his points, but then reneged.

Something about this case seemed strange. I asked Bloom if he’d shared his password with anyone. He said he hadn’t. So unless his password had somehow been exposed in a breach, it seemed as if the hack happened on Chase’s side.

Chase must have also known that he had provided all of the evidence he could. Asking for more just seemed like another way of rejecting his case, even though it had initially promised a refund.

Enough was enough. I contacted Chase on his behalf. Separately, Bloom also wrote to the CEO of Chase and appealed his case.

“Great news!” he reported. “Chase has finally agreed to restore the award points to my account.  I think your intervention must have helped.”

Christopher Elliott is an author, consumer advocate, and journalist. He founded Elliott Advocacy, a nonprofit organization that helps solve consumer problems. He publishes Elliott Confidential, a travel newsletter, and the Elliott Report, a news site about customer service. If you need help with a consumer problem, you can reach him here or email him at [email protected].

STEPHENS CITY — The Sherando Band Boosters raised more than $10,000 in net proceeds through the 2025 Sherando Band Charity Golf Tournament, organizers announced.

Held earlier this year, the tournament brought together sponsors, volunteers, and community members in support of the high school’s music program. Funds will help pay for student instruments, music instruction, and travel opportunities.

Guy Curtis, who chaired the event, extended thanks to all who supported the effort, including hole sponsors, prize donors, and volunteers.

Major sponsors included Q102.5 Shenandoah Country (iHeartMedia) and Malloy Automotive Group, as well as a number of local businesses.

For more information or to support the program, visit www.sherandoband.org or email [email protected].

Edited by Dan McDermott.

WINCHESTER — A Winchester-based manufacturer is one of 13 Virginia companies selected to join an elite state program aimed at helping businesses expand into international markets.

Ashworth Bros., Inc., headquartered in the City of Winchester, has joined the Virginia Leaders in Export Trade (VALET) program, a two-year business acceleration initiative managed by the Virginia Economic Development Partnership (VEDP). The program provides participating companies with customized international sales strategies, access to a network of global experts, and direct introductions to potential partners overseas.

Ashworth Bros., a global leader in conveyor belting systems, is the only Shenandoah Valley business included in the latest cohort. The company designs and manufactures metal and plastic belting solutions for industries ranging from food processing to automotive manufacturing.

VALET is designed for Virginia companies with established domestic success that are ready to grow internationally. Participants receive support from a team of international service providers and market research consultants spanning more than 120 countries. The program also includes in-country matchmaking, educational seminars, and a customized plan to guide expansion efforts.

The announcement came as Governor Glenn Youngkin welcomed a new group of companies into the program while also recognizing 13 graduates that completed the two-year track.

Since its inception, 425 Virginia companies have completed the VALET program. Currently, 58 companies are active participants. According to VEDP, businesses in the program routinely report increased international sales and global partnerships that generate high-quality jobs across the Commonwealth.

Virginia exports approximately $70 billion in goods and services annually. In 2023, companies working with VEDP’s international trade division attributed $1.5 billion in overseas sales to its assistance, supporting more than 13,700 jobs.

Ashworth Bros. now joins that expanding network of Virginia businesses reaching global markets through the VALET program.

More information on the VALET program is available at vedp.org.

WOODSTOCK, Va. — Farmers in Warren County and throughout the Shenandoah Valley are invited to participate in a new statewide survey aimed at documenting on-farm conservation efforts that protect soil and water quality.

The Virginia Farm Voluntary Agricultural Best Management Practices Survey is being conducted by Virginia Cooperative Extension and is open through June 30, 2026. The survey targets farmers in the Chesapeake Bay watershed region, including those in Warren, Shenandoah, Page, Frederick, and Clarke counties.

“This is about recognizing the work farmers have already done—often without government assistance—to protect natural resources,” said Robert A. Clark, Senior Extension Agent for Agriculture and Natural Resources in Woodstock.

The survey collects information on conservation practices such as cover cropping, no-till farming, stream exclusion fencing, nutrient management, and riparian buffer zones. Both cost-shared and non-cost-shared practices are eligible to be reported.

Organizers say the information gathered will help the state better understand the extent of voluntary conservation efforts and may inform future agricultural programs and funding priorities.

Farmers can complete the survey at:

https://vcuserl.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_enX1X0MetJJsWRE

More details are available at:

For questions or help completing the survey, farmers should contact their local extension office.

Virginia Cooperative Extension is a partnership of Virginia Tech, Virginia State University, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and local governments. Participation in the survey is voluntary and open to all producers.

STAUNTON — The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) Staunton District has announced upcoming and ongoing road work scheduled for the week of July 21–25, 2025. Projects are set to impact key highways and secondary roads across several counties, including Warren, Frederick, Shenandoah, Page, and Clarke. Motorists are advised to be alert for changes in traffic patterns, flagging operations, lane closures, and posted detours throughout the region.

Warren County

Interstate 66

Mile marker 0 to 15, eastbound – Overnight single lane closures for maintenance to various bridges, 6 p.m. to 5 a.m. through the night of July 31. Mile marker 1 to 0, westbound – NEW Right shoulder closures for inspection of I-81 bridge, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thursday. Mile marker 2 to 0, westbound – NEW Shoulder closures for road work related to I-81 southbound widening, 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. through August 8.

Interstate 81

Mile marker 299 to 300, northbound and southbound – UPDATE Overnight single lane closures for installation of median barriers and construction entrances, 8 p.m. to 7 a.m. through the night of August 7. Daytime shoulder closures continue through August 8. Left shoulder closures are in place 24/7.

Primary Roads

Route 340 (Stonewall Jackson Highway) – NEW Northbound and southbound single-lane closures near Route 605 (Poor House Road) for bridge inspection over Gooney Run, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday. – Flagger traffic control between the Page County line and Route 674 (Limeton Church Road) for paving, 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. through September 5. – Single-lane closures between Route 637 (Guard Hill Road) and Route 655 (Country Club Road) for painting work on Crooked Run and I-66 bridges, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. through Sunday, July 27.

Secondary Roads

Route 610 (Bucks Mill Road) – Closed to through traffic between Route 55 (Strasburg Road) and Route 626 (Andrews Road) for bridge repairs, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. through August 15. Route 647 (Dismal Hollow Road) – Flagger traffic control near Route 603 (Oregon Hollow Road) and FR-Route 285 (Gap Road) for painting I-66 overpass bridges, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. through August 31. Route 658 (Rockland Road) – Now open to through traffic between Route 340/522 and Route 705 (Fishnet Boulevard) via a new bridge over the railway. Lane or shoulder closures expected through September 2025.

Frederick County

Interstate 81

Mile marker 301 to 300, southbound – NEW Right shoulder closures for bridge inspection, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday. Mile marker 302 to 300, southbound – UPDATE Overnight single lane closures for median barrier work and construction entrances, 8 p.m. to 7 a.m. through August 7. Daytime shoulder closures for sign installations through August 8. Left shoulder closures 24/7. Mile marker 308 to 310, northbound – NEW Overnight single lane closures for bridge maintenance over Opequon Creek, 8 p.m. to 7 a.m., July 27–31.

Primary Roads

Route 7 (Berryville Pike) – NEW Brief eastbound and westbound closures between Route 659 (Valley Mill Road) and Route 656 (Greenwood Road) for overhead utility work, Sunday, July 20, from 12 midnight to 9 a.m. Route 522 (North Frederick Pike) – Northbound overnight lane closures between Route 739 (Fox Drive) and Route 673 (Golds Hill Road) for paving, 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. through Friday night.

Secondary Roads

Route 627 (Reliance Road) – NEW Flagger traffic control just east of Route 11 (Valley Pike) for turn-lane construction, 7 a.m. to 3 p.m., July 23 through September 26. Route 649 (Springdale Road) – Closes Friday, July 18, between Route 11 and Route 651 for rail line work. Detour via new Route 873 (Renaissance Drive). Route 761 (Old Charles Town Road) – Closed between Route 666 and Route 661 for Opequon Creek bridge replacement at Clarke County line. Project completion expected November 2025.

Shenandoah County

Interstate 81

Mile marker 268 to 269, both directions – Overnight single lane closures for North Fork Shenandoah River bridge maintenance, 8 p.m. to 7 a.m. through July 30. Mile marker 283 to 291, northbound – UPDATE Right shoulder closures for repairs, 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., Monday to Friday. Mile marker 289 to 287, southbound – NEW Overnight single lane closures for bridge work over Route 625 (Harman Road), 8 p.m. to 7 a.m. Sunday through Thursday. Mile marker 294 to 299, both directions – UPDATE Overnight single lane closures for median barrier and construction entrances, 8 p.m. to 7 a.m. through August 7. Daytime shoulder closures for sign installations continue through August 8. Left shoulder closures 24/7.

Primary Roads

Route 11 (Old Valley Pike) – NEW Single-lane closures between Route 650 and Route 657 for tree removal, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. through Friday. – Mobile lane closures between Route 837 and Route 42 for tree trimming, 6 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. through Tuesday. – Overnight paving with flagger control from Orchard Street in Strasburg to Route 601, 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. through August 22. – Overnight paving from Route 55 to the Warren County line, 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. through July 30. Route 211 (Old Cross Road) – Westbound left lane closures near I-81 for bridge maintenance, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. through August 4.

Secondary Roads

Route 720 (Wissler Road) – Closed between Route 798 and Route 614 for Mill Creek bridge replacement. Completion expected October 10.

Page County

Primary Roads

Route 340 – NEW Flagger control between Route 770 and Route 658 for bridge inspections over Dry Run and Pass Run, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday. – Ongoing flagger control for paving, shoulder repair, and maintenance work. Mobile mowing operations also active.

Secondary Roads

Flagger traffic control for pipe cleaning and brush cutting continues districtwide on weekdays from 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Clarke County

Primary Roads

Route 7 (Harry Byrd Highway) – NEW Single-lane closures between Route 653 and Frederick County line for paving: eastbound from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., westbound from 8 p.m. to 12 noon. Estimated completion August 1. – Westbound overnight alternating lane closures between Route 601 and Route 612 for shoulder work, 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. through Friday night.

Secondary Roads

Route 761 (Old Charles Town Road) – Closed between Route 666 and Route 661 for bridge replacement at Frederick County line. Completion expected in November 2025.

VDOT encourages motorists to drive with caution in all work zones and observe all posted signage and detours. For real-time updates, call 511 or visit 511virginia.org. To report hazards or ask questions, contact VDOT’s 24-hour Customer Service Center at 800-FOR-ROAD (800-367-7623) or visit my.vdot.virginia.gov.

From a release:

Tuesday July, 22nd from 5–10pm, join On Cue for tacos with a purpose—because 25% of all taco sales will go straight to helping Garcia & Gavino keep positive through their difficult time. (and back in the kitchen in no time).  Feeling extra generous? there will be donation buckets and Venmo links at each table to make giving easy. And rumor has it…Garcia may whip up something sweet for sale. 

Jennerations Hair Studio & Spa is proud to reintroduce permanent makeup to their service menu.  Sommer Love is a registered licensed esthetician and permanent makeup artist. Book your consultation and appointment for powder brows or lip blush today!

The Warren County Department of Fire and Rescue Services is excited to announce the return of its Citizens Fire Academy (CFA), beginning Wednesday, September 24, 2025. This free, seven-week program is open to adults living or working in Front Royal and Warren County who are interested in gaining an insider’s perspective on their local emergency services.  Get details and register here.

Atlantic Union Bank invites you to discuss your business goals with their market experts on their Front Royal Business Solutions Day, Tuesday, August 5th.  They’ll have local business experts on hand to discuss their customer-centricapproach, flexible financial solutions, and entrepreneurial innovation.  Space is limited, contact [email protected] for more details and to reserve your spot.

Blake & Co. Hair Spa invites you to their “Sun Kissed & Self Care” Client Appreciation Party on August 7th, 6:30-8:30 pm.  The evening will include one-night-only deals, local vendors, sips and snacks, and all the summer care vibes!

Posted by Dan McDermott.

From a release

RICHMOND—Virginia’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate rose to 3.5% in June, up 0.1 percentage points from May but still below the national rate of 4.1%, according to new data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Nonfarm payroll employment declined by 8,400 jobs over the month, driven largely by reductions in federal and federal contractor positions. However, year-over-year employment remains up by 35,600 jobs since June 2024. Since January 2022, total nonfarm employment in Virginia has grown by 263,700.

Governor Glenn Youngkin noted that while federal job cuts were expected, the private sector and defense-related hiring continue to grow. “The growth in non-federal jobs over the course of the year, nearly 200,000 open and unfilled positions, and 80,000 new jobs tied to $120 billion in business investment will provide opportunities for those affected by federal reductions,” Youngkin said.

Virginia’s labor force shrank by 10,116 to 4,558,145 in June. The number of unemployed residents rose by 4,025 to 160,116, and the labor force participation rate dropped 0.2 percentage points to 65.0%.

Labor Secretary Bryan Slater said the state continues to expand access to job training and apprenticeships. Commerce and Trade Secretary Juan Pablo Segura emphasized long-term support for business growth and workforce development.

The BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics (LAUS) and Current Employment Statistics (CES) programs measure employment using different methods. LAUS relies on household surveys, while CES counts payroll jobs and excludes business owners, the self-employed, and certain unpaid workers.

More data is available at https://virginiaworks.com.

Edited by Dan McDermott

From a release:

Med-Flight 1 conducted its fourth hoist rescue of the year on Wednesday, July 16, 2025, successfully airlifting an injured hiker off Old Rag Mountain in Shenandoah National Park, located in Madison County.

According to the Virginia State Police, the mission began around 1:30 p.m. when the National Park Service requested assistance for a hiker who had suffered a shoulder injury and could not make the descent from the mountain. Old Rag is approximately 80 nautical miles from Med-Flight 1’s base in Chesterfield, Virginia.

The rescue team—consisting of Virginia State Police First Sergeant Jeffrey Weber, Chesterfield Flight Paramedic Chris Orr, and Chesterfield Firefighter Michael Burnett—hoisted the injured hiker off the mountain and transferred them to waiting EMS crews at the base.

This marks the fourth hoist rescue by Med-Flight 1 in 2025. A previous rescue on Old Rag took place on March 31. Additionally, the crew was recognized on July 17 by the Virginia Department of Fire Programs for a hoist rescue carried out last August along Saint Mary’s Falls Trail in Augusta County.

Med-Flight 1 is a joint operation between the Virginia State Police and the Chesterfield County Fire and EMS Department.

Edited by Dan McDermott.

ABINGDON, Va. – A Bristol, Virginia man, convicted of conspiring to distribute methamphetamine following a three-day jury trial in U.S. District Court in Abingdon in June 2025, was sentenced this week to 96 months in federal prison. 

Christopher M. Sullivan, 31, was convicted in June of one count of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and one count of using a communication facility in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. Sullivan is the final defendant in this 20-member conspiracy to be sentenced.

“Methamphetamine has ravaged Southwest Virginia for decades, causing cycles of addiction and misery in its wake,” United States Attorney C. Todd Gilbert said today. “We must be vigilant in attacking this issue at its source and bringing to justice those who profit off the addiction of others. I am grateful to our partners at the Drug Enforcement Administration and all of our local partners for their work on this case.”

“There has been a large increase in methamphetamine distribution in Virginia in recent years, especially the western part.  Local gangs and drug trafficking organizations are not only mixing meth with other substances but are also transforming it into fake pill forms to enhance its marketability,” commented Shane K. Todd, Acting Special Agent in Charge of DEA’s Washington Division. “I want to express my gratitude to the DEA teams, USAO-WDVA litigators, and our local and state partners for their hard work in investigating, arresting, and prosecuting this individual, who was a clear public safety threat to Virginians.”

According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, Sullivan conspired with Christopher David Johnson – an inmate in a Georgia state prison – and numerous others to traffic and distribute kilograms of methamphetamine from Georgia into Southwest Virginia. 

Johnson used smuggled cell phones to operate a large-scale methamphetamine distribution operation from his prison cell in Georgia. Johnson regularly communicated with his co-conspirators using Facebook, WhatsApp, Signal, phone calls, and text messaging to coordinate drug deliveries, set pricing, manage drug quantities, handle recruitment, intimidation, and sales.

Evidence showed that Sullivan regularly communicated with Johnson to accomplish the goals of the conspiracy. Sullivan also distributed methamphetamine for Johnson, wired money to Mexico at Johnson’s direction, and paid Johnson for methamphetamine.

In December 2024, Johnson was sentenced for his role in the conspiracy to 20 years in federal prison – to run consecutive to his state prison sentence – and ten years of supervised release. The eighteen other defendants received prison sentences ranging from three to fifteen years. 

United States Attorney C. Todd Gilbert and Special Agent in Charge Ibrar A. Mian of the DEA Washington Division made the announcement.

The Drug Enforcement Administration and multiple law enforcement agencies in Georgia, Tennessee, and Virginia investigated the case, including the Bristol (Tennessee) Police Department, the Bristol (Virginia) Police Department, the Sullivan County Sheriff’s Office, the 2nd Judicial Drug Task Force, and the Georgia State Patrol. 

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Whit Pierce and Corey Hall are prosecuting the case.

BY CHRISTOPHER ELLIOTT

Ever had this nightmare? You’re racing through the airport, dodging slow-moving travelers, swerving to avoid those annoying golf carts, only to arrive breathlessly at your gate just as the doors close. 

Your flight is gone. Your trip is ruined. 

Darrel Reid knows all too well the pain of missing a flight. Earlier this year, he and his wife arrived two hours early at Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport for a 7:05 a.m. flight to Los Angeles. 

They thought they had plenty of time. But they didn’t.

“By the time we parked, took the shuttle, and got to the ticket counter, it was 6 a.m.,” says Reid, a salesman from Mesquite, Texas. “An airline representative told us we couldn’t check our bags because we’d missed the cutoff time. The gate agent couldn’t have cared less.”

Missing a flight isn’t just inconvenient. It’s expensive, stressful, and can take a wrecking ball to your travel plans. And it will probably happen more often than ever this summer. With record-breaking passenger numbers expected, airports are bracing for chaos. Delays, long lines, and overbooked flights are the new normal. 

People are afraid. One survey by Faye Travel Insurance found that almost a quarter of air travelers (23 percent) were worried they would miss their flight. 

Missing your flight can be expensive 

Missing a flight can have a domino effect. If it’s your outbound flight, your airline could cancel your return. Miss a connection, and you could be stranded overnight. Add in the cost of rebooking fees, hotel stays, and missed reservations, and the price tag can easily run into the thousands.  

For Reid, who had booked a vacation package to Disneyland with his family through Expedia, the solution was to spend more money. 

Frontier wouldn’t put him on the next flight because it listed him as a “no show,” forfeiting his entire ticket. So he paid an extra $800 to get to Los Angeles so he could rescue his vacation. He tried to file a claim with his travel insurance, but it would not cover a missed flight.

“It was a real ordeal,” he says.

Anyone can miss a flight

Even the most experienced travelers can miss a flight. Often, it’s because airports are confusing places.

Nick Brennan recently missed a flight from Rome to London.

“I was at the wrong gate,” says Brennan, the CEO of a telecommunications company in London. “There were two flights to Gatwick leaving at the same time — one with Vueling, one with Wizz Air. I saw the right destination and time on the departure board, but I didn’t notice the airline. By the time I realized my mistake, it was too late.”  

Another leading cause of missed flights: underestimating how long it will take to get to the airport. Amrita Bhasin missed her flight from New York to San Francisco because she underestimated New York traffic and then had to stand in a long security line.

“I’m used to SFO, where security takes two minutes,” says Bhasin, who runs a software company in San Francisco. “At JFK, it took forever. I’ll never make that mistake again.” 

I’ve missed a few flights, too. Once I forgot my passport at home, and by the time I made it to the airport, the plane had left. Another time, I got stuck in a long security line. In both cases, I got lucky. The airline rebooked me on the next available flight at no extra charge. But it was embarrassing, and I should have known better.

How early should you get to the airport? 

The cardinal rule of air travel used to be: arrive two hours early for domestic flights, three hours for international. Not this summer. 

You’ll want to add an hour to that, especially during peak travel times, which is pretty much the entire month of August.

I know what you’re thinking. Three hours? Once you factor in the trip to the airport, it might be faster to just drive to your destination instead of flying. Good point. You might want to consider ditching your flight during the busy summer travel period and just driving — unless you’re headed abroad. 

But if you must fly, here’s how to avoid missing your flight:

Book smarter flights

A 30-minute connection might work in theory, but it’s a gamble. Flights have minimum connection times, which are set by a joint airport and airline commission, but they are guidelines and they can sometimes be inaccurate. Choose a flight that gives you at least an hour to connect, and longer if you have to change terminals.

Note your airline’s baggage cutoff times

That’s where Reid went wrong. Most airlines require checked bags to be dropped off at least 30 to 60 minutes before departure. Some budget carriers, like Frontier and Spirit, have even stricter rules.

Use technology to your advantage

Download your airline’s app and enable push notifications. The app will alert you to gate changes, delays, and boarding times. Always double-check your gate on the app, not just the departure board. Otherwise, you could end up like Brennan — going to the wrong gate.

Pro tip: Pack a portable charger in your carry-on, not in your checked bag. A dead phone means no boarding pass, no flight alerts, and no way to rebook if something goes wrong.

Apply for the fast lane

If you’re a frequent traveler, consider applying for TSA PreCheck or CLEAR. PreCheck lets you breeze through security without removing your shoes, belt, or laptop. CLEAR skips the ID check line altogether. 

Know your rights

If you miss a flight and it’s the airline’s fault (for example, insufficient connection time), the airline must book you on the next available flight. Even if it’s your fault, you can ask for consideration under the “flat tire” rule, an informal guideline that says if you made a good-faith effort to get to the airport on time, you’ll get on the next flight at no extra charge.

What should you do if you miss your flight?

Missing a flight isn’t the end of the world, even though it feels that way. If you’re at the gate, ask an agent about your options. (Don’t forget the flat tire rule, which could save you hundreds of dollars on a new flight.)

Whether your delay is the airline’s fault or your fault, your best course of action is always to use good manners. Don’t demand. Don’t snap your platinum card on the counter and declare, “Do you know who I am!” Instead, calmly ask if your airline can accommodate you on the next flight. 

Before you book another flight yourself, make sure you’ve exhausted all of your options. That includes asking your travel agency — in Reid’s case, Expedia — or your travel insurance company for help. While it’s true that travel insurance generally doesn’t cover missed flights, your insurance company’s 24/7 concierge might be able to help you get to your destination with a minimum of headache and hassle. 

I asked Expedia about Reid’s missed flight. “We are always available to advocate for our travelers and strive to find the best possible resolution, including speaking with the airline and requesting flexibility in such cases,” a representative told me. It also reiterated the advice to arrive extra early for your flight, especially this summer. 

Missing your flight is the ultimate travel faux pas this summer. It’s costly and stressful.  But use my tips and it’s almost completely avoidable.

Christopher Elliott is an author, consumer advocate, and journalist. He founded Elliott Advocacy, a nonprofit organization that helps solve consumer problems. He publishes Elliott Confidential, a travel newsletter, and the Elliott Report, a news site about customer service. If you need help with a consumer problem, you can reach him here or email him at [email protected].

RICHMOND, VA — Attorney General Jason Miyares today announced a major victory for Northern Virginia commuters, following a unanimous decision by the Supreme Court of Virginia to uphold the State Corporation Commission’s (SCC) rejection of the largest proposed toll hike in Dulles Greenway history. 

The Greenway’s private operator, Toll Road Investors Partnership II (TRIP II), sought to impose a staggering 40% toll increase, raising costs for daily commuters by over $1,100 annually. The Court sided with Attorney General Miyares’ Office in finding that the proposed tolls failed to meet basic legal standards of reasonableness and public benefit. 

“This is an enormous win for hardworking Virginians who are already stretched thin by rising costs,” said Attorney General Jason Miyares. “No private company has the right to exploit a government franchise to gouge commuters, especially when public alternatives exist. My office stood up to defend Virginia consumers from the largest toll increase in Dulles Greenway history, and today, common sense prevailed.” 

The Attorney General’s Division of Consumer Counsel intervened in the case alongside Loudoun County and hundreds of public commenters who strongly opposed the hike. TRIP II’s own projections showed that traffic volumes had never come close to what was promised when the Greenway was built, and the company has consistently relied on toll increases to make up for poor forecasting and mounting debt—now totaling over $1.1 billion. 

Under Virginia law, toll increases must be reasonable to the user in relation to the benefit received. TRIP II’s proposed rate failed on multiple fronts. The Virginia Supreme Court upheld the Commission’s finding that the proposed tolls were unjustified and unreasonably burdensome on the public. 

Read the decision HERE.

BY CHRISTOPHER ELLIOTT

As summer travel heats up, so does the demand for travel insurance. But before you click “buy” on a policy, take a minute to read the fine print. 

“There are certain exclusions that travelers may not be aware of,” says Chris Carnicelli, CEO of Generali Global Assistance (GGA).

Travel insurance, despite its promises, doesn’t always cover everything.

“Travelers are turning to travel insurance to help protect their trips,” says Beth Godlin, president of Aon Affinity Travel Practice. “But it’s important to understand that there are a few scenarios that may not be covered by their policy.”

That’s true. This summer is shaping up to be one of the busiest travel seasons on record, with airlines and airports bracing for delays, cancellations, and overbooked flights. As many as half of travelers will buy travel insurance to protect their trips. 

“Circumstances that are known or foreseeable at the time a policy is purchased may not be covered under standard travel insurance policies,” warns Robert Gallagher, president of the US Travel Insurance Association, a trade group. 

A surprising discovery on a European river cruise

Take Linda Prybil, who learned this lesson the hard way. She’s planning a European river cruise with AMA Waterways and decided to purchase travel insurance because of the steep cancellation penalties and her recent knee surgery. 

“I was surprised to find out that even the best insurance doesn’t cover a full refund,” says Prybil, a retired teacher from Iowa City, Iowa. “Even with ‘cancel for any reason’ policies, the max seemed to be 80 percent, and not everything would be a cash-back refund.”  

Prybil also discovered that if her flights were canceled and the airline issued a credit instead of a refund, her insurance wouldn’t cover the cost. 

“I booked my British Airways flights through American Airlines because I fly with them often and could use a credit if needed,” she explains. “But the cruise cost was another story. If the cruise line issues a voucher, insurance won’t give you cash back. That was a big bummer.”  

Prybil’s experience highlights a common misconception: travel insurance is a safety net for every possible scenario. In reality, it’s full of exclusions and limitations. 

Here’s a short list of what most policies won’t cover — and what you can do about it.  

1. Pre-existing medical conditions

If you have a medical condition before purchasing a policy, it likely won’t be covered unless you buy a waiver within a specific time period after booking your trip. “A lot of people assume pre-existing conditions are covered, but they’re usually excluded,” says Joe Cronin, president of International Citizens Insurance. “You need to purchase a policy with a waiver to close that gap.”  

2. Civil unrest and political instability 

Jackie Swayze, a remote work specialist from Austin, Texas, learned this the hard way when she canceled a trip to Peru because of an attempted coup and riots. “My policy covered war and terror attacks, but not civil unrest,” she says. “Now, I always buy ‘cancel for any reason’ coverage when traveling to volatile regions.”  

3. High-risk activities

Love adventure sports? Some policies won’t cover injuries from high-risk activities like scuba diving, bungee jumping, or zip-lining. “I’ve had clients think they were covered, only to find out after an accident that their policy excluded those activities,” says David Giraldo, a tech expert who works for a website that sells mobile data plans. 

4. Natural disasters

If a hurricane or tropical storm is named before you buy your policy, any cancellations related to it won’t be covered. “If a storm had already been named prior to purchasing your policy, you probably won’t be covered if it impacts your trip,” says Daniel Durazo, a spokesman for Allianz Travel Insurance. “If a natural disaster occurred at your destination prior to purchasing your policy, you probably won’t be able to cancel your trip because you no longer want to travel to that location.” 

5. Scams and fraud 

Falling victim to a scam, like booking a fake rental property or tickets, is another area where travel insurance may not be able to provide reimbursement (though your rental booking platform potentially can). “In most cases, travel insurance doesn’t protect you from scammers,” says Elad Schaffer, CEO of Faye Travel Insurance.  

6. Terrorism

“Standard policies don’t cover cancellations or delays caused by acts of war or terrorism, though some offer specific riders,” notes John Rose, chief risk officer at ALTOUR, a global travel management company. If you’re headed to a place where terrorism is a possibility, like parts of Europe and the Middle East, check your policy carefully.

Is “cancel for any reason” insurance a workaround?

The most comprehensive solution may be to buy a “cancel for any reason” travel insurance policy. While it costs more — typically 10 to 12 percent of your trip’s prepaid, nonrefundable cost — it offers greater flexibility. 

“Cancel for any reason coverage is the only way to ensure at least a partial refund in unpredictable situations,” says Giraldo.  

Take advantage of the “free look” period

One of the biggest mistakes travelers make is waiting too long to buy insurance, say experts.

“The time to think about insurance is before you book your vacation,” says Steve Pritchard, founder of Cuuver, an insurance comparison site. “You usually have one to two weeks after booking to purchase a policy.”

Also, if you purchase your policy when you book a vacation, you can often qualify for a pre-existing conditions waiver. That means the policy will sometimes cover any existing medical conditions at no extra cost.

One more pro tip: Most policies have a “free look period” that lets you cancel within a certain time. 

“One of the best ways travelers can ensure they have the right coverage is by taking advantage of the free look period,” says GGA’s Carnicelli. “This allows them to purchase a plan, review the coverage details, and cancel within the stated time. This flexibility ensures travelers can make an informed decision without feeling locked in.”

This summer, don’t let your travel insurance leave you stranded. Know what’s covered — and what’s not — before you hit the road. 

Christopher Elliott is an author, consumer advocate, and journalist. He founded Elliott Advocacy, a nonprofit organization that helps solve consumer problems. He publishes Elliott Confidential, a travel newsletter, and the Elliott Report, a news site about customer service. If you need help with a consumer problem, you can reach him here or email him at [email protected].

By Shirleen Guerra
The Center Square

(The Center Square) – Democratic candidates are leading in all three of Virginia’s statewide races, according to a new Commonwealth Poll released Tuesday by the L. Douglas Wilder School at Virginia Commonwealth University.

The survey comes as candidates filed updated campaign finance reports for the second quarter.

In the governor’s race, Abigail Spanberger leads Republican Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears 49% to 37%. In the lieutenant governor’s race, Sen. Ghazala Hashmi is ahead of Republican John Reid 46% to 36%. In the attorney general’s race, former Del. Jay Jones leads Attorney General Jason Miyares 47% to 38%.

The poll was conducted June 19 through July 3.

Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s approval rating stands at 49% while the cost of living ranked as the top concern for voters, followed by women’s reproductive rights and immigration.

Around the same time, second-quarter finance reports show what each campaign raised and how much they had in the bank as of June 30.

Spanberger has raised about $4.3 million and reported $15.2 million in cash on hand. Earle-Sears raised around $2.4 million and had $4.6 million available.

In the lieutenant governor contest, Hashmi raised roughly $1.7 million and had $1.3 million left. Reid brought in about $129,000 and reported $163,000 in cash on hand, according to The Virginia Public Access Project.

In the attorney general race, Miyares raised nearly $4.8 million and had $7 million on hand. Jones raised about $2.2 million and reported $1.2 million available.

Totals reflect data from the Virginia Public Access Project, based on second-quarter filings with the Virginia Department of Elections.

By Shirleen Guerra
The Center Square

(The Center Square) – Virginia regulators have approved Dominion Energy’s 2024 long-term energy plan but raised serious concerns about rising costs and whether new projects are truly needed to meet future electricity demand, particularly from the commonwealth’s fast-growing data center industry.

In a final order issued Tuesday, the State Corporation Commission found Dominion’s Integrated Resource Plan legally sufficient as required by law. However, the commission made clear this does not mean it approves the size, cost or specifics of any future infrastructure. Regulators warned that Dominion’s proposals could significantly impact customer bills and directed the company to provide more transparent, cost-effective alternatives in upcoming plans.

Among the commission’s directives, Dominion must include side-by-side modeling of a least-cost plan and a plan that complies with the Virginia Clean Economy Act. Each version must be modeled both with and without projected electricity demand from data centers. The commission also ordered Dominion to extend its planning horizon from 15 to 20 years and improve access to its modeling data for stakeholders and officials across the commonwealth.

The order calls for stricter energy efficiency goals as well. The commission rejected Dominion’s proposed savings targets of 2.1% to 2.7% and instead set new requirements of 3% in 2026, 4% in 2027, and 5% in 2028. Regulators also directed the company to assess additional battery storage, include a scenario in which Virginia rejoins the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, and model long-duration storage technologies as they become viable.

Environmental groups echoed the commission’s concerns, saying Dominion’s plan relies too heavily on gas and leaves communities at risk. In a joint statement, the Southern Environmental Law Center and Appalachian Voices said the order confirms the plan was flawed and warned it could lead to more pollution and high bills. “Dominion may attempt to proceed with an ‘accepted’ plan, but the Commission has recognized it is the product of a flawed process,” said SELC senior attorney Nate Benforado.

Conservative policy groups have also weighed in. The Thomas Jefferson Institute warned that the commonwealth is running out of baseload power to meet peak demand and argued that policies supporting intermittent wind and solar energy could increase reliance on imports. In a recent report, the group said rapid growth in data centers and artificial intelligence infrastructure is accelerating demand and putting pressure on the grid.

“Virginia is quickly running out of sufficient baseload power to support its demand,” the report said. The group supports repealing or scaling back the Virginia Clean Economy Act, which phases out coal and natural gas over time.

While the IRP does not authorize specific projects, it guides Dominion’s decisions on future generation and transmission. That includes power plants, transmission lines and grid upgrades that can lead to rate increases. Regulators made clear that approval of the plan does not mean approval of those future costs.

By Shirleen Guerra
The Center Square

(The Center Square) – Richmond has installed its first city-run harm reduction vending machines, offering 24/7 access to free Narcan, fentanyl test strips and hygiene supplies in neighborhoods hardest hit by overdoses.

The machines are part of a new initiative led by the city’s Office of Opioid and Substance Use Response (OOSUR), which launched earlier this month to coordinate addiction response, recovery services and harm reduction programs across Richmond.

Each machine is stocked with naloxone (Narcan), which can reverse opioid overdoses, as well as personal hygiene items and fentanyl test strips.

“This life-saving program is about meeting people where they are, with compassion and dignity,” Mayor Danny Avula said in a city release. “Harm reduction vending machines are a proven tool to prevent overdose deaths and connect individuals with the support they need.”

The first two machines are now operational at Marshall Plaza (900 E. Marshall St.) and Southside Plaza (4100 Hull St.). A third machineis scheduled to be installed later this month at East End Library (1200 N. 25th St.). Additional units may be added later this year based on community data and feedback, according to the city.

Key features of the machines include:

• Free, anonymous access to supplies
• Round-the-clock availability
• QR codes linking to local recovery and treatment services
• Strategic placement in areas most affected by overdose

Anna Jones, the city’s newly hired Opioid Response Strategist, said the machines are intended not just to distribute supplies, but to reduce stigma and serve as “a bridge to care, to hope, and to healing.”

Richmond reported 297 overdose deaths in 2023, with 270 involving opioids, according to the Virginia Department of Health.

The launch comes as Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s administration reports a 34.1% statewide drop in fatal overdoses compared to the year before. The administration credits increased access to naloxone, tougher laws on dealers and coordination with federal enforcement for the decline.

By Shirleen Guerra
The Center Square

(The Center Square) – Virginians are earning more than most, according to new federal data showing the commonwealth ranked sixth in median income and tenth in average income in 2023.

The U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis releasedupdated state-level income data, offering a look at how much residents made last year before and after taxes. The report includes both median and mean personal income for all 50 states, along with new rankings for disposable income, which reflects what people keep after taxes.

Virginia’s median personal income came in at $106,942 in 2023. The state’s average income was higher, at $136,748, both put Virginia in the top 10.

Disposable income rankings were a little lower.Virginia placed 12th in median disposable income and 13th in average disposable income, according to the report.

The income rankings come as Virginia landed fourth in CNBC’s 2025 Top States for Business report, down from first in 2021. While the shiftwas tied to concerns over federal employment and rising regulatory costs, Virginia’s strong income levels suggest the commonwealth remains competitive when it comes to attracting and keeping a skilled workforce.

Maryland edged out Virginia in both median and average personal income, ranking fifth and ninth nationwide.

Virginia followed close behind at sixth and tenth, but when it comes to disposable income, or how much people actually take home after taxes, Virginia ranked just above Maryland in the average category. That suggests Virginians may keep slightly more of their income, even if Marylanders tend to earn more before taxes.

The BEA’s report is the first to include full state rankings for disposable income. The data covers 2012 through 2023 and pulls from federal tax returns and survey data from the U.S. Census Bureau.

By Shirleen Guerra
The Center Square

(The Center Square) – Most Virginia school divisions haven’t removed any books from their libraries in recent years, but a small number of districts accounted for nearly all the documented removals, according to a new state report.

The Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission said there were 344 recorded book removal actions between 2020 and 2024. Five school divisions accounted for 75% of them. Hanover County alone made up 36%, followed by Rockingham with 17%, then Goochland, Madisonand Spotsylvania.

In total, 35% of school divisions reported removing at least one book, while 63% said they did not remove any.

JLARC said the most common reasons cited were sexually explicit content, local policy, division regulation, vulgar language and developmental inappropriateness.

Some divisions also cited section 22.1-16.8 of the Code of Virginia, a 2022 law requiring schools to notify parents of instructional materials with sexually explicit content. JLARC staff noted the law applies only to materials used for instruction and does not ban books from school libraries.

Many school divisions appeared to misinterpret the law. “Many cited the 2022 law, even though it does not prohibit the use of sexually explicit content or require removal from libraries,” JLARC staff said during their July 14 presentation.

Lawmakers voiced concern over the confusion.One called it “disappointing” that some school boards misapplied the law “as an excuse to pull books,” despite having access to legal counsel.

JLARC staff said the confusion may have stemmed from two sources. The enactment clause, which states the law should not be usedto censor books, was omitted from the online version of the Code of Virginia. In addition, a 2023 memo from the state superintendent did not clearly explain that the law applied only to instructional materials.

Virginia does not have a statewide policy for school library content. Local divisions are required to maintain libraries and employ licensed librarians, but selection and removal decisions are handled locally.

JLARC found most divisions have formal policies for reviewing or removing library books, though these policies vary in detail. About three-fourths of divisions use review committees made up of school staff and parents, often following a template policy where complaints go to the principal and then to a review panel.

A final report will include a list of divisions that did not respond to JLARC’s survey.

Hanover County Public Schools provided a statement from School Board Chair Whitney Welsh, who said the current policy supports a wide range of age-appropriate materials. “We do not have plans to revisit this policy,” she said.

RICHMOND, VA July 15, 2025 – Today, while speaking at Google’s Reston office, Governor Youngkin announced the launch of VirginiaHasJobs.com/AI – a new online AI Career Launch Pad to help Virginians explore, learn, and connect to high-demand AI and tech-related opportunities. Developed by Virginia Works in partnership with the Grow with Google program, this one-stop launch pad is designed to help working-age Virginians understand, explore, and prepare for the growing role of artificial intelligence across a wide range of industries and jobs.  

The VirginiaHasJobs.com/AI site features curated no-cost and low-cost learning opportunities from beginner friendly courses on AI fundamentals and practical workplace applications of artificial intelligence to bootcamps and degree programs offered by Virginia’s leading-edge community colleges and universities. Virginia Works – the Commonwealth’s new agency for workforce development and advancement – will disburse Career Certificate scholarships to support Virginians in gaining free access to high demand career and artificial intelligence training.  

“AI is increasingly part of every aspect of work, and we’re excited to launch this opportunity for Virginians to take part in this future,” said Governor Glenn Youngkin. “Our new AI Career Launch Pad will take Virginia to the next level as a global leader in AI careers and training. We’re nationally ranked as one of the top states for AI job postings, underscoring Virginia’s position as a leading hub for AI innovation and talent. Virginia has jobs, and I want to thank the teams at Virginia Works and Google for your shared commitment to making sure every Virginian is prepared and ready to take advantage of the changes and exciting new possibilities AI is bringing to the workforce.” 

Any Virginia resident can visit the site, sign up for a scholarship, enroll in eligible programs, and develop foundational AI knowledge and skills. Scholarships can be applied to two types of programs- Google AI Essentials Courses, which are foundational offerings on AI skills and best practices, and Google Career Certificates, which provide in depth, job-ready training in high demand fields such as cybersecurity, data analytics, and project management. Globally, 86% of graduates say the AI skills taught in the AI Essentials course will improve their productivity and/ or efficiency at their job, and 70% of Google Career Certificate graduates report a positive career impact such as a raise, new job, or promotion within six months of completion. 

“Google is committed to championing economic growth and opportunity in Virginia. We’re proud to collaborate with Virginia Works to provide our AI Essentials and Google Career Certificates at no cost to workers across the Commonwealth,” said Bronagh Friel, Head of Partnerships, Grow with Google. “This will help equip more Virginians with the in-demand skills to secure great jobs, advance their earning potential, and drive a prosperous future for the state.” 

“Thousands of Virginians are already working in AI-related roles, reflecting a strong and growing talent base across the Commonwealth,” said Secretary of Labor Bryan Slater. “Virginia has also experienced a surge in AI-related job postings – with approximately 31,000 listings — signaling rapid expansion and high employer demand. The VirginiaHasJobs.com/AI launch pad will ensure Virginia remains the top state for talent and is essential to fostering continued job growth.”  

“We are the only state in the nation with AI guidelines for K-12 through higher education, fostering responsible and effective implementation of AI across education in the Commonwealth,” said Secretary of Education Aimee Guidera. “Virginia is leading the nation at every level of education—through AI literacy, our rigorous computer science standards, and hosting our first-of-a-kind AI in Higher Education Summit—we are preparing students to be ethical users, innovative designers, and critical thinkers.”  

Visit www.virginiahasjobs.com for more information about Virginia Has Jobs.  

For more information about Virginia Works and the full range of workforce services they offer, go to www.virginiaworks.gov. 

Remarks from today’s announcement can be viewed HERE.

Route 873 (Renaissance Drive) in Frederick County is scheduled to fully open to traffic on or about Friday, July 18. The two-lane roadway previously connected Route 11 (Old Valley Pike) and Route 1129 (Prosperity Drive). The new half-mile section extends further west between Prosperity Drive and Route 651 (Shady Elm Road). It includes an at-grade crossing of the CSX railway.

The Renaissance Drive extension is administered by Frederick County, funded partly by the Virginia Department of Transportation’s Revenue Sharing program. As part of the project, the railroad crossing on nearby Route 649 (Springdale Road) will be closed beginning July 18. Route 649 will have a dead end on both sides of the rail line.

The eastern end of Renaissance Drive meets Route 11 at a signalized intersection. The western end of Renaissance Drive stops at a T-intersection with Shady Elm Road. Motorists on all these roadways should be alert for traffic-pattern changes. 

The opening date for Renaissance Drive and the closing date for the Route 649 railroad crossing are subject to change. All work is weather permitting.

For updated traffic alerts and traveler information, dial 511 or visit https://511.vdot.virginia.gov/.

The VDOT Customer Service Center can assist with reporting road hazards, asking transportation questions, or getting information related to Virginia’s roads. Call 800-FOR- ROAD (800-367-7623) or use its mobile friendly website at https://my.vdot.virginia.gov. Agents are available 24 hours-a-day, seven days a week.

The VDOT Staunton District is on Facebook and X (Twitter). Follow VDOT statewide accounts on Facebook, Flickr, and YouTube.

The VDOT Web page is located at https://www.vdot.virginia.gov/.

The VDOT Staunton District serves Frederick, Shenandoah, Clarke, Warren, Page, Rockingham, Augusta, Highland, Rockbridge, Alleghany and Bath counties.

BY CHRISTOPHER ELLIOTT

Even though Lauren Stokowski has proof that she boarded her KLM flight, the airline insisted she was a no-show and forced her to pay for another ticket to get home. Can KLM fix this problem and refund her money?

Q: I recently flew from Amsterdam to Cape Town on KLM. When I arrived at the gate, an agent took my boarding pass and reassigned my seat. During the flight, attendants interrupted me three times, asking for my passport and ticket to confirm I was in the correct seat. It was clear there was an error in their system. 

To make matters worse, the vegan meal I had pre-ordered wasn’t available, and I was served a meal with meat and dairy.

When I tried to check in for my return flight from Cape Town to Amsterdam, KLM told me my ticket was “out of sequence.” They said I needed proof I was on the outbound flight, like a baggage tag or ticket stub. I didn’t check a bag and hadn’t kept my boarding pass. KLM demanded I pay $550 to board the flight. I had no choice but to pay. 

I contacted KLM customer service when I got home, explaining the situation. KLM insisted I didn’t board the first flight and refused to refund the $550. So I sent the airline my digital boarding pass, proof of an in-flight Wi-Fi purchase, and a time-stamped photo of me on the plane. I even escalated the matter to my credit card company and the European Commission. But still, nothing. Can you help me get my money back? —  Lauren Stokowski, Utrecht, Netherlands

A: I can’t believe KLM refused to acknowledge you were on the flight after you provided so much proof. Did they even read what you sent them?

This is an obvious error. KLM switched your seats on the outbound flight to South Africa but then somehow lost the record of your seat reservation. That’s probably why the flight attendants kept interrupting you and asking for your ID. 

Problem is, that meant the airline had you as a “no show” for your outbound flight. KLM, like other airlines, automatically cancels your return flight when you miss the first leg of your flight. 

You should never have been forced to pay for a new ticket. If you’d shown a ticket agent the digital boarding pass and picture of you on the flight at the airport in Cape Town, KLM might have been able to fix it. Better yet, you might have called the airline before your return flight left to ensure all was well with your tickets.

You could have also appealed to an executive at KLM once you returned. I list their names, numbers and email addresses on my consumer advocacy site, Elliott.org.

Regarding your missing vegan meal, I recommend you bring snacks in case the airline shoes not have the vegan meal you ordered. Airlines often forget their meal orders.

KLM didn’t want to talk about your case. “This file will now be closed,” a customer service representative told you in an email. “Any further correspondence will be filed and will remain unanswered.”

That was the wrong answer. I reached out to my contact at KLM and asked it to have another look. 

“After extensive investigation, we have come to the conclusion that we charged Ms. Stokowski erroneously,” a representative told me. “Our customer service department has contacted her and will reimburse the $550 that she was charged.”

Christopher Elliott is the founder of Elliott Advocacy, a nonprofit organization that helps consumers solve their problems. Email him at [email protected] or get help by contacting him on his site.

© 2025 Christopher Elliott.

BY CHRISTOPHER ELLIOTT

Kristi Clynes pays a premium price for her Pink concert tickets, but an obstruction blocks her view of the stage. Can she get a refund from Ticketmaster?

Q: I recently attended a Pink concert and was extremely disappointed with the obstructed view from my seats. I purchased two tickets through Ticketmaster for $504, and there was no indication that the view would be restricted. But when I arrived, I discovered a mixing booth with tarps and scaffolding with a camera person directly in front of our seats, blocking approximately two-thirds of the stage.

I immediately contacted the venue staff and requested to be moved, but the concert was sold out. Despite the obstruction, I decided to stay for the entire concert, because Pink puts on an amazing show.

Ticketmaster acknowledged that the tickets were not marked as obstructed view and that it breached its own terms of sale. However, they initially refused to provide a full refund, placing the blame on the event organizer. They offered a refund of the service fees, which amounted to approximately $50 per ticket.

Given the significant obstruction and Ticketmaster’s admission of fault, I believe a full refund is warranted. Paying over $200 per ticket for a severely obstructed view is unacceptable. Can you help me get a full refund from Ticketmaster? — Kristi Clynes, Auburndale, Fla.

A: Ticketmaster sold you tickets that were not as advertised. The company promises that tickets with an obstructed view will be clearly labeled. Yours weren’t. 

You were right to try to resolve the issue on your own and document your communications with the company. You paid a premium price for your tickets, so a refund for the inconvenience you experienced would have been completely justified.

I think Ticketmaster’s initial offer of a refund for only the service fees was too low. You paid $504 for your tickets, and you should receive a bigger refund for the inconvenience you experienced.

I’m not sure if a full refund was warranted. After all, you got to experience the Pink concert. I’ve also heard that she puts on a good show. And one-third of a stage is better than no stage.

In a situation like this, you followed all the correct steps for a successful resolution. You asked Ticketmaster in writing for an adjustment. You kept everything in writing. You sent photos of the blocked stage. Having a paper trail is essential to getting a situation like yours addressed. But despite all of your efforts, Ticketmaster left you hanging. (I really couldn’t resist throwing in a Pink song title. It’s a tradition in this column!)

You could have sent a brief, polite written appeal to one of the Ticketmaster executives whose names I publish on my consumer advocacy site, Elliott.org. The executives might have been able to review your case and sweeten the offer. It was definitely your right to try. Uh-oh, there goes another Pink song title. Somebody stop me.

You reached out to my advocacy team. I contacted Ticketmaster on your behalf and explained the situation. A representative reviewed your case and agreed to issue an additional refund of $200 to your credit card. There you go!

Christopher Elliott is the founder of Elliott Advocacy (https://elliottadvocacy.org), a nonprofit organization that helps consumers solve their problems. Email him at [email protected] or get help by contacting him at https://elliottadvocacy.org/help/

© 2025 Christopher Elliott.

BY CHRISTOPHER ELLIOTT

Jessica Wehner’s worst travel nightmare turned into a reality just before a busy holiday weekend. That’s when her daughter, Samantha, tried to take a Greyhound bus back to college. But the motorcoach left without her.

And then Greyhound decided to keep her money.

“Greyhound offered me a promo code for $7 as a ‘goodwill gesture,’” she says, which covers the taxes for her unused ticket. 

Whoa! Can Greyhound deny you transportation and keep the money you paid for your ticket? Wehner is certain that the company is wrong, but a closer look at the terms of her daughter’s ticket suggests the real answer is complicated. 

Let’s break it down:

• Is Greyhound required to keep its schedule?
• What are Greyhound’s rules when you miss a bus?
• How do you get a refund for a missed bus?

But before we get to that, let’s find out what happened to Samantha Wehner.

“I feel they broke the contract by leaving 20 minutes early”

Wehner paid $78 for a Greyhound bus ticket for her daughter to travel from Glendale, Calif., to Santa Cruz, at 1:30 p.m.. She needed to be back in Santa Cruz in time for her classes, which started the day after her return.

“We arrived at the Glendale Bus Stop at 12:55 p.m.,” recalls Wehner. 

There was no one working at the bus stop, and a bus was sitting at the station. Wehner assumed it wasn’t her daughter’s bus because that bus wasn’t scheduled to arrive for another 20 minutes. 

“That bus left at 1 p.m., and the driver made no announcement to the other people waiting on the sidewalk that he was leaving,” she says.

Her daughter’s bus never came. 

“I began to worry,” she says. “I called Greyhound and was on hold for about 15 minutes; when I finally was able to speak to someone, he told me the bus had left and there were no other buses Samantha could take to get back to school. I asked why the bus had left 20 minutes early, and the operator told me that he didn’t know.”

(Well, this may be the first complaint my advocacy team and I have ever gotten about a bus leaving early.)

“I ended up having to drive Samantha to Santa Cruz that night,” she says.

Wehner called Greyhound to request a refund of her daughter’s bus fare. An “unhelpful” agent told her she had to file the request through the website, so she did.

Greyhound replied that it could only refund the “unused” portion of her fare, or $7. That was puzzling to Wehner since her daughter had a one-way ticket. In reviewing the correspondence, Greyhound probably meant to say it could only refund her taxes.

“I feel they broke the contract by leaving 20 minutes early,” she says. “Not only did I lose money, but I ended up having to drive 11 hours to get my daughter to college.”

Is Greyhound required to keep its schedule?

Actually, no. Greyhound’s terms and conditions of travel say its published schedules, departure and arrival dates, departure and arrival times, bus types, and similar details reflected on the ticket or in the published trip schedules “are not guaranteed and are subject to change.”

Interestingly, the same contract requires that passengers be at the boarding location “15 minutes prior to scheduled departure time.”

In other words, Wehner’s daughter had to be at the bus station early, but Greyhound didn’t have to be there at any time in particular — or at all.

Bottom line: This is a ridiculous adhesion contract written by lawyers to protect Greyhound. Of course, Wehner had a reasonable expectation that her daughter’s bus would depart at the scheduled time. And if it didn’t, Greyhound must refund her ticket. 

What are Greyhound’s rules when you miss a bus?

More contract craziness. Greyhound can miss its scheduled departure, and, according to its contract, doesn’t have to compensate you or refund your ticket.

But if you miss your bus, all bets are off.

First, if you’re not present for boarding at the scheduled departure time, the contract says your ticket will be voided and the seat may be sold to another customer.

“Customers will be notified via text message, email, or push notifications of any delays or changes to the departure time,” the contract says. (Greyhound did not notify Wehner.)

And finally, “Except as required by applicable law, a customer shall not be entitled to compensation of any kind if the passenger has been notified and is not present at the modified time and misses the departure. It is the passenger’s responsibility to provide accurate and current contact information.”

In other words, Greyhound could leave early and keep Wehner’s money. And that’s exactly what it did.

How do you get a refund for a missed bus?

Greyhound claimed it followed its own rules and was under no obligation to return Wehner’s money. At the same time, the “adhesion” contract it forced on Wehner’s daughter was unconscionable, and I believe it would not have held up in court.  

But there are no consumer rules that require a refund of a bus ticket under Wehner’s circumstances.

So is she out of luck? Not necessarily.

Wehner tried to call Greyhound to fix the problem. Instead, she should have written the company through its site (she eventually did).

If that didn’t work, she could have sent a brief, polite written appeal to one of the Greyhound executives whose names I publish on my consumer advocacy site, Elliott.org.

Even after several appeals, the best she could get from Greyhound was a frustrating form response.

“We regret any inconvenience caused and sincerely hope for your understanding,” it said. “Similar to other modes of transportation, we are occasionally subject to circumstances beyond our control. Safety remains our top priority, and we are committed to ensuring the well-being of our passengers.”

Greyhound apologized for “any disruption to your travel plans” and added that, “we are continuously striving to minimize delays and cancellations to the best of our ability.”

At that point, she could have filed a complaint to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration and copied Greyhound. Although it’s unlikely the FMCSA would have done anything, the complaint might have shaken something loose from Greyhound. The federal government keeps a complaint database, and I’m sure Greyhound doesn’t want to be in it.

Wehner could have also filed a credit card dispute, since Greyhound made a promise it didn’t keep. That’s often enough for a bank to side with a customer. 

Will she get a refund for her bus ticket?

To recap, Greyhound had left the station 20 minutes before its scheduled departure. The least it could have done was apologize and offer her a prompt refund. I was as offended as Wehner with the $7 promo code. 

I contacted Greyhound on her behalf.

“We apologize for the inconvenience caused to Ms. Wehner during her recent trip with us,” a representative told me. “Our company takes the quality of service very seriously, and our team members make every effort to ensure customers reach their destinations as reliably and comfortably as possible. Whenever issues arise, we thoroughly investigate to understand what happened and identify ways to improve.”

Greyhound refunded Wehner’s entire bus fare.

Christopher Elliott is an author, consumer advocate, and journalist. He founded Elliott Advocacy, a nonprofit organization that helps solve consumer problems. He publishes Elliott Confidential, a travel newsletter, and the Elliott Report, a news site about customer service. If you need help with a consumer problem, you can reach him here or email him at [email protected].

RICHMOND, VA (JULY 15, 2025) ― Drivers are urged to be alert as rounds and rounds of fast-moving storms loaded with heavy, soaking rains have created localized flash flooding in communities across Virginia in recent weeks.  Ditches, creeks, rivers, and lakes can quickly swell out of their banks, flooding onto a roadway, especially in low-lying areas.  Emergency crews across the state have performed numerous water rescues of drivers and passengers stranded in their vehicles on flooded roads this summer.  Overnight, crews were pulling people from flooded cars and blocking off water covered roads in Petersburg in the Tri-cities area south of Richmond.  With more rain in the state forecast, drivers need to be aware of the threat of flash flooding. 

“In some cases, the water from these intense downpours has run off and collected in areas where drivers aren’t used to seeing flooding,” says Morgan Dean, Public and Government Affairs manager for AAA Mid-Atlantic in Virginia. “As little as 12 inches of moving water can sweep most vehicles off the road. The slogan ‘Turn around, don’t drown’ is an important one to remember and follow.”

Between 2015 and 2024, according to The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, more than 62% of flooding deaths happened when the victim drove into standing water. 

AAA offers the following wet-weather driving tips:

• Turn Around, Don’t Drown! As little as six inches of water can cause drivers to lose control of vehicles and potentially stall engines.  Do not attempt to drive through flooded roads. Turn around, find another way, or find a safe location.
• Standing Water May be Hiding Hazards: Standing water can be deceiving and motorists should avoid it. No matter how shallow it may appear, water may be concealing downed power lines or storm debris, potholes or a washed out roadway that can disable your vehicle and put you in a life threatening situation. 
• Slow down – Drivers are more likely to lose control of the vehicle when roads are wet. Drivers should reduce their speed to correspond to the amount of water on the roadway. At speeds as low as 35 mph, new tires can still lose some contact with the roadway.
• Increase following distance – This is even more important when driving near vans, recreational vehicles and cars pulling trailers that may be adversely affected by the wind.
• Avoid cruise control. This feature works great in dry conditions, but when used in wet conditions, the chance of losing control of the vehicle can increase. To prevent loss of traction, the driver may need to reduce the car’s speed by lifting off the accelerator, which cannot be accomplished when cruise control is engaged. Avoiding cruise control will also allow the driver more options to choose from when responding to a potential loss-of-traction situation, thus maximizing your safety. Cruise control can also cause hydroplaning.
• Watch for hydroplaning: No car is immune from hydroplaning on wet surfaces, including four-wheel drive vehicles. With as little as 1/12 inch of water on the road, tires have to displace a gallon of water per second to keep the rubber meeting the road. 
• Brake early – Braking early, but not hard, will allow the time needed to slow the car. Even if brakes work under normal conditions that doesn’t mean they will react the same on slippery roads where tires roll with less traction. To reduce chances of hydroplaning, drivers should slow down, avoid hard braking or turning sharply and drive in the tracks of the vehicle ahead of you.
• Drive with greater caution and alertness – The key to driving safely in rainy weather is to concentrate on every aspect of driving. Avoiding distractions is essential.
• Check your wipers – Before leaving the house, make sure your windshield wipers are working properly.
• Make yourself visible: If you are forced to stop due to poor visibility, turn on emergency flashers immediately.
• Slow down, move over: A reminder, drivers need to slow down and move over for roadside workers, including emergency roadside service crews, first responders, and law enforcement officers displaying red, blue or amber emergency lights.   As of July of 2023, Virginia’s Move Over law now also includes ALL stationary vehicles on the side of the road, displaying hazard lights, flares or warning signs. Give them the space to be safe. 
• Seek higher ground: If the vehicle stalls or is suddenly caught in rising water, leave it immediately.  
• Take the nearest exit:  If conditions worsen to the point where there are any safety concerns, exit the roadway. Don’t just stop on the shoulder or under a bridge unless it is unsafe to proceed otherwise. If your visibility is compromised, other drivers may be struggling too.

“Know before you go and delay or postpone travel until a storm has passed and flood waters have receded,” says Dean. Follow local weather forecasts and pay attention to alerts from the National Weather Service.   You can learn more about alerts here.

Emergency Kit

AAA recommends that drivers create a warm weather severe weather emergency kit to carry in their cars. The kit should include items such as nonperishable food/snacks and water, tool kit, flashlight, hand-crank or battery-powered radio, extra batteries, cell phone and charger, first-aid supplies, flares or reflectors, raincoat or poncho, a towel or blanket, and rain boots or an extra pair of shoes. 

About AAA:

AAA provides automotive, travel, and insurance services to more than 65.2 million members nationwide and more than 1.2 million members in Virginia.  AAA advocates for the safety and mobility of its members and has been committed to outstanding road service for more than 100 years.  AAA is a non-stock, membership corporation working on behalf of motorists, who can map a route, find local gas prices and electric vehicle charging stations, discover discounts, book a hotel, and track their roadside assistance service with the AAA Mobile app (AAA.com/mobile) for iPhone, iPad and Android.  For more information on joining or renewing a Membership, visit www.AAA.com.