News

STAUNTON – The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) will hold three public engagement meetings to gather feedback on findings from Phases 2 and 3 of the Shenandoah Valley Rail with Trail Assessment.

The public meetings will take place at three locations along the 49-mile rail corridor being studied, with identical information provided at each event. The meetings will run from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., beginning with a brief presentation followed by an open-house format with the study team available to answer questions about the information display boards.

Woodstock – Thursday, April 16, 5-7 p.m.

Peter Muhlenberg Middle School cafeteria

1251 Susan Ave., Woodstock, VA 22664

Front Royal – Thursday, April 23, 5-7 p.m.

Warren County Government Center, Board of Supervisors room

220 N Commerce Ave., Front Royal, VA 22630

Timberville – Tuesday, April 28, 5-7 p.m.

Plains District Community Center, large multi-purpose room

233 McCauley Ave., Timberville, VA 22853

Public feedback is critical in understanding the public’s perspective on estimated costs and overall considerations for ‘Rail with Trail’ and ‘Rail to Trail’ alternatives. Feedback can be provided in many ways including in-person at the meetings, through a brief online survey that will be released in early April, or by contacting VDOT directly. A court reporter will be present at the meetings for oral comments. Submitted feedback has equal value whether shared at a meeting or through the online survey.

The Shenandoah Rail with Trail Assessment is being conducted in three phases and will identify the most likely configuration and costs associated with rail asset/rail bridge restoration and constructing an adjacent trail on the Norfolk Southern-owned rail corridor between the Town of Broadway in Rockingham County and the Town of Front Royal in Warren County.

More information is available at VDOT.Virginia.gov/ShenandoahRailWithTrail.

The VDOT Customer Service Center operates 24/7 to help roadway users report potential hazards, make service requests or get information related to Virginia’s transportation network. Use its mobile friendly website or call 800-367-7623.

Find the VDOT Staunton District on Facebook and X and follow VDOT statewide social media accounts. News releases, travel tips and project updates are on the VDOT website.

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

Information from a release. Posted by Dan McDermott.

By Shannon Heckt | Virginia Mercury

The rapid growth of Virginia’s data center industry was a key point of focus during the 2026 legislative session, as lawmakers sought to balance the sector’s benefits — including over $80 billion in state investments and thousands of jobs — against its enormous electricity and water needs, which are a growing concern for communities statewide.

Legislators filed dozens of bills directly aimed at regulating the industry  but only a handful passed, with some significant changes.

Distribution Costs

Senate Bill 253, by Sen. L. Louise Lucas, D-Portsmouth, caused a stir in the middle of the session. The bill extends Dominion Energy and Appalachian Power’s weatherization programs, which help low-income households save on their monthly bills by making their homes more weather proof. 

The bill also allows the State Corporation Commission to decide if they will approve shifting more costs onto data centers and large manufacturing facilities for the electricity Dominion Energy generates and distributes to them. 

The bill that now heads to the governor’s desk puts energy auction costs onto the data centers, with SCC approval. When Dominion needs more power on the grid beyond what they are producing, they may buy more power at an auction run by the regional grid operator PJM to help meet demand. 

The financing costs for distribution lines and substations that mainly bring power to data centers  could also be levied onto data centers and other companies in their rate class, with SCC approval. 

Lucas advocated repeatedly during the session for data centers to “pay their fair share,” as residents’ energy costs climb. The Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission found in their 2024 report that data centers are paying the appropriate cost of operating, but as power demand grows, driven by data centers, costs will continue to climb for everyone.

The average Dominion Energy residential customer “could experience generation- and transmission-related costs increasing by an estimated $14 to $37 monthly … by 2040 (independent of inflation),” the report found.

Water use

Sen. Kannan Srinivasan, D-Loudoun, set out to reveal how much water data centers are using from local utilities. 

Data center operators are often able to shield their water usage needs from the public as industry secrets, which leaves communities in the dark about how much of their local water resources are being used. 

SB 553 directs water utilities to report monthly or quarterly, within their ability without raising rates, an aggregate estimate of how much water is going to data centers. The measure cleared both chambers and is under consideration by Gov. Abigail Spanberger.

“You’ll be able to compare data centers versus industrial versus commercial,” Srinivasan said.

The senator explained that he lives in Loudoun County’s Data Center Alley, containing the world’s densest concentration of data centers, and he’s seen how the evolution of data center technology, including closed-loop hyperscale data centers that require less water.

“They have done a lot of innovation. This will clearly be the fair way to bring the data set out,” Srinivasan said.

Some water utilities have already begun reporting the data center usage separately but the legislation aims to get more operators on board to boost transparency for the public.

Siting

SB 94 and companion HB 153 require applicants asking localities to rezone for “high load users” like data centers that would use over 100 megawatts of power to submit a site assessment report. 

This report will examine the project’s potential impact on agricultural resources, parks, historical sites, and forestland, and confirm alignment with the locality’s sound and zoning ordinances. 

Sen. Danica Roem, D-Manassas, the Senate bill’s sponsor, said it’s the first step towards stronger regulations about where data centers can be located and how much of an impact on the surrounding communities should be permissible. 

Roem acknowledged that the measure could have been more stringent, saying “we should strengthen this” on the chamber floor Friday. But the current version of the legislation is what could garner enough votes to pass, Roem said, calling it “ the bare minimum.” 

Diesel generators

The data centers housed in the commonwealth host over 9,000 backup generators. Some of those generators run on diesel fuel and emit toxic emissions when they are running. There are already limitations on when the generators are allowed to run, which is regulated by the Department of Environmental Quality. 

But residents living in neighborhoods close to data centers have flagged concerns about breathing in the diesel fumes from the Tier II generators, which are most commonly run during monthly testing and during power outages. There is a push to get the industry to switch to the more energy efficient and cleaner Tier IV generators.

House Bill 507, by Del. John McAuliff, D-Fauquier, mandates that the Department of Environmental Quality deny any air permit submitted for a data center generator after July 2026 unless they are equipped with a Tier IV generator or the environmental equivalent. The measure passed the legislature and is waiting for Spanberger’s signature, amendment or veto.

“I will note it’s probably not the final step toward making sure that we have the best possible tech out there and being used, and those generators are being used in the right way for our communities, but it is a very good first step,” McAuliff said in a Feb. 11 committee meeting.

Data center waste heat 

The server equipment that fills data centers’ warehouse-style facilities generates a lot of heat. Millions of gallons of water are used to cool them but there is a growing interest in finding ways to use heat that would otherwise be wasted.

A university in Dublin exemplifies one solution, where the heat of an Amazon Web Services data center is piped into a number of buildings on campus, according to CNBC.

House Bill 323, by Del. Rip Sullivan, D-Fairfax, tasks the Department of Energy with accelerating efforts to use data centers’ waste heat here in the commonwealth. The department must make a workgroup to study how waste heat can be transferred between buildings that are already close by or plan to be built near data centers. 

If the governor signs the bill, a report will be due to the General Assembly by September of this year to help shape future legislation to regulate the use of waste heat.

Taxes

The question of whether or not the state should continue allowing data centers to opt out of the 5.3% sales and use tax on their server equipment and software was a surprise debate this session that hampered budget negotiations and forced lawmakers to leave the Capitol without finalizing a budget. 

Lucas, who led the Senate version of the budget proposal that axes the exemption, said it causes the state to lose out on about $1.6 billion annually. 

The House version of the budget kept the exemption in place – albeit with some new environmental and energy requirements for data centers must meet in order to qualify for the exemption. House Speaker Don Scott, D-Portsmouth, House Appropriations Committee Chair Del. Luke Torian, D-Prince William, and Spanberger said keeping the exemption would honor existing business contracts with data centers and preserve the industry’s presence in the state. 

“I don’t think it does anything to the industry. A lot of folks are saying they are going to be leaving and going to other places. I don’t believe that’s going to happen. I think they will continue to build in Virginia but I think they understand it will be a different playing field now,” Lucas said in February following the passage of the Senate budget.

The industry has hit back on the idea of cutting the exemption and said the provision paved the way for data centers’ billions of dollars in investments in Virginia. Industry leaders have also joined forces with the state’s largest electrical workers union, who build the data center facilities, to urge lawmakers to keep the incentive for the industry. 

The issue does not fall on traditional party lines, with a bipartisan mix of lawmakers from various regions of the state voicing support and opposition to the proposal. 

The pitch to remove the exemption threw a wrench into lawmakers’ budget negotiations. Spanberger has called a special session on April 23 for the legislature to cement the state’s spending plan.

Original post.

Charitable organizations that solicit donations in Virginia can now file their required registration documents online through a new state platform.

The Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services launched the digital system, called Evoke, this month through its Office of Charitable and Regulatory Programs, which oversees charitable solicitations statewide.

Any organization that intends to solicit contributions in Virginia — or have funds solicited on its behalf — is required to register with the office unless exempt under state law. More than 13,000 charities, professional solicitors and fundraising counsels are currently registered in the Commonwealth. Previously, registration required paper filing and records could only be obtained by contacting VDACS directly.

With Evoke, organizations can file electronically and the public can search and access charity records through the online database — making it easier for donors to research an organization before contributing. The system is also expected to reduce processing times, help charities track their registration status and cut down on overpayments and incomplete applications.

“VDACS continues to modernize its technology and procedures to better serve residents of the Commonwealth,” said VDACS Commissioner Charles Green. “This online platform will be put to use across a range of VDACS programs in the future, making services more efficient and easier to use.”

Each charity will receive direct communication from the office about how to use Evoke before its next renewal date. For more information, visit vdacs.virginia.gov/food-charitable-solicitation.shtml.

Information from a release. Edited by Dan McDermott.

The Rotary Club of Front Royal is celebrating a century of community service with a Centennial Gala Fundraiser on Saturday, April 18 at 6 p.m. at Shenandoah Valley Golf Club, 134 Golf Club Circle, Front Royal.

The evening will include dinner, a centennial toast and live swing music. Guests are invited to dress in formal or cocktail attire inspired by any decade from the 1920s to today.

Founded in 1926, the club has contributed more than $1.5 million to local initiatives over the years through volunteer service, scholarships and charitable projects. Rotary International has more than 1.2 million members worldwide.

“This milestone is about celebrating the people who have served our community for the past century and investing in the work still ahead,” said Elizabeth Lewis, club president. “Rotary has always been about neighbors helping neighbors, and we’re proud to continue that tradition in Front Royal.”

Tickets and sponsorship opportunities are available at givebutter.com/FRRotary100. Proceeds support ongoing Rotary projects and local charitable programs.

For more information, visit frontroyalrotary.org or email [email protected].

Information from a release. Edited by Dan McDermott.

FRONT ROYAL, VA— To help raise awareness of the dangers of excessive social media use, Warren Coalition created “Warren County Unplugged,” a community effort to encourage individuals of all ages to get off of their phones (or at least social media) for a day (or so). This 24-hour event is held in conjunction with the Global Day of Unplugging the first weekend in March, which was March 6-7 this year. During Warren County Unplugged, people of all ages are encouraged to sign up to unplug and were entered into a prize drawing for doing so. The first year, a total of 55 people signed up; the following year, that number was 108. This year, 132 signed up.

“We coordinate events all over the County, and the point of those events is to make it easier for folks stay off of their phones,” said organizer Celeste Brooks, Deputy Director of the Warren Coalition. “Our ultimate goal is to raise awareness about how social media impacts mental health, especially for our youth, and to get people to make a plan to stay off of their phones, or at least off of social media, for a little while.”

Since 2012, smartphone use by teens has increased, and anxiety, depression, and loneliness have skyrocketed. Social media companies deliberately designed their algorithms to be addictive, which could potentially prime the teen brain for substance use disorders (addiction) later in life. In fact, studies have already shown that teens who regularly use social media are more likely to buy cigarettes, drink alcohol, and/or use marijuana.

As part of this year’s Warren County Unplugged activities, children of all grade levels (and parents as well) enjoyed a variety of activities at Friday night’s Youth Unplugged Party, hosted by the Coalition, Warren County Parks & Recreation, Warren County Young Life, and Scouting America. Those activities included tossing beach balls into “granny pants” worn by Dave Goss and Ed Daley, The Quiet Game, arts and crafts, archery, bingo, 9-square in the air, Volley Bound, basketball, and an inflatable gaga pit.

“Warren Coalition hosted the elementary school student activities, and it was heart-warming to see the families enjoying time together without a phone in sight,” said Brooks.

Additional Friday evening activities included karaoke hosted by Reaching Out Now at Santmyers Student Union, a Scottish Cèilidh at Samuels Public Library, and a Hyper Party at the Royal Family Bowling Center. Brooks estimated that there were well over 350 people at the various events held on Friday evening.

Saturday brought a push of attention to local retail stores and the downtown area, with kid-friendly stores like Play Favorites and Main Street Geek offering discounts and free activities. Habitat for Humanity of Warren County hosted Backyard Games at the Gazebo with an inflatable obstacle course and entertainment by the talented students from the School of Rock in Haymarket. On Cue Sports Bar hosted a casino-style fundraiser, and Ruby Yoga offered a discount on several classes throughout the day.

Altogether, 37 businesses and organizations came together to provide some sort of phone-free experience for the Warren County community. An additional 15 restaurants allowed the Coalition to place “table tents” of information on their tables in the weeks leading up to the event, helping to promote awareness of the risks of excessive social media use and awareness of Warren County Unplugged.

“We are deeply thankful that so many organizations recognize the importance of this event and the issue it addresses,” said Brooks. “This day helps us all become a little more aware of what the concerns are, for both ourselves and our kids.”

Those who signed up online are eligible for an upcoming prize drawing. A survey has been sent out to them, and those who complete it will receive an extra two entries into the drawing, which will be held on March 20th.

Warren Coalition is a nonprofit agency established in 1994 to help fill the gaps in health care and substance abuse awareness to the community. The Coalition began under the guidance of Warren Memorial Hospital as an outreach project, but it has since grown and was incorporated in 2001.  The office is currently located in the Warren County Community Center.  Their mission is to make Warren County a safe, healthy, and drug free community through many programs and in collaboration with 15+ member agencies.

Information from a release. Posted by Dan McDermott.

The Warren Memorial Hospital Foundation is partnering with the Warren County Sheriff’s Office by donating a Medication Take Back Box to provide the community with a safe place to dispose of any expired, unused, or no-longer-needed prescriptions or over-the-counter medications.

The Medication Take Back Box will be located at the Warren County Sheriff’s Office, 200 Skyline Vista Drive, Front Royal, just inside the front entrance.

While most boxes are temporary, this take back box will be available 24 hours a day, year-round, filling an ongoing need in the Warren County community for safe medication disposal.

Accepted items include prescription and over-the-counter tablets and capsules (including controlled substances). Residents may also dispose of prescription patches, as well as expired or unwanted pet medications. Community members are encouraged to remove or black out any patient-identifying information on prescription labels before dropping off medications.

Liquids, lotions, syringes or other sharps, inhalers, and aerosol products are not permitted in the box. Any accepted items must be placed in accordance with the posted instructions on the collection unit.

“We are excited to collaborate with the Warren County Sheriff’s Office to offer residents the option to safely dispose of their medications at any time,” says Emily Burner, Senior Director of Development for Valley Health Foundations. “We remain committed to helping keep our community safe and healthy.”

Sheriff Crystal M. Cline said, “This medication take back box is an important public safety resource for Warren County. Too often, unused or expired medications remain in homes where they can be misused, stolen, or accidentally accessed by children and others. By providing a secure, year-round disposal location, we are helping reduce opportunities for prescription drug abuse, protecting families, and giving our community a safe and responsible way to remove these medications from circulation.”

About Valley Health

Valley Health is a nationally recognized not-for-profit health system serving a population of more than 500,000 in the Northern Shenandoah Valley of Virginia and the Eastern Panhandle of West Virginia. As a healthcare provider, employer, and community partner, Valley Health is committed to improving the health of the region. The system includes six hospitals, more than 75 medical practices and Urgent Care centers, outpatient rehabilitation, medical transport, long-term care, and home health. www.valleyhealthlink.com.

Information from a release. Posted by Dan McDermott.

By Amanda Johnson
Virginia Cooperative Extension Family and Consumer Sciences Agent

Thousands of households across the Northern Shenandoah Valley rely on private wells for drinking water, yet many homeowners have never tested their water for contaminants. Because private wells are not regulated like public water systems, homeowners are responsible for monitoring their water quality and maintaining their well system.

To help residents better understand and protect their drinking water, Virginia Cooperative Extension’s Virginia Household Water Quality Program is offering a series of well water testing clinics across the Northern Shenandoah Valley this spring. Residents can choose from five clinic locations in Page, Frederick, Shenandoah, Warren, and Clarke counties.

These clinics provide an affordable and convenient opportunity for homeowners to test their water and learn how to protect their private water systems.

Why Well Water Testing Matters

Water from a private well may look, smell, and taste normal but still contain contaminants that can only be detected through laboratory testing. Groundwater moves slowly through layers of soil and rock, which means contaminants from surface activities—such as agriculture, septic systems, or runoff—can eventually reach wells.

Testing can identify potential concerns including:

• Bacteria, including E. coli

• Nitrate, which may come from fertilizers or septic systems

• Metals, such as iron, manganese, copper, or lead

• Hardness, which can cause mineral buildup in plumbing and appliances

• pH and other indicators that affect corrosion and water treatment systems

Testing helps identify both potential health concerns and common household water problems, such as staining, odors, corrosion, or scale buildup.

Experts recommend that private well owners test their water at least once a year for bacteria and nitrate and conduct more comprehensive testing every three to five years.

How the Program Works

Participants collect their own water sample using a testing kit provided by Virginia Cooperative Extension. Samples are analyzed in a certified laboratory for 28 water quality parameters.

The cost is $70 per sample.

Participants will receive:

• A confidential report explaining their water test results

• Educational materials on well maintenance and water quality

• Guidance on possible treatment options if concerns are identified

• Access to a results interpretation meeting or recorded presentation explaining the findings

All individual water test results are kept strictly confidential.

Regular testing is the only way to know what’s in your well water,” said Amanda Johnson, Family and Consumer Sciences Agent with Virginia Cooperative Extension serving the Northern Shenandoah Valley. “These clinics help homeowners understand their results and learn practical steps they can take to maintain a safe and reliable water supply.”

Clinic Dates Across the Region

Residents may choose the clinic location that best fits their schedule.

Shenandoah, Warren, and Clarke Counties

• Kick-Off Meeting (Virtual or In-Person): April 27, 6:30 PM

• Sample Kit Pick-Up: April 27, 3:00–6:00 PM

• Sample Drop-Off: April 29, 7:00–10:00 AM

• Results Meetings: June 8 or June 9

Page and Frederick Counties

• Kick-Off Meeting (Virtual or In-Person): May 11, 6:30 PM

• Sample Kit Pick-Up: May 11, 3:00–6:00 PM

• Sample Drop-Off: May 13, 7:00–10:00 AM

• Results Meeting: June 23

Registration deadlines vary by location and space is limited.

To view the full schedule and register for the clinic that works best for you, visit:

https://warren.ext.vt.edu/news/NSV-Water-Clinics.html

Protect Your Household Water

More than one million Virginians rely on private wells for their drinking water. Regular testing helps homeowners detect potential problems early and make informed decisions about water treatment and system maintenance.

For additional information about private wells and water system care, visit the Virginia Household Water Quality Program website at:

www.wellwater.bse.vt.edu

For questions about the clinics, residents may contact their local Virginia Cooperative Extension office or Amanda Johnson at [email protected]

RICHMOND — After officially kicking off his campaign for re-election and holding five days of public events with voters across the Commonwealth, U.S. Senator Mark Warner today filed the paperwork and petitions required to secure a place on the ballot for the 2026 U.S. Senate election.

“After five days on the road across the Commonwealth, I’ve heard the same message from Virginians everywhere: lower costs, get things done, and make sure our economy is ready for the changes ahead,” said Warner. “My focus has always been on delivering real results for Virginia – lowering costs, creating good-paying jobs, and making sure our workers and businesses are ready to lead as technologies like artificial intelligence transform the economy. That’s the work I’ve been focused on in the Senate, and it’s the work I’ll keep fighting to deliver.”

Under Virginia law, candidates for U.S. Senate must submit at least 10,000 signatures from qualified voters – including at least 400 from each congressional district – to the Virginia Department of Elections in Richmond. Warner today submitted 18,036 signatures from registered Virginia voters.

Information from a release. Posted by Dan McDermott.

By Shirleen Guerra | The Center Square

(The Center Square) – As Virginia lawmakers wrapped up work on firearm legislation before adjournment, they considered and ultimately rejected substitute language in House Bill 110 that Republicans said would give General Assembly members different treatment in a bill dealing with handguns left in unattended vehicles.

House Bill 110 would prohibit a person from leaving visible a handgun in an unattended motor vehicle and impose a civil penalty of up to $500 if signed into law. A conference report substitute included language Republicans objected to, but that language was not included in the final version approved by both chambers.

The Center Square was unsuccessful prior to publication getting comment from Laufer.

Sen. Richard Stuart, R-King George, said lawmakers should not vote for a bill that gives them “a special privilege over any other citizen.” Stuart said the General Assembly is a citizen legislature and “we are no better than anybody else.”

The final action on HB110 came as lawmakers wrapped up work on a broader package of firearm-related bills sent to first-term Democratic Gov. Abigail Spanberger.

Del. Wren Williams, R-Patrick, told The Center Square the package represents “the most sweeping restructuring of Virginia firearms law in the commonwealth’s history.”

Williams said the package includes measures on assault firearms and magazine bans, firearm industry civil liability, ghost gun serialization, a carry ban on public property, safe storage where minors or prohibited persons are present, and the domestic violence firearm removal process.

On Senate Bill 749, Williams said, “After July 1, you cannot buy, sell, or transfer a semiautomatic rifle or pistol with a detachable magazine and a single cosmetic feature, a pistol grip, a thumbhole stock, a threaded barrel. You cannot sell it to your neighbor. You cannot give it to your brother-in-law. Your son can inherit the rifle, but the magazines that feed it have no inheritance exception. They become contraband the moment they change hands. One generation from now, those magazines are gone.”

Williams also criticized Senate Bill 727, saying, “This bill strips the carry rights of concealed handgun permit holders in parks, on public sidewalks, and in public spaces, including streets and roads, across Virginia, for firearms that are already legally owned and legally carried. Your permit now means nothing.”

On House Bill 40, Williams said, “Building a firearm at home, something Virginians have done lawfully since before the founding, is now a Class 5 felony. Up to 10 years in prison. The same session where Democrats created an open season of lawsuits on the firearms manufacturing industry, they have also just criminalized building your own firearms.”

On Senate Bill 27 and House Bill 21, Williams said, “This bill creates a Virginia cause of action against firearms manufacturers and dealers that deliberately guts the federal liability protections Congress enacted in 2005. It is designed to do through litigation what the Legislature cannot do directly, bankrupt the firearms industry and drive them out of Virginia.”

He also criticized House Bill 871, saying, “If a minor or prohibited person lives in your home, your firearms must be locked at all times. The state will now dictate how you store your own property in your own home, and a violation is a criminal offense.”

Williams further argued the package would not have prevented the recent shooting at Old Dominion University.

“Not one of these bills would have stopped what happened at Old Dominion University,” he said. “Every law needed to stop him already existed. Every single one failed. All seven of these bills make criminals out of Virginians who follow the laws, the hunter, the collector, the mother who keeps a firearm in her home for protection. That is not public safety. That is political virtue signaling at the expense of the law-abiding.”

Spanberger can sign the bills, veto them or return them to the General Assembly with amendments.

Original post.

By Shirleen Guerra | The Center Square

(The Center Square) – Several firearm-related bills passed by the Virginia General Assembly this session are awaiting action from first-term Democratic Gov. Abigail Spanberger.

The list includes measures addressing public carrying of certain firearms, liability standards for the firearm industry and restrictions on unserialized firearms.

Legislative records show several of the proposals have passed both chambers, been signed by the House speaker and Senate president, and enrolled before being sent to the governor for consideration.

One of the measures, Senate Bill 727, would prohibit carrying certain loaded firearms defined in the bill as “assault firearms” in public areas such as streets, roads, alleys, sidewalks and other public rights-of-way. Violations would be treated as a Class 1 misdemeanor.

Supporters say the proposal is intended to reduce the presence of certain firearms in crowded public places.

Another measure, Senate Bill 27 and its House companion, House Bill 21, would establish standards of responsible conduct for firearm industry members including manufacturers, distributors and retailers.

The legislation requires firearm industry members to establish reasonable controls designed to prevent unlawful firearm sales, straw purchasing and firearm trafficking. It also allows civil action by the attorney general or local governments against companies that fail to follow those standards.

Josh Horwitz, co-director of the Johns Hopkins Center for Gun Violence Solutions, said the legislation represents what supporters describe as a public safety approach to firearm policy.

“Virginia’s General Assembly has taken meaningful steps to protect public safety,” Horwitz said in a statement. “These bills represent a serious, evidence-based public health approach to reducing gun violence in Virginia.”

Gun-rights advocates say the measures could create confusion for lawful firearm owners attempting to comply with new rules.

“My concern is you’re going to get good people caught up in these laws and end up criminalizing them,” said Philip Van Cleave, president of the Virginia Citizens Defense League.

“Somebody that meant no harm and has a perfect record suddenly gets caught up because they have the wrong features on the gun or they’re carrying it in the wrong place.”

Van Cleave said restrictions tied to firearm features or where firearms may be carried could leave some gun owners unsure whether they are complying with the law.

He also criticized other firearm proposals debated during the legislative session that would restrict the future sale of certain rifles.

“You can keep the guns you’ve got, but forget your children,” Van Cleave said. “They’ll never get to own what you have.”

Another proposal, House Bill 40, would restrict the manufacture, import, sale or possession of certain unserialized firearms and unfinished frames or receivers used to assemble them.

The bill also addresses plastic firearms that may not be detectable by common security screening devices.

Gun-rights organizations including the National Rifle Association have criticized several firearm proposals moving through the Legislature this year, saying they place additional restrictions on lawful gun ownership.

“It is no secret that Abigail Spanberger’s aspirations for higher office rival Gavin Newsom,” said John Commerford, executive director of the National Rifle Association’s Institute for Legislative Action, in a statement to The Center Square.

“As a bevy of bad bills that undermine the rights of law-abiding Virginians hit her desk, Spanberger will need to make a political calculus.”

Supporters of the bills say the proposals are intended to address illegal firearm trafficking, untraceable firearms and gaps in current firearm regulations.

Spanberger can sign the legislation into law, veto it or return it to the General Assembly with amendments.

Original post.

By Shirleen Guerra | The Center Square

(The Center Square) – Virginia lawmakers adjourned the 2026 General Assembly session without adopting a final state budget, leaving one of the state government’s core responsibilities unfinished despite Democrats controlling the House of Delegates, Senate, governor’s office, lieutenant governor’s office and attorney general’s office.

The impasse sets up a likely return to Richmond later this spring and prompted criticism from Republicans, who said Democratic leadership failed to produce a finalized spending plan before adjournment.

“As of the end of the 2026 legislative session, Virginia still does not have a state budget,” Del. Wendell Walker, R-Lynchburg, wrote in a newsletter to constituents after lawmakers left Richmond.

Walker said House leadership informed members Thursday that negotiations had stalled and no completed budget agreement had been reached before adjournment.

Walker said the unfinished budget leaves schools, local governments, law enforcement agencies and community organizations waiting to learn what funding levels they will receive for the next biennium.

First-term Democratic Gov. Abigail Spanberger, in a statement released Saturday, pointed instead to the legislation advanced during session and said she remained focused on lowering costs for Virginia families.

“I am reviewing the legislation on my desk as we continue to focus on lowering costs for families, growing Virginia’s economy, and making sure every Virginia student is set up for success,” Spanberger said.

She added that she looked forward to calling lawmakers back to Richmond on April 23 “to pass a budget that delivers on the responsible, pragmatic leadership Virginians voted for this past November.”

Spanberger also highlighted parts of what her office called its “Affordable Virginia Agenda,” including House Bill 2 and Senate Bill 72, which her office said would reduce heating and energy costs for Virginians who need it most. Her office also pointed to HB15 and SB48, aimed at improving protections for Virginia renters, and HB220 and SB630, which it said would eliminate additional fees on health care premiums.

The governor’s office also highlighted HB830 and SB669, which it said would stop predatory middlemen from hiking the cost of prescription drugs, and HB1227 and SB729, aimed at leveraging the commonwealth’s bonding authority to support affordable housing.

But while the governor emphasized legislation tied to housing, health care and energy costs, the session still ended without a final budget agreement in place.

Public comments from Senate President Pro Tempore Louise Lucas showed a dispute over Virginia’s data center tax policy had become a visible point of tension in the final days of session. In posts on social media, Lucas said there would not be a budget with former Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s data center tax breaks in it and said large companies should pay their “fair share of taxes.”

The Center Square was unsuccessful prior to publication getting comment from House Speaker Don Scott and Lucas.

The unfinished budget leaves unresolved major spending decisions for the next two years and prolongs uncertainty for localities and agencies that rely on state funding.

Original post.

By Nathaniel Cline | Virginia Mercury

The Virginia government is sponsoring around 200 interim studies and commissions created through various actions by the state legislature and governor’s office, and that number is expected to grow with pending legislation. But several lawmakers are now saying there are too many of these initiatives.

Shortly before the session ended last Saturday, state leaders, including Senate Democratic Caucus Chair Sen. Mamie Locke, D-Hampton, told the Mercury that the number of studies and commissions has become “ridiculous.”

“People need to stop turning legislation into studies, and that’s what’s been happening,” Locke said. “These pieces of legislation get into a committee and get turned into a study, and that’s why you get the proliferation of the studies. Just kill the bill.”

Senate Pro Tempore Louise Lucas, D-Portsmouth, recently criticized members of her own party and committee chairs for failing to reject unpopular bills, which often morph into studies. Legislators should “grow a backbone and kill bills that they don’t feel worthy of passage instead of sending them all to me to kill for them,” Lucas posted on X, formerly Twitter.

House Speaker Don Scott, D-Portsmouth, along with Locke, said they want to continue pushing for time limits and caps on new study panels, conduct a review of older ones to prevent staff from being overwhelmed, and ensure studies lead to real policy.

Studies and Commissions: What do they do?

The state already utilizes the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission (JLARC) to conduct new and ongoing studies raised by state lawmakers.

But because the legislature meets just three months a year and faces a huge swell of bills, they lack the time for in-depth policy study. Instead, they often rely on interim studies and commissions tasked with analyzing complex issues and generating policy recommendations to fill the gap.

“In a part-time legislature, commissions can actually serve a function in the way that standing committees often do in full-time legislatures,” said Richard Meagher, a professor and chair of the political science department at Randolph-Macon College, in a phone interview.

Meagher said commissions and studies enable oversight by examining issues, create forums for discussing complex topics, and unite advocates and legislators outside of session.

However, Meagher also pointed out that creating a commission is often a way to “make it look like you’re doing something about an issue without actually having to do something about it.”

He also noted a related but separate concern: bureaucratic clientelism. 

Even when a board or commission is actually accomplishing something, the creation of such bodies can produce a network of clients — such as advocacy groups and affected communities — who depend on its continued existence. Once a board or commission is established, it becomes very difficult to dismantle, which can entrench both the bureaucracy and its associated interests.

Unless a commission has a set end date, it usually persists, he said.

Last year, states such as Indiana and Nevada faced similar issues and worked to reduce or consolidate state boards and commissions to streamline government, reduce bureaucracy, centralize oversight and cut regulatory barriers.

Those discussions focused on concerns that the moves would increase political influence over regulation.

House Minority Leader Terry Kilgore, R-Scott, said the caucus would be open to similar measures for Virginia. House Republicans identified over 400 studies that were proposed this session.

“These cost money, time and resources,” Kilgore said. “Whether it’s a legislative commission or a study or an administration study, it still takes away from folks who could be helping their constituents in other ways.”

House Caucus Chair Scott Wyatt, R-Mechanicsville, criticized the number of studies as “poor legislation that affects citizens,” and called it a reflection of the lack of unity in the Democratic party, which controls both chambers and the executive branch.

“We need to get back on track and be an appropriate, straight business state, (and) continue to grow the economy so folks increase salaries to really compete with the states further to the south,” Wyatt said. 

“We don’t want to emulate what has happened in the state of Maryland or California, where I see the direction with this General Assembly session, is the direction they want to take Virginia.”

Meagher said some Virginia studies and commissions are crucial, including JLARC, the Freedom of Information Act  Council, and the Chesapeake Bay Commission. Others fizzle out because they are obscure, inactive, have served their purpose, or could be important far in the future, like the autonomous driving work group.

Despite the number of existing studies and commissions, Scott said there are some benefits to creating interim studies and commissions through legislation by the General Assembly. 

The speaker pointed to initiatives including studying how the forage fish menhaden are faring in the Chesapeake Bay, and reviewing the impact of data centers, which were at the center of legislative and budget discussions this year.

“These studies are important because they inform the legislation, and you can’t make good legislation if you don’t understand it,” Scott said.

Still, Scott said the growing number has warranted a review, which consequently falls to the staff. He said setting limits on the number of studies and commissions created each session helps lawmakers and staff.

“It’s helpful for the lawmakers and it’s helpful for the staff, so they can have some predictability about what needs to be done because the staff does a lot of work,” Scott said. “DLS staff, the clerks that support us, this is their full-time job, and so it can be overwhelming if they don’t know when these things have been called and when they will end.”

Locke and Scott said they have started meeting before each session to set limits on the number of studies and commissions the legislature will adopt. No other measure was provided beyond their practice.

By Jacob Fischler | Virginia Mercury

Passengers at a handful of airports this week waited in hours-long security lines as the government shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security dragged on.

Though Transportation Security Administration officers are required by law to work during a lapse in funding, more than usual have been absent after receiving only a partial paycheck during the most recent pay period. TSA officers will miss an entire paycheck this weekend if the shutdown is still in effect then. 

No end to the shutdown appeared imminent Wednesday, as the U.S. Senate rejected a bill that would have funded TSA and other agencies in DHS that are not related to immigration enforcement.

In the meantime, TSA officers are not being paid. 

Most live paycheck-to-paycheck, said Johnny Jones, the secretary-treasurer of the American Federation of Government Employees Council 100, which represents TSA agents.

The lack of pay has contributed to absenteeism, Jones added. The union does not condone coordinated “sick-outs,” which are illegal. 

But individual officers miss work for one of three reasons during a shutdown, he said: pre-planned time off, legitimate illness or personal emergencies, and those calling in sick but seeking other work to pay bills.

“If you’re normally receiving a paycheck, you wouldn’t have that third group,” he said.

Some of those who are working are going without lunch or making other sacrifices, Jones added. And he said two colleagues were evicted during the most recent shutdown last fall, which lasted for 43 days.

The U.S. war against Iran, which has an estimated price in the billions of dollars in just its first two weeks, has also driven resentment among TSA workers, Jones said.

“One of the things that I’ve heard from the colleagues is that, man, we got plenty of money to go fight wars and bomb Iran, but we can’t pay our own employees,” he said.

Long lines

No exceptionally long wait times were reported Wednesday, but the previous few days saw several examples of snarled security lines.

Security lines topped three hours at Houston’s William P. Hobby International Airport on Monday and Tuesday. 

Lines at Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport were up to two hours Monday and the airport’s social media drew a direct line to the shutdown.

“Due to impacts from the federal government’s partial shutdown, there continues to be a shortage of TSA workers at the security checkpoint … which is causing longer-than-average lines,” the airport’s X account posted.

Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport also urged passengers to leave extra time to account for factors including “TSA staffing constraints.”

CBS News reported Wednesday that more than 300 TSA agents have left their jobs since the shutdown began. TSA officials did not respond to messages seeking confirmation of that figure.

Senate gridlock

The top Democrat on the U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee, Washington’s Patty Murray, sought unanimous consent Wednesday for the Senate to approve a bill that would fund all of DHS other than Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Customs and Border Protection, and the secretary’s office.

Sen. Katie Britt, an Alabama Republican who chairs the subcommittee on Homeland Security funding, objected.

Murray’s bill “would effectively defund our law enforcement officers that are charged with keeping Americans safe,” Britt said.

Each party blamed the other for the impasse, which has been unbreachable since the department’s funding lapsed Feb. 14.

Following the January fatal shootings of two U.S. citizens by immigration officers in Minneapolis, Democrats are demanding changes to immigration agencies’ conduct as a condition of funding the department.

Republicans have said they are willing to negotiate the issue, but the parties disagree on what to do for the department, which also includes the Coast Guard and the Federal Emergency Management Agency, in the meantime.

Republican leaders sought to pass a short-term continuing resolution to fund the entire department, but Democrats rejected it, saying it would allow the operation of immigration agencies without adding accountability measures.

“Right now, TSA agents are going without pay because Republicans and the White House have decided they would rather shut down all of DHS than pass some very basic reforms to rein in ICE and Border Patrol,” Murray said. “We also want TSA and FEMA funded, but we are not going to be blackmailed into cutting a blank check for ICE to get it done.”

Politics cited

Senate Majority Leader John Thune, of South Dakota, said Democrats have stopped negotiating on DHS funding in a bid to keep the issue alive for the November midterm elections. 

“The American people are tired,” he said. “Lines get longer at the airports because TSA isn’t funded. The American people want us to do our jobs. Republicans are at the table. We’re ready to work toward a solution. Democrats have walked away.”

Jones, the AFGE member and TSA officer, declined to say which approach to short-term funding was preferable, but said it was Congress’ job to fund the federal government.

“We all swear the same oath to the same Constitution,” he said. “Now my job function is a little different than theirs, so they need to do theirs so I can do mine.”

Original post.

Edited by Dan McDermott

Warren County voters can start casting ballots today on a referendum that would allow Virginia’s Democratic-controlled General Assembly to redraw all eleven of the state’s congressional districts before this fall’s midterm elections.

Matthew Reisinger, Warren County’s Director of Elections and General Registrar, said early voting opened Friday, March 6 at his office at 465 W. 15th St., Suite 800 in Front Royal. The special statewide election is April 21.

What’s on the ballot

The proposed constitutional amendment would give the General Assembly a temporary window to redraw congressional maps before the normally scheduled 2031 redistricting — but only because other states have already redrawn their own maps mid-decade without court orders to do so.

A “yes” vote puts a new map, already passed by the General Assembly and signed by Gov. Abigail Spanberger, into effect for the November 2026 elections. A “no” vote keeps the current lines in place. Either way, the bipartisan Virginia Redistricting Commission resumes control after the 2030 Census.

What it means locally

Warren County is part of the 6th Congressional District, represented since 2019 by Rep. Ben Cline, R-Botetourt County. The proposed map could cost Cline and several other Virginia Republicans their seats.

Cline has launched a group called Stop the Gerrymander, seeding it with his own campaign funds to run a voter turnout operation against the amendment. The pro-redistricting group Virginians for Fair Elections has raised more than $21 million; the main opposition group had raised around $295,000 as of early March. Former President Obama has recorded a video endorsement urging a “yes” vote.

Republicans argue the amendment is an unconstitutional power grab that bypasses the bipartisan commission Virginia voters created. Democrats say it’s a necessary response to Republican-controlled states doing the same thing nationally.

The Virginia Supreme Court cleared the vote to proceed on March 4 while legal challenges continue.

How to vote in Warren County

Reisinger said early voting runs weekdays 9 a.m.–5 p.m. at the registrar’s office, with Saturday hours on April 11 and April 18. Absentee ballot requests must be submitted by April 10 at 5 p.m. — either in person at the registrar’s office or online at elections.virginia.gov/VoterInformation. Election Day polls are open 6 a.m.–7 p.m.

Note: this year’s primary has been moved to August 4 regardless of how this vote turns out.

Reisinger is also looking for county residents to serve as Officers of Elections — the poll workers who staff voting locations and help make sure every eligible voter can cast a ballot. Anyone interested can learn more at warrencountyva.gov/594/Get-Involved.

Questions? Call the registrar’s office at 540-635-4327.

Virginia bluebells will blanket the trails along the Shenandoah River next month when Raymond R. “Andy” Guest, Jr. Shenandoah River State Park hosts its annual Bluebell Festival on April 4.

The festival runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and is free with the park’s standard $10-per-vehicle parking fee.

Attendees can join guided nature walks and ranger-led programs, browse local artisan vendors and grab food from on-site trucks. Live music will also be part of the day. Visitors are advised to bring cash, as not all vendors accept cards.

Activities will be centered around the park’s picnic area and Bluebell Trail, a one-mile natural surface path through the park’s riverfront landscape.

Park Manager Dustin Haymaker said the spring bloom makes early April one of the most scenic times to visit.

“The Bluebell Festival is an excellent opportunity for visitors to experience the park at one of the most picturesque times of the year,” Haymaker said.

The park is located in Bentonville. For vendor information or other details, visit virginiastateparks.gov/shenandoahriver-events or call 540-622-2262.

Information from a release. Edited by Dan McDermott.

By Shannon Heckt

For most of the industry’s existence in Virginia, approvals for data centers were largely seen as a local issue – with the state and federal governments giving the thumbs up on certain permits. 

But as the industry balloons across the commonwealth, those local decisions are triggering statewide implications concerning energy capacity and residents’ rising utility bills. 

Two bills in the General Assembly sought to give the State Corporation Commission the authority to review how proposed high-load users — mainly data centers and manufacturing facilities — would impact the environment, energy reliability, and gauge if there is sufficient infrastructure in place to support the power needs. 

But House Bill 155, carried by Del. Josh Thomas, D-Prince William, and Senate Bill 619, by Sen. Kannan Srinivasan, D-Loudoun, met with fierce opposition and were both tabled for the year.

Both of the bills directed the SCC to review if a proposed project that would need over 25 megawatts of power would have a material impact on rates, impacts on grid reliability, or hinder the utility’s ability to follow environmental regulation laws like the Virginia Clean Economy Act. 

The bills would have also allowed the SCC to examine the environmental and health impacts a project could have on the surrounding communities. Both Thomas and Srinivasan said the bills would not have removed the local review and permitting actions, but rather added a state backup check.

“Localities get to decide what they want to do with the land. The state, since the invention of electrical power, and the creation of a statewide monopoly has an obligation to make sure that we regulate it,” Thomas said in an interview at the state Capitol on Thursday. “But what’s happening now is localities are deciding to use their land for data centers, which require an immense amount of power and the state cannot keep up.”

The measures would have allowed proposed projects to receive quicker consideration from the state if they were compliant with clean energy investments, sending notice to the public, participating in demand response programs and other measures.

The data center industry has been a boon for localities, with some counties reaping millions of dollars for major projects. Loudoun County, the seat of the so-called Data Center Alley, benefits from about $800 million in tax revenue from the data center industry, according to the county’s budget proposal for this year. 

Srinivasan said he has watched the industry grow before his eyes and encourages its continuance with a more balanced approach.

“I think everybody understands in Virginia that this industry has been a pivotal thing for the commonwealth. Absolutely no doubt about it. But how do we go forward?” Srinivasan asked.
 ”How do we go forward with a more mature and a more balanced growth strategy? Because we don’t want to be five years from now and ask “why didn’t we do this?” 

In a hearing for HB 155 on Feb.10, Nicole Riley with the Data Center Coalition spoke against the bill, stating that it would set up more roadblocks for the industry that already has to go through multiple permitting processes.

“We are concerned that this bill unnecessarily extends time to market for data centers, which collectively invested $80 billion in Virginia over the last two years, along with a number of other large capital intensive industries. It would create tremendous regulatory uncertainty,” Riley said.

Dominion Energy, the state’s largest utility, also spoke against the bill. The company has a mandate to serve customers that request power. But with the explosion of the high-powered users requesting to come on the grid, a long queue has developed as Dominion determines when it can power them up. 

Thomas said that his bill’s review process would have helped provide certainty of when power would be made available. But the utility said it would have breached choices that should be up to localities.

“We would submit this bill muddies the water on the role of the State Corporation Commission and local governments, and that it improperly inserts the SCC into local siting decisions,” Dominion representative Christine Noonan said. “The Commission already has the authority to govern the large load interconnection queue process.”

Srinivasan’s bill was able to pass out of the Senate with a bipartisan vote but was laid on the table in a House subcommittee on Tuesday, where HB155 met the same fate earlier in the session. The committee agreed to send a letter to the SCC requesting they investigate how a review program like the one laid out in the bills could be implemented.

Srinivasan said that showed him there is interest for the state to take steps to further regulate the exploding industry. Thomas said their legislation sought to address specific aspects of data center development in the state.

“These are the only bills that sought to address the load side. I mean, there are bills that try to address efficiency, and there’s bills that try to talk about generation,” Thomas said.

“Do we have the political will to tell an industry that has been undeniably doing a lot for locality taxes and may potentially here, really soon do a lot for state taxes, ‘you might need to slow down because of the immense amount of stress that it’s putting on our electrical grid’?”

Both lawmakers hope to revive the measures in the next legislative session once they get a response from the SCC on how to implement a review program.

Original Post.

Bentonville, Va. – Shenandoah River State Park invites visitors to experience the park like never before with its new Nights in Nature Series, a collection of evening programs designed to showcase the sights, sounds and creatures of the park after dark. 

Beginning this March, the Nights in Nature Series will feature a variety of guided activities, including: 

• March 7: Nighttime Vernal Pool Expedition 
• March 28: Nighttime Vernal Pool Expedition 
• April 22: Sounds of Spring: Woodland Amphibian Walk 
• May 31: Blue Moon Hike 
• June 20: Firefly Hike 
• July 4: Red, Wagon and Blue Glow-in-the-Dark Wagon Ride 
• Aug. 8: Black Light Exploring 
• Aug. 12: Perseids Meteor Shower Watch Party 
• Sept. 26: Harvest Moon Hike 
• Oct. 31: Ghosts of Virginia State Parks Campfire 
• Nov. 11: Embers of Honor: Campfire and Lantern Walk 

Registration is required for all programs, which are family-friendly and suitable for all ages. Visitors 16 years old and younger must be accompanied by an adult at all times.  

The Nights in Nature Series is free to attend; however, the standard $10 parking fee applies. To learn more, please go to www.virginiastateparks.gov/shenandoahriver-events or call 540-622-2262. 

These are the events being presented by the Youth Services Department at Samuels Public Library during the month of March 2026. More information about Samuels Library and the programs and services available can be found at www.samuelslibrary.net or by calling (540) 635-3153.

Monday, March 2
10:15 AM – Music & Movement for Babies (ages 0-23 months).
11:15 AM – Music & Movement for Toddlers (ages 2-5). Join our fun and joyful time with your little ones as we listen to music while learning some basic movements and multisensory activities designed to delight your baby or toddler.

Tuesday, March 3
4:00 PM – Create a 250 Quilt. For ages 6-11. Hear a story about quilt making, talk about why they did it often 250 years ago, and then design your own square to add to a “community quilt” that we will hang in the library. Sponsored by FRUMC. Registration is required.

Wednesday, March 4
10:15AM – Toddler Story Time.
11:00AM – Preschool Story Time. Come in for an enjoyable hour filled with Nursery Rhymes , exciting sing-alongs, finger plays, and a craft.

Thursday, March 5
10:30 AM – Grand Story Time. For ages 0-6. Come hear a grandparent read a few stories, say some nursery rhymes, and do a craft.

Friday, March 6
3:00 PM – Children’s Ceilidh. Dance the jig and reel, play percussion instruments, and learn about Scottish dance, music, and culture with Sean Heely Celtic Band. Fun for the whole family!

Saturday, March 7
11:00 AM – Global Day: Tales & Trails. For ages 5-11. Join the Shenandoah River State Park rangers and us as we go on a scavenger hunt in the library garden, collect things, make sun catchers, and learn about “Leave No Trace” and recycling. Registration is required.

Monday, March 9
10:15 AM – Music & Movement for Babies (ages 0-23 months).
11:15 AM – Music & Movement for Toddlers (ages 2-5). Join our fun and joyful time with your little ones as we listen to music while learning some basic movements and multisensory activities designed to delight your baby or toddler.

Tuesday, March 10
10:30 AM – Pi- Fractions: Homeschool Hub. For ages 6-11. Children will learn about Pi (3.14) and create a pie to play with fractions. Registration is required.

Wednesday March 11
10:15AM – Toddler Story Time.
11:00AM – Preschool Story Time. Come in for an enjoyable hour filled with Kite stories, exciting sing-alongs, finger plays, and a craft.

Thursday, March 12
10:30 AM – Grand Story Time. For ages 0-6. Come hear a grandparent read a few stories, say some nursery rhymes, and do a craft.

Saturday, March 14
Paws for Reading. For ages 6-18. Paw for Reading is a program where people read aloud to trained therapy dogs, which helps improve their reading skills, confidence, and attitudes toward reading. This program provides a non-judgmental and stress-free environment, as the dogs are calm, attentive listeners who don’t correct mistakes, making it less intimidating for children. Bring your own book or use one of ours! Registration is required.

2:30 PM – Press Play. For ages 12-18. Come spend an afternoon playing games on the Nintendo Switch. Registration is required.

Saturday, March 21
11:00 AM – Digital Art Chillout: Teens Connect. For Ages 12-18. Do you enjoy drawing, painting, and channeling your inner Rembrandt on a computer or tablet? We will provide laptops with GIMP installed so you can create whatever you like! You can show off what you make at the event, or something you have made in the past. Registration is required.

2:30 PM – Wings & Wonders. For ages 6-14. Join people from the Smithsonian Conservation Center as read a bird story, make a suet feeder, and get creative painting windows to keep the birds from flying into them. Registration is required.

Monday, March 23
10:15 AM – Music & Movement for Babies (ages 0-23 months).
11:15 AM – Music & Movement for Toddlers & Preschoolers (ages 2-5). Join our fun and joyful time with your little ones as we listen to music while learning some basic movements and multisensory activities designed to delight your baby or toddler.

Tuesday, March 24
10:30 AM – Water Cycle: Homeschool Hub. For ages 6-11. Come learn about water as it travels through the cycle in our world. Registration is required.
Wednesday, March 25
10:15AM – Toddler Story Time.
11:00AM – Read with the Sheriff: Preschool Story Time – Come in for an enjoyable hour filled with Kitchen stories, exciting sing-alongs, finger plays, and a craft.

Thursday, March 26
10:30 AM – Grand Story Time. For ages 0-6. Come hear a grandparent read a few stories, nursery rhymes, and do a craft.

Saturday, March 28
9:00 AM – Easter Egg Hunt. Family event. In partnership with Warren County Parks & Rec, there will be a story time, craft, egg hunt, and visit from the Easter Bunny at 465 W 15th St., Front Royal, VA (Old Middle School).

2:00 PM – Forest Lanterns. For ages 8-14. Hear stories about the forest and then create your own forest scene in a lantern, using alcohol and ink. Registration is required.

Monday, March 30
10:15 AM – Music & Movement for Babies (ages 0-23 months).
11:15 AM – Music & Movement for Toddlers (ages 2-5). Join our fun and joyful time with your little ones as we listen to music while learning some basic movements and multisensory activities designed to delight your baby or toddler.

Tuesday, March 31
4:00 PM – Life of a Frog. For ages 6-11. Hear some silly frog stories and learn about the different stages they go through in life. Registration is required.

Information from a release. Posted by Dan McDermott.

The Department of Conservation and Recreation is recognizing March 8-14 as Virginia Flood Awareness Week to encourage Virginians to learn about flood risks in their communities and take steps to protect their families, homes and businesses from the commonwealth’s most frequent and costly natural hazard.

Flooding can occur anywhere in Virginia, along rivers and streams, in coastal areas and in neighborhoods far from mapped floodplains. During Flood Awareness Week, the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation is sharing resources, tools and information to help residents understand their risk, prepare before flooding occurs and reduce long-term impacts through smart planning and mitigation.

“Flooding affects every region of the commonwealth and can happen with little warning,” said Nikki Rovner, Director of the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation. “Flood Awareness Week is an opportunity to remind Virginians that preparation saves lives, reduces damage and strengthens communities. Understanding your risk today can make all the difference tomorrow.”

DCR’s Flood Awareness webpage offers factsheets and a risk assessment tool designed to help Virginians determine their flood risk and assist with planning for future flood events.

Virginians can learn about a property’s flood risk by entering an address into the Virginia Flood Risk Information System (VFRIS).

Despite the risks, only 3% of Virginians carry flood insurance, according to the National Flood Insurance Program.

“Flood awareness starts with knowing your risk and having a plan,” said Angela Davis, director of DCR’s Floodplain Management Division. “Whether it’s signing up for local alerts, purchasing flood insurance or supporting local mitigation projects, small actions can significantly reduce the impacts of flooding.”

There are additional ways renters, homeowners and business owners can reduce potential flood damage to some, but not necessarily all, of their property. These include:

• Storing important documents in waterproof containers, on an upper floor
• Caulking windows, doors and gaps where pipes and wires enter a building
• Anchoring propane tanks and labeling with the owner’s name and address
• Choosing tile or other waterproof flooring over carpeting on lower floors
• Elevate mechanical equipment such as hot water heaters above the flood level 

Through its Floodplain Management Division and Office of Resilience Planning, DCR works closely with local governments, planning district commissions and federal partners to support flood risk mapping, hazard mitigation, flood resilience, and serves as the statewide coordinator of the National Flood Insurance Program. These efforts increase the commonwealth’s capacity to combat changing environmental conditions while protecting natural floodplains that store floodwaters and improve water quality.

As of Dec. 3, 2025, all applicable state agencies must comply with the Virginia Floodplain Management Standards or the local floodplain management regulations when planning or conducting development in floodplain areas designated on state-owned land. These Virginia Floodplain Management standards have been finalized and are now available for download.

Visit dcr.virginia.gov/floodawarenessweek/ for more information on your flood risk and additional flood mitigation tips.

Information from a release. Posted by Dan McDermott.

Valley Health announces that Pediatric Associates of Winchester, at 1002-C Amherst St., has joined Valley Health, effective March 2, 2026. Going forward, the practice will be known as Valley Health Pediatrics. While the name is new, families can expect the same trusted care they know and value. The practice will remain in its current location, and the dedicated team of caregivers will continue to serve patients, providing the compassionate, high‑quality pediatric care the community has relied on for years.  

“We are excited to welcome this experienced team of pediatricians, nurse practitioner and staff to the Valley Health family, and we are dedicated to continuing the exceptional care the practice has provided to children in our community for decades,” says Kevin Volkema, DO, MBA, Regional Medical Director, Valley Health Primary Care. “We believe this transition will provide more seamless care between the practice and primary care, specialty, diagnostic, and hospital inpatient and outpatient services within the health system, ultimately improving the patient experience.” 

The practice’s legacy of care in the Winchester community dates back to 1972. Since its inception, the practice has been staffed by board certified pediatricians and has maintained a steady focus on excellence in pediatric care. Today, the practice consists of a team of highly skilled and caring professionals, dedicated to providing the best quality health care in a responsive and comfortable environment. Clinicians include Jennifer Currie, DO, Mounira A. Dahimene, MD, Susan J. Gawalt, MD, Bryan A. Kornreich, MD, Colette M. Sabbagh, MD, and Laura E. Grove, PNP, BC.  

“The team here has always prided itself in providing the best care possible to our patients and their families,” says pediatrician Bryan Kornreich, MD. “As we join Valley Health, we are excited to continue keeping the children of our area healthy and happy and to enhance the overall quality of care for our families.”  

This transition reflects Valley Health’s continued commitment to expanding access to exceptional pediatric care while preserving the strong relationships between caregivers, patients, and families. We look forward to continuing to care for our community’s children—today and for generations to come. 

About Valley Health 

Valley Health is a nationally recognized not-for-profit health system serving a population of more than 500,000 in the Northern Shenandoah Valley of Virginia and the Eastern Panhandle of West Virginia. As a healthcare provider, employer, and community partner, Valley Health is committed to improving the health of the region. The system includes six hospitals, more than 75 medical practices and Urgent Care centers, outpatient rehabilitation, medical transport, long-term care, and home health. www.valleyhealthlink.com.

Information from a release. Posted by Dan McDermott.

Community Resource Fair — Wednesday, March 4, 1:00–3:00 p.m. (In person). See what resources are available in your community and talk directly with representatives about how they can help. Bring your questions, pick up free items and explore the services available to you.

Sewing 201: St. Patrick’s Quilted Wall Hanging (Two-Part Program) — Wednesday, March 4 and March 11, 5:00–6:30 p.m. (In person, registration required). This two-part class will demonstrate techniques for creating a St. Patrick’s Day themed quilted wall hanging. Registration enrolls participants in both sessions. Participants must have completed Sewing 101 or have a basic working knowledge of using a sewing machine. All supplies and materials are provided.

Studio 330 Craft Swap — Saturday, March 7, 10:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m. (In person). Refresh your craft stash during the library’s second annual Craft Swap. Early access from 10 a.m.–12 p.m. is available for those who donated craft supplies during February. The event opens to the public from 12–2 p.m. to browse and pick up free craft materials while supplies last. Visitors can also explore Studio 330 equipment and find inspiration for their next project.

Seniors First Workshop: Medicare and Other Coverage — How They Work Together — Thursday, March 12, 2:00–3:00 p.m. (In person). Learn about special enrollment periods, avoiding coverage gaps and penalties and how Medicare coordinates with employer coverage, retirement plans, TRICARE, VA benefits and COBRA. For questions call VICAP at 540-635-7141 or visit seniorsfirst.info. One-on-one counseling sessions can be scheduled beginning at 3:00 p.m. by contacting Samuels Public Library staff at 540-635-3135 ext. 105.

Seniors First Counseling — Thursday, March 12, 3:00–4:00 p.m. (20-minute sessions, in person). Meet individually with Seniors First for assistance navigating Medicare, reviewing coverage options and identifying programs that may help lower healthcare costs. Contact the Adult Reference Department at 540-635-3153 ext. 105 to reserve an available counseling timeslot.

Writing Workshop: Improve Communication Skills — Thursday, March 19, 6:00–7:30 p.m. (In person, registration required). Join award-winning writer, editor and professor Dr. Dan Trigoboff for a workshop focused on improving communication skills. Dr. Trigoboff has more than 50 years of experience in media and academia, beginning his career while earning a bachelor’s degree at Boston University and later teaching at Methodist University and North Carolina State University, where he earned his Ph.D. in Communication, Rhetoric and Digital Media. He retired as professor emeritus at St. Augustine’s University in 2024.

Sewing 201: Hemming — Wednesday, March 25, 5:00–6:30 p.m. (In person, registration required). Participants who have basic sewing experience will learn hemming techniques using a sewing machine. Bring a project such as pants, skirts or other items that need hemming. Participants must have completed Sewing 101 or have equivalent sewing machine knowledge.

Sublimation 101 — Thursday, March 26, 5:00–7:00 p.m. (In person, registration required). Learn the basics of sublimation printing and create a custom item to take home. This hands-on class explains how sublimation works, what materials are compatible and how to prepare and heat-press a design. Bring a photo or image on a removable flash drive or use one of the library’s pre-formatted designs. Beginners are welcome and all supplies are provided. No food is allowed in the studio and patrons ages 13–17 must be accompanied by an adult.

Short Film Screenings: “Building for Birds” and “Grass Roots” — Thursday, March 26, 6:00–7:30 p.m. (In person). Join the library for two short films about migratory birds and biodiversity conservation on working land in the Shenandoah Valley. Director Sam LeGrys, research ecologist Brian Evens and Virginia Grassland Bird Initiative coordinator Justin Proctor will participate in a panel discussion following the screenings. “Building for Birds” examines the problem of bird collisions with glass windows, which kill an estimated one billion birds each year in the United States, while “Grass Roots” highlights research conducted by Smithsonian’s Virginia Working Landscapes program and partner farms.

Basic Machine Embroidery — Friday, March 27, 12:00–2:00 p.m. (In person, registration required). Learn the fundamentals of machine embroidery using the library’s Brother PE900 embroidery machine and create a simple monogram or one-color image on sample fabric. No food is allowed in the studio and patrons ages 13–17 must be accompanied by an adult.

Bluebells, Wildflowers and Wildlife Walk & Photography — Saturday, March 28, 9:00–10:30 a.m. (Off-site program, registration required). Join local photographer and educator Sharon Fisher for a photography workshop at Raymond R. “Andy” Guest Jr. Shenandoah River State Park in Bentonville. Participants will meet outside the visitor center for tips on photographing spring flowers and wildlife before exploring selected areas of the park. All cameras, from smartphones to professional equipment, are welcome and the program may include hikes of up to two miles on even terrain. The park’s standard parking fees apply and the library has a limited number of park passes available.

Middletown, VA – As communities across the nation prepare to commemorate America’s 250th Anniversary, Middletown will proudly welcome the Freedom 250 Mobile Museum Truck, a traveling national exhibit that is crisscrossing the country to celebrate this historic milestone.

The Freedom 250 Truck will be parked at the historic Wayside Inn, the oldest continuously operating inn in America, offering residents and visitors a unique opportunity to experience this immersive exhibit right here in the Shenandoah Valley.

Open Hours:
March 27–28
10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

The mobile museum is arriving in Middletown following appearances in South Carolina and will continue its nationwide journey as part of the official America 250 commemorations.

“Freedom 250 is grateful for the opportunity to showcase the mobile museum with the community of historic Middletown and the surrounding area,” said Katie Childress Miller, Project Manager for Freedom 250. “The museum, which is part of an initiative to celebrate America’s 250th birthday, is traveling across the country throughout 2026, encouraging all ages to gain a deeper appreciation of our great nation’s incredible history.”

“I was very excited when Katie Childress Miller brought this project to me; to have a national, traveling historical exhibit spend time in our community creates something special all citizens can enjoy as we all take part in celebrating America 250. Middletown’s historical nature lends itself perfectly for Freedom and History 250,” said Mike Guevremont, Member of the County Board of Supervisors.

Mayor Charles Harbaugh IV, an avid Revolutionary War reenactor who portrays Young George Washington, expressed his enthusiasm for hosting the exhibit in such a historic setting:

“As someone who has dedicated much of my life to preserving and portraying our history, I can say how incredibly excited and blessed we are to welcome the Freedom 250 Mobile Museum to Middletown. To have this national exhibit stationed at the historic Wayside Inn, a place that has witnessed centuries of American history, is truly special. We are most grateful to Katie Miller, Supervisor Mike Guevremont, and Wayside Inn owners John and Bob Hotaling for working with us to bring Freedom 250 to Middletown.”

The Freedom 250 Mobile Museum is part of Middletown’s broader slate of America 250 events, culminating in the town’s annual July 4th Celebration, home to the area’s only Independence Day parade within an hour’s distance. The celebration continues to grow each year, drawing thousands of visitors from across the region to experience Middletown’s deep historical roots and vibrant patriotic spirit. The July 4th Celebration was recently awarded a Virginia tourism grant to promote the event from a regional standpoint.

Residents and visitors are encouraged to stop by the Wayside Inn and Clem’s Kitchen on March 27–28 to experience this one-of-a-kind traveling exhibit, dine at the historic inn, and join Middletown in celebrating 250 years of American freedom.

For more information about the Freedom 250 Mobile Museum, visit:
https://freedom250.org/

Information from a release. Cross-posted from route11news.com by Dan McDermott.

Biologists from the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources (DWR) have observed peregrine falcons on camera at Riverfront Plaza in downtown Richmond. This means the time has come for DWR, in partnership with Comcast Business, to turn on the live stream for the ninth year. The popular live stream offers viewers a unique opportunity to observe peregrine falcons nesting in Richmond, Virginia. During the 2025 nesting season, more than 62,000 users logged on from countries as far as Australia and Singapore to watch the pair raise three chicks! The powerful internet connection provided by Comcast Business allows wildlife lovers to follow the falcons 24 hours a day, seven days a week at dwr.virginia.gov/falcon-cam. The camera itself is focused on a nest box atop the 21^st floor of the Riverfront Plaza’s West Tower and follows the activities of a peregrine falcon pair that nest downtown each spring.
 
“We’re glad to continue our partnership with DWR and help bring the Richmond Falcon Cam to wildlife fans near and far,” said Holli Lloyd, Senior Director of Marketing, Comcast Business Beltway Region. “It’s a great reminder of what reliable connectivity makes possible, whether it’s a classroom in Richmond tuning in for the first time or a viewer halfway around the world watching a fledgling take its first flight.”
 
Peregrine falcons are listed as state-threatened in Virginia with more than 30 pairs, including the Richmond birds, nesting across the Commonwealth each spring. The camera allows viewers to follow the pair as they nest and raise offspring. And, like any TV nature show, there can be a bit of drama—including territorial disputes, chicks taking their first nail-biting flights, and even the failure of the nest. It is impossible to predict exactly what this season has in store for the birds, but there is no doubt that falcon fans will be rooting for their success.
 
“We’ve been monitoring the activity on camera throughout the course of the last month and have seen the same birds from the past several years on camera, daily,” said DWR Wildlife Viewing Program Coordinator Meagan Thomas. “I always get a bit anxious at the start of each year before we get confirmation as to which individual falcons it is that we are seeing – mostly just wondering if we will have the same pair or a new falcon that we haven’t seen before. This year, due to all the snow and ice in front of the box during February, it took us a bit longer to get that individual confirmation. But once things started to melt, I was happy to see that it was the same pair, back for another hopefully successful nesting season.”
 
The Richmond Falcon Cam will remain active through egg laying, incubation and hatching, and follows the growth of the chicks until they fledge (take their first flight). 
 
Pending a successful nesting season, a raffle to participate in a falcon experience will be back for a second year! Stay tuned for more information on how you can enter in the coming weeks.

Information from a release. Edited by Dan McDermott.

Most of us recognize a power blink when it happens. The lights flicker. The TV resets. The microwave clock starts flashing 12:00. It’s annoying and it’s easy to assume something is wrong.

Quite often though, a blink is nothing to worry about.  Instead, it’s a sign the electric grid is doing what it was built to do. The behind-the-scenes reason is usually a piece of equipment called a recloser.

A recloser is a safety device on the power lines that works a lot like a fuse (or a circuit breaker). When something briefly contacts the line — like a tree limb, an animal or storm-related debris — the recloser can shut power off for a moment and then turn it back on to see if the problem cleared.

• If the problem was brief, your power comes right back on. That’s the blink.
• If the problem is still there, the recloser may try again.
• If the recloser still can’t clear the issue after a few tries, it will stay off to protect the system until crews can fix the cause.

Reclosers help keep small problems from turning into bigger outages. Without them, a brief contact with a line could shut off a larger section of the system for longer. With them, the system can quickly “check” the line and restore service if it’s safe to do so. Often, a blink just means the system prevented a longer outage.

What you can do

Most power blinks are brief, but they can occasionally interrupt electronics. Taking a few simple steps can help keep things running smoothly:

• Use a quality surge protector for computers, TVs and other sensitive devices.
• If you work from home, consider a small battery backup for your computer and internet equipment.
• If you rely on medical equipment, make sure you have a backup plan for short outages and longer outages.

Reclosers are one of the tools used to improve reliability. They’re part of REC’s broader efforts to reduce outage time and limit how many members are affected when something hits the system. Over time, upgrading and fine-tuning this equipment helps REC respond faster to everyday problems while keeping the system safer for the public and lineworkers.

About Rappahannock Electric Cooperative 

Serving over 184,000 connections across portions of 22 Virginia counties, REC is a pillar in its communities, with over 18,000 miles of power lines extending from the Blue Ridge Mountains to the Chesapeake Bay. For more information about REC, please visit www.myrec.coop. Follow REC on Facebook, X, Instagram, LinkedIn and YouTube.

By Markus Schmidt | Virginia Mercury

Early voting is set to begin Friday across Virginia for an April 21 statewide referendum that could allow the General Assembly to redraw the state’s congressional districts ahead of this fall’s midterm elections. If voters approve, the move would likely reshape the current 6–5 partisan split in Virginia’s delegation into a map favoring Democrats in as many as 10 of the state’s 11 districts.

The referendum comes amid an ongoing series of legal challenges and court rulings that have created uncertainty about the election’s legality, even as local election officials move forward with preparations.

One of the most significant cases stems from a lawsuit filed in Tazewell County challenging the legality of the referendum itself. 

In that case, Circuit Judge Jack Hurley issued a temporary injunction blocking the Virginia Department of Elections and the State Board of Elections from taking steps to prepare for the vote, concluding that Democrats’ effort to fast-track the constitutional amendment may have violated state law. 

But the Supreme Court of Virginia on Wednesday afternoon granted a stay of that order, clearing the way for the election to proceed as scheduled.

“I’m proud of the decisive action my office took to immediately bring this case before the Supreme Court of Virginia, the proper forum to consider these claims,” said Virginia Attorney General Jay Jones, in a statement.

“We moved quickly to protect the orderly administration of this election. The Court’s order is clear: the referendum election will proceed. I’m grateful to the lawyers in the Office of the Attorney General who worked swiftly and skillfully to ensure that the voices of Virginians will be heard at the ballot box.”

House Speaker Don Scott, D-Portsmouth, said the ruling confirms that voters will decide the issue. “The Supreme Court of Virginia’s decision ensures that this referendum will move forward and that Virginians will have the opportunity to make their voices heard,” Scott said. “This question has always belonged to the voters, and I’m glad the Court made clear that the people will decide.”

The referendum would determine whether Virginia temporarily suspends its bipartisan redistricting commission and instead allows the Democrat-controlled General Assembly to redraw the state’s 11 congressional districts before the Nov. 3 midterm elections. 

If approved, lawmakers would regain map-drawing authority only until the next redistricting cycle following the 2030 census. State legislative districts would not be affected.

“In some respects, the question of whether to approve the constitutional referendum is really a debate over ‘fairness’ and what it entails,” said Alex Keena, an associate professor of political science at Virginia Commonwealth University, referring in part to the Democratic campaign promoting the proposal as a push for “fair maps.”

“The drama over redistricting over the last 15 years has taught us that there is no single definition of gerrymandering and no one specific way to identify it or to measure it.”

Keena said voters bring different expectations to the concept of fairness — a debate that has intensified as Republicans question whether the proposed new congressional map would be fair.

“People have lots of ideas about what is ‘fair’ in democratic elections,” he said. “They want the parties to win seats in proportion to the votes they earned. This is one criterion of fairness. People also prefer to have somewhat competitive elections, so that the maps are sensitive to shifts in voter support.”

A proposal to redraw the map

Virginia’s current congressional districts were adopted in 2022 after the state’s newly created redistricting commission failed to reach agreement on maps. Under the state Constitution, the task then fell to the Supreme Court of Virginia, which hired two independent experts — one Republican and one Democrat — to draw the districts.

The resulting map produced a congressional delegation of six Democrats and five Republicans, a split roughly consistent with the state’s recent statewide voting patterns. The Princeton Gerrymandering Project gave Virginia one of the highest ratings in the country for its maps.

Urban areas across Northern Virginia, Richmond and Hampton Roads largely elect Democrats under the current map, while rural regions such as the Shenandoah Valley and the Northern Neck tend to elect Republicans.

But the proposal before voters would create a dramatically different arrangement.

The map drafted by Democratic lawmakers would shift nearly half of Virginia residents — about 48% — into new congressional districts. With the exception of far Southwestern Virginia, most voters currently represented by Republicans would be placed in districts that favor Democrats.

The plan would attempt to limit Republicans to a single district anchored in the state’s far southwestern corner. Several new districts would extend outward from the population centers of Northern Virginia, stretching into rural areas.

Two of the proposed districts — one centered on Blacksburg, Roanoke, Lynchburg and Charlottesville and another covering parts of Hampton Roads and the Eastern Shore — are considered competitive based on recent statewide election results.

Parties look to Virginia in fight for House control

The Virginia referendum has drawn national attention as both parties look for ways to influence control of the U.S. House.

The push for mid-decade redistricting gained momentum last year when President Donald Trump urged Republican-controlled states to redraw maps to strengthen the GOP’s position in Congress. Texas lawmakers responded by adjusting their districts in hopes of adding several Republican seats.

Other states followed with similar efforts. Missouri and North Carolina both approved map changes expected to produce additional GOP seats, and Florida lawmakers are considering new lines that could further expand the Republican advantage.

Virginia became a focal point for Democrats seeking to offset those changes.

U.S. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries said earlier this year that national Democrats would invest heavily in the referendum effort.

“We will spend tens of millions of dollars to make sure … that voters have all of the information necessary to make a decision around whether they want Donald Trump to rig the midterm elections and halt the ability for the American people to decide who’s in the majority,” Jeffries told CNN last month.

Advocacy groups on both sides have been organizing for the referendum campaign for weeks.

Virginians for Fair Elections, which supports the amendment, has raised nearly $20 million from Democratic-aligned organizations. Attorneys representing the group told a court last week that about 1,000 volunteers have been recruited.

According to VCU’s Keena, the financial stakes reflect more than the potential impact on House control.

“Democrats do not need Virginia to gerrymander the map in order to secure a majority in the House this fall,” he said. “My read is that most analysts agree the Democrats will almost certainly capture the House. Why is so much money pouring into this race?”

Instead, Keena suggested the redistricting proposal could reshape primary contests and favor candidates with stronger institutional backing.

“My suspicion is that moneyed interests prefer the candidates who are likely to prevail when the district lines have been disrupted,” he said, referring to Virginia lawmakers like Del. Dan Helmer, D-Fairfax, who has already launched his bid for the Democratic nomination in a redrawn 7th District.

The amendment’s opponents include Virginians for Fair Maps, a coalition that includes former Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares, and the bipartisan group called No Gerrymandering Virginia, which says it wants to ensure there is no lapse in the redistricting commission’s authority.

Legal battles continue

The referendum has been the subject of several lawsuits since lawmakers advanced the amendment for a second time earlier this year, as required under the state Constitution.

In February, the Supreme Court of Virginia allowed the measure to proceed to the ballot, rejecting an emergency challenge filed by Republican lawmakers and the Republican National Committee.

Other cases remain pending. Two Republican members of Congress have filed a lawsuit in Richmond challenging the wording of the ballot question, while a Washington County resident has filed a separate pro se case seeking to stop the vote.

On Monday, a Lynchburg Circuit Court judge dismissed a lawsuit filed by the city seeking to halt early voting for the redistricting referendum, ruling that it was not appropriate for the court to intervene while the constitutional amendment process is already underway and leaving questions about the measure’s legality to the Supreme Court of Virginia. 

Because the state’s highest court scheduled arguments after the April 21 referendum, it is unlikely to issue a final ruling on the amendment’s legality until after ballots are cast.

“The Supreme Court of Virginia has said it is going to rule on whether or not the constitutional amendment advanced by Democrats comports with the procedural standards imposed by Virginia law,” Keena said.

“But if the vote does pass, then the court will be in an awkward position if it decides to strike down the amendment. It will do what courts almost never like to do: invalidate the will of a majority of voters.”

Primary elections moved

Anticipating the possibility that congressional districts could change this year, lawmakers also adjusted the schedule for Virginia’s 2026 primary elections. The General Assembly approved legislation last month shifting the primary date from June 16 to Aug. 4, a measure signed into law by Gov. Abigail Spanberger.

The change gives candidates and voters more time to adapt if congressional district boundaries are redrawn before the midterm elections.

Even if the referendum fails or is halted by the courts, the Aug. 4 primary date will remain in place. The change applies only to the 2026 election cycle, according to the Department of Elections.

Early in-person voting for those primaries will begin June 19 and continue through Aug. 1. The deadline to request an absentee ballot by mail will be July 24.

With less than two months before the April referendum, polling suggests the outcome of the referendum remains uncertain.

A Roanoke College poll released last week found that 52% of surveyed Virginians said they would vote against the amendment, while 44% supported it.

But turnout could prove decisive, Keena said. 

“This election is different because it is not concurrent with a general election. This makes it super hard to predict. Victory will be determined by which side can mobilize greater support, given the inconvenient timing of the election.”

By Shirleen Guerra | The Center Square

(The Center Square) – Warrants used, whether administrative or judicial, in the ongoing controversy of ICE cooperation in Virginia were cited Wednesday during Judiciary Committee hearing in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem told lawmakers Wednesday that federal immigration enforcement relies on administrative warrants. First-term Democratic Gov. Abigail Spanberger is requiring a judicial warrant before local officials cooperate with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

For federal judges, warrants relate to federal crimes. However violent offenses, such as a February stabbing in Fairfax County, are violations of state laws.

Rep. Ben Cline, R-Va., said the policy of Spanberger could limit coordination between Virginia law enforcement agencies and ICE.

Cline referenced a recent arrest in Strasburg in which local law enforcement cooperated with ICE to detain what it believes is an MS-13 gang member authorities said was wanted on an immigration detainer. The capture was prior to Spanberger’s reversal of ICE cooperation.

He also cited the fatal stabbing case in Fairfax County. Cline said requiring judicial warrants before holding someone for immigration authorities could allow dangerous individuals to be released from local custody.

“Our governor now says that she demands a judicial warrant before she will cooperate with ICE on this,” Cline said during the hearing. “That is remarkable to me that she would be putting Virginians’ lives at risk.”

Cline asked Noem to explain the difference between judicial warrants issued by a court and administrative warrants commonly used by federal immigration officials.

Noem said administrative warrants are the primary tool used by federal authorities to carry out immigration enforcement.

“Administrative warrants are the legal tool that we have been given by this body to go out and do immigration enforcement,” Noem said. “And we’ve, in over 400,000 different instances, used those effectively.”

She said those warrants are rarely used to enter private homes.

Noem also criticized the Virginia policy during the exchange.

“In that situation in Virginia, the people that live there should be alarmed,” Noem said.

She said limiting cooperation with immigration detainers could affect public safety.

Spanberger’s office said in a statement Tuesday that the governor believes violent criminals who are in the United States illegally should be deported by immigration enforcement but that federal officials should obtain a signed judicial warrant. The statement added that the Department of Homeland Security “should request a signed judicial warrant to ensure this violent criminal is deported.”

The policy differs from previous guidance under former Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin, who directed state agencies to pursue agreements allowing cooperation with ICE through the federal 287(g) program.

Some members of Virginia’s Republican congressional delegation have also raised concerns about the change in a recent letter urging the governor to reconsider the policy.

Original post.

By Shirleen Guerra | The Center Square

(The Center Square) – A subcommittee in the Virginia House of Delegates on Wednesday halted two Senate bills aimed at examining whether large electricity users could shift power grid costs onto other customers.

The House Labor and Commerce Subcommittee #3 voted to continue Senate Bill 339 to the 2027 session and table Senate Bill 619, according to records from the Virginia Legislative Information System. Both bills had previously passed the Senate.

Senate Bill 339, introduced by Sen. Russet Perry, D-Loudoun, would direct the State Corporation Commission to review how certain electric infrastructure costs are allocated among different customer groups.

The legislation would require regulators to examine whether customers that are not high-load users could be subsidizing transmission, generation or distribution costs tied to facilities such as large data centers.

According to the commission’s fiscal impact statement, the agency would need to hire a consultant to assist with technical analysis to carry out the review proceedings required under the bill.

The second measure, Senate Bill 619 from Sen. Kannan Srinivasan, D-Loudoun, focused on facilities with very large electricity demand. The bill would require operations using more than 90 megawatts of electricity to obtain a certificate of operation from the State Corporation Commission before beginning service.

Under the proposal, regulators would evaluate whether sufficient electricity supply, grid capacity and infrastructure exist to support the facility and whether the project could create an unreasonable cross-subsidy among utility customers.

The commission estimated the measure could result in between 30 and 60 new regulatory proceedings annually. To handle that workload, the agency said it would need 11 additional employees, including utilities analysts, engineers and attorneys, at an estimated cost of about $1.24 million per year beginning in fiscal year 2027.

Virginia has had rapid growth in electricity demand tied to data center development, particularly in Northern Virginia, home to one of the largest concentrations of data centers in the world. The industry’s growing energy demand has drawn increasing attention from lawmakers and regulators as they examine how infrastructure costs tied to large electricity users are allocated among utility customers.

With Wednesday’s subcommittee actions, neither bill will advance further during the 2026 legislative session.

Original post.

By Kevin S. Engle

“How did it happen?”

That’s what everyone wants to know.

It’s what I want to know.

Maybe when I was in the gym four hours a day, everyday, working on my abs?

Maybe when I was first on the scene of the accident and picked up the SUV all by myself so those people could get out?

Yeah, sure.

Or maybe it was what my doctor said.  Guys often get these injuries because males typically have what he referred to as “naturally-occurring defects” in certain parts of the body.

And that’s where this was.  In a ‘certain’ area of my body.

When I saw the doctor for the first time, I’d already had an ultrasound five days before.

I told him where it was sore.

But that’s not where he examined me.

“Ah, hey doc,” I’m thinking, “Hello!  You’re too far south!”

Turns out he learned a thing or two in medical school.  My pain was in one place but the source of it was somewhere else.  Somewhere ‘south of the border.’

Now what?

Surgery, in seven weeks.  Dang.  I was hoping to get this over with as soon as possible.

I called his office a few days later and asked if they could squeeze me in if someone cancelled.

They put me on the list.

Just over an hour later, my phone rang.  Amazingly, a spot had just opened up.  Did I want it?

“Sure.”

“We’ll see you in two days.”

Two days?  Yikes.  I wasn’t quite ready for that.

We had to be at the hospital by 6AM.  Surgery was scheduled for 7:30.

By 6:15, I was in a bed, practically naked, wearing only a hospital gown that tied in the back.

Don’t you love those?

A few hours later, when the procedure was done and I was back in my room, I had to face an embarrassing reality.

Several people had seen me naked!

Yeah, I know, they’re all medical professionals and that’s what they do and it’s just part of the job, and blah blah blah, but I was naked!  In front of total strangers.   And now I was traumatized too.

I don’t get naked in front of just anybody.  My wife had to get a license to see me in the buff.

I won’t even mention the catheter.

Physically, I’m recovering.

Mentally, this could take a while.

***********************************

In the future, the author will not pick up SUVs.  Only small cars.

By Nathaniel Cline | Virginia Mercury

In one of the quietest moves yet under Gov. Abigail Spanberger’s administration, the Commonwealth Transportation Board overturned a controversial decision made in the final weeks of former Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s tenure that would affect the future of a dilapidated 50-mile rail corridor in the Shenandoah.

The board’s Feb. 17 decision now continues the process of exploring whether the corridor will be restored with a parallel trail or remain as a trail alone.

In December, Virginia’s transportation community was surprised when former Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s administration proposed that the board advance a multi-use trail and rail corridor versus a trail-only plan. This proposal, announced in December, carried a nearly $700 million price tag and reduced opportunities for public meetings and comment.

The board’s decision last month rescinded that directive and reaffirmed prior plans to study the project’s options with a focus on public transparency. 

“The goal we are seeking to achieve is to complete the public engagement process that we told the public we would do with the release of the Phase 3 report,” said Secretary of Transportation Nick Donohue at the board’s Feb. 17 meeting.

Del. Tony Wilt, R-Harrisonburg, acknowledged that timing pressures and external constraints drove the administration’s decision, but he insisted the rail-with-trail plan must continue to follow the process laid out. In 2021, Wilt carried the budget request to study the feasibility and benefits of a rail trail. 

“I’m very glad to see that the initial resolution was rescinded,” said Wilt. “We’re going to go back to ground zero … and I think that’s the right move.”

How we got here

The project took an unexpected turn after former Secretary of Transportation Shep Miller broke a 6-6 board vote to transfer it from the Virginia Department of Transportation to the Virginia Passenger Rail Authority at a Jan. 6 meeting.

VPRA would have overseen $35 million in grant funding, appropriated by the General Assembly in 2022, for preservation and improvements by the Shenandoah Valley Battlefield Foundation. The board reversed that move at its Feb. 17 meeting. 

The foundation has faced both criticism and questions regarding its qualifications to work on the project.

The foundation responded by highlighting its track record in managing similar projects and overseeing millions in state funds. In 1996, Congress created the foundation to preserve the region’s Civil War battlefields and related historic sites around Harrisonburg, Staunton and Winchester.

Miller had said that delaying the Youngkin administration’s plan could jeopardize the project, including the merger between Norfolk Southern Corporation, the rail line owner, and Union Pacific Corporation. He emphasized that public input would remain part of the plan.

Under the terms of the transfer, the foundation would have purchased the rail line from Norfolk Southern. The remaining funds would be used to build the trail and meet state lawmakers’ criteria.

The agreement would have entrusted the foundation with building the trail by certain deadlines. It also gave the foundation authority to preserve the rail corridor for future passenger use and clarified operational roles and risk responsibility.

Miller said the state funds only support the trail’s development, and future rail options require additional fundraising.

A new direction

More than a month after the board’s Jan. 6 decision, Spanberger’s administration shifted the commonwealth’s approach in February, prioritizing public engagement instead. 

“At the end of the day, the funds we are expending here are taxpayer dollars, and I believe it’s appropriate for us to meet the commitments we provide to the public and those taxpayers as we seek to use the dollars they have paid to the state,” Donohue said.

He also added that the authority has “no role in potentially half of what we may be considering in that corridor,” emphasizing that VPRA’s purpose is to promote passenger and commuter rail.

However, VPRA Executive Director DJ Stadtler did not rule out the possibility of passenger rail still being part of the project in the future during a Dec. 17 meeting with the authority’s governing board. 

This follows the recent purchase of the 24-mile Manassas Line from Norfolk Southern Corporation. The line will be used by Virginia Railway Express for commuter service between Alexandria and Manassas, as part of expanding the transit service’s operations.

Stadtler did not publicly speak on the board’s decision at the February meeting.

Board members voiced concern that the new direction could jeopardize the plan’s inclusion of rail. Donohue responded by citing the General Assembly’s mandate that any land acquisition for the trail “shall not preclude the consideration of options to maintain rail transportation in the corridor.”

Speakers on both sides of the decision weighed in, including Board member John Good, who made a motion for a partial recession. The motion failed for a lack of a second. Ultimately, the board rescinded the Jan. 6 resolution, with Good and board member Becky Norton Dunlop voting in opposition. Board member Thomas Moore Lawson abstained. 

Good argued that the agricultural community was more concerned with its livelihoods than with a recreational trail.

“As long as I’m here, I’ll be reminding everybody that we need to keep those folks in mind,” Good said, adding that he believes the foundation should continue with the project and assist with fundraising.

Donohue said resending the earlier vote is not “foreclosing opportunities” to partner on fundraising.

The board’s February vote keeps funding with VDOT. This maintains opportunities for public engagement and further consideration of the corridor’s best use.

Advocates want to boost the region’s economy and promote health by building a multi-use trail. Others see similar possibilities in restoring the Manassas Gap rail line, which has been inactive for 36 years, and building a trail alongside it.

VDOT says negotiations to acquire the corridor with Norfolk Southern are ongoing.

As of Sunday evening, the transportation agency had not released any public meeting dates. The final Phase 3 Report examines the constraints and costs of the rail-to-trail alternative, and includes these hearings.

The transportation board will ultimately decide the outcome after receiving a summary of the public feedback.

Original post.

By Shannon Heckt | Virginia Mercury

Lawmakers say two bills working through the General Assembly will lower customers’ utility bills in the short-term by pushing more costs onto data centers. The House passed Senate Bill 253 by Sen. L. Louise Lucas, D-Portsmouth, Tuesday and the Senate Finance committee advanced House Bill 1393, by Del. Destiny LeVere Bolling, D-Henrico.

But advocates challenge the reality of those projected savings, saying the extension of an expensive power line burial program included in the measures could lead to bills rising in a few short years, a claim one of the state’s main power providers refutes. 

SB 253 originated as a weatherization program for utilities but was beefed up to include a cost shift onto data center customers. 

The measure now stipulates that data center companies take on capacity auction costs, the price of distribution lines, and some of the financing charges for substations that mainly provide power to the industry, pending State Corporation Commission approval.

If the commission agrees, the measure could save the average residential customer about $5.52 a month. 

Dominion Energy backs the plan

The utility at the center of the measure, Dominion Energy, supports its plan to tip more costs onto data centers. 

“There is the cost just to connect the data centers to the system, which is hundreds of millions of dollars. Over time, they’ll start paying for those costs,” Joe Reid, an attorney for Dominion, said in a Feb. 9 hearing. “They’re going to pay a little bit more for the next few years, so that the rest of the customers’ share of the pie will get smaller.”

“We have all heard about affordability and energy costs. There are more than 200 energy bills this session and as far as I am aware this is the only proposal to reduce rates in the near term,” Lucas said in a February hearing for her bill.

Underground lines, above ground costs

An extension of Dominion’s Strategic Undergrounding Program (SUP) is also included in the bill. At present, the program identifies and buries power lines in the most power outage-prone areas, and adds $4.88 a month to residential bills.

The company may spend only a certain amount per mile when constructing the buried powerlines; SB 253 would increase the cap to $900,000, while reducing the annual total price cap from 5% to 4%. 

The program started in 2014; by May of this year, 2,900 miles of distribution lines will have been buried. When the latest phase of the program is completed this spring, $1.4 billion will have been spent in burying lines. 

The SCC estimates that by May, just 6.44% of Dominion’s retail customers will have directly benefitted from the undergrounding. The extension of the program, while not a new cost for customers, is estimated to total $3.8 billion, including financing costs.

“It significantly reduces storm-related outages, and it gets everyone’s power back on sooner after major storms. It makes a positive difference, and the results keep getting better as we reach more outage-prone areas,” Dominion spokesman Aaron Ruby said in a statement.

The program was set to sunset in 2028 and those costs would eventually be rolled off of monthly bills. SB 253 extends the program through 2033, a key point of concern for consumer advocates who say it only benefits a small portion of Dominion’s customers and could lead to an increase to its monthly cost for customers as additional phases of projects are added to the queue and mandated to be approved by the SCC.

“We would prefer that the language be changed in both of those bills to say that the commission is the one who decides, and it’s not automatically in the customer’s interest,” said Dana Wiggins, the director of the Center of Economic Justice with the Virginia Poverty Law Center.

“In some cases, it is indeed cheaper to just reconstruct a pole or put up the pole and send somebody out to do that, then to underground it,” Wiggins added. “It’s a case-by-case basis. Our preference is that the SCC decides.”

With the increased cap and timeline extension, the SCC has predicted that the power line burial program cost will gradually increase – leading to totals over $5.69 per month for customers. That’s more than the estimated savings from the other cost-shift portion of the bills, and could take effect as soon as 2031.

But if the SUP program was allowed to sunset in 2028, it would not mean an immediate drop of the $4.88 from bills, Dominion said. 

“These are assets that are depreciated over about 30 years. The cost would gradually decrease until the assets are fully depreciated,” Reid said in a Feb. 9 hearing.

Lawmakers, such as Sen. Scott Surovell, D-Fairfax, supports the program – stating in a Feb. 9 hearing that reducing the amount of power lines that go offline and need to be repaired after storms will ultimately save the public costs in the long-run. 

Surovell spoke in favor of the measure in committee, saying it would allow people in the state’s most outage prone areas to save money when they don’t have to throw out food due to long power outages. He went on to say that having reliable power will help people run their businesses and get work done.

Prior to 2018, the SCC had a history of criticizing proposed undergrounding riders by Dominion, which are individual costs for certain projects tacked onto monthly bills. When legislation  passed nearly 10 years ago, lawmakers took away the commission’s authority to deny undergrounding lines under the cap of $750,000 per mile.

The commission stated in the rider cases for the first few phases of the current power line burial program that the company needed more proof that it would have state and local benefits. Some groups agree. 

“I think it really should be for the commission to decide if it’s cost effective or not. They’re the ones that have the expertise, have all of the data and the knowledge,” Wiggins said.

“Regardless of whether it’s strategic undergrounding or a new power plant, those staff and a proceeding can happen to make sure that the commission is deciding on the merits,” Wiggins added. ”We socialize costs all the time, but is it worth it to cover those 6.44% of the customer base? I don’t know. But it should be for the commission to decide.”

The SCC recently created a new class of customers, GS5, to encapsulate the high-load power users which are mainly data centers. The new class created 14-year contracts where they have to pay a specific percentage of transmission, distribution, and generation costs.

Representatives for the data center industry said it is too soon to see the full impact of this new rate class and it is premature for the General Assembly to  make changes to that group of customers through legislation like SB 253.

“If the General Assembly decides to order changes to the SCC’s decision and the way the SCC sets rates, we hope to work with legislators to ensure the final product furthers our shared goals of responsible operations and economic competitiveness,”  Nicole Riley with the Data Center Coalition said in a statement.

The two bills will likely be sent to conference once they pass their respective chambers to bring them into compliance with each other. Then, the measure will be sent to Gov. Abigail Spanberger for approval, amendment or veto. The General Assembly session is scheduled to conclude March 14.