Technology
- Abigail Spanberger signs rideshare safety bills tightening driver-checks, in-app protections
(Photo courtesy of Uber) Gov. Abigail Spanberger has signed legislation aimed at tightening safety standards for rideshare services in Virginia, accelerating new requirements for driver vetting, identity verification and in-ride protections. The two measures — House Bills 1273, sponsored by Del. Jackie Glass, D-Norfolk, and HB 1469 by Del. Lily Franklin, D-Montgomery — target companies […]
- Loudoun County Teams Advance to World Championships in Odyssey of the Mind and Robotics
Students from Loudoun County schools have qualified for the World Championships in Odyssey of the Mind and Robotics. The teams earned their spots through strong performances at the state competitions. Pinebrook Elementary in Leesburg contributed to the success with its Odyssey of the Mind team. The group achieved a first-place finish at the state level […]
- $193M shortfall with construction funds Virginia transportation board
The Commonwealth Transportation Board voted to transfer funds from construction projects and other areas to address a $193 million budget shortfall caused by increased spending on storm response and employee bonuses on during Wednesday’s business meeting. The Virginia Department of Transportation reported that emergency responses — including snowstorms, hurricanes, and flooding — cost the agency [
- Move over, sheep. Cattle are grazing solar sites, too, and that’s good news for Virginia.
Cows graze under solar panels at Silicon Ranch’s 3.5-MW solar farm in Rutherford County, Tennessee. (Photo courtesy Silicon Ranch) The conventional wisdom was wrong. And having helped spread the conventional wisdom, I was wrong, too. Mea culpa. It turns out sheep aren’t the only animals capable of handling the job of vegetation management on solar […]
- Debate Heats Up in Fairfax County Over Recommending Smartphone Delay for Children Until 8th Grade
Proponents argue that early smartphone introduction fosters addiction, comparable to other compulsive behaviors, impairing impulse control and daily functioning. Behavioral challenges manifest as increased irritability and reduced social skills, compounded by cyberbullying prevalent on social platforms. Sleep quality declines due to screen-emitted light interfering with circadian rhythms, resultin
- Local governments race to attract data centers, often in spite of concerns from their constituents
Marvell data center is one of eight newly approved data center campuses in Culpeper County. (Photo by Evan Visconti/Virginia Mercury). Data centers — proposed beside town centers, on generational farmlands, in view of cemeteries and next to Civil War battlegrounds across Virginia — are testing local governments’ ability to regulate industrial land use. Concurrently, the […]
- Virginia Legislation Seeks Modernization of Social Services Technology Systems
Virginia lawmakers are advancing legislation aimed at modernizing the technological infrastructure supporting the state’s administration of key federal benefit programs. House Bill 66, introduced in the 2026 session of the Virginia House of Delegates, directs the Department of Social Services and the Department of Medical Assistance Services to engage a third-party vendor to conduct a […]
- Loudoun County Farmer Highlights Concerns on Agrotourism’s Impact on Rural Preservation
Rockland Farm’s history traces back over 200 years within the Rust and Brown-Devlin family lineage, including figures like Elizabeth Devlin. The site has weathered regional changes, such as legal issues surrounding White’s Ferry operations that halted service in 2020. Since launching his farm in 2020, Devlin has engaged with networks of seasoned Loudoun farmers committed […]
- Loudoun Supervisor Koran Saines Denies Data Center Financial Ties During April 7 Board Meeting, But VPAP Records Show $15,000 in Donations from Construction Firms Tied to Data Center Projects
LOUDOUN COUNTY, Va. — In a pointed defense of his integrity amid ongoing public scrutiny of data center development in Loudoun County, Sterling District Supervisor Koran T. Saines (D) told fellow Board of Supervisors members and residents on April 7, 2026, that he has not accepted any campaign contributions from data center companies. Yet Virginia […]
- Virginia Republicans Unanimously Approves Bill Easing Rental Lease Terminations for Military Personnel
RICHMOND, Va. – The Virginia General Assembly has delivered a strong show of support for the state’s military community by passing House Bill 174, which streamlines the process for active-duty service members to terminate their rental agreements when faced with permanent changes of station, deployments, or other official orders. HB174 amends the Virginia Residential Landlord […]
- Virginia HB4 Clears Senate Committee, Poised to Expand Local Control Over Affordable Housing Sales
RICHMOND, Va. — House Bill 4, a measure designed to preserve affordable housing in Virginia, advanced through the Senate General Laws and Technology Committee on March 4, 2026, with a 9-6 vote. The bill, which passed the House of Delegates on February 2 by a 65-34 margin, now moves closer to a full Senate vote […]
- Governor Glenn Youngkin Announces $6.2 Million in Growth and Opportunity Virginia Grants
Governor Glenn Youngkin today announced $6.2 million in Growth and Opportunity for Virginia (GO Virginia) grants for 10 projects that advance Virginia’s economic competitiveness through innovation, workforce development, and strategic industry growth. The awarded projects will leverage an additional $4 million in investment.
- Virginia’s Speed Camera Cash Grab: $60 Million in Fines from School Zones, Zero Enforcement in Dangerous Intersections
In a revealing discussion at the Virginia State Crime Commission meeting on December 2, 2025, state officials highlighted the stark reality of the commonwealth’s speed camera program: a lucrative revenue stream that’s prioritizing easy targets over actual public safety.
- Virginia’s future higher education chapter should be collaborative and not competitive, says a university official
Virginia will face a workforce shortage in 2026 that cannot be resolved by doing business as usual. The region’s hospitals are facing some of the most high nursing vacancy rates. teacher shortages continue to strain classrooms, accelerating burnout and affecting school divisions from Hampton Roads to Southwest Virginia.
- Goochland County approves tech overlay district after hours of resident backlash
Goochland County, home to just over 28,000 residents and more than two hours south of Northern Virginia’s “Data Center Alley,” is the latest locality to face intense community pushback over plans to lure data center development to the area.
- Democrat Lawmakers in Virginia is 1 of just 3 states that passed license plate reader laws this year, despite widespread interest
Democrat Lawmakers in at least 16 states this year introduced bills to regulate the use of automated license plate readers responsible for collecting large amounts of data on drivers across the country.
- Hitachi Energy invests $457 million to create 825 new jobs in Halifax County
Hitachi Energy plans to invest $457m and create 825 new jobs on its South Boston Campus in Halifax County. The company will be building more power grid components as the demand for electricity is increasing rapidly.
- Dominion Substations to Support Dulles Area Data Centers
Fairfax County Planning Commission , at its meeting on July 9,, approved Dominion Energy’s request for two new substations that will support future data centres in the Dulles region.
- Virginia takes steps to bring advanced nuclear reactor to Wise County
As Virginia wrestles with high energy demands and deadlines to switch to zero-carbon emission energy production, Gov. Glenn Youngkin last week announced funding to take the first steps towards building an advanced nuclear reactor in the southwest region of the state.
- The One Big Beautiful Bill is now law
Here’s what it means for you. Tax Provisions Significant Funding Provisions Significant Savings New Medicare Work Requirements Significant Benefits for America Economic Growth Potential: The tax cuts and business incentives are intended to stimulate economic growth, potentially increasing taxpayer income and reducing unemployment.
- AttainX to Expand Cybersecurity Operations in Fairfax County
Woman-owned technology contractor to invest $175,000, creating 32 new jobs RICHMOND, VA — Governor Glenn Youngkin today announced that AttainX, Inc., an SBA certified 8(a), Economically Disadvantaged Women-Owned Small Business (EDWOSB) and CMMI Level 3 certified federal contractor, will invest $175,000 to expand its operations in Fairfax County.
- Lego plans massive distribution center for Prince George
The Danish toymaker has announced this week plans to build a warehouse and distribution facility worth $366 million in the Crosspointe Business Centre of Prince George County.
- Virginia launches new dashboards to track maternal deaths, improve pregnancy outcomes
Virginia is rolling out a new set of tools aimed at tackling one of the most urgent health disparities in the country. Gov. Glenn Youngkin on Thursday announced the release of two new dashboards — one tracking maternal mortality and the other pregnancy-associated deaths — alongside an upgraded Maternal and Child Health (MCH) Dashboard that […]
- Senate majority leader champions Tysons casino bill
A lobbying flyer shared with lawmakers in Virginia includes a rendering Comstock’s proposed casino development at Tysons.
- Evaporative Technologies Company to Expand in Virginia
For Immediate Release: June 18, 2024 Contacts: Office of the Governor: Christian Martinez, Christian.
- Governor Glenn Youngkin Announces, “Keep Virginia Winning” Budget to Deliver on Critical Investments and Expand Tax Relief for Hardworking Virginians
- Glenn Youngkin Announces Consumer News and Business Channel Names Virginia America’s Top State for Business
RICHMOND, VA — Governor Glenn Youngkin today announced that Virginia is ranked “America’s Top State for Business” by CNBC.
- Governor Glenn Youngkin Commemorates National Hire a Veteran Day in Virginia
Governor reaffirms Virginia’s dedication to serving as a top state for veteran employment RICHMOND, VA – Governor Glenn Youngkin commemorated today, July 25, 2024, as National Hire a Veteran Day in Virginia to remind and encourage Virginia employers to reach out and recruit military veterans to fill positions in their companies and organizations.
- International Mining Equipment Manufacturer to Expand in Virginia
Liebherr Mining Equipment investing $72.3 million to increase global mining truck production in the City of Newport News and the City of
- Amazon announces deal with Dominion Energy to develop a small nuclear reactor
Amazon announced Wednesday that it entered into an agreement with Dominion Energy to pay for the development of a small modular reactor as the utility explores building one at its North Anna Power Station, an existing traditional nuclear power plant in Louisa County.
- Amazon Web Services Plans to Invest $35 Billion in the Commonwealth by 2040 to Expand Data Center Campuses
For Immediate Release: January 20, 2023 Contacts: Office of the Governor: Christian Martinez, Christian.