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Spots still open in academic ‘pandemic recovery’ program ENGAGE Virginia
By Chloe Hawkins / Capital News Service There are still some spots remaining in a new academic program that aims to support Virginia public school students after the impact of COVID-19 on education, although a majority have been filled. The Virginia Department of Education and Graduation Alliance launched “ENGAGE Virginia” last month. ENGAGE Virginia will […]
Virginia lawmakers mandate electric vehicle fire risk training
By Adrianna Lawrence / Capital News Service Virginia firefighters will be required to complete a training program starting next year about the risk of electric vehicle fires. Del. Israel O’Quinn, R-Washington, proposed House Bill 2451 to require the executive director of the Virginia Department of Fire Programs to develop a training program for electric vehicle […]
Virginia K-12 enrollment, teacher vacancies increase; homeschool numbers dip
By Zahra Ndirangu / Capital News Service Virginia students are returning to K-12 public schools — although enrollment has not returned to pre-pandemic levels — but there are fewer teachers due to an increase in teacher vacancies. The rebound comes after an enrollment decline the previous two years. Enrollment numbers increased by more than 11,300 students […]
Virginia designation of state pony long overdue, says Chincoteague mayor
By Samuel Britt / Capital News Service A pony has been the Chincoteague High School mascot as long as anyone can remember, but now it is headed for a bigger arena as the official state pony. Two Accomack lawmakers introduced bills to designate the Chincoteague pony as the state pony. Virginia will be the 18th […]
Virginia suspends COVID-19 emergency allotment SNAP benefits
By Hollyann Purvis / Capital News Service RICHMOND, Va. — Virginia residents will soon lose Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program COVID-19 emergency allotments, something community organizers say will impact food security for thousands. Enrollment increased from 330,000 state participants when the program launched in March 2020 to 470,000 current participants, according to the U.S. Department of […]
Animal welfare advocates disappointed bill to declaw cats failed
By Cassandra Loper / Capital News Service RICHMOND, Va. — A proposal to outlaw the declawing of cats, a procedure that animal rights advocates call cruel and unnecessary, failed to advance from a House subcommittee last month. House Bill 1382 would have made cat declawing a $500 civil penalty for the first violation, $1,000 for […]
Write-in candidates span the spectrum in midterm elections
By Darlene Johnson / Capital News Service RICHMOND, Va. – How exactly would Wile E. Coyote or SpongeBob SquarePants represent their 7th District constituents in Congress if they had garnered enough write-in votes to best the official candidates? And who would run it better — Jesus Christ or Yeezy? Those were just a few of […]
Climate change ‘serious issue’ for Hampton Roads, but not in recent election
By Adrianna Lawrence / Capital News Service RICHMOND, Va. – Sea level rise will continue to impact the Hampton Roads area, scientists warn, but climate change was not necessarily an issue that pulled 2nd District voters to the polls — and it was not a part of the candidates’ platforms either. The tight race ended […]
Virginia patients impacted by nationwide Adderall shortage, doctors say
By Meghan McIntyre / Capital News Service RICHMOND, Va. — The Food and Drug Administration added Adderall to its drug shortage website last month, and doctors say Virginia patients being treated for attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder are feeling the impact. The leading reasons for the shortage, which primarily affects immediate-release Adderall and similar generic versions, are […]
Organizers hope voting becomes habit for ‘wildcard’ young voters
By Cassandra Loper / Capital News Service RICHMOND, Va. — Roughly three years ago, Maria Reynoso determined local policy issues and election information were not readily available or easily digestible to the average voter, and especially younger voters. Reynoso now runs We Vote Virginia, a nonpartisan digital media resource to help voters become more informed. […]
Bill to end Virginia roadway fatalities got zero support in committee
By Faith Redd Virginia legislators tabled a bill during the regular General Assembly session that pledged to end roadway fatalities. The move disappointed road safety advocates, but supporters say they’re still committed to advancing policies to protect pedestrians and drivers. House Joint Resolution 100 was a commitment to the Vision Zero initiative, which seeks to […]
Trucking on: How the industry is battling a historic labor shortage
By Joe Dodson From hand sanitizer and vaccines to groceries and toilet paper, truck drivers are trucking through the COVID-19 pandemic despite a historic labor shortage. Many industries moved workers home during the start of the pandemic, but truckers worked “to meet the needs of this country.” “The trucking industry has stepped up and delivered […]