Author

Nathaniel Cline

Nathaniel Cline

Nathaniel is an award-winning journalist who's been covering news across the country since 2007, including politics at The Loudoun Times-Mirror and The Northern Neck News in Virginia as well as sports for The Plain Dealer in Cleveland, Ohio. He has also hosted podcasts, worked as a television analyst for Spectrum Sports, and appeared as a panelist for conferences and educational programs. A graduate of Bowie State University, Nathaniel grew up in Hawaii and the United Kingdom as a military brat. Five things he must have before leaving home: his cellphone, Black Panther water bottle, hand sanitizer, wedding ring and Philadelphia Eagles keychain.

The FAFSA form is changing. Education groups want a release date.

By: - November 6, 2023

Virginia students and schools are still waiting for the federal government to announce the release date for the new Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA, a form that students must fill out to determine whether they can get federal financial aid for post-high school education.  The U.S. Department of Education announced on March […]

Youngkin issues order aimed at requiring schools to notify parents of drug overdoses 

By: - November 2, 2023

In the wake of multiple opioid overdoses in a single school division, Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin issued an executive order Wednesday evening directing the Department of Education to issue guidance ensuring school divisions notify parents of school-connected overdoses within 24 hours.  The order also directs the state to issue guidelines on how school divisions should […]

Image of bike and rider painted on bike lane

Va. transportation officials to consider SMART SCALE cap for smaller urban and suburban areas

By: - November 1, 2023

After criticism over parts of a proposal to overhaul the state’s transportation funding system, Virginia officials are considering creating a middle-tier application cap for transportation projects in more suburban or smaller urban areas, including several cities in Hampton Roads, Roanoke and Alexandria. The Commonwealth Transportation Board will take up the recommendation, among other suggestions that […]

Virginia Tech, partners design blueprint to improve self-driving vehicles with $7.5 million grant

By: - October 30, 2023

Researchers at Virginia Tech’s Transportation Institute will soon hand the keys to lawmakers and developers, after creating a blueprint for how self-driving vehicles can safely interact with other cars on state roadways. In 2019, Virginia Tech was awarded a $7.5 million grant from the U.S. Federal Highway Administration to gather data on improving autonomous driving […]

Virginia to consider Metro’s funding request to address projected $750 million shortfall

By: - October 27, 2023

As Metro considers ways to address a looming $750 million shortfall and stave off changes to its operations, officials are requesting jurisdictions, including Virginia, review their options to help address the funding deficit that threatens thousands of jobs and various services.  Metro hopes policymakers in the commonwealth will consider adjusting the state law that sets […]

Nearly two-thirds of Virginia Head Start centers beyond walking distance for toddlers

By: - October 26, 2023

Almost 100 Head Start centers in Virginia that foster educational and social development for children under the age of 5 are located within one mile of a transit stop, but beyond walking distance for a toddler. Virginia joins other states across the country with the issue. Nationally, only 19% of centers are within a toddler’s […]

Va. governor rejects claim of underfunding Virginia State University

By: - October 25, 2023

Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s administration denies that the commonwealth has underfunded the historically Black Virginia State University compared to the state’s other land-grant institution, Virginia Tech, after federal officials estimated VSU is owed over $277 million in state funding from 1987 to 2020.  To calculate that figure, the U.S. Departments of Education and Agriculture used a […]

Senate District 31 race: Republican Juan Pablo Segura vs. Democrat Russet Perry

By: - October 19, 2023

In Senate District 31, composed of parts of Loudoun and Fauquier counties, Republican Juan Pablo Segura is attacking Democrat Russet Perry as soft on crime while emphasizing parental rights. Meanwhile, Perry is focusing on abortion, portraying Segura as a threat to reproductive rights. Both candidates in the closely contested race are newcomers to state politics. […]

Va. education workgroup recommends revisions to state educational testing

By: - October 17, 2023

A state-led work group is recommending Virginia revise its Standards of Learning tests as part of broader plans to restructure the state’s system of assessing students and schools.    The work group, which included Secretary of Education Aimee Guidera and Superintendent of Public Instruction Lisa Coons, was created by legislation known as House Bill 585, which […]

Virginia universities increasingly eyeing guaranteed admissions

By: - October 16, 2023

As Virginia Commonwealth University rolls out a program that grants admission to any high school senior with a certain GPA, it’s the latest school to face challenges ensuring its facilities and infrastructure can keep up with the influx of students. VCU, along with George Mason University and at least four other Virginia universities, have begun […]

House District 21 race: Republican Stirrup vs. Democrat Thomas

By: - October 11, 2023

In the closely watched House District 21 race in Northern Virginia, Republican John Stirrup is campaigning on improving public safety, while Democrat Josh Thomas is hoping his opponent’s views on abortion will win him the seat.  The already tight race came under the spotlight this August when the Washington Post released a recording of Stirrup, […]

State’s financial commitments to Hampton-Roads Bridge-Tunnel expansion could increase with delays

By: - October 9, 2023

Virginia could amend its agreement with the contractor for the Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel expansion to increase the state’s financial commitments after being told the project could be delayed by nearly two years. According to the original timeline, the $3.9 billion project is supposed to be finished by November 2025. But contractor Hampton Roads Connector Partners […]