Author: PLN News

Virginia

Energy Secretary warns of blackouts, issues emergency order for Mid-Atlantic grid

By PLN News
[Photo: American Public Power Association/Unsplash]

The U.S. Department of Energy warned Tuesday that the Mid-Atlantic grid faces elevated blackout risks this week from high demand, autumn generator maintenance, and planned transmission outages, and issued an emergency order to keep more power available.

The order directs PJM Interconnection — which operates the grid serving Northern Virginia, including Manassas, Woodbridge and Fredericksburg — to dispatch specified generating units and authorize backup generation as a last resort before or during an Energy Emergency Alert. It takes effect today and runs through Thursday, October 16.

Go to Energy Secretary warns of blackouts, issues emergency order for Mid-Atlantic grid Read more
Traffic

Soil at Potomac Shores VRE site tests clean; groundbreaking comes next

By PLN News
A Virginia Railway Express train pulls into the Fredericksburg train station.
A Virginia Railway Express train pulls into the Fredericksburg train station. [Photo: Uriah Kiser/PLN]

Soil testing at the planned Potomac Shores Virginia Railway Express station has come back clean, clearing a long-standing hurdle so staff can schedule a public groundbreaking with the developer.

VRE Operations Board Chair Andrea Bailey and CEO Katie Choe told the board at its Sept. 18 meeting that work had been paused pending the soil check. With the tests clean, the next step is a groundbreaking ceremony.

Go to Soil at Potomac Shores VRE site tests clean; groundbreaking comes next Read more
Fredericksburg

Fredericksburg EDA takes up City Soccer Club sponsorship in closed session; no public vote

By PLN News
A view of Downtown Fredericksburg from above Hurkamp Park [Photo: Fredericksburg City]

The Fredericksburg Economic Development Authority took up the business of Fredericksburg City Soccer Club at its Sept. 14 and Oct. 5 meetings. The authority went into closed session on a sponsorship proposal and took no public vote after it returned to open session.

Brett Pierce introduced himself in open session on Oct. 5 as operations director for the club and said he was there to answer questions. The club, also called Fred City, was founded in 2026. Ownership includes former City Council member Jason Graham, Gilberto Baez, Victor Fuster, and Charlie Payne. It announced in September that it will field men’s and women’s teams in USL League Two and the USL W League beginning in 2027, with first games expected in May, likely at the University of Mary Washington’s Battleground Athletic Complex. City Council proclaimed Sept. 23 “Fred City Soccer Club Day” the night before the public announcement, citing sports tourism and community benefits.

Go to Fredericksburg EDA takes up City Soccer Club sponsorship in closed session; no public vote Read more
Prince William

James Long Park trailheads get kiosks and maps after Eagle Scout project

By PLN News
Trailhead kiosk with map at James Long Park
Trailhead kiosk with map at James Long Park. Credit: Prince William County Parks & Recreation / Facebook.

The three trailheads at James Long Park now have kiosks with full-size trail maps, built and installed by Eagle Scout Chris Sheeran, Prince William County Parks & Recreation announced Tuesday.

Sheeran spent the past year on the project, handling the design, approval, construction and installation of kiosks at all three trailheads in the park’s trail system. Parks staff added the maps on Tuesday.

Go to James Long Park trailheads get kiosks and maps after Eagle Scout project Read more
Fredericksburg

Fredericksburg’s Still Making History campaign wins VML communications award

By PLN News
Screenshot

The Virginia Municipal League presented the City of Fredericksburg with its 2026 Innovation Award in Communications on Sunday for the “Fredericksburg: Still Making History” tourism campaign.

The award was presented at the Norfolk Waterside Marriott during VML’s annual conference. Fredericksburg was one of seven Virginia localities honored.

Go to Fredericksburg’s Still Making History campaign wins VML communications award Read more
Schools

Three local students elected to Phi Kappa Phi

By PLN News
News Links
News Links

Harley Brydon of Stafford, Katherine Gonzales of Woodbridge and Christopher Izenour of Bristow were recently elected to membership in The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi, the nation’s oldest and most selective collegiate honor society for all academic disciplines.

Brydon was elected at Boise State University. Gonzales was elected at Texas State University. Izenour was elected at Mississippi State University.

Go to Three local students elected to Phi Kappa Phi Read more
Politics

Spanberger says administration is looking into reports it restored dead people’s voting rights

By PLN News
Gov. Abigail Spanberger answers questions in Henrico
Gov. Abigail Spanberger answers questions in Henrico on Oct. 9, 2026. Credit 8News / WRIC.

“We’re certainly looking into that possibility and recognizing that there has been a focus on a number of cases where that appears to be the case. We are digging into it,” Gov. Abigail Spanberger told 8News Friday at an event in Henrico County.

Spanberger was asked about social media posts alleging her administration restored the rights of deceased people as part of restoring the rights of convicted felons upon their release.

Go to Spanberger says administration is looking into reports it restored dead people’s voting rights Read more
Virginia

Vindman faces crowded field in 7th District race

By PLN News

U.S. Rep. Eugene Vindman, D-Woodbridge, faces five challengers on the ballot, including Republican Douglas Ollivant, as he seeks a second term in the 7th Congressional District, the Virginia Mercury reports.

The district includes Prince William County and parts of Stafford and Spotsylvania counties, and the Mercury reports that rising living and housing costs, federal employment shifts and infrastructure needs are top concerns for voters. Vindman won the seat in 2024 by three points over Republican Derrick Anderson, and his campaign has raised more than $12 million, according to the report.

Go to Vindman faces crowded field in 7th District race Read more
View More Stories