Originals

Manassas

Manassas School Year Kicks Off with New Programs, Safety Focus, and Community Spirit

By Uriah Kiser
[Photo: Manassas City Public Schools]

MANASSAS, Va. – The 2025–26 school year in Manassas opened Tuesday with excitement, new initiatives, and a shared focus on student safety and family engagement.

Several School Board members greeted students at bus stops and school entrances, marking the first day with messages of teamwork and optimism. “Today was more than just the start of a new school calendar, it’s the start of new possibilities,” said Board Chair Suzanne Seaberg. “Let’s make this year one of great learning, great connections, and great memories.”

Go to Manassas School Year Kicks Off with New Programs, Safety Focus, and Community Spirit Read more
Health

Virginia Marketplace Health Plans Could Jump 20% Next Year — One Insurer Wants 40%

By Uriah Kiser
[Photo by Hush Naidoo Jade Photography/Unsplash]

Virginians who buy health insurance on the state’s marketplace could see big premium hikes in 2026, with most insurers proposing average increases of 20% or more — and one requesting twice that.

The State Corporation Commission says 10 insurers plan to sell individual marketplace plans in Virginia next year. Optimum Choice, Inc. has proposed the steepest average increase, 40.2%, according to SCC records. Rates in the small group market, which covers businesses with fewer than 50 workers, could rise an average of 11.2%.

Go to Virginia Marketplace Health Plans Could Jump 20% Next Year — One Insurer Wants 40% Read more
Traffic

Ride Report: OmniRide Ridership Surges Toward Record Highs, but Capacity Concerns Loom

By Uriah Kiser

OmniRide buses are carrying more passengers than they have in years, and the Potomac and Rappahannock Transportation Commission (PRTC) is on track to set a system-wide ridership record in the coming year — even with fewer commuter trips than before the pandemic.

This one’s for the people who really care about local news.

Locals Only members get deeper reporting, more context, and fewer shortcuts.

Think that’s you?
👉 Join Locals Only
Already a member? Sign in

Go to Ride Report: OmniRide Ridership Surges Toward Record Highs, but Capacity Concerns Loom Read more
Stafford

Stafford Sheriff Launches Retail Crime Task Force—But Offers No Data to Support It

By Uriah Kiser
Car batteries under lock and key at a Stafford County Walmart store in 2024.

STAFFORD, Va. – Stafford County officials have launched a new task force aimed at curbing retail theft and organized retail crime, but the Sheriff’s Office says it has no records or data to show whether such crimes are on the rise locally.

The joint initiative, announced last week by the Stafford County Sheriff’s Office and the Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office, is designed to target both everyday shoplifting and more complex theft operations. According to the announcement, the task force will focus on identifying suspects, sharing intelligence, and streamlining prosecution.

Go to Stafford Sheriff Launches Retail Crime Task Force—But Offers No Data to Support It Read more
Politics

Stafford Board of Supervisors 2025 Election: Candidates Share Their Top Priorities and Leadership Style

By Kelly Sienkowski

Editor’s note: This article is part of a series by Potomac Local News introducing candidates for the Stafford County Board of Supervisors. This fall, voters will choose representatives for the Garrisonville, Hartwood, Falmouth, and Aquia Districts. To help local voters learn more about their candidates, Potomac Local News invited all Board of Supervisors candidates to a virtual interview with the same five questions. Their answers have been condensed for clarity. The remaining candidates either declined, had scheduling conflicts, or did not respond.

Videos of the interviews are available here.

Go to Stafford Board of Supervisors 2025 Election: Candidates Share Their Top Priorities and Leadership Style Read more
Traffic

Riding Toward a Milestone, VRE Looks at Weekend Trains and Long-Term Funding

By Uriah Kiser

Virginia Railway Express expects to welcome its 100 millionth rider this fall—and leaders hope the milestone can help bring more people on board, even as they wrestle with when to launch Saturday trains and how to keep the system funded in the years ahead.

This one’s for the people who really care about local news.

Locals Only members get deeper reporting, more context, and fewer shortcuts.

Think that’s you?
👉 Join Locals Only
Already a member? Sign in

Go to Riding Toward a Milestone, VRE Looks at Weekend Trains and Long-Term Funding Read more
Prince William

Exclusive: Hansford Blocked from Returning to PWCS After VEA Takeover of Local Teachers Union

By Alan Gloss

Prince William County Public Schools (PWCS) has told suspended Prince William Education Association (PWEA) president Maggie Hansford it will not consider her for employment, citing concerns raised in the Virginia Education Association’s (VEA) recent takeover of the local teachers union.

This one’s for the people who really care about local news.

Locals Only members get deeper reporting, more context, and fewer shortcuts.

Think that’s you?
👉 Join Locals Only
Already a member? Sign in

Go to Exclusive: Hansford Blocked from Returning to PWCS After VEA Takeover of Local Teachers Union Read more
Prince William

Dumfries Council Reduces Historic Dumfries Funding, Takes Over Park and Museum Maintenance

By Uriah Kiser

What began as public anticipation of a vote to remove Historic Dumfries Virginia, Inc. (HDVI) from the Weems-Botts Museum ended with a funding cut and a shift in maintenance responsibilities — but not the eviction many feared.

This one’s for the people who really care about local news.

Locals Only members get deeper reporting, more context, and fewer shortcuts.

Think that’s you?
👉 Join Locals Only
Already a member? Sign in

Go to Dumfries Council Reduces Historic Dumfries Funding, Takes Over Park and Museum Maintenance Read more
Prince William

Tourism Spending in Virginia Hits Record $35 Billion; Prince William Sees More Out-of-State Visitors

By Uriah Kiser
NOVA Live (formerly Farm Brew Live) just outside Manassas.

PRINCE WILLIAM COUNTY, Va. – Virginia welcomed more visitors and more tourism dollars in 2024 than ever before, generating a record $35.1 billion in spending, Governor Glenn Youngkin and the Virginia Tourism Corporation announced this week. That’s up 5.4% from $33.3 billion in 2023 and marked the first time overnight visitation surpassed pre-pandemic levels. More than one million additional overnight visitors came to the Commonwealth in 2024 — a total of 44.7 million people.

Statewide, travelers spent an average of $96 million per day, up from $91 million the year before. Tourism supported more than 229,000 jobs in 2024, nearly 5,000 more than in 2023, and generated $2.5 billion in state and local tax revenue. Officials say that amounts to $990 in annual savings for each Virginia household.

Go to Tourism Spending in Virginia Hits Record $35 Billion; Prince William Sees More Out-of-State Visitors Read more
Schools

Exclusive: Stafford Schools Say Transportation System Ready After Last Year’s Collapse

By Uriah Kiser
Stafford County Public Schools Transportation Director John Wilcots

Stafford County Public Schools officials say they’re more prepared than ever to get students to class this year, thanks to sweeping changes in the division’s transportation department.

This one’s for the people who really care about local news.

Locals Only members get deeper reporting, more context, and fewer shortcuts.

Think that’s you?
👉 Join Locals Only
Already a member? Sign in

Go to Exclusive: Stafford Schools Say Transportation System Ready After Last Year’s Collapse Read more
View More Stories