Virginia - Potomac Local News

Data Center Dispute Stalls Virginia Budget Talks

Published June 9, 2026 at 6:43AM

“Just when I thought Chairman Torian and I were getting close to agreeing on a budget, we had a meeting with Data Center Diva this morning and she agrees with Amazon Don who doesn’t want to impact the richest corporations in the country,” The Center Square reported. “I have also been clear that data centers in Virginia need to pay their fair share for energy consumption,” Spanberger said.

“I have brought proposals to the table that would make data centers pay more for the energy they use and address environmental concerns,” Spanberger added.

Trash Pickup Paused Due to Roads

By Mauriah Church-Barbour

Published January 27, 2026 at 1:13PM

[Submitted Photo].

“Due to current road conditions, service will be suspended on Tuesday,” American Disposal Services of VA [posted] on Facebook. “American Disposal Services of VA will continue to monitor road conditions closely and provide updates regarding service as they become available.”

Customers are encouraged to check the company’s website, mobile app, and Facebook page for the latest updates on when service may resume.

Repealing Virginia right-to-work law could cost billions

By Mauriah Church-Barbour

Published January 13, 2026 at 12:24PM

Photo: Virginia Department of Historic Resources

“Repealing Virginia’s right-to-work law could lower the state’s economic output by tens of billions of dollars over the next decade,” The Center Square reported.

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Governor Youngkin announces major statewide results from “Operation Magic Dragon” targeting illegal drug activity in vape shops

By Uriah Kiser

Published October 30, 2025 at 12:34PM

“When illegal drugs, firearms, and organized criminal activity infiltrate retail businesses, frequented by the public—including youth—Virginia will respond with decisive enforcement and unwavering accountability,” Governor Glenn Youngkin stated. “The results of Operation Magic Dragon demonstrate the exceptional work of our Virginia State Police special agents and their steadfast commitment to keeping our communities safe.”

“Operation Magic Dragon remains a vital tool for identifying and dismantling criminal enterprises that use vape shops and other retail fronts to distribute illegal drugs,” said Secretary of Public Safety and Homeland Security Marcus Anderson. “The Youngkin administration will continue to support these operations to ensure our families and communities are protected from those who profit off addiction and criminality.”

Attorney General Miyares Announces Action Against Deceptive Cancer Charity Fundraising Scheme

By Press Release

Published September 26, 2025 at 9:00AM

Virignia Attorney General Jason Miyares

RICHMOND, Va. — Attorney General Jason Miyares today announced that his office, along with the Federal Trade Commission and 18 other states, has shut down a deceptive charity fundraising scheme and its operators who made false or deceptive claims to donors. This resolution restricts future fundraising and secures $550,000 for distribution to cancer-related charities.

Kars-R-Us.com, Inc. (Kars) and its operators solicited charitable donations nationwide on behalf of United Breast Cancer Foundation, Inc. (UBCF), a charity that claims to assist individuals affected by breast cancer, according to a complaint filed by Virginia, the FTC and other states. Kars claimed that vehicle donations would allow UBCF to “save lives” by providing free and low-cost breast cancer screenings. In reality, however, only $126,815 or 0.28% of the more than $45 million that Kars raised was used to provide breast cancer screenings, the complaint alleges.

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

By Uriah Kiser

Published August 13, 2025 at 8:00AM | Updated August 15, 2025 at 3:41PM

[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%.

Youngkin Issues Executive Order Banning DeepSeek from Government Devices

By The Center Square

Published February 12, 2025 at 5:00AM | Updated February 12, 2025 at 12:02PM

Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin (R) held a bill signing ceremony at Beanstalk, an indoor vertical farming company near Manassas. [Photo: Alan Gloss]

By Sarah Roderick-Fitch

(The Center Square) – Virginia is the second state in as many days to ban the artificial intelligence app DeepSeek on state devices and state-run networks.

Education, Not Slot Machines: Lateef’s Plan to Fund Virginia’s Future

By Uriah Kiser

Published February 3, 2025 at 11:27AM | Updated February 13, 2025 at 10:26AM

Dr. Babur Lateef, Chairman At-Large of the Prince William County School Board, has entered the race for Virginia’s Lieutenant Governor, positioning himself as an education-focused candidate in a crowded Democratic primary. With years of experience overseeing Virginia’s second-largest school division, Lateef brings a track record of pushing for increased teacher pay, improved graduation rates, and infrastructure investments—all issues he hopes to prioritize at the state level.

An Education-First Platform

Three Constitutional Amendments Move Forward in Virginia Senate

By The Center Square

Published January 23, 2025 at 2:46PM | Updated January 23, 2025 at 4:26PM

Virignia State Capitol

By Sarah Roderick Fitch

(The Center Square) – Three amendments are one step closer to being enshrined in the Virginia Constitution after passing the Senate on Tuesday. These amendments address abortion rights, marriage equality, and the restoration of voting rights for formerly incarcerated felons.

Local Pediatric Pneumonia Cases Surge as Mycoplasma Infections Rise

By Kelly Sienkowski

Published December 13, 2024 at 1:00PM

Local families may have noticed an increase in children being diagnosed with pneumonia this fall. Virginia Department of Health (VDH) confirmed the increase in November with a statement noting Emergency Room visits with a pneumonia diagnosis tripled the week of November 10-17 compared to the prior two years.

Additionally, a number of public schools have reported clusters of students with pneumonia and unspecified respiratory illnesses to VDH.