Virginia - Page 17 of 26 - Potomac Local News

139th generation of new state troopers graduation

Published September 20, 2023 at 8:18AM

Press Release: “On Friday, Sept. 15, 2023, the Commonwealth graduated its 139th generation of Virginia State Troopers. The 31 new state troopers were presented their diplomas during commencement exercises at the State Police Training Academy in Chesterfield County. ”

“The new troopers have received more than 1,300 hours of classroom and field instruction in more than 100 different subjects, including de-escalation techniques, strategies to assist people in mental health crisis, ethics and leadership, fair and impartial policing, constitutional law, emergency medical trauma care, and public and community relations. The members of the 139th Basic Session began their 28 weeks of academic, physical and practical training at the Academy Feb. 27, 2023.”

VDOT lifts lane closures to ease Labor Day travel

By Amelia Breeden

Published August 30, 2023 at 9:49AM

Drivers see purple signs ahead of E-ZPass Express Lanes entrances. [Photo: VDOT]

“While lane closures will be lifted in most locations, motorists may encounter semi-permanent work zones that remain in place during this time. Check VDOT’s Weekly Lane Closures and Travel Advisories for the latest travel alerts in your area and around the state.”

“Additionally, VDOT offers several resources to help plan travel ahead of time. VDOT’s online, interactive travel trends map shows peak congestion periods anticipated on Virginia interstates during the upcoming Labor Day holiday period. While it cannot precisely predict when congestion will occur this year, it can help motorists avoid travel when roads have historically been busiest.”

Virginia Mortgage Relief Program to close applications

By Amelia Breeden

Published August 3, 2023 at 9:31AM

Virginia Housing: “Today, the Virginia Mortgage Relief Program (VMRP), administered by Virginia Housing, announced that the program is closing to new applicants effective October 1, 2023.”

“The Commonwealth’s federal funding is limited, but VMRP will continue to operate until the program reaches full disbursement of the funds received from the American Rescue Plan Act and the U.S Department of Treasury.”

Gas prices up 15 cents in last week, 30 cents in a month

By Uriah Kiser

Published August 2, 2023 at 6:26AM

Photo: Erik McLean, Unsplash

The Center Square: “Virginia’s price for a gallon of unleaded gasoline has risen nearly 30 cents in a month, half of that in just the last week. The American Automobile Association’s daily tracking put the state average at $3.59 on Monday, up from $3.42 a week ago and $3.30 a month ago.”

“The national average is $3.75, AAA says.”

Spanberger to ban airlines extra fees to seat families together

By Amelia Breeden

Published July 24, 2023 at 10:30AM

Spanberger

Congresswoman Abigail Spanberger: “U.S. Representative Abigail Spanberger is leading bipartisan legislation to make sure children can be seated next to their parents on flights for no extra fees.”

“Congress passed the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reauthorization bill in 2016. This law included language that required the U.S. Secretary of Transportation to establish a policy — if appropriate — requiring airlines to seat young children with their family members on flights without charging them additional fees. However, families across the country continue to be separated from their children during air travel.”

I-66 Express Lanes one of largest rubblized concrete projects in U.S.

By Madina Habib

Published July 21, 2023 at 10:00AM

I-66 E-ZPass Express Lanes at Haymarket [Photo: I-66 Mobility Partners]

“The nation’s oldest transportation-related construction group recognized the innovative partnership between I-66 Express Mobility Partners, FAM Construction, and the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT). The announcement was made at ARTBA’s 35^th annual P3s In Transportation conference, held at the Grand Hyatt hotel in Washington, D.C.”

Virginia Department of Education ‘restores parental rights’

By Amelia Breeden

Published July 20, 2023 at 3:05PM

[Photo: Prince William County Public Schools]

“The guidance, Model Policies on Ensuring Privacy, Dignity and Respect for All Students and Parents in Virginia’s Public Schools, provides clearer input for school boards regarding the role of parents in decisions relating to their child’s gender identity, as well as restricting transgender students from participating in sex segregated extra-curricular activities that don’t align with their biological sex.”

“In addition, the new directive requires students to use bathrooms or locker rooms that correspond with their biological sex; while recognizing federal law may override such policy, it provides parents the right to opt their children out from using those facilities and must provide private, alternative facilities.”

New FBI headquarters delayed by GSA as Virginia, Maryland wait

By Amelia Breeden

Published July 19, 2023 at 8:24AM

The FBI’s J. Edgar Hoover Building in Washington serves as the agency’s national headquarters. [Photo: FBI]

“The U.S. General Services Administration said Friday it has updated the site selection plan for the new FBI headquarters site to increase the consideration of cost to taxpayers and to reflect the Biden administration’s commitment to sustainability and equity.”

“In its announcement on Friday, the GSA said it revised its site selection plan process for the new FBI headquarters after meeting with officials from Virginia and Maryland. The three final sites under review — in Greenbelt, Maryland, Landover, Maryland and Springfield, Virginia — were selected in 2014 by the GSA.”

Youngkin surpasses previous governors’ annual fundraising records in a single quarter

By Uriah Kiser

Published July 17, 2023 at 10:00AM

Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin

AP: “Republican Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s main fundraising apparatus will soon report raising $5.75 million in this year’s second quarter, a sum that surpasses what any previous governor of the state has raised over an entire year, according to the group’s accounting.”

“The haul will bring to $8.5 million the total Youngkin’s Spirit of Virginia political action committee has raised in the first six months of 2023, according to details provided to The Associated Press ahead of a Monday reporting deadline. And it will leave Spirit of Virginia with $6 million in cash on hand just over two months before the start of early voting in this year’s legislative elections that will decide political control of the currently divided General Assembly.”

Study: Virginia ranked No. 2 for business

By Uriah Kiser

Published July 13, 2023 at 3:09PM

[Photo: Mike Petrucci/Unsplash]

“The survey released Tuesday is likely to be music to Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s ears, as the businessman-turned-politician has often touted the commonwealth’s business-friendly policies.”