Commentary
New law puts Virginians more in control over costly subscriptions
It’s so simple – and soooo seductive – to sign up for offers touting cheap “teaser” rates. You know what I mean: Just $10 for a gym membership for three months. Or a free trial period from retail-order conglomerates. Online news websites are fond of introductory fees of, say, $1 for six months. The problem […]
As Virginia’s SCC prepares to tackle the data center surge, it can learn from Ohio
Energy use is skyrocketing across Virginia with the proliferation of new data centers, but as it turns out, we are not alone. Across the country, the rise of artificial intelligence and its voracious demand for power has prompted tech companies to locate new data centers wherever they think they can secure the necessary land, energy […]
No, FEMA Helene funds aren’t going to undocumented immigrants, despite Youngkin appointee’s tweet
We’re four weeks away from electing the country’s next commander-in-chief and Virginia’s representatives in the U.S. Senate and Congress, and in the wake of one of the most devastating hurricanes the Southeast has seen in years. It’s an especially bad moment to be spreading misinformation online. It seems Rooz Dadabhoy has a poor sense of […]
Secrecy over officers’ names, pay keeps Virginians in the dark
Virginia’s feckless Freedom of Information Act – so riddled with exemptions and other shortcomings that transparency experts say it’s subpar compared to other states – has suffered another loss. Recently, a Chesterfield County judge sided with that locality’s police department in refusing a citizen’s request to reveal the names and salaries of hundreds of its […]
Virginia’s new accountability system: A chance to lead in educational equity
Virginia has been a beacon of bipartisan educational innovation, showcasing historic and recent advancements in standards, early childhood education, career and technology education, and post-secondary pathways. State support for higher education increased 28% in the past five years, alongside greater investments in Advanced Placement classes and regional collaborations between community colleges and employees. It’s no […]
Is sewage sludge laced with ‘forever chemicals’ contaminating Va. farmland? No one’s testing it.
It’s out of sight and out of mind, and it might just be killing people. For decades, American factories have been sending their wastewater to municipal sewage treatment plants across the country, which handle it along with the effluent from other industries, homes and businesses. At the other end of the process, the separated and […]
In Virginia, Trump’s return to the ballot portends more tough times for the GOP
In elections, the most important thing is who shows up. What makes things interesting in a democratically elected republic is that “who shows up” can vary wildly from election to election based on recent events plus economic and societal conditions and which party and candidates get the blame (or credit) for them. That’s about to […]
CHWs are making an impact in Virginia. Let’s find sustainable funding for their future
Lawmakers recently designated $6.4 million to fund Community Health Workers (CHWs) within the commonwealth’s local health districts over the next two years. It’s a critical investment in Virginia’s health care workforce, and one that all of us should be celebrating — but there’s an opportunity for further action. You’ve likely heard of CHWs over the […]
Geothermal energy is having a moment. Could it power Virginia’s data centers?
Drill down far enough into the earth, and you will hit hot rocks. Energy companies have used this heat to generate carbon-free electricity for more than a century. It’s an elegant concept, but it worked only where pockets of heat lay close to the surface, accompanied by steam ready-made to turn turbines. Those limitations confined […]
New NFL helmet accessory reduces concussions. Will players and fans embrace safety over swag?
Fall brings football season in the U.S. and, with it, the parade of distinctively decorated helmets that the players wear. Over time, the shape and size of these helmets have gradually changed, from the leather head coverings of the early 20th century to the space-age plastic domes we’re accustomed to seeing today. But the visual profiles of some NFL football […]
In sop to ex-president, Youngkin panders about nonexistent voting by noncitizens
When it comes to hyping phantom voter fraud – most recently by noncitizens reputedly casting ballots in presidential contests, which is already illegal – Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin keeps playing lapdog to Donald Trump. The former president’s lies about the subject have earned tacit support from Youngkin and other Republican officials in the run-up to […]
Trump and Harris, with starkly different records on labor issues, are both courting union voters
Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris and Republican nominee Donald Trump are in a tight race for the White House. Every voting bloc will count – including members of labor unions and other people in their households. The majority of union leaders have over generations endorsed Democratic candidates, and this race is no exception. Although rank-and-file union members have […]