Virginia News & Current Events | Public News Service

According to AARP Virginia, 80% of nursing homes in the state do not meet the staffing requirements set by the U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. (Adobe Stock)

Friday, September 29, 2023

VA long-term care facilities rank low on national scorecard

A new report finds Virginia's long-term care facilities need improvement to better serve their residents. AARP's Long-Term Care Services and …

The National Council for Air and Stream Improvement found while older forests accumulate more carbon than younger ones, a younger forest can remove more carbon dioxide per year from the atmosphere than an older forest. (Adobe Stock)

Virginia groups seek old-growth forest protections

Virginia environmental advocates are looking for protections of old-growth forests. In 2022, President Joe Biden issued an executive order to have …

While evictions declined dramatically during the COVID-19 pandemic, they have since reached pre-pandemic levels. The first quarter of 2023 saw around 35,000 eviction filings in Virginia, a slight decline from the last two quarters of 2022. (Adobe Stock)

Today: Richmond Candidate Forum to Focus on 'Housing Crisis'

Advocates for affordable housing in Virginia are holding a forum today for Richmond region candidates to speak with local residents about the state's …

As August ended, there had been 27 confirmed cases of meningococcal disease associated with Virginia's outbreak, including five deaths. (Adobe Stock)

Virginia Faces Meningococcal Disease Outbreak

The Virginia Department of Health has reported a statewide outbreak of meningococcal disease. It initially began as a regional outbreak in the …

A 2023 Resources for the Future report noted the state of Virginia established a climate resilience fund in early 2022, using $25 million from the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative. (Chesapeake Climate Action Network)

Environmental Groups File Lawsuit to Keep VA in RGGI

Several environmental groups have filed a lawsuit to keep Virginia in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative. In June, Virginia's Air Pollution …

A study analyzing Massachusetts' menthol ban found there were some increases in cross-border sales of menthols, although they weren't statistically significant. (Adobe Stock)

Law Enforcement Ponders How to Enforce Menthol Cigarette Ban

The Food and Drug Administration will be releasing guidance on its proposed menthol cigarette ban by month's end. In Virginia, these cigarettes make …

Energy prices across the United States increased 5% between 2021 and 2022, according to the Energy Information Administration. Coupled with 8% inflation, ratepayers saw a total 13% increase, the largest growth in electric bills since 1984. (Adobe Stock)

Energy-Efficiency Programs Aid Virginians with High Utility Costs

Growing energy prices have Virginians seeking relief to high utility bills. Earlier this year, Appalachian Power announced its customers will see a $2…

The American Lung Association reported emissions from natural gas and biomass power plants could result in cancer and other health issues, releasing pollutants like sulfur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide and carbon monoxide into the air. (Adobe Stock)

VA Environmental Groups Wary of Proposed Gas Power Plant

A proposed Dominion Energy power plant has Virginia environmental groups in an uproar. The Chesterfield Energy Reliability Center would be a gas-…

North Carolina farm workers have been organizing in similar fashion to those in Virginia. An Oxfam study found one in four workers is paid less than the federal minimum wage, and more than half aren't paid enough to meet their basic needs. (Adobe Stock)

Labor Rights Group Helps VA Migrant Workers Unionize

Migrant farm workers in Virginia are organizing for better workplace treatment. The Farm Labor Organizing Committee has developed a union with two …

In an AARP survey, Virginia voters said they would support the idea of importing prescription drugs from wholesalers and licensed pharmacies and/or joining a buying pool offering prescription drug discounts. (Adobe Stock)

Survey: Virginia Needs Lower Prescription Drug Prices

Despite partisan divides on many issues, a new survey shows Virginia voters are like-minded about the need to do something about rising prescription …

A recent Council on Criminal Justice Report finds homicide has reached 2020 levels (24%) this year, after peaking at 40% in 2021. (Adobe Stock)

Report: VA, US Crime Rates See Post-Pandemic Decline

A recent report finds crime across cities in Virginia and the nation is in sharp decline. The Council for Criminal Justice report tracked crime data …

While Virginia Commonwealth University cleaners have gotten their first union contract, union growth in the United States has slowed. A Pew Research poll finds more than half of Americans feel this decline is bad not only for working people, but for all Americans. (Jeff Auth-Wikimedia Commons)

VCU Cleaners Get First Union Contract

Virginia Commonwealth University cleaners have won their first union contract. Along with 12 additional paid days off, the school's janitorial staff …

Between 2018 and 2021, maternal mortality rates spiked, according to the CDC. They peaked in 2021 at around 32%, with mothers age 40 and over having the largest increase in maternal mortality. (Adobe Stock)

VA Group Works to Improve Maternal Health

A Virginia group is working to boost maternal health across the state. Since 2011, maternal mortality rates have increased across the U.S. but …

A pilot program is being developed for Virginia's Security Corridor with the American Forest Program to grow the Family Forest Carbon Program in the region. It would help provide capacity to private landowners to improve carbon sequestration of their forests. (Adobe Stock)

VA Joins Sentinel Landscape Partnership Program

Virginia is the 12th state to join the nationwide Sentinel Landscape Partnership, which has goals of strengthening military readiness while advancing …

A 2022 Virginia Department of Health survey shows 37% of young people in Virginia felt they had easy access to tobacco products. Meanwhile, more than half (51%) began smoking or vaping as soon as they came of age. (Adobe Stock)

VA Could See Low-Nicotine Cigarettes By End of 2023

Virginia is one of several U.S. states that could see low-nicotine cigarettes rolled out by year's end. Created by 22nd Century Group, these …

Nuclear energy is one part of Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin's

Experts Concerned about SW Virginia Nuclear Plant Placement

Environmentalists and Southwest Virginia residents are concerned about proposed sites for small modular nuclear reactors. The LENOWISCO Planning …

The Chesapeake Legal Alliance sued in May to challenge the Virginia Marine Resources Commission's standards on menhaden harvesting. The proposed regulations would have pushed these operations away from the shores of Chesapeake Bay in the hopes of preventing net spills. (Adobe Stock)

Industrial Menhaden Operations Harm VA Ecosystems

Virginia fishermen want action to be taken to keep industrial menhaden operations in the state in check. Menhaden are a nutrient-rich fish and a key …

This summer's data from AARP found 37.2 million people age 55 and older were employed, a slight increase from May. Unemployment for the same group declined to 1 million in the same time period. (Adobe Stock)

Virginia Seniors Get Help with Job Training, Confidence Building

A Virginia program is helping older workers launch their "second act" in the workforce. The Northern Virginia Senior Community Services Employment …

In 2021, transportation was the highest source of greenhouse-gas emissions, accounting for 28% of all emissions in the United States, according to the EPA. (Adobe Stock)

Public Comment for EPA’s EV Standards Concludes

The Environmental Protection Agency's comment period on new electric vehicle standards has ended. New regulations from the agency would phase-in …

The National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare found Virginia Social Security beneficiaries received $2,336,507,000 in 2020. (Adobe Stock)

AARP Virginia Hosts Town Hall on Social Security's Importance, Future

AARP Virginia is sponsoring a town hall at 5:30 p.m. at the Black History Museum and Cultural Center of Virginia in Richmond about Social Security…

According to research from the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, Virginia police estimate there are 31,000 active protective orders on file at any given time in the state. (Adobe Stock)

VA Group Working to Aid Domestic Violence Victims, Survivors

A Virginia group is working to ensure abusers can't use the courts to keep harming their victims. Commonly called "abusive litigation," these come …

The National Renewable Energy Laboratory finds solar resources make up around 90% of potential renewable energy generation potential on tribal lands in the contiguous 48 states. (Adobe Stock)

Community Solar Focuses on Equity for VA Climate Goals

By Carey L. Biron for Context.Broadcast version by Edwin J. Viera for Virginia News Connection reporting for the Solutions Journalism Network-Public …

Virginia ranked 48th in the 2023 State of Mental Health report undertaken by Mental Health America. This indicates higher rates of mental illness among the state's youth and little access to care. (Adobe Stock)

Report: VA, US Children Need Better Health Supports

A new annual report found children in Virginia and across the U.S. need better health support. The Annie E. Casey Foundation's Kids Count Data Book …

A 2018 study from The Electricity Journal found the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative had created a $4.7 billion net benefit for consumers and created over 40,000 jobs. (Adobe Stock)

VA Bails on Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative

Virginia's Air Pollution Control Board has voted to leave the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative. RGGI is a cooperative effort among multiple …

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency wetlands cover 5.5% of the 48 contiguous states, with one million acres of wetland in Virginia. (Adobe Stock)

SCOTUS Ruling Creates New Definition for Wetlands

Virginia environmental advocates are not happy with the U.S. Supreme Court's recent decision on the Clean Water Act. The ruling in Sackett versus E-P-…

A 2022 study from the Administration for Community Living found 60% of senior centers are designed to be points of delivery for Older Americans Act programs, like home-delivered or congregate meals, health and wellness programs, caregiver support and adult day care. (Adobe Stock)

VA Senior Center Grows 'Environmental Wellness' Programs

As the COVID-19 pandemic has subsided, senior centers in Virginia are welcoming back their participants, and one in particular has shifted some of …

An Annie E. Casey Foundation report finds the number of kids entering foster care because of neglect increased from 29% in 2006 to 48% in 2021. But, the report finds fewer kids entered foster care because of behavioral issues during the same period. (Adobe Stock)

Report: More Support Needed for VA Foster Kids

A recent report finds foster kids in Virginia and the U.S. need better support to transition out of the foster-care system. The Annie E. Casey …

According to Virginia's opioid cost calculator, which tracks monetary impacts like lost labor, health care, crime, household costs, and state and federal costs, the state is facing a price tag of around $3.5 billion. (Adobe Stock)

VA Group Works to Address Opioid Crisis

As the opioid epidemic continues to take its toll, a Virginia group is working to keep people safe. The Virginia Harm Reduction Coalition in Roanoke …

Virginia ranked 48th in Mental Health America's 2023 State of Mental Health report for youth mental health, which indicated higher rates of mental illness among the state's youth and little access to care. (Adobe Stock)

Survey: Parents Worried About Student Mental Health

A recent survey from the National PTA found student mental health is a top-of-mind issue for parents across the U.S. The survey showed 72% of …

According to the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, 2.8% (14,400) high school students smoke in Virginia. The percentage of high schoolers who use e-cigarettes is 14.3%, slightly higher than the percentage of adults who smoke, 12.4%. (Adobe Stock)

VA Groups Aim to Reduce Youth Tobacco Use

Virginia groups are using different methods to warn young people about the dangers of smoking. Along with tobacco-free parks, the state has taken …

Due to sea level rise, 263,500 jobs and more than $11 billion in wage income across the Chesapeake Bay region will be at risk of 100-year flooding by 2050, according to a new report. (Adobe Stock)

Report: Rising Sea Levels to Impact Chesapeake Bay Region’s Economy

A new report finds rising sea levels in Chesapeake Bay will cost the surrounding regions jobs. The Resources for the Future report finds, in …

According to a 2022 Kaiser Family Foundation study, 57% of schools reported having insufficient access to licensed mental health professionals. (Adobe Stock)

VA Works to Improve Residents' Mental Health

May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and Virginia is working to improve the mental health of its residents. In Mental Health America's 2023 State …

Outside of risk factors, like an unhealthy diet, certain mental health conditions can lead to harmful heart health. These include irregular heart rate and rhythm, increased blood pressure, inflammation and reduced blood flow to the heart. (Adobe Stock)

VCU to Study Effects of Stress on Heart Health

Virginia Commonwealth University will be researching chronic psychosocial stress' effects on heart health as part of an American Heart Association gra…

According to Virginia's Community College System, more than 146,700 students enrolled in community college in fall 2022, a 1.7% increase from the year before when only 144,215 students enrolled. (Virginia's Community College System)

VA Rural Community Colleges Make Comeback After Pandemic

Community colleges across Virginia are rebounding from the COVID-19 pandemic. According to the Virginia Community College System, the fall 2022 …

According to a Gallup poll, only 14% of Republicans have confidence in public schools following the COVID-19 pandemic. This is down from 34% in 2020. (Adobe Stock)

Congressional Hearing Re-Examines AFT COVID-19 Pandemic Plan

GOP lawmakers are questioning teacher's unions about school closure policies during the COVID-19 pandemic. On April 26, Randi Weingarten, president …

According to a report from the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center, Virginians lost $172,767,012 in online scams in 2021, among 11,785 victims. (Adobe Stock)

AARP VA Hosts 6th Annual Scam Jam

In the hopes of warning seniors about the dangers of online scams, AARP Virginia is hosting its annual Scam Jam April 29. Members of law enforcement …

According to the National Association of Community Healthcare Centers, Virginia is one of over 30 states with a medically disenfranchised population over 1 million, meaning there are not enough primary care medical services to meet their local needs. (Adobe Stock)

VA Group Leads Rural Healthcare Workforce Program

A Virginia group is working to bolster the state's health care workforce. The Virginia Rural Health Association's Workforce Initiative is a …

According to an America's Health Rankings report, excessive drinking can be linked to a variety of chronic illnesses, diseases and health problems, including hypertension, heart disease, liver disease, certain cancers, and memory and learning problems. (Adobe Stock)

VA Group Voices Concerns about Underage Drinking

April is Alcohol Awareness Month, and Virginia groups are doing their part to educate people about alcohol abuse. The state ranked 22nd for …

A 2022 report from the National Fair Housing Association found private fair housing organizations across the U.S. processed 2.6 times the number of fair housing complaints processed by local, state and federal agencies. (Adobe Stock)

VA Fair Housing Law Needs Better Enforcement

As Fair Housing Month gets underway, a Virginia group feels more can be done to enforce fair housing laws. Along with the federal Fair Housing Act…

According to research from the Council on Community Justice Task Force on Long Sentences, people serving long sentences make up more than half of the U.S. incarcerated population. (Adobe Stock)

Report: Making Longer Prison Sentences 'More Effective'

A new report outlines ways that states like Virginia could rethink long prison sentences and how to use them more sparingly. The Council on …

A report from Generation Hope about child care access for student parents finds 74% of respondents provide over 30 hours of care for their child while attending school. (Adobe Stock)

Report: Student Parents Need Better Access to Child Care

A new report highlights the need for better access to child care for college level student parents. The report, from Generation Hope, finds 92% of …

While more than 3,500 people have been awarded the Medal of Honor since it was created by President Abraham Lincoln, only 65 of them are alive today. (The White House)

Plans Advance for Medal of Honor Museum, Monument

While National Medal of Honor Month is ending, plans to develop a museum and monument for the award are continuing. Numerous Medal of Honor …

According to the World Health Organization's Sodium Scorecard, a quarter of the world's population lives in countries with mandatory policies in place to reduce sodium intake. (Adobe Stock)

New Reports Outline Need for Healthier Eating Habits

Two recent reports take aim at improving health across the United States and the world. A report from the World Health Organization found that the …

The Virginia Department of Environmental Quality has identified several locations across the state as having forever chemicals at their sites. Some are Fentress Air Base, Oceana Naval Air Station in Virginia Beach, DuPont Spruance Manufacturing in Richmond. (Adobe Stock)

EPA Issues New Guidance on ‘Forever Chemicals’

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is implementing new rules on per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances known as forever chemicals. The new …

In recent years, Norfolk Southern has kept accidents on a downward trend, according to Federal Railroad Authority data. Since the derailment of freight cars carrying hazardous materials in East Palestine, Ohio, the company has been under a great deal of scrutiny. (Adobe Stock)

VA Environmentalists Disagree with DEQ’s Norfolk Southern Fine

Virginia environmentalists are frustrated by the state Department of Environmental Quality's $27,000 fine of Norfolk Southern for a 2020 train derailm…

According to real estate consulting firm CBRE, Northern Virginia's total data center load in 2021 was 1,688 megawatts, which is equivalent needed to power 1.6 million homes. (Adobe Stock)<br />

VA Carbon Emissions Drop Despite Data Center Growth

By Elizabeth McGowan for Energy News Network.Broadcast version by Edwin J. Viera for Virginia News Connection reporting for the Solutions Journalism …

A report by the Virginia Coalition for Open Government finds some reasons state agency websites weren't in compliance with Virginia's Freedom of Information Law is they didn't say what kind of records they maintained, didn't say what records the agency withholds, and there was no link to FOIA on the agency's homepage. (Adobe Stock)

Report: VA State Agencies, Public Colleges Not Complying with FOIA

A new report finds Virginia's state agencies are failing to post key Freedom of Information Act links. The report from the Virginia Coalition for …

According to a report from AARP, Virginia family caregivers provided over 920 million hours of unpaid care to family members in 2021. (Adobe Stock)

Report: VA Family Caregivers Provide Swaths of Unpaid Help

A new report shows just how much unpaid care Virginia family caregivers provide to loved ones. As part of AARP's Valuing the Invaluable series…

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