Google Offering Free AI Training

The state government and Google are partnering on an AI Launch Pad program that will offer 10,000 career certification courses to people who want to work in high technology. Participants can complete training to earn various certifications.

The program will also provide scholarships to cover training in artificial intelligence and prompting. These classes usually take a few hours to complete.

“Our new AI Career Launch Pad will take Virginia to the next level as a global leader in AI careers and training,” Gov. Glenn Youngkin said.

The initiative comes as Virginia is seeing job losses from federal cuts. Last week, 2,800 people filed initial unemployment claims, 6.1 percent higher than the week before.

ICE Activities in Virginia

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents were back at the Chesterfield County Courthouse this week to “interview some individuals coming to court,” the Sheriff’s Office said. ICE detained 15 people at the courthouse last month.

ICE confirmed it is holding Mexican national Cristian Romo-Bermejo, a 22-year-old Virginia Tech student, at its Farmville facility. He had been arrested last week by Blacksburg police on two counts of assault on a law enforcement officer and disorderly conduct on hospital grounds.

So far this year, ICE has detained more than 2,500 people in the Commonwealth, with more of those arrests coming in Fairfax County than anywhere else in the state.

UVA Research Targets Alzheimer’s

Researchers at the University of Virginia may have found a way to boost blood flow to the brain, which could help doctors and patients manage diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.

Scientists proved that immune cells called microglia determine how effectively blood cells deliver nutrients to the brain. “Our work now raises the possibility of improving blood flow deficits by targeting microglia,” researcher Dr. Ukpong B. Eyo explained.

The brain uses approximately 20% of the body’s total energy, so blood flow is crucial. This research opens a potential path to help people improve brain health.

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➤ Petersburg: The city declared a state of emergency after days of rain caused heavy flooding. The mayor blamed aging infrastructure and the fact that the Appomattox River has not been dredged in recent years. (Details)

➤ Greene and Frederick Counties: Streetleaf announced plans to install 27 solar-powered streetlights that will provide illumination and reduce carbon emissions by 2.77 tons a year. (More)

➤ Statewide: The Democratic National Committee said it will spend $1.5 million to support candidates across the Commonwealth. The party hopes to test new messaging tactics and regain voters it lost in 2024. (Details)

➤ Norfolk: The City Council will wait until next month to decide whether to build a new Maury High School. The current building was constructed in 1911 and is in poor condition. (More)

➤ Statewide: Public school enrollment in Virginia dropped 2.9% from 2019 to 2023, according to research by the National Center for Education Statistics. (Details)

➤ Sussex County: A pair of accidents snarled traffic on I-95 southbound. Virginia State Police were investigating a tractor-trailer crash on Tuesday when a box truck caused a second accident by rear-ending another vehicle. (More) 

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➤ The Washington Commanders will retire the No. 81 jersey worn by Hall of Fame wide receiver Art Monk. The ceremony is set for Nov. 2 during a game against Seattle. (Details)

➤ The Northern Virginia Senior Olympics is open for registration. The competition will be held in September, with events including pickleball, Scrabble, and the 50-yard butterfly. (More)

➤ UVA accepted a $500,000 cancellation fee after Indiana decided to scrap a two-game football series that had been scheduled for 2027 and 2028. (More)

Yesterday’s Results: WNBA | Soccer | NBA Summer League

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➤ Norfolk International Airport handled more than 496,000 passengers in June, a monthly record and up from 481,000 at this time last year. (Details)

➤ Louisa County rancher Steve Hopkins was named 2025 Virginia Farmer of the Year by the Sunbelt Ag Expo. (More)

➤ Northern Virginia’s housing market bounced back in June. The number of sales jumped 13.6% and active listings increased 52.7% year-over-year, according to a real estate association. (Details)

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➤ The Virginia State Police unveiled a fleet of high-performance Mustangs that will be used as patrol cars. (Details)

➤ Virginia Tech researchers found that volunteer dog-handlers and their pets can sniff out masses of spotted lanternfly eggs, which can then be destroyed before they hatch. (More)

➤ The Virginia Department of Historic Resources will host a discussion to explain how historic buildings are preserved in the Commonwealth. The event is set for tonight at the main branch of the Richmond Public Library. (Details)

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Will you enroll in any of Google’s free AI training?

1. Yes
2. No
3. What’s AI?

Wednesday’s Results:

Do you shop at Trader Joe’s? 

1. No: 35%
2. Yes: 33%
3. I would if it were closer: 32%

What man-made lake spans three Virginia counties?

Show me the answer