Fairfax Board Opposes Casino

The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors voted 5-4 to attach an amendment to the county’s legislative package to say it opposes a casino for now.

Any state legislation “has to have a referendum requirement, it should never be imposed on local government, and that referendum should be controlled by the Board of Supervisors,” Board Chair Jeff McKay said.

County lawmakers hinted that their opposition might change if two conditions were met: the formation of a statewide gaming commission and Fairfax receiving a fair share of tax revenue from the casino.

Virginia law currently allows the operation of five casinos in the cities of Bristol, Danville, Portsmouth, Norfolk, and Petersburg. Roanoke may also attempt to add one. However, as with Fairfax, it would need legislative approval.

Grading Virginia’s Schools

The Virginia Department of Education released a report that evaluates whether schools are meeting their teaching expectations by setting high expectations for every student.

According to the state’s new accountability framework, two-thirds of schools are meeting or exceeding expectations. Of those, 23% are considered “distinguished,” while 43% are rated as being on track.

The report also warns that more than 150 schools across the Commonwealth are “off-track” or will require intensive support to meet standards.

Parents can check the status of schools in their neighborhood online. 

Commonwealth Boasts Good Roads

Virginia drivers are in for a mostly smooth ride, even as winter gets underway this month.

A recent report from online driving school company Zutobi found that the Commonwealth has the second-best roads in the nation, behind only Georgia. The report found that 83% of public road miles are in acceptable condition, a significant improvement from three years ago.

Virginia’s overall score was 7.14 out of 10, and the state’s highway fatality rate is relatively low, at 1.04 deaths per 100 million vehicle miles traveled.

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➤ Virginia Beach City Council voted to transfer money from lower-priority projects to fund seven flood mitigation efforts that can be finished by 2031. The projects include pump stations, flood gates, and flood barriers. (Details)

➤ Harrisonburg: Students sued the Shenandoah County School Board, saying it violated their civil rights by restoring Confederate names to two schools. A federal court judge will hold a bench trial to settle the case. (More)

➤ Sandston: The U.S. Postal Service unveiled changes at the Central Virginia processing facility, which can now handle half a million packages each day. “The average customer is receiving their mail in three days or less, and that is incredible,” a spokesman said. (Details)

➤ Alleghany County: Authorities charged a man and woman from West Virginia with 18 felony counts in connection with the alleged theft of mail and packages. U.S. Postal Service investigators are taking part in the case. (More)

➤ Statewide: Consumer sentiment in the Commonwealth was essentially the same this quarter as it was in August and well above the national average, according to the latest survey from Roanoke College. (Details)

➤ Fairfax County: A man reportedly attempted to rob a bank in the Fair Lakes Shopping Center by handing a note to a teller demanding money. He was apprehended at the scene. (More)

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➤ The Washington Capitals will host the Carolina Hurricanes tonight without goalie Charlie Lindgren and forward Ryan Leonard, both on injured reserve. (Details)

➤ Virginia Tech hired former Penn State assistant coach Ty Howle as offensive coordinator. He’s expected to call plays for the Hokies. (More)

➤ The Washington Nationals secured the 11th pick in the 2026 MLB Draft following this week’s lottery. (Details)

Yesterday’s Results: NBA | NHL | NCAAM | NCAAW | Soccer | H.S. Boys Basketball | H.S. Girls Basketball

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➤ Virginia Railway Express named Katie Choe as its next chief executive officer. VRE will begin an expansion project next month. (Details)

➤ Dominion Energy announced that its Coastal Virginia offshore wind project remains on track to begin generating electricity next year, although it may not be fully operational until 2027. (More)

➤ Huntington Ingalls Industries and Babcock International Group expanded their strategic partnership to support Virginia-class submarine construction at Newport News Shipbuilding. (Details)

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➤ Virginia is home to an expanding pharma manufacturing cluster that will stretch from Goochland to Rockingham Counties. (How it Developed)

➤ Augusta County unveiled plans for the $16 million Valley Recovery & Assessment Center, a behavioral health center that is set to open in 2027. (More)

➤ Baskervill, a Richmond-based architectural firm, will lead the multiyear renovation at The Library of Virginia. (Details)

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Do you support the addition of a casino in Fairfax or Roanoke?

1. Only in Fairfax
2. Only in Roanoke
3. Both places
4. Neither place

Wednesday’s Results:

Should a public animal cruelty registry include mugshots of offenders? 

1. Yes: 39%
2. No: 31%
3. I’m not sure: 30%

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