$290 Million More Proposed for Schools

Virginia will spend an additional $290 million on education next year in addition to the $410 million it had already allocated in the two-year budget.

“Our record economic growth and the resulting surplus allows us to make this critical investment to ensure every Virginia student has access to high-quality school facilities that support academic success,” Gov. Glenn Youngkin announced.

The additional funding would be used to build new schools and upgrade existing buildings. It will be included in Youngkin’s funding request to the General Assembly’s money committees next week.

This comes after a $50 million investment announced earlier this week “to accelerate K-12 student success” by spending more to help at-risk students.

Mail Delivery Improved, But Problems Remain

The U.S. Postal Service in Virginia improved its on-time delivery over the last year, with 86% of mail delivered promptly last month, up sharply from 66% in 2023.

After reforms at the state’s main processing and distribution center in Sandston, delivery service saw a noticeable upswing.

The Postal Service is also dealing with problems within its workforce. Two former employees are charged with stealing more than $1 million worth of business checks from the mail.

One of the suspects worked at a post office in Chesapeake, where she allegedly stole checks and passed them along to a third party.

Near D.C., federal authorities pressed charges of armed robbery and the theft or receipt of stolen mail against a 25-year-old man. He allegedly stole mail from boxes and apartment complexes, including one in Arlington.

The Race Is on to Replace McGuire

Republicans will select their candidate for the vacant State Senate District 10 seat on Friday during a meeting in Goochland County.

Seven Republicans are in the race, including a former state senator. The winner will face Democrat Jack Trammell in the special election on Jan. 7.

State Sen. John McGuire resigned his seat on Wednesday, more than a month after winning a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives. 

McGuire said his belated resignation will take effect in early January. District 10 is heavily Republican, and when McGuire ran for the seat last year he was unopposed. 

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➤ Richmond: Virginia’s expanding budget surplus has lawmakers in both parties considering tax cuts in the next legislative term. “Tax break for hard-working families? I’m feeling really good about that one,” Democratic Senate leader Louise Lucas said. (Details)

➤ Statewide: A non-partisan state agency recommended that lawmakers be paid more. The Virginia Joint Legislative Audit Commission noted that state lawmakers haven’t had a raise since 1988. (More)

➤ Portsmouth: A car fire in the Downtown Tunnel closed all travel lanes on Tuesday. Exhaust fans helped clear smoke as firefighters extinguished the blaze. (See the Fire)

➤ Alexandria: The federal trial of a Virginia man charged with sending tens of thousands of dollars to the Islamic State group is underway. Prosecutors say 35-year-old Mohammed Chhipa of Springfield accepted money from an FBI agent and sent it to Turkey. (Details)

➤ Washington, D.C.: The federal government closed its year-long investigation of the Virginia Department of Education and said the Commonwealth has taken steps to comply with federal requirements for the support of students with disabilities. (More)

➤ Lunenburg County: A hunter is in serious but stable condition after a bear that his party shot tumbled from a tree and landed on him. (More)

➤ Washington Commanders wide receiver Noah Brown may not play again this season. Coach Dan Quinn said Brown suffered a “significant internal injury” in his last game. (Details)

➤ UVA was awarded the 2024 USA Swimming Collegiate Impact Award by the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee. (Details)

➤ The Washington Nationals are one of several teams reportedly engaged in discussions with free agent first baseman Christian Walker. (More)

➤ Yesterday’s results: NBA | NHL | NCAAM | NCAAW

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➤ Chip manufacturer Micron is expected to get $275 million in federal funding to expand its plant in Manassas. The project would eventually create some 400 manufacturing jobs. (Details)

➤ Caesars Virginia is scheduled to open its permanent complex in Danville next Tuesday. Ahead of the ceremony, some news outlets got a sneak peek. (See Inside)

➤ AVAIO Digital has agreed to buy more than 450 acres at an industrial site in Appomattox County. It plans to develop a $3 billion data center campus that it says would be powered primarily by renewable energy. (More)

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➤ USNS Patuxent returned to Norfolk this week after a 10-month deployment in the North and Baltic seas. (More)

➤ George Washington’s Mount Vernon Winter Glow will be back next week, spotlighting 18th-century holiday traditions. (Details)

➤ Sheriff’s deputies in New Kent County freed a large owl from some netting. The bird was able to fly away safely after the rescue. (More)

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Should Virginia lawmakers give themselves a pay raise?

1. Yes, they are underpaid compared to other states
2. No, they make enough as it is

Wednesday’s Results:

Will James Madison beat Western Kentucky in the Boca Raton Bowl? 

1. Yes: 55.5%
2. No: 44.5%

When does firearms bear hunting season end statewide?

Show me the answer