Flood Wall Project Overruns Budget

The Army Corps of Engineers’ Norfolk District announced that the cost of the city’s floodwall project is expected to reach at least $6.1 billion. That’s a steep increase from the $2.6 billion estimate that city officials considered last summer.

The project is still under design, and authorities said the cost growth was driven by the need for additional pump stations, enhanced life-safety features, and safeguards against barge impacts. The updated plan will be presented to the city council on April 14.

The state has contributed $50 million over the last two years to support the project, but that’s half of what the city requested. The entire project is now scheduled to be finished by 2037, five years later than the initial forecast.

Centreville Man Charged in Robberies

Arlington County Police arrested 19-year-old Carlos Lopez Sparks of Centreville in connection with a series of armed robberies last month.

Police accused him of threatening store employees and customers with a gun at four locations on Feb. 24 and 25. He is said to have brandished the gun, demanding cash from the register and from employees, and fleeing on foot with whatever he was able to take.

According to an incident report, Sparks was wearing a mask during the incidents. He faces 20 criminal charges.

University Business Programs Lauded

Three schools in Virginia ranked among the top 25 undergraduate business schools nationwide, according to the education site Poets & Quants for Undergrads.

The University of Virginia’s McIntire School of Commerce moved up two spots to No. 2, making it the top-rated public undergraduate business school in the United States.

The Robins School of Business at the University of Richmond maintained its spot at No. 17 on the list. It has been ranked among the top 20 for five years running.

At William & Mary, the Raymond A. Mason School of Business dropped four slots to No. 24. However, the graduate school was named the top graduate program in a survey of schools friendly to military members and their families.

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➤ Richmond: Gov. Abigail Spanberger issued an executive order instructing the Commissioner of the Department of Elections to certify every year that election security procedures are in place. The governor also started the process to rejoin the Electronic Registration Information Center, a nonpartisan organization of 26 states that shares voter registration and identification data. (Details)

➤ Mount Vernon: The United States Mint released the Revolutionary War Quarter for 2026. The design celebrates the nation’s semiquincentennial. (More)

➤ Fluvanna County: The Board of Supervisors signed off on a conditional use permit allowing the construction of a second natural gas power plant in Scottsville. When complete, the plant will generate enough electricity to power 1.5 million homes. (Details)

➤ Covington: The Alleghany County Courthouse was evacuated and closed for the day on Monday after two packages with messages referencing political unrest were found on the front steps. State police seized the parcels for further examination. (More)

➤ Virginia Beach: Police arrested 19-year-old Ba’Shaun Williams of Norfolk, making him the fifth person taken into custody in connection with a shooting incident that injured six people near the oceanfront earlier this month. (More)

➤ Statewide: The Virginia Breeze intercity bus system will launch a new route next month. The east-west route will connect 10 cities from Virginia Beach to Harrisonburg. (Details)

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➤ Two Virginia Tech softball players were honored by the ACC. Bree Carrico was named Freshman of the Week, and Emma Mazzarone was named Pitcher of the Week. The Hokies visit Boston College this weekend. (Details)

➤ The Washington Nationals kick off their MLB season this afternoon against the Chicago Cubs. (How to Watch)

➤ UVA appointed Clay Walker to be the school’s NIL general manager. Formerly of East Carolina University, Walker will oversee player acquisition and resource allocation for the school’s sports teams. (More)

Yesterday’s Results: NBA | MLB | NHL | NCAAM | NCAAW | NCAAB | NCAASB | Soccer | Tennis

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➤ The Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation wants to know how you would improve passenger rail service in the Commonwealth. The survey is available through Friday. (The Survey)

➤ John A. Luke Jr., the former chairman of Smurfit WestRock, CEO of MeadWestvaco, and a member of VCU’s Board of Visitors from 2012-2020, passed away at the age of 77. (More)

➤ A subsidiary of Reston-based General Dynamics earned a $15.38 billion contract modification to work on the Columbia-class ballistic missile submarine program. (Details)

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➤ Virginians are ready for spring, and so are Virginia bluebells. The iconic flower is on track to make its annual appearance early next month. (Details)

➤ Two state lawmakers asked the State Corporation Commission to consider burying the planned Golden to Mars high-voltage electric transmission line. (More)

➤ Virginia’s Board of Historic Resources named seven new sites, from Newport News to Roanoke, as state landmarks. (Details)

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Do you put out bird feeders?

1. Yes
2. No
3. Mostly for squirrels

Wednesday’s Results:

What do you think of Virginia’s roads? 

1. Could be better: 46%
2. The best anywhere: 27%
3. A potholed mess: 27%

When was Fluvanna County established?

Show me the answer