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Article Icon 1 Dems Propose Tax Rebates

Both houses of Virginia’s legislature released similar, though not identical, budget proposals. Democrats hold narrow majorities in both the Senate and the House of Delegates.

The proposals would provide more than $1 billion in tax rebates to Virginians this year: $200 for single filers and $400 for joint filers.

Last month, Gov. Glenn Youngkin called for a different form of tax relief, including phasing out the car tax. Sen. L. Louise Lucas, the chair of the finance committee, opposed that idea, saying, “Working families and individuals need immediate relief.”

The current budget runs until June 30, 2026. It is expected to be amended as the state is sitting on a $2.5 billion surplus. Once lawmakers reconcile the differences, the measure will be sent to Youngkin for approval.

Article Icon 1Bird Flu Spreading in Virginia

The Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources said it has received several reports of sick or dead wild birds on the state’s Eastern Shore, which seem to be connected to the highly contagious H5N1 avian influenza virus. 

Hunt Club Farm in Virginia Beach said it found the virus in its BirdWalk aviary, which will be closed for the rest of the month. “We have activated our Emergency Response Plan and are working closely and daily with local, state, and federal agencies to implement all necessary measures to contain and mitigate the situation,” the farm announced.

The virus doesn’t seem to pose a threat to humans right now. “If you don’t specifically come into contact with cattle or birds, then I don’t think there are any particular recommendations,” an infectious disease expert at UVA Health said.

Poultry experts are encouraging farmers to keep their flocks safe. They recommend limiting outdoor time, cleaning stalls frequently, changing clothing after handling birds, and avoiding the introduction of new birds into existing flocks.

Article Icon 1Black History Month in Virginia

February became Black History Month because of the work of Virginia native Carter G. Woodson. He started Negro History Week, linked to Abraham Lincoln’s birthday, in 1926, and the celebration has since grown to fill the entire month.

On Feb. 20, the Fairfax County library system will host a discussion about Woodson’s life and work by Dr. Lopez Matthews Jr., a historian with the District of Columbia. That event will be streamed live.

Other upcoming events include an exhibit called “Black Americans in Labor” at the Richmond Black History Museum and Cultural Center of Virginia and an exhibition called “Portals” in Richmond’s Shockoe Bottom area.

Gov. Glenn Youngkin wrote this in his recent Black History Month proclamation: “We recognize the historical obstacles and injustices that have been overcome, the work yet to be done, and stand in celebration for the successes of those who dared to challenge odds, break barriers, and now build bridges as we remain committed to a bright future of opportunities for all.


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Time’s Running Out to Be Early on this Tech Investment

With such a tech-friendly new administration, 2025 is shaping up to be a year of innovations. One of those could be wireless power—power that acts like a Wi-Fi signal—from Energous

It has the potential to save billions of dollars in inventory losses for retailers and manufacturers. That’s why Energous is already working with a Fortune 10 multinational retailer and part of the AWS Partner Network. Their patented solution provides 2X the power and better visibility than the competition. 

Though Energous is public, they’re giving investors something you won’t find on the Nasdaq:

  • One unregistered convertible preferred share (convertible into two Nasdaq: WATT common shares)

  • Three warrants to purchase additional shares at a fixed price

Their patented technology literally transmits power to devices through the air, eliminating the need for cables and batteries and providing a constant, reliable energy source for IoT devices that track and deliver data in real-time. 

It’s such a powerful innovation that it earned “IoT Innovation of the Year” honors. They have a $650 market opportunity ahead. 

Don’t wait—be early to this Energous opportunity while you can.

Around Virginia

Arlington: The FAA announced that two of the three runways at Reagan Washington National Airport will remain closed until at least Feb. 10 while officials investigate the collision that killed 67 people last week. (More)

➤ Statewide: Attorney General Jason Miyares, along with 18 other state attorneys general, signed a letter calling on Costco to “end all unlawful discrimination imposed by the company through diversity equity and inclusion (DEI) policies.” (Details)

➤ Ashburn: Washington Commanders owner Josh Harris stated he will not change the team’s name back to Redskins. “In this building, the name Commanders means something,” Harris said. The team reached the NFC Championship game this season. (More)

➤ Richmond: City residents who lost water service last month might be able to collect as much as $2,500 in assistance for expenses such as rent, health care, childcare, car payments, and utility bills. (Details)

➤ Virginia Beach: State police arrested a man who allegedly rammed several patrol cars following a chase on I-264. The driver and one of his three passengers are being held without bond. (See the Damage)

➤ Statewide: Meteorologists reported that the weather pattern known as La Niña is expected to bring warmer-than-normal temperatures throughout February, which has already begun with mild conditions in most of the Commonwealth. (Details)

Virginia Sports

UVA’s men’s tennis team, ranked No. 5 in the country, toppled No. 1 Texas 4-3. The Cavs fell behind early but stormed back to complete the rally and move to 5-1 on the season. (Details)

➤ Virginia Tech’s men’s tennis team grabbed its fourth straight win, shutting out Davidson 7-0. The team will host Old Dominion on Friday. (More)

➤ The Hokies had no trouble pinning the Cavaliers in wrestling’s Commonwealth Clash. VT won nine of ten matches on the way to a crushing 36-3 win. (Details)

➤ VCU men’s basketball hosts La Salle tonight. The Rams are undefeated at home and coming off a dominating 41-point win against Richmond. (Preview)

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

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Virginia Business

The average price of a gallon of gas dropped 6.6 cents in the last week across Virginia, according to the site GasBuddy. The average is now $3.03 per gallon, up 9.1 cents from a month ago and down 2.7 cents from Feb. 2024. (Details)

➤ Holland Industrial Group acquired and revitalized a 76,000-square-foot industrial facility in Atkins, which will now be utilized by Hitachi for manufacturing. (More)

➤ Northrop Grumman Corporation will sell its training services business to contractor Serco Inc. for $327 million in cash. The deal is expected to close later this year. (Details)

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➤ Looking for an affordable solution to hearing loss? Meet the Audien Atom, the most premium, discreet, and affordable hearing aids that everyone is talking about. The world’s first wireless charging hearing aids for less than $100. (See It Here

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Charge Up Your Portfolio with this Tech Investment

What if a technology could charge IoT devices wirelessly, just like we connect devices to Wi-Fi? One company is helping make this a reality for enterprises as we speak. Their patented wireless power network technology eliminates cables and battery replacements by sending energy through the air.

Between retail, manufacturing, and logistics industries, this company is looking at $650 billion in market potential. But what they’ve created could also revolutionize fields like health care, transportation, and the food industry — any company using trackers or sensors to collect data to gain real-time visibility into the movement of its assets.

They’ve already been recognized as the “IoT Innovation of the Year” and landed a contract with a Fortune 10 multinational retailer, opening them up to 4,700 U.S. retail locations. Learn how to become an Energous shareholder today.

This is a paid advertisement for Energous’ Regulation A offering. Please read the offering circular at invest.energous.com for additional information on the company and the risk factors of the offering.
Et Cetera

The Commonwealth’s forecasting skunk predicted an early spring. Lux, an ambassador striped skunk, stepped up this year when the Virginia Living Museum’s usual forecasting groundhog, Chesapeake Chuck, remained in hibernation. (Details)

➤ The Library of Virginia will show the film Bridge of Spies, about Virginia pilot Francis Gary Powers, on Feb. 21. After the film, his son, Gary Powers, will be signing his new book, Cold War Virginia. (More

➤ The Patawomeck Indian Tribe took possession of 870 acres along the Rappahannock River. The land is part of the tribe’s ancestral homeland and has been managed by The Nature Conservancy since the 1970s. (Details)

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The Poll

Are you ready for an early spring?

  1. Yes, no more winter
  2. No, I can handle the cold
  3. Maybe one more snowstorm


Monday’s Results:

Should the state legislature pass a law to increase the regulation of animal parks? 

  1. Yes: 51%
  2. No: 49%
Virginia Trivia

What year was Francis Gary Powers shot down over the Soviet Union?

Show me the answer

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