License Plate Reader Bill Moves Ahead

A state Senate committee has moved forward with a bill that would regulate the use of automatic license plate readers (ALPRs). The proposal would allow localities to install more ALPRs while restricting police use to cases such as criminal investigations and missing persons.

Del. Charniele Herring, a Democrat who sponsored the House version of the bill,  emphasized that it would make Virginia the most restrictive state in regulating plate reader technology.

If the amended bill is enacted, data collected by plate readers would be required to be deleted after three weeks. Under current policy, localities decide how long to retain license plate data.

For the amended bill to become law, it would need to be passed by a conference committee before the session adjourns on Saturday.

GAO Examines Navy Maintenance

The Navy spends $6.5 billion each year to maintain its fleet, but a recent Government Accountability Office report highlighted continued maintenance shortcomings.

The report stated that, while the Navy spent even more than Congress had appropriated for upkeep, “The Navy still faces persistent challenges sustaining combat surface ships, including limited spare parts, a lack of sufficient and qualified maintenance personnel, and a continual need to defer maintenance.”

To address the problems, the GAO recommended that the Navy clearly state exactly what materials are needed to prepare a ship for combat, explain how it assigns crews to vessels, and report on the risks that deferred maintenance for surface ships.

Virginia’s Naval Station Norfolk is the largest naval complex in the world.

Get Your Shovel Ready

Forecasters said another round of winter weather is set to spread across most of the Commonwealth today. Virginia remains under an official State of Emergency declared 10 days ago, and Gov. Glenn Youngkin warned, “If you are not where you want to be by midnight [Tuesday], don’t go.”

Meteorologists expect 3 to 6 inches of snow in Central Virginia, with more piling up to the south and east and slightly less in Northern Virginia.

Scores of plows and salt trucks are prepared to roll across the Hampton Roads region. However, a Virginia Beach Public Works official has warned, “It’s going to take a significant amount of time to clear the roads.”

In Southwest Virginia, residents stocked up on salt, shovels, and sleds, while some said they’ve had enough. “We’re kinda ready for the winter weather to be over and looking forward to spring,” one resident said.

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➤ Arlington: First responders shared details about their efforts at the site of a midair collision last month that killed 67 people over the Potomac River. “Everybody was just coated with jet fuel” during the hours after the disaster, a D.C. Firefighters Union official said. (Details)

➤ Richmond: Emergency Inclement Weather Shelters will operate around the clock until Saturday at noon due to the frigid weather forecast. The city’s shelters can serve up to 170 people at a time. (Details)

➤ Hurley: As floodwaters receded across Southwest Virginia, residents began cleaning up and assessing the damage. Some places reported 7 inches of rain over the weekend. (More)

➤ Frederick: The athletic director at James Wood High School has been arrested for allegedly sending sexually explicit photographs to a 17-year-old student. The suspect, who was also a teacher at the school, has been placed on administrative leave. (Details)

➤ Virginia Beach: An apartment rental agency has listed the city as the eighth least affordable in the country for single people to rent a home. RentHop said the average single person must allocate a third of annual income to rent. (More)

➤ Statewide: The Department of Social Services has announced it will allow some SNAP recipients to use EBT cards to purchase grab-and-go meals at participating restaurants. The program will be limited to elderly, disabled, or homeless recipients and their spouses. (More)

➤ Virginia Tech hired Philip Montgomery as the football team’s offensive coordinator. The veteran coach spent last season as co-offensive coordinator for the Birmingham Stallions of the UFL. (Details)

➤ Richmond’s women’s basketball team, leading the A-10 Conference with a 13-1 conference record, hosts George Washington tonight. (Details)

➤ VCU hosts UMass in A-10 Conference men’s basketball tonight. (Preview)

➤ College sports lovers know that name, image, and likeness policies are changing the game. Stay ahead by signing up for NIL Wire.

➤ Yesterday’s results: NCAAM | NCAAW | NCAASB | Soccer 

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➤ The Hampton Roads Chamber of Commerce will host Retail 360 on March 27 in Norfolk. The free conference aims to teach business owners how to create an integrated marketing strategy. (Sign Up)

➤ Book lovers have a new place to shop in Richmond. I Love You So Much Books opened in the Brookland Park neighborhood to sell new and used books. (Details)

➤ The Loudoun County Board of Supervisors considered zoning changes but has not yet imposed some new restrictions on data center applicants. It deferred any action until it meets again on March 4. (More)

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➤ The Virginia Aquarium plans to take guests on a two-and-a-half-hour walking tour of Fisherman Island on the Eastern Shore on Feb. 28. (Details)

➤ The Jamestown Rediscovery Foundation has been awarded a $390,000 grant from the Virginia 250 Preservation Fund. The money is designated for enhancing accessibility, visitor safety, and interpretive infrastructure. (More)

➤ The Henrico Education Foundation is set to host its fifth Excellence in Education Celebration on April 10 at the Science Museum of Virginia. (Details)

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Should local authorities be required to delete license plate reader data?

1. Yes
2. No
3. I don’t care

Tuesday’s Results:

Do you think you could pass the citizenship exam? 

1. Absolutely!: 40%
2. I don’t know: 33%
3. Probably not: 27%

Who is the Robins Center at the University of Richmond named for?

Show me the answer