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Governor vetoes legislation to create prescription drug board
This was the fifth attempt by the General Assembly to create such a board, which was intended to review the pricing of high-cost prescription drugs and, in some cases, set upper payment limits.
Politics
U.S. Supreme Court refuses to hear Virginia’s appeal; redistricting is dead
The move means the districts Virginia has had since the 2022 elections remain in place.
Local
City council names 2 to Roanoke school board
The terms of Derek Kaknes and Donna Littlepage will start July 1.
Culture
American Aquarium, Rhonda Vincent among headliners for this year’s Floyd Small Town Summer series
Local acts Hoppie Vaughan & the Ministers of Soul and JStop Latin Soul also will be featured, along with family-friendly movies on some nights.
education
Extra Credit: Gov. Spanberger praises outgoing Virginia Tech president at commencement
Plus: Money and plaudits for career and technical education; University of Lynchburg grads recognized for community service.
eCONOMY
Pittsylvania data center project approved with more investment and jobs than previously announced — as long as tax breaks remain in place
A local performance agreement outlines a $100 billion investment and 2,500 new jobs over 30 years, but it’s contingent upon a state tax exemption remaining in place.
OPinion
Former University of Lynchburg president: Why we should encourage honest criticism
Sometimes criticism is valid and we ought to listen to it.
Health Care
Healthcare providers say AI helps them focus on patients. But it also raises questions about privacy, security and the role of humans in medicine
Four out of five doctors report using artificial intelligence in the workplace for tasks such as note-taking, communicating with patients and conducting research.
news briefs
Headlines from across the state: Virginia officials celebrate the bald eagle’s comeback and centuries as national symbol; more …
From elsewhere: Copperhead season is here: How to prepare and stay safe. HUD secretary urges Liberty University’s class of 2026 to reject fear. Jim Ryan urges UVa class of 2026 to “do the right thing.”
Sports
‘Martinsville Missile’ sets a new land speed record for a stock car
With a Henry County driver behind the wheel, the car designed and built in Martinsville broke the record of 244.9 mph with a top speed of 253 mph.
WEATHER
El Niño could be our drought buster, but might turn into too much of a good thing
All signs point to warming equatorial Pacific waters, which often portends much wetter weather than Virginia has experienced in the past few months.
Cardinal 250
One of Virginia’s most eccentric patriots was John Sinclair, a government-sanctioned pirate
Privateers were an important component of the American war effort. They were something akin to government-sanctioned pirates — armed vessels that chased down and confiscated the cargo of civilian enemy merchant ships. The techniques privateers employed wouldn’t pass muster today. They’d often approach a ship under a false flag and captain and crew would get…
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