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The 2026 General Assembly session wraps with no budget, special session on the horizon
The legislature will reconvene April 23 to deal with the budget. Among the bills that passed on the final day: Cannabis sales legalized, ‘skill’ games legalized, task force to study VMI established, collective bargaining for state employees authorized.
Politics
Bills on data center siting and water usage remain unresolved as General Assembly session winds down
The state Senate and House passed the bills but must work through as-yet unresolved differences.
Local
Social media comments by Lynchburg vice mayor fuel emotional city council meeting
The vice mayor, who first compared Virginia’s redistricting effort to rape in a Facebook comment last week, doubled down in subsequent social media posts and emails before apologizing at a city council meeting Tuesday.
Culture
Longtime Jefferson Center director Cyrus Pace says so long to Roanoke and hello to Lynchburg venue
Cyrus Pace has led the nonprofit foundation that operates Jefferson Center for 15 years. He’s taking a similar job at the Academy Center of the Arts.
education
Job and program cuts on the table as Roanoke school board prepares to vote on budget
The division is considering 2% raises for employees, while also having to eliminate about 150 staff positions. It’s also considering cuts to the elementary gifted program.
eCONOMY
Massive power transmission line planned for Campbell to Culpeper
Plans call for the 765-kilovolt line to span 115 miles over nine counties. It represents a major investment in grid infrastructure during a time of rising demand for electricity.
OPinion
Danville-Pittsylvania economic development group urges state to keep data center tax incentives
The Future of the Piedmont Foundation pointed to the recent news that 2,000-plus data center-related jobs may be coming to Pittsylvania. The group urged Virginia to “honor its commitment” on tax policy or risk losing other industries.
Health Care
Budget bill could cap Medicaid payments for adult dental services
Dentists warn that a $2,000 annual limit would halt treatment plans and worsen access to care in a region already short on providers.
news briefs
Headlines from across the state: Patrick County approves long-debated solar ordinance amid public concerns; more …
From elsewhere: Mastermind of Roanoke pandemic fraud scheme gets eight years in prison. University of Lynchburg announces selection of 12th president. State Sen. Rouse sues NFL for disability, says he’s “totally impaired” from injuries.
Sports
Three-pointer with 2.2 seconds left gives Norview boys the state championship in first night of VHSL title games
Princess Anne girls, Osbourn Park girls and Westfield boys also claim crowns. Title games in other classifications will be Friday and Saturday.
WEATHER
In the 2020s, March has been more of a spring month than a winter one
This month so far has followed the recent warm March trend with some almost summerlike high temperatures.
Cardinal 250
An army of ghosts haunts Prince Edward County history
Local legend says that 70 French soldiers from the Revolutionary War are buried at Kingsville. But were they really? Historians dig into the story to separate fact from folklore.
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