The declaration opens up federal aid for recovery efforts. But so far, only money for repairing public facilities and infrastructure has been approved.
Susan Cameron
Susan Cameron is a reporter for Cardinal News. She has been a newspaper journalist in Southwest Virginia and Northeast Tennessee for nearly 40 years. She is based in Bristol. Reach her at susan@cardinalnews.org or 276-791-5928.
Posted inCulture
Double Green heads back to the woods, a year older and 170 pounds heavier
The bear, who was rescued from a brush fire in Wythe County, is now a yearling who weighs a “whopping” 176 pounds.
Posted inPolitics
Trump administration rescinds $500,000 EPA grant to fund a community project helping 5 Southwest Virginia communities
Appalachian Voices, the nonprofit that’s working with the five communities, has filed an administrative appeal to contest the decision.
Posted inLocal
Agenda Russell County: An update on the long-awaited salmon farm is back on the agenda for Monday’s board of supervisors meeting
The contract for construction of the delayed access road to the site is also on the agenda.
Posted inWeather
Trump approves disaster declaration for Southwest Virginia communities hit by February flooding
Some areas received as much as 7 inches of rain, resulting in flash flooding, blocked roads, mudslides, and damaged and destroyed bridges, homes and businesses.
Posted inEducation
Former vice chair of Smyth County School Board pleads guilty to using at least six minors to produce child pornography
He resigned after he was arrested and charged in August 2024.
Posted inPolitics
Dozens of community projects halted after federal funding was omitted from Congressional stop-gap spending bill
Congress passed a continuing resolution to avoid a government shutdown in mid-March, amid a partisan fight over federal spending. That continuing resolution left out tens of millions of dollars in funding for Southwest and Southside community projects.
Posted inLocal
Agenda Bristol: City council holding called meeting Monday to consider $75,000 contribution to a fund set up to entice a new airline to Tri-Cities Airport
In December, a privately funded economic development organization announced it was talking to an unnamed airline about bringing passenger air service to two major markets to the airport this year.
Posted inPolitics
Here’s the status of key bills that the governor signed, vetoed or amended
The General Assembly passed 917 bills this year. Here’s how the governor has acted on some of the most noteworthy ones.
Posted inLocal
Agenda Bristol: Bristol Housing Authority could soon be renamed Beyond Housing
The City council will consider approving the name change during its Tuesday night meeting.
