Elizabeth Beyer

There are now contested Republican nominations for seats being vacated by the retirements of Jed Arnold of Smyth County and Danny Marshall of Danville.

To mark Sunshine Week, an annual observance that shines a light on the importance of public records and open government, Cardinal reporters are sharing some of the resources they use to seek out public information.

The Smyth County Republican cited his wife’s struggle with long COVID as his reason to step aside.

As of Wednesday afternoon, state Sen. Mark Peake was the only person to have thrown his hat in the ring for the position, which will be vacated by current chair Rich Anderson.

Federal money can go toward a number of items in a local government’s budget, from replacing manhole covers to funding for education programs.

The county electoral board will recommend the closure of one precinct to the board of supervisors, and a pause on the closure of the second precinct, later this month.

Walt Bailey, a volunteer fire department chief in Phenix, predicts that unless fire and EMS departments begin to see increased funding from the state, volunteer departments will begin to close in rural areas. Volunteers make up about 70% of the fire departments across Virginia.

An early analysis of spending during fiscal year 2024 showed that about one-third of state spending is supported by federal funding.