Activate Virginia
@activateva.bsky.social
activatevirginia.org
activateva.substack.com
activateva.substack.com
Reposted by Activate Virginia
"An online petition gathered more than 2,000 signatures in less than a week to protest against the data center. Newport News city leaders floated the idea during the city's EDGE Summit in October."
Newport News residents rally against proposed data center near Fort Eustis
A Newport News data center proposal faces strong opposition, with over 2,000 signatures against it.
www.13newsnow.com
December 26, 2025 at 4:12 PM
"An online petition gathered more than 2,000 signatures in less than a week to protest against the data center. Newport News city leaders floated the idea during the city's EDGE Summit in October."
"The phone shown to the judge was mostly blank, the lawyers explained, because it was a replacement for the one that went missing."
Richmond’s lawyers told a judge a phone was lost in an airport. City documents show it might have been found
The newly released records show other officials asked multiple times if Burks had gotten the phone back.
www.richmonder.org
December 26, 2025 at 10:57 PM
"The phone shown to the judge was mostly blank, the lawyers explained, because it was a replacement for the one that went missing."
"The cameras have already netted $3.5 million for the county, according to Sheriff Lee Bailey. That number is expected to be considerably higher after a backlog of tickets is handled."
New Kent expects 100,000 I-64 speeding tickets by year’s end, netting the county millions in revenue
The sheriff said the cameras appear to be having a deterrent effect, citing evidence that the number of violations is falling.
www.dailypress.com
December 26, 2025 at 10:54 PM
"The cameras have already netted $3.5 million for the county, according to Sheriff Lee Bailey. That number is expected to be considerably higher after a backlog of tickets is handled."
"The Governor-elect's transition teams claim Virginia FOIA "does not apply" to them."
Spanberger Transition Teams Stonewall on NDA Disclosure
The Governor-elect's transition teams claim Virginia FOIA "does not apply" to them.
joshstanfield.substack.com
December 26, 2025 at 9:59 PM
"The Governor-elect's transition teams claim Virginia FOIA "does not apply" to them."
"An online petition gathered more than 2,000 signatures in less than a week to protest against the data center. Newport News city leaders floated the idea during the city's EDGE Summit in October."
Newport News residents rally against proposed data center near Fort Eustis
A Newport News data center proposal faces strong opposition, with over 2,000 signatures against it.
www.13newsnow.com
December 26, 2025 at 4:12 PM
"An online petition gathered more than 2,000 signatures in less than a week to protest against the data center. Newport News city leaders floated the idea during the city's EDGE Summit in October."
"“You are looking at a piece of his bone,” Deacon Elmer says.
Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus. And he’s in Annandale. Well, at least a bone fragment."
Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus. And he’s in Annandale. Well, at least a bone fragment."
Santa Claus' bone fragment is in a Northern Virginia Catholic Church
In WAMU’s series Hidden City, we uncover the stories behind the history, people, and places in our region.
wamu.org
December 26, 2025 at 4:00 PM
"“You are looking at a piece of his bone,” Deacon Elmer says.
Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus. And he’s in Annandale. Well, at least a bone fragment."
Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus. And he’s in Annandale. Well, at least a bone fragment."
"Purcellville Vice Mayor Carl “Ben” Nett has been accused of altering a document subject to a Freedom of Information Act request in the latest court document filed by Special Prosecutor Eric Olsen."
Nett Accused of Altering Documents in Latest Court Filing
Purcellville Vice Mayor Carl “Ben” Nett has been accused of altering a document subject to a Freedom of Information Act request in the latest court document filed by Special Prosecutor
www.loudounnow.com
December 26, 2025 at 3:56 PM
"Purcellville Vice Mayor Carl “Ben” Nett has been accused of altering a document subject to a Freedom of Information Act request in the latest court document filed by Special Prosecutor Eric Olsen."
"After narrowly defeating his former high school government teacher, Kenneth Bell, by a 10-vote margin in a contested race for the board’s Dendron District seat, Drew, 19, was officially sworn into office by Clerk of Court Thomas L.S. Mayes on Nov. 25."
Surry County's youngest-ever supervisor reflects on first board meetin...
At 19, Cameran Drew becomes Surry County’s youngest supervisor — and Virginia’s youngest serving — after edging his former teacher by 10 votes and backing real estate tax relief in his first meeting.
www.smithfieldtimes.com
December 26, 2025 at 3:53 PM
"After narrowly defeating his former high school government teacher, Kenneth Bell, by a 10-vote margin in a contested race for the board’s Dendron District seat, Drew, 19, was officially sworn into office by Clerk of Court Thomas L.S. Mayes on Nov. 25."
“We saw that it was going to be hard for him to catch up once Nicole came in and started putting in the heavy work,” Joshua Cole said. “She had a good group of volunteers, good staff, and people were just excited.”
A seed planted: Cole's rise to state delegate rooted in advocacy - Fredericksburg Free Press
Del.-Elect Nicole Cole (D-Spotsylvania) took a grassroots approach to defeating longtime incumbent Republican Bobby Orrock.
www.fredericksburgfreepress.com
December 26, 2025 at 3:40 PM
“We saw that it was going to be hard for him to catch up once Nicole came in and started putting in the heavy work,” Joshua Cole said. “She had a good group of volunteers, good staff, and people were just excited.”
"Blacksburg City Councilman Liam Watson, who was convicted of fraud charges, resigned Wednesday, December 24, 2025, according to a resignation letter received by WDBJ7."
Blacksburg councilman resigns after being convicted of fraud charges
His final day, according to his resignation letter, will be at noon on January 2, 2026.
www.wdbj7.com
December 26, 2025 at 3:39 PM
"Blacksburg City Councilman Liam Watson, who was convicted of fraud charges, resigned Wednesday, December 24, 2025, according to a resignation letter received by WDBJ7."
"One of the key issues, Harmon said, is the use of the purchasing cards to buy gift cards. The audit identified $27,000 potentially spent on gift cards from local brick-and-mortar establishments, with $7,926 spent at one local retailer."
Audit of Roanoke’s municipal purchasing cards finds lack of approvals for more than $880,000 in charges
The expense reports aren’t missing, the city auditor said, but a combination of technology and staffing issues caused a lag in approvals.
cardinalnews.org
December 26, 2025 at 2:51 PM
"One of the key issues, Harmon said, is the use of the purchasing cards to buy gift cards. The audit identified $27,000 potentially spent on gift cards from local brick-and-mortar establishments, with $7,926 spent at one local retailer."
"Flora fought as a free Black man for three years with revolutionary forces, earning distinction for his service. After the war, he became a prominent Portsmouth businessman."
Remembering William 'Billy' Flora, a free Black Virginian and American patriot • Virginia Mercury
Appreciating Flora’s role in the revolutionary era leads to a more nuanced understanding of American history as we look ahead to the semiquincentennial observations in 2026, writes guest columnist E T...
virginiamercury.com
December 26, 2025 at 2:42 PM
"Flora fought as a free Black man for three years with revolutionary forces, earning distinction for his service. After the war, he became a prominent Portsmouth businessman."
"“Neither plaintiff is asking for a dime. This lawsuit is about court oversight of a corrections agency that has proven it cannot police itself,” said former Del. Tim Anderson, who is representing the plaintiffs in court."
A federal lawsuit is seeking judicial oversight of the Virginia Department of Corrections
A new lawsuit filed in federal court Friday asks a judge to place the Virginia Department of Corrections under court oversight.
virginiapoliticalnewsletter.substack.com
December 26, 2025 at 2:38 PM
"“Neither plaintiff is asking for a dime. This lawsuit is about court oversight of a corrections agency that has proven it cannot police itself,” said former Del. Tim Anderson, who is representing the plaintiffs in court."
"Prince William County taxpayers will pay another $400,000 to defend the county’s largest and most controversial data center project: the Prince William Digital Gateway."
www.fauquier.com
December 26, 2025 at 2:37 PM
"Prince William County taxpayers will pay another $400,000 to defend the county’s largest and most controversial data center project: the Prince William Digital Gateway."
"The chair’s salary will increase from $17,000 to $27,000 a year, according to the resolution the School Board passed on Tuesday. The rest of the board members will see a bump from $15,000 to $25,000 a year."
Newport News School Board votes for their own pay increase
The Newport News School Board unanimously approved a salary increase for themselves. One member noted it has been almost 20 years since the last increase.
www.13newsnow.com
December 26, 2025 at 2:36 PM
"The chair’s salary will increase from $17,000 to $27,000 a year, according to the resolution the School Board passed on Tuesday. The rest of the board members will see a bump from $15,000 to $25,000 a year."
"A state with an abortion ban like Texas could ask for data collected on our highways," Favola says. "They may have identifying information on a car an individual might be a passenger in or driving to Virginia for an abortion, and that's really a concern."
Will the use of license plate readers in Virginia expand in 2026?
A company that makes license plate readers is hoping that the General Assembly will let them operate on interstates, although many lawmakers are skeptical.
www.wvtf.org
December 26, 2025 at 2:35 PM
"A state with an abortion ban like Texas could ask for data collected on our highways," Favola says. "They may have identifying information on a car an individual might be a passenger in or driving to Virginia for an abortion, and that's really a concern."
"A former Page County supervisor recently pled guilty to crimes involving the exploitation of a child."
Former Page County Supervisor Pleads Guilty to Charges Involving Minor
LURAY, Va.
www.shenvalleytimes.com
December 26, 2025 at 2:34 PM
"A former Page County supervisor recently pled guilty to crimes involving the exploitation of a child."
"However, as of Nov. 28, the Caroline Detention Center has surpassed its maximum capacity — and the Farmville Detention Center is less than two dozen detainees away from doing the same."
Central Virginia ICE detention center is over capacity
One of Virginia’s two U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention facilities is over capacity, while the other is getting very close, according to the most recent data from ICE a…
www.wric.com
December 26, 2025 at 2:32 PM
"However, as of Nov. 28, the Caroline Detention Center has surpassed its maximum capacity — and the Farmville Detention Center is less than two dozen detainees away from doing the same."
"This incident comes just weeks after a man spray painted a series of crosses along the wall of the Masjid Ash-Shura mosque...on Dec. 8. The suspect has not been identified as of Tuesday, despite being clearly shown on surveillance video."
Rainbow crosswalk vandalized with slurs in Virginia Beach’s ViBe District
The rainbow crosswalk in the ViBe Creative District in Virginia Beach was vandalized with homophobic slurs written in spray paint early Tuesday morning.
www.pilotonline.com
December 25, 2025 at 6:18 PM
"This incident comes just weeks after a man spray painted a series of crosses along the wall of the Masjid Ash-Shura mosque...on Dec. 8. The suspect has not been identified as of Tuesday, despite being clearly shown on surveillance video."
"The Virginia State Corporation Commission (SCC) has temporarily suspended its approval of Dominion Energy’s $1.47 billion natural gas plant — a development that has generated significant controversy — after community groups petitioned against it."
www.wric.com
December 24, 2025 at 2:00 PM
"The Virginia State Corporation Commission (SCC) has temporarily suspended its approval of Dominion Energy’s $1.47 billion natural gas plant — a development that has generated significant controversy — after community groups petitioned against it."
Reposted by Activate Virginia
"Metropolis does not use license plate recognition,” Morrissey said. “Instead, our computer vision platform is trained on a comprehensive and proprietary data set to recognize vehicles with a ‘vehicle fingerprint’ based on its unique characteristics..."
Two of the city's largest parking garages are now using artificial intelligence to recognize your car
The city and the new operator, Metropolis, promise a smooth experience from the technology, but customers in other cities have filed class-action lawsuits over the system.
www.cvilletomorrow.org
December 22, 2025 at 7:14 PM
"Metropolis does not use license plate recognition,” Morrissey said. “Instead, our computer vision platform is trained on a comprehensive and proprietary data set to recognize vehicles with a ‘vehicle fingerprint’ based on its unique characteristics..."
"Tuesday night, at its final meeting of 2025, Newport News City Council voted to approve a more than $3 million grant to give the Port Warwick Foundation the money in order to organize a festival that’ll include live performances, concerts..."
www.wavy.com
December 23, 2025 at 2:59 PM
"Tuesday night, at its final meeting of 2025, Newport News City Council voted to approve a more than $3 million grant to give the Port Warwick Foundation the money in order to organize a festival that’ll include live performances, concerts..."
"The off-duty officer’s wife, who was with him in the restaurant where the initial conversation took place, additionally had “no relevant information” to corroborate the officer’s account."
"According to prosecutors, federal officials searched the brothers’ names in a federal database of firearm purchases without including their middle initials, leading to what they described as “inaccurate reports of firearm purchases” by the two."
Charges of conspiring to harm ICE agents dropped against Kempsville High assistant principal and his brother
Mark and John Bennett were charged with conspiracy to commit malicious wounding after an off-duty Norfolk police officer overheard a conversation between the brothers at a Vietnamese restaurant on …
www.pilotonline.com
December 22, 2025 at 8:34 PM
"The off-duty officer’s wife, who was with him in the restaurant where the initial conversation took place, additionally had “no relevant information” to corroborate the officer’s account."
"According to prosecutors, federal officials searched the brothers’ names in a federal database of firearm purchases without including their middle initials, leading to what they described as “inaccurate reports of firearm purchases” by the two."
Charges of conspiring to harm ICE agents dropped against Kempsville High assistant principal and his brother
Mark and John Bennett were charged with conspiracy to commit malicious wounding after an off-duty Norfolk police officer overheard a conversation between the brothers at a Vietnamese restaurant on …
www.pilotonline.com
December 22, 2025 at 8:33 PM
"According to prosecutors, federal officials searched the brothers’ names in a federal database of firearm purchases without including their middle initials, leading to what they described as “inaccurate reports of firearm purchases” by the two."
“People already have health issues down there, are already fighting cancers and lung diseases. They don’t need more,” Mello said.
Then & Now: Mountain Valley Pipeline moves ahead with Montgomery County compressor station
Developers say the compressor station will help Mountain Valley Pipeline meet a strong demand for natural gas. Opponents say it could harm eastern Montgomery County.
cardinalnews.org
December 22, 2025 at 8:31 PM
“People already have health issues down there, are already fighting cancers and lung diseases. They don’t need more,” Mello said.