Tuesday, December 17, 2024

Good morning! On this day in 1777, France formally recognized the United States as a nation independent of Great Britain. It was a significant boost for General George Washington and his troops in the field.

Coaching changes abound in the Commonwealth. Check out our Sports section to learn about a renowned Hokies coach who will help his old team in a bowl game and a legendary QB who may take the helm at Norfolk State. Is it a good idea? Take our poll!

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We're flying today with Duo Cover from Two Pillars. Check out their product in today's edition.

Crackdown Proposed on Sanctuary Cities

Gov. Glenn Youngkin has proposed a budget amendment that would withhold state funding from local governments that don't cooperate with federal immigration authorities.

Youngkin told Fox News that local jails holding individuals wanted by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) must turn those suspects over to ICE rather than release them.

"Virginia is not a sanctuary state, and we must be clear that we will not allow localities to become 'sanctuary cities,'" Youngkin said. "If local governments turn their backs on their citizens in order to pander to pro-illegal immigrant groups, we will cut off their funding."

Many counties already cooperate with ICE, but not all. When the legislative session starts in January, lawmakers will consider budget amendments.

Residents Oppose New Gambling Business

Many neighbors pushed back against plans to open Rosie's Gaming Emporium, a gambling establishment under construction in Henrico County.

Rosie's filed to build the site—which is set to feature 175 historical horse racing machines and parimutuel betting—just days before the county changed the law to require input from local residents.

"At every single turn, they navigated a pathway to avoid hearing you," County Supervisor Dan Schmitt told a town hall meeting.

State Senator Schuyler VanValkenburg attended the meeting and has contacted Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares for an official ruling on whether placing historic horse racing machines in Henrico County is legal.

Rosie's moved ahead with the project based on a 1992 county referendum, which passed when Henrico thought it might build a live horse racing venue.

UVA Swimmers Crush World Records

Seven current or former University of Virginia swimmers competed in the 2024 World Aquatics 25-meter Championships in Budapest. They brought home 25 medals and 10 world championships while setting 14 world records at the meet.

Senior Gretchen Walsh was named Best Female Swimmer at the meet after she set 11 world records (nine individual, two relay) and captured seven world titles (five individual, two relay).

Former Cav Kate Douglass set world records by winning the 200 IM and 200 Breast and competing on two world record-breaking relay teams.

UVA has won four straight NCAA swimming championships.

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➤ Augusta County: "The current fire behavior of the Big Level fire is minimal," the National Park Service reported. Firefighters are working to tamp down hot spots and ensure the flames don't spread. (More)

➤ Statewide: McKinsey & Co. has agreed to pay $650 million to the state to settle a criminal investigation into its role in helping Purdue Pharma boost sales of OxyContin in the Commonwealth. (More)

➤ Chesterfield County: The school board voted unanimously to prohibit all students from using cell phones during the educational day, including lunch periods. The ban will take effect on Jan. 1, but students will have a grace period until March. (Details)

➤ Richmond: The Virginia Department of Transportation will spend $64 million to construct truck lanes on steep sections of I-81 in Augusta and Rockingham counties. (Details)

➤ Newport News: The estate of the first Virginian to die in this year's listeria outbreak linked to the Boar's Head plant in Jarrett has settled with the company. Terms of the settlement were not disclosed, and the plant has been permanently closed. (More)

➤ Statewide: Gov. Glenn Youngkin has proposed exempting service tips from Virginia's state income tax. The move would save tipped workers an estimated $70 million each year. (Details)

➤ The Washington Commanders hold the seventh NFC playoff slot, three games behind the division-leading Eagles and a game up on eighth place Seattle. (Playoff Picture)

➤ Virginia Tech's longtime defense coordinator Bud Foster will return to advise the team during the Jan. 3 Duke's Mayo Bowl. The team parted ways with defensive coach Chris Marve at the end of the season after finishing with a 6-6 record. (Details)

➤ Norfolk State interviewed former Virginia Tech and NFL star Michael Vick for its open head coaching position. (Details)

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➤ RBW Sports & Classics Limited of England will invest $8 million to build a factory in Danville and will hire 144 workers to manufacture cars for the American market. (Details)

➤ JK Community Farm, a nonprofit in Purcellville, donated a quarter of a million pounds of produce and protein to D.C.-area food banks in 2024. (More)

➤ The Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond reported that investors own 6.9% of single-family homes in the Fifth District. Small investors—those with 10 properties or fewer—own more than half of the investor-owned properties in Virginia. (Details)

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➤ Virginia Beach students are working with the Lynnhaven Oyster Club to find ways to grow healthier bivalves that can clean oceans and rivers before being harvested for consumption. (More)

➤ Shenandoah Habitats is reshaping the landscape of a 225-acre farm in Bedford County by planting more than 8,500 trees. (Details)

➤ Baker Brian Noyes said he has unearthed the original recipe that Martha Washington followed to make her Great Cake at Mount Vernon. He described the dessert as "a dense, moister, fruited boozy cake." (The Recipe)

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