Tuesday, December 31, 2024

Good morning! On this day in 1862, the Commonwealth got smaller. Amid the Civil War, President Abraham Lincoln signed a bill admitting West Virginia to the Union. Statehood would be achieved after the residents of the new state adopted a constitution that provided for the gradual emancipation of slaves.

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Our edition is brought to you today by The Voice of the Martyrs, helping Christians in difficult places around the world.

Virginians Mourn President Carter

Gov. Glenn Youngkin ordered all U.S. flags in Virginia to be flown at half-staff until Jan. 28, 2025, in honor of former President Jimmy Carter, who died Sunday at 100.

Youngkin called Carter "a devoted public servant" and noted, "his faith was always inspiring to others."

Carter served in the Navy immediately after the end of World War II. Many Virginia politicians mentioned his decades of public service in their remembrances. "He was an honorable leader, a champion for human rights, and a man of faith," Rep. Abigail Spanberger, a Democrat running for governor next year, said.

Recently re-elected Democratic Sen. Tim Kaine added, "America is better for his service, and I'm praying for his family."

Carter lived more than 40 years after he left the White House, spending some of that time helping to build thousands of homes with Habitat for Humanity. Democratic Rep. Bobby Scott said that "his accomplishments as president live on, but so will his vast contributions to society he made after his term in office."

President Joe Biden declared Jan. 9 will be a day of mourning for Carter. He called on all Americans to "assemble on that day in their respective places of worship, there to pay homage to the memory of President James Earl Carter, Jr."

Funding to Improve Broadband and Storm Recovery

The federal government approved Virginia's request to invest some $1.5 billion in infrastructure funding to bring broadband coverage to tens of thousands of underserved locations, most in the Shenandoah Valley and Southside.

“Coupling this historic investment with the state’s ongoing broadband efforts, we are confident that we will connect all Virginians that are currently unserved to high-speed, affordable internet," Gov. Glenn Youngkin announced.

The federal government will also provide funding to help areas hammered by Hurricane Helene in the fall.

According to Washington County officials, at least $600 million in federal funding will be available to rebuild the Virginia Creeper Trail. The county's board of supervisors had called for additional federal help.

The state government also plans to contribute by forming a $127 million Disaster Assistance Fund. The bulk of that money is available because Virginia will not make its 2023 payment to the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative.

New Year's Eve Ideas

There are plenty of places to raise a glass as the year 2024 ends at midnight.

Wine and beer lovers have their pick of spots. VaDogwood.com compiled a list of some of tonight's leading options across the Commonwealth.

For those in the Southwest, there will be celebrations from Roanoke to Blacksburg and everywhere in between. WSLS lists some of the possibilities.

Northern Virginia magazine has some ideas for those closer to D.C., where musical tastes include everything from 80s pop to jazz standards.

Finally, WWBT has a list of celebrations near Richmond, while WVEC tallies up places to party in Hampton Roads.

Where will you celebrate? Hit reply and let us know, and have a safe and happy beginning to 2025!

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Be Inspired by Bold Believers

For 25 years, Todd Nettleton, the host of VOM Radio, has ventured into some of the world's most hostile and restricted nations.

His mission? To meet the courageous men and women who have faced persecution for their unwavering faith in Christ. Todd has traveled far and wide to hear their powerful stories firsthand and to bring their voices to the world, sharing their extraordinary testimonies of faith and resilience.

In his new book, When Faith Is Forbidden: 40 Days on the Frontlines with Persecuted Christians, Todd invites you to meet these bold believers.

Each stop on this journey will challenge you to reflect on your own walk with Christ along the sometimes-difficult path toward our heavenly home.

Through their incredible stories of courageous faith, we pray you will be inspired to a deeper, bolder walk with Christ.

This compelling book is free for you with any gift—simply request your copy today!

➤ Statewide: Gasoline prices went down during December. According to GasBuddy, the average price per gallon in the Old Dominion is $2.88, down 4.4 cents since November and 9.9 cents less than last year at this time. (More)

➤ Virginia Beach: A creative Christmas tree repurposing program launched by the Virginia Aquarium keeps disposed trees out of landfills by using them to shore up sand dunes instead. (Details)

➤ Richmond: The Department of Health warned that one-fifth of current hospitalizations in Virginia are linked to respiratory illnesses, including COVID-19, flu, and RSV. (Details)

➤ Portsmouth: City police warned: "We will not tolerate reckless and unlawful behavior that puts our community at risk" and made several arrests following a "street takeover" event involving illegal drag racing. (More)

➤ Statewide: Virginia's calculated recycling rate last year was 42.5 percent, according to the Department of Environmental Quality. (Details)

➤ Manassas: The city school system broke ground on a new elementary school that will teach pre-K through fourth graders. Construction is to begin next year. (More)

➤ The Washington Commanders could clinch the NFC's sixth seed with a win on Sunday at the Dallas Cowboys. That would mean they would go on the road to face either the Tampa Bay Buccaneers or the Los Angeles Rams, depending on other results in Week 18. (More)

➤ Virginia Tech added running back Cameron Seldon, a former four-star recruit who spent two seasons with the Tennessee Volunteers. (More)

➤ UVA announced its men's lacrosse schedule. The Cavs open against Colgate on Feb. 8, with the season ending with the ACC tournament on May 2. (Details)

➤ Love college sports? The best way to stay updated on everything related to name, image, and likeness is by checking out NIL Wire. Sign up here with one click!

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➤ Micron Technology will invest $2.2 billion to expand its Manassas manufacturing facility. (More)

➤ More than three-quarters of new businesses launched in Virginia survive their first full year, according to federal BLS data. The odds improve the longer a business goes, with 84.4% of first-year survivors making it through the second year and 87.5% of first-year survivors making it through year three. (Details)

➤ Virginia-based Choice Financial Group acquired Employee Benefits of Virginia for an undisclosed sum. (More)

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Flying together with our sponsor

Be Inspired by Bold Believers

For 25 years, Todd Nettleton, the host of VOM Radio, has ventured into some of the world's most hostile and restricted nations.

In his new book, When Faith Is Forbidden: 40 Days on the Frontlines with Persecuted Christians, Todd invites you to meet these bold believers.

Each stop on this journey will challenge you to reflect on your own walk with Christ along the sometimes-difficult path toward our heavenly home.

Through their incredible stories of courageous faith, we pray you will be inspired to a deeper, bolder walk with Christ.

This compelling book is free for you with any gift—simply request your copy today!

➤ A Hampton Roads wildlife rehab group warned it is seeing more cases of canine distemper in wildlife this winter than it usually does. (More)

➤ Ten hospitals across the Commonwealth made the U.S. News & World Report list of the 2025 Best Hospitals for Maternity Care. (Details)

➤ Daniel Bachman, a recording artist based in Madison County, collects and preserves sounds from across the state and uses them in his music. (More)

➤ Did you miss our tip jar yesterday? Your donations sustain our work, and we wouldn't exist without you. Would you consider making a year-end gift to help us make 2025 even better? Thank you for being part of our journey!