Friday, January 17, 2025

Good morning! On this day in 1857, one of the most powerful snowstorms in state history began. The storm shut down Central Virginia for more than a week and came to be known as "Cox's Snow" after the name of a doctor who died in a snowdrift after venturing out to help a patient.

Richmond has a new public utilities director, but there are still plenty of questions about its water system. The Virginia Flyover has more on that below in Around Virginia.

We're sponsored today by Frontieras, offering an investment opportunity in an untapped energy potential.

Lawmakers Draft Bills to Regulate Data Centers

State lawmakers introduced a series of bills to regulate the expansion of data centers, even as Gov. Glenn Youngkin said Virginia "should continue to be the data center capital of the world."

Representatives from both houses talked about four goals for legislation: protecting families and businesses, improving transparency, managing resources, and encouraging energy efficiency. "These are the essential steps to ensuring that data center growth aligns with Virginia's long-term interests," Sen. Russet Perry, D-Loudoun County, said.

A nonpartisan report released last month raised questions about how much electricity data centers need and how they impact communities. Lawmakers warn the centers could drive up power costs for consumers in the decade ahead.

Youngkin noted that "data centers alone support 74,000 jobs, bring in $9.1 billion in Virginia GDP, and generate billions in local revenue." He called on legislators to allow local communities to regulate land use.

Fairfax County Coach Suspended

The boys' basketball coach at Thomas Edison High School in Fairfax County was suspended for the rest of the season after the school's principal said he had used players who were not enrolled at his school during a Virginia High School League summer tournament.

"At Edison and across FCPS, we take pride in our work to tirelessly ensure that our athletic programs maintain high ethical standards of sportsmanship and character," Principal Mandy Burke said.

Coach Tre Ford's suspension came just months after Hayfield Secondary School withdrew from the state football playoffs after accusations that it had recruited ineligible players.

Delegate Dan Helmer introduced a bill this week that would make it illegal for school officials to receive "money or other things of value" to recruit student-athletes. That bill cleared the K-12 Subcommittee and will be considered by the full Education Committee.

The Ups and Downs of Roller Coasters

It is cold and snowy right now, but Virginia thrill-seekers can look forward to some hot roller coaster rides this year. Two of the Commonwealth's major theme parks plan to roll out new rides for 2025.

Busch Gardens Williamsburg will introduce "The Big Bad Wolf: The Wolf's Revenge," a family-friendly, inverted coaster. The ride was built on vacant space and does not replace another attraction.

Significant changes are also coming to Kings Dominion in Doswell, which has shuttered two rides in the last year: Berserker and Anaconda.

The park will introduce Rapterra, which it calls the "world's tallest and longest launched wing coaster." The ride isn't for the faint of heart: it can accelerate to 65 mph in just four seconds.

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➤ Richmond: Public Utilities Director April Bingham resigned after the city's water system failed, leaving area residents without service for days. Mayor Danny Avula, who took office this month, would not comment on whether the failure was preventable. (Details)

➤ Statewide: The Virginia Department of Corrections reported that almost 600 inmates earned a GED last year, the most since 2015. (More)

➤ Norfolk: Brad Spafford pleaded not guilty in federal court to weapons and explosives charges and also waived his right to a speedy trial. The FBI said the 36-year-old had a massive cache of explosives when he was arrested at his home in Isle of Wight last month. (Details)

➤ Woodbridge: Prince William County will break ground in April on a $26 million complex designed to centralize the county's homeless services. The new facility is set to open in two years. (More)

➤ Richmond: Gov. Glenn Youngkin announced plans to launch a single regulatory authority for gambling. (Details)

➤ Statewide: A new year brings a new round of safety inspections. The state police unveiled a difficult-to-counterfeit inspection sticker for vehicle windows. (See the Sticker)

➤ Washington Commanders rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels will pose a challenge to top-seed Detroit in the NFL playoffs tomorrow night. "He sees the field well. He can buy time with his legs," Detroit Coach Dan Campbell said. "He's a dangerous runner. He's smart." (Details)

➤ Virginia Tech senior forward Rose Micheaux was named ACC Women's Basketball Player of the Week. She scored 20 points in two games last week to earn the honor. (More)

➤ The Women's Sports Act is a legislative proposal that would effectively bar athletes who are born male from competing on female teams. Gov. Glenn Youngkin and Attorney General Jason Miyares are supporting the proposal. (More)

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➤ United Bankshares purchased Atlanta-based Piedmont Bancorp in a $267 million all-stock transaction. (Details)

➤ The former owner of Red Hill Construction in Hillsville pleaded guilty to filing false federal tax returns. Timothy Agnew could be sentenced to three years in prison. (More)

➤ The Virginia Peninsula Foodbank plans to buy 4.5 acres from Hampton's Economic Development Authority and build a food distribution facility to double its storage space. (Details)

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➤ Virginia Tech students will get their first look inside the university's new educational building in Alexandria when it opens for classes on Tuesday. (More)

➤ All seven other planets in our solar system will be in the sky on the same night—Feb. 28. In a preview, six will be visible next Tuesday. (Details)

➤ A dog trapped on frozen Sleepy Hole Lake in Suffolk was rescued by Suffolk's Marine Response Team. (See Video)

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