Insidenova: "Prince William County will be the center of one of the most-watched primary races in this year’s General Assembly elections, as two incumbents seek the Democratic nomination in the 29th State Senate District."
"Voting began May 5 in the race between Sen. Jeremy McPike, who currently holds the seat, and Del. Elizabeth Guzman, D-31st. Redistricting maps approved in late 2021 moved Guzman into a House district with Del. Luke Torian, so she decided to run for Senate instead."
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Insidenova: "Two Republicans in the 29th Senate District are looking to flip a blue seat come November, but first, they’ll face off in a June 20 primary."
"Woodbridge resident Nikki Baldwin, a native of Florida who says she spent time in foster care before enlisting in the U.S. Navy as a hospital corpsman, is running in her first race for public office. She’s running on a platform of parental input on educational issues and against race-based school admissions."
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Insidenova: “Actor and musician Gary Sinise and celebrity chef Robert Irvine teamed up to give thousands an unforgettable experience at Fort Belvoir for Memorial Day weekend.”
“Sinise and the Lt. Dan Band travel to military bases across the country to perform free of charge to service members, veterans and their families. And on May 25, they took stage in front of the garrison headquarters.”
Prince William Times: “A Manassas business owner and a Bealeton man pleaded guilty Friday to conspiring to defraud banks and the federal Small Business Administration of more than $7 million in COVID-19 relief funds – money that was used to invest in cryptocurrency, buy vehicles, make mortgage payments, fund home renovations, pay private high school and college tuition bills and buy items on Amazon, according to court documents.”
“Between April 2020 and March 2021, Bennie Earl Magee, 54, of Manassas, falsified payroll records, created fake IRS business tax returns and submitted falsified revenue reports for multiple companies to lenders and the SBA to obtain more than $7 million in Paycheck Protection Program and Economic Injury Disaster Loans for himself and his friend and co-defendant Michael Gilcher, 45, of Bealeton, according to court documents.”
Fredericksburg.com: "Fredericksburg Police officials said they expanded the department’s community outreach efforts and the role of its Citizens Advisory Panel, and Chief Layton continues to meet monthly with city residents. Additionally, two full-time school resource officers were added to city schools and two additional SRO positions are waiting to be filled.
“The relationship has been revitalized and strengthened,” said city police spokeswoman Sarah Morris. “There’s a really good synergy between schools and the police department right now.”
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Prince William Times: “Opponents of the Prince William Digital Gateway were dealt another blow Thursday when a judge dismissed a second lawsuit challenging the data center development.”
“Both lawsuits were filed by residents late last year in an effort to stop the 2,139-acre data center corridor proposed just north of the Manassas National Battlefield Park from moving forward. Both suffered the same fate: dismissals from two different judges in separate hearings held just a few weeks apart.”
“Delaware Land LLC, associated with prominent data center developer Chuck Kuhn, is in contract to purchase 14 parcels between Routes 29 and 55 near Gainesville, with plans to build nearly 2 million square feet of data centers if it can get the Board of County Supervisors to go along with what will surely be a controversial rezoning.”
“Among the 81.9 acres proposed for rezoning is the Hillwood Camping Park, home to a number of mobile homes and campgrounds on over 15 acres.”
- Photo: VDOT
In January, we reported on Virginia’s new population estimates, which showed that Northern Virginia and Hampton Roads — but especially Northern Virginia — are now losing population while some parts of rural Virginia are now gaining.
By Sarah Roderick-Fitch
(The Center Square) – Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin took historic steps by signing an executive order establishing a foreign trade office while meeting with President Tsai Ing-wen of Taiwan in Taipei earlier today, kicking off his Asian tour.
This will be the commonwealth’s fourth international office; others are in Japan, South Korea and Germany. Youngkin is scheduled to visit Japan and South Korea during his Asian trip.
During the meeting with Tsai, Youngkin touted Virginia’s longstanding relationship with Taiwan and underscored the importance of maintaining strong ties.
“As a premier partner in the commonwealth’s economic and business ecosystem, I was thrilled to meet with President Tsai to strengthen Virginia’s decades-old partnership with Taiwan,” Youngkin said. “As a former business leader, I appreciate the commitment to excellence that Taiwan demonstrates across sectors. They are an important training partner and model of prosperity for nations across the globe.”
Youngkin’s executive order cited Taiwan as the United States’ second-largest trading partner, highlighting the $730 million worth of products exported to Taiwan in 2022 and $1 billion in imports from the island nation.
“Taiwan is a significant player in cross continental relationships for Virginia. As the fourth fastest-growing source of foreign direct investment in the United States, Taiwanese-owned Virginia companies strengthen the commonwealth’s collaborative business climate,” according to a release from Youngkin’s office.
“Taiwan is a critical partner to Virginia,” the executive order reads. “Attracting foreign direct investment (FDI) to the Commonwealth and aiding Virginia companies in selling their products overseas are critical to the economic prosperity of the Commonwealth.”
Youngkin’s order underscores Taiwan’s rising market share of foreign investment in the country and how “Taiwan will build off this foundation and momentum to help bring investment and jobs to Virginia.”
The order explains that foreign investment includes semiconductor technologies, which having a “secure semiconductor supply chain” is vital to national security.
“Virginia is uniquely poised to excel in the advanced technology sector due to our extensive IT infrastructure, a robust, internationally recognized university system primed to advance key technologies and satisfy growing workforce needs,” according to the order. “Additionally, international trade plays an essential role in maintaining the vitality of the Virginia economy.”
Earlier this month, Youngkin applauded the state’s soaring forestry and agriculture exports, which included products sent to Taiwan. Additionally, Taiwan has imported computer and electronic parts. Youngkin hopes “increasing opportunities for international trade with Taiwan in these sectors will position Virginia’s companies for future success.”
The executive order highlighted another considerable coup for Virginia projects underway that will deepen and expand the Port of Virginia in Norfolk. Once completed, the channel will be the deepest port on the East Coast. It will eventually be able to safely handle two-way traffic for “ultra-large container vessels.”
“The existing partnership between Taiwan and Virginia will be further strengthened by the creation of a Virginia-Taiwan Trade Office, and its opening will enable the Commonwealth to better showcase Virginia to prospective investors and businesses, and to further open markets for Virginia products,” the order read.
Youngkin’s glowing remarks and eagerness to strengthen the relationship between the Virginia and Taiwan couldn’t be starker than those with China. The governor has taken a hard line against business partnerships involving Chinese interests.
The governor has been critical of Chinese interests, including TikTok, the sale of farmland to foreign entities tied to China, and talk of building a Chinese battery manufacturing plant for Ford vehicles.
What could be perceived as a swipe at China’s communist government, Youngkin went on to emphasize the state’s and Taiwan’s mutual commitment to Democratic values.
