WTOP-FM – As Virginia state lawmakers get ready to head back to work for their 2025 legislative session, one item they will discuss will be the possibility of building a casino in Fairfax County — likely in the Tysons area.
The topic has been raised before in the General Assembly, but it has never received enough support to move forward.
Delegate Ian Lovejoy (R-22, Prince William County) has introduced a suite of legislative proposals targeting the rapid proliferation of data centers in Northern Virginia, addressing concerns about campaign finance, land use, and energy infrastructure. The legislation, rooted in what Lovejoy calls "common sense reforms," aims to tackle issues of public confidence, community impact, and the strain on utilities.
Curbing Campaign Influence on Local Decisions
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In this Potomac Local News Podcast episode, we sit down with Jeff Joyner, President of Sentara Northern Virginia Medical Center, to explore the hospital’s incredible 50+ year journey – the past 15 years of which have been under Sentara’s watch.
Learn how this community-built hospital has evolved with transformative investments, including freestanding emergency rooms, a cardiovascular surgery center, and cutting-edge AI technology.
From its roots as Potomac Hospital to its role today as a leader in local healthcare, Sentara continues to innovate while staying true to its mission of serving the community. Whether you’re curious about the future of healthcare or want to hear how the hospital has remained a vital part of Northern Virginia, this is an episode you don’t want to miss!
Topics Covered:
- Sentara’s deep community ties and history
- The hospital’s recent investments and expansions
- How AI and technology are transforming healthcare
- Exciting plans for the future
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Join us on Friday, January 10, 2025, from noon to 4 p.m., with a special Ribbon Cutting at 2 p.m. Be inspired by keynote speaker Rita McClenny, President & CEO of Virginia Tourism Corporation while enjoying a light reception featuring classic Fredericksburg favorites.
Location: 601 Caroline Street, 1st Floor, Fredericksburg
For event inquiries, contact: 540-372-1216 | [email protected]
Do you have an event you’d like to share with the community? Submitting your event to Potomac Local News is FREE and easy! Just fill out our form using this link: Submit Your Event.
Make sure your event gets the spotlight it deserves—submit today!
Planet Fitness opened its first location in Stafford. The new 30,900-square-foot facility, located at 1455 Stafford Market Place in the Stafford Market Place shopping center, is designed to provide a welcoming, judgment-free environment for individuals at all fitness levels.
The building used to house a Best Buy that announced its closure one year ago after 16 years in business. Our coverage of the closure was some of the most-read content on Potomac Local News in 2024.
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Here’s a summary of recent incidents reported by the Stafford County Sheriff’s Office:
Called to Jail
A 44-year-old man found himself back at Rappahannock Regional Jail after making a false report and harassing a jail officer with obscene phone calls. Initially, deputies responded to a call about a death and gunshot outside the jail, which turned out to be false. The suspect, located at a local motel, was arrested and charged with using obscene language and filing a false report.
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Several schools in our region have announced closures and delays for Thursday, January 9, 2025, due to icy road conditions and inclement weather. Here is the latest list of updates:
Prince William County Public Schools
On Thursday, January 9, all Prince William County Public Schools will be closed for students and teachers.
– All 250-day employees and all pay grade 13 and above report at 10 a.m.
Stafford County Public Schools
Schools will be closed for students on Thursday, January 9, 2025.
– Emergency personnel will report on time.
– All 12-month employees will report to work at 10 a.m. If you are unable to report to work safely, liberal leave is authorized.
– Thursday, January 9 will serve as a workday for all licensed employees beginning at 10 a.m. While buildings will be open to enable maintenance crews to clear any remaining snow and ice, telework is permitted and encouraged where duties allow.
Manassas City Public Schools
Manassas City Public Schools and offices will be closed on Thursday, January 9, 2025, due to hazardous road conditions.
– Code BLUE for employees.
Manassas Park City Schools
Schools will be closed tomorrow, Thursday, January 9, 2025, due to icy conditions.
– Code RED for employees.
Fairfax County Public Schools
All Fairfax County Public Schools are closed on Thursday, January 9, 2025.
– School offices and central offices will open to the public at 10 a.m.
Fredericksburg City Public Schools
Fredericksburg City Public Schools will be closed on Thursday, January 9, 2025.
- Essential workers should report at 8 a.m.
- 12-month employees should report at 10 a.m.
Spotsylvania County Public Schools
Spotsylvania County Public Schools are closed on Thursday, January 9, 2025, due to icy road conditions.
- Code 2: 12-month employees report two hours late as safety permits.
- Essential personnel will report at specified times.
- All school-sponsored activities and student externships are canceled
King George County Public Schools
King George County Public Schools will be closed on Thursday, January 9, 2025, due to adverse road conditions and inclement weather.
- Code 2: 12-month employees report at 10 a.m.
- Liberal leave will be in effect.
We’ll update this post with additional school closures and delays as they are announced.
Date: February 1, 2025
Time: 6–8 PM
Location: 9419 Battle St, Manassas
Admission: Free and open to the public
Join the Prince William County Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. for an evening featuring contemporary figurative painter William Kennedy. Explore his exhibit, “Beyond the Surface,” which delves into the emotional depth of Black male figures. The reception includes light refreshments and an opportunity to meet the artist.
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In this episode of the Potomac Local News Podcast, Delegate Ian Lovejoy joins us from Richmond to discuss key issues impacting Virginia residents:
Richmond’s Water Crisis: Hear about the ongoing water outage in Richmond, its effects on families, businesses, and schools, and what it means for state leadership as former Mayor Levar Stoney campaigns for Lieutenant Governor.
Data Center Development: Delegate Lovejoy explains his legislative efforts to address the rapid expansion of data centers in Northern Virginia, including:
- Prohibiting officials from voting on projects tied to campaign donors.
- Establishing zoning reforms to protect schools, parks, and residential neighborhoods.
- Proposing a moratorium on new data centers and revisiting tax incentives.
Energy Infrastructure Concerns: Learn how unchecked data center growth could threaten Virginia’s power grid by 2030 and what steps are needed to prevent a crisis.
This in-depth conversation explores the challenges facing Virginia communities and the solutions Delegate Lovejoy is working to implement.
Subscribe for more updates on local news and issues affecting Virginia.
You’ll learn about:
- 1:15 – Richmond’s Water Crisis
- 4:30 – Data Centers and Campaign Donations
- 7:45 – Zoning Reforms and Community Impacts
- 10:30 – Power Grid Concerns and Tax Incentives
Join the conversation and share your thoughts in the comments.
