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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

Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and hit the bell icon on YouTube to stay updated on the latest local news and interviews! Subscribe to our FREE email newsletter if you haven’t already done so. Thank you

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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.

Join us for an in-depth conversation with Kelly Hannon from the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) as we discuss the ongoing snowstorm impacting the Fredericksburg region and beyond. With some areas, including Stafford County, seeing up to 8 inches of snow, VDOT crews are working tirelessly to clear roads and ensure safety.

Prince William County, Virginia is bracing for a major winter storm, with heavy snowfall, icy conditions, and dangerously cold temperatures expected to impact the area. In this interview, Fire Chief Thomas LaBelle shares important safety tips and preparation advice to help residents stay safe during the storm.

The Stafford County Public Schools Career Pathways Program creates new opportunities for students to explore career possibilities, acquire real-world skills, and prepare for workforce or higher education success. Open to rising ninth graders and high school students; this initiative provides a wide array of specialty centers and pathways that cater to diverse interests and aspirations.

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In an era of rapid development and change, few leaders, like Mayor Janette Rishell of Manassas Park, leave a lasting impact. After 12 years of dedicated service—four on the City Council and eight as Mayor—Mayor Rishell is stepping down, leaving behind a transformed city with a brighter future.

On the latest episode of the Potomac Local News Podcast, our founder, Uriah Kiser, sits down with Mayor Rishell for an insightful conversation about her journey, her achievements, and her vision for Manassas Park’s future.

Why Listen to This Episode?

1. A City Transformed
Mayor Rishell reflects on how Manassas Park emerged from financial challenges to become a vibrant community with a thriving community center and a new downtown development. Her leadership helped the city avoid state intervention for fiscal distress and achieve a strong credit rating.

2. Leadership Lessons
As a supporter of term limits, Mayor Rishell shares her thoughts on balanced governance, teamwork, and the importance of a shared vision in achieving success.

3. The Road Ahead
Learn about Mayor Rishell’s hopes for the city’s continued growth, from filling downtown storefronts to improving economic development and lowering taxes. She also shares heartfelt advice for residents to stay involved and support their community.

4. A Personal Touch
This episode offers a glimpse into the personal side of leadership. Mayor Rishell discusses her unique hobbies, including translating ancient Egyptian hieroglyphics, and her plans to spend more time with family and pursue her passions in retirement.

Whether you’re a Manassas Park resident or someone interested in community growth and leadership, this podcast episode offers inspiration and insight into the dedication required to lead a city through challenging times.

Don’t miss this chance to hear from a leader who has guided her city with resilience and vision. Subscribe to the Potomac Local News Podcast today and join the conversation about shaping the future of our communities.

After over a decade of dedicated public service, Manassas Park Mayor Janette Rishell is stepping down. In this episode of the Potomac Local News Podcast, Mayor Rishell joins us to discuss her remarkable journey, from helping the city recover from financial challenges to fostering community growth and development.

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In our latest episode of the Potomac Local News Podcast, we tackle the complex and controversial topic of data centers and their growing presence in our region. Joining the conversation are two experts with unique perspectives: Bill Wright, a data center activist from Prince William County, and Dr. Eric Bonds, a professor at the University of Mary Washington and a concerned Fredericksburg resident.

Fredericksburg City Council recently held a work session to discuss an ordinance that would allow data centers within the city limits for the first time, focusing on a 250-acre site at Celebrate Virginia South. The proposed timeline is ambitious, with plans to finalize the ordinance as early as February 2025. While data centers promise potential economic benefits, including increased tax revenue, concerns about their environmental and community impact have sparked significant debate.

In this episode, we explore:

• Community Impacts: Dr. Bonds outlines how the proposed digital overlay zone would surround residential areas, including an apartment complex and retirement communities, raising questions about compatibility and quality of life.
• Lessons Learned: Bill Wright shares insights from Prince William County, where data center developments have led to environmental challenges, lawsuits, and a lack of transparency.
• Economic Realities: While data centers generate tax revenue, our guests discuss the hidden costs, including legal fees, infrastructure demands, and environmental compliance, which often go uncalculated.
• Climate Considerations: Dr. Bonds raises concerns about the energy-intensive nature of data centers and how they conflict with local and state commitments to renewable energy and environmental stewardship.
• Whether you’re a Fredericksburg resident, an environmental advocate, or simply curious about how data centers impact communities, this episode offers an in-depth look at these developments’ challenges and opportunities.

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New Podcast Episode: Honoring the Legacy of Jenny Dean and the Future of Manassas City Public Schools

Our latest Potomac Local News Podcast episode features an inspiring conversation with Almeta Radford, spokeswoman for Manassas City Public Schools. We dive into the details of the $47 million groundbreaking project for the new Jennie Dean Elementary School, set to open in 2026.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

1. The Significance of Jenny Dean’s Legacy

• Discover how Jennie Dean, born into slavery, became a trailblazer by founding the Manassas Industrial School for African American Children and how her contributions shaped the community.

2. A Community-Centered Design

• Hear how architects and community leaders worked together to design a building that honors Dean’s legacy while incorporating modern educational needs, including outdoor learning spaces, energy-efficient features, and state-of-the-art security.

3. Behind the Budget

• Learn how strategic timing and innovative procurement processes brought the project in under the $62 million budget originally estimated.

4. What’s Next for Manassas City Schools

• Get insight into future challenges and priorities for the school division as the city grows.

This episode captures the excitement and importance of a project that’s not just about a building but about celebrating history, serving the present, and shaping the future.

Tune in to hear Almeta’s reflections, the passion behind the project, and what this milestone means for the Manassas community.

Listen now and join us in celebrating this major step forward for our schools and students.

What are your thoughts on the new Jennie Dean Elementary School project? Please share them in the comments below.