www.youtube.com – 12 On Your Side – 2025-04-02 08:01:08
SUMMARY: Dominion Energy plans to increase rates starting summer 2025, with an average increase of about $20 per month. The company cites inflation, high labor costs, and the need for power grid upgrades as reasons for the hike. This is the first rate increase since 1992, and residents express concerns that higher prices won’t improve service reliability. Proposed changes include a $10.92 increase in fuel rates from July 1, followed by base rate increases of $8.51 and $2 in subsequent years. Critics emphasize the need to avoid overburdening residential customers while accommodating increased demand from data centers.
They’re blaming the jump on the pressure of inflation, high labor costs, and the need for power grid upgrades and supplies.
www.youtube.com – 13News Now – 2025-04-23 06:08:31
SUMMARY: We experienced cloudy and cool conditions on Wednesday morning, with temperatures around 66°F at the airport, and a mix of low to mid-60s across the area. Overnight rain totals included significant amounts, with some areas receiving over an inch. Currently, showers are winding down along the coast, though lingering rain persists in the southern Outer Banks. As the day progresses, we can expect gradual clearing and drier conditions. Thursday will bring sunny skies and comfortable temperatures in the low 70s, followed by a warming trend into the weekend with a chance of showers on Saturday. Tonight’s low will be near 53°F.
Late-week warmup, and more wet weather later Saturday.
www.thecentersquare.com – By Shirleen Guerra | The Center Square – (The Center Square – ) 2025-04-22 11:43:00
(The Center Square) – Fairfax County Supervisor Pat Herrity announced he is withdrawing from the 2025 Republican lieutenant governor race due to ongoing health complications following heart surgery.
Herrity was one of two candidates for the Republican nomination, and his withdrawal clears the path for conservative talk show host John Reid to become the Republican nominee, finalizing the party’s 2025 statewide ticket alongside Winsome Earl-Sears and Jason Miyares.
Herrity, who underwent heart surgery on March 13, told supporters he would not be able to meet the physical demands of a statewide campaign.
In astatement, he said it would not be fair to the ticket or to donors to continue running and emphasized that his priority was helping Republicans win in November.
Herrity highlighted that his campaign was “less about me and the lieutenant governor position and more about doing well in Northern Virginia so we could elect Winsome Sears as our Governor and reelect Attorney General Jason Miyares.”
He confirmed he would remain on the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors and continue advocating conservative policies at the local level.
With Herrity’s exit, Republicans have locked in their 2025 ticket: Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears for governor, Attorney General Jason Miyares seeking reelection and newcomer John Reif running for lieutenant governor.
In astatement, Reid said the GOP now has “an early opportunity to unify behind a historic, solidly conservative, reasonable, and responsible GOP ticket” alongside Sears and Miyares.
Meanwhile, progressive watchdog Clean Virginia released its 2025endorsement list, backing dozens of General Assembly candidates who have pledged not to accept money from regulated monopolies like Dominion Energy and Appalachian Power.
The group says its endorsements reflect a commitment to clean energy, campaign finance reform and greater accountability in how public utilities influence state lawmakers.
Herrity’s exit comes as lieutenant governor candidates reported raising more than $2.4 million so far, and the primary season is just getting started.
Certain Virginia bridges and tunnels could be repaired or replaced ahead of schedule, saving citizens years of waiting to use the structures, thanks to a law that will take effect this summer that stems from a bipartisan effort in this year’s General Assembly approved by the governor.
Lawmakers and Gov. Glenn Youngkin passed an administrative proposal allowing the state to expedite projects considered under Virginia’s Special Structures Program by issuing revenue bonds up to $200 million a year, and up to $1 billion total. Issuance will begin in 2028.
The Commonwealth Special Structures Program stems from a 2020 measure that allocates $80 million annually to cover “special structures,” identified by the Commissioner of Highways and approved by the Commonwealth Transportation Board (CTB) as very “large, indispensable, and unique bridges and tunnels.”
Virginia Secretary of Transportation Shep Miller said at an April 15 CTB meeting that bonding the program funds can help projects move much faster.
“This is a great financial decision for the commonwealth,” Miller said. “Not only do we get to use cheaper money as opposed to more expensive money, but we also get the benefits of all these programs many, many years earlier.”
Ahead of the last General Assembly session, the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) asked lawmakers to consider the bill, framing it as a way to help avoid future inflationary costs on the state’s structure improvements and replacements.
According to the agency, VDOT has experienced 24% in cost escalation over the last three fiscal years in its construction program.
Laura Farmer, chief financial officer for VDOT, said in a recent April 15 presentation to the Commonwealth Transportation Board that “though the current funding revenue stream for special structures is reliable, it is not sufficient to set aside money over many years to take care of replacement projects.”
Senate Minority Leader Ryan McDougle, R-Hanover, carried the successful legislation, which Youngkin signed March 21. It will take effect July 1.
Norris Bridge and more to come
With VDOT’s ability to bond funds in the special structures program, the agency has already moved forward with its planning to replace the Robert O. Norris Bridge, which connects the Northern Neck and Middle Peninsula, eight years ahead of schedule.
The 1.9-mile, 67-year-old bridge is located over the Rappahannock River, between Lancaster and Middlesex counties. If the bridge were closed for any reason, an average of 7,560 vehicles would have to take a detour route totaling 85 miles.
The agency said the vertical clearance in the channel span for marine traffic is 110 feet.
According to the governor’s office, the new bridge will have “substantially” wider travel lanes, fully functional shoulders and significantly higher guardrails.
“It is time to build a modern bridge that will serve the communities of the Northern Neck and Middle Peninsula for the next 100 years,” Youngkin said in an April 15 statement. “Today we are accelerating construction of a new Norris Bridge to meet the daily travel needs of residents and businesses, and to welcome visitors to these scenic waterfront regions.Through this action, people will be driving over the new bridge almost a decade sooner than expected.”
Stephen C. Brich, commissioner of highways for VDOT, said last week that staff has identified a collection of special structure projects for potential advancement, but did not specifically name any.
However, the Mercury was able to identify some of the upcoming special structure projects, according to a recent resolution passed by the board, including: the Big Walker Mountain Tunnel in the Bristol District; a SMART Road in Salem; the Benjamin Harrison Bridge in Richmond; the Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel; and the Rosslyn Tunnel in Northern Virginia.
“This isn’t just about the Norris bridge,” Miller said. “This is just the beginning. It impacts everything in the schedule because now we’ve got money in front. So it’s really a great win for the commonwealth.”
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Virginia Mercury is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Virginia Mercury maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Samantha Willis for questions: info@virginiamercury.com.
Note: The following A.I. based commentary is not part of the original article, reproduced above, but is offered in the hopes that it will promote greater media literacy and critical thinking, by making any potential bias more visible to the reader –Staff Editor.
Political Bias Assessment: Center-Left
The content primarily discusses a bipartisan legislative effort in Virginia aimed at expediting infrastructure projects, specifically the repair and replacement of bridges and tunnels. The focus on bipartisan support suggests an appeal to a broad audience. However, the mention of Governor Glenn Youngkin and Republican Senate Minority Leader Ryan McDougle emphasizes the roles of Republican policymakers and positions the government’s financial decision-making in a positive light. The tone and content lean toward addressing community needs and improvements, aligning more with progressive values of government intervention and infrastructure investment. Thus, while it is not overtly partisan, the framing and focus on infrastructure development suggest a Center-Left bias in promoting active government involvement in public goods.
