www.thecentersquare.com – By Alan Wooten | The Center Square – (The Center Square – ) 2025-08-20 16:32:00
Hurricane Erin, a Category 2 storm with 110 mph winds, is nearing the Carolinas’ coast, about 295 miles south-southeast of Cape Hatteras, moving north at 14 mph. Outer bands bring tropical storm conditions and a 2-4 foot storm surge forecast from Cape Lookout to Duck, NC. Coastal communities from the Carolinas to New England are preparing, with mandatory evacuations on Ocracoke and Hatteras Islands. The storm’s path will parallel the Atlantic Seaboard, passing the Carolinas and Virginia Thursday, reaching Maine by Friday. Erin has already caused flooding on N.C. 12. Its landfall miss is fortunate, as the state continues recovering from deadly Hurricane Helene.
(The Center Square) – Outer bands of Hurricane Erin are at the shores of the Carolinas, the National Hurricane Center said in its 5 p.m. report on Wednesday.
Category 2 Erin has maximum sustained winds of 110 mph and was 295 miles south-southeast of Cape Hatteras. Hurricane force winds of 74 mph or greater were extending 105 miles from its core, and tropical storm force winds of 39 mph or greater were outward to 265 miles.
Erin was moving at 14 mph and due north preceding a forecast turn more northeast.
From the Carolinas to New England, coastal communities were in preparation. The storm’s timing comes while the 63rd annual Coastal Edge East Coast Surfing Championships are at the Virginia Beach Oceanfront through Sunday.
Tropical storm conditions were expected overnight Wednesday into Thursday at the Outer Banks in North Carolina and up into the Tidewater of Virginia. Storm surge between Cape Lookout and Duck was forecast 2 to 4 feet; elsewhere from Charleston, S.C., to Chincoteague, Va., the rise was projected at 1 to 3 feet.
The next high tides on the Outer Banks are 6:18 p.m. Wednesday, and Thursday at 6:45 a.m. and 7:10 p.m.
Erin has already sent Atlantic Ocean water over dunes and N.C. 12, the famed 148-mile roadway linking peninsulas and islands of the Outer Banks.
Mandatory evacuations have been issued for Ocracoke Island in Hyde County and Hatteras Island in Dare County. Each county has declared an emergency.
Storm surge warnings were in effect from Cape Lookout to Duck; and a tropical storm warning was in effect from Beaufort Inlet to the Chincoteague, Va., inclusive of the Pamlico and Albemarle sounds.
The Wednesday evening high tide for coastal South Carolina, including Charleston, and southern North Carolina is being closely watched for flooding. Early Thursday evening is the expected time of coastal flooding from the southern Delmarva Peninsula and southern Chesapeake Bay down to eastern North Carolina.
The storm’s projected path through the weekend skirts parallel to moving more away from the Atlantic Seaboard. Thursday’s pass is by the Carolinas and Virginia, and Friday the storm will be moving by Maine.
As often happens with hurricanes, water began to run over N.C. 12 on Tuesday. The highway begins at U.S. 70 at the community of Sea Level and runs to a point just north of Corolla and south of the Currituck Banks North Carolina National Estuarine Research Reserve. Two ferries, Hatteras Island to Ocracoke Island and Cedar Island to Ocracoke Island, are part of the route.
The storm’s landfall miss of the state is particularly welcome in light of Hurricane Helene. Recovery from that storm is in its 47th week. Helene killed 107 in the state, 236 across seven states in the South, and caused an estimated $60 billion in damage to North Carolina.
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 Rating: Centrist
The article provides a straightforward report on Hurricane Erin, focusing on factual information such as the storm’s location, wind speeds, warnings, and evacuation orders. It does not express any ideological perspective or use language that suggests a political stance. Instead, it neutrally presents the actions and responses of local authorities and the National Hurricane Center. The content is purely informational and does not promote or critique any political ideology, adhering to neutral, factual reporting.
Virginia lawmakers are debating legalizing iGaming, which allows online casino games via smartphones and computers. While states like New Jersey have benefited financially, concerns include increased gambling addiction, especially among young men, and negative public health impacts such as higher suicide and substance abuse rates. Illegal operators pose risks by targeting minors and avoiding consumer protections. Experts urge strong government collaboration and regulatory oversight, including establishing the Virginia Gaming Control Agency, to manage these challenges. Previous legalization efforts stalled, with further study planned before the 2026 session. Lawmakers emphasize balancing revenue potential with responsible, fair industry management.
With online gaming expanding across the country, Virginia lawmakers are wrestling with whether to legalize iGaming — a move that could bring new revenue but also new challenges.
As iGaming makes it possible for users to gamble with a tap on their phone, the tool offers both benefits and hurdles for policymakers considering how to build Virginia’s gambling market. States like New Jersey have already reaped financial rewards, with that state becoming the nation’s largest regulated online gaming market.
Dave Rebuck, a former director of the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement, told the Joint Subcommittee to Study the Feasibility of Establishing the Virginia Gaming Commission at its meeting in Richmond about how his home state authorized and launched the nation’s first competitive internet gaming market.
One key factor Virginia policymakers will need to weigh, Rebuck said, is how to foster cooperation among state and federal leaders, backed by a clear plan.
“Based on my experience, there’s proof in concept to taking a multi-pronged approach to cracking down on the illegal market, with legalization being a critical component to every approach,” Rebuck said.
“But let’s not fool ourselves,” he added. “Unless we have tremendous support and collaboration between government agencies, including the federal government, the status quo of the illegal market and the offshore sites that are engaged in businesses, in every state, are not going to go away.”
Tuesday’s committee meeting zeroed in on iGaming — online casino games such as Blackjack, Craps, Poker, Roulette, and Slots that can be played on smartphones, tablets, or computers. Lawmakers heard multiple presentations weighing internet gambling’s advantages, drawbacks, and challenges.
Supporters argue internet gaming offers convenience by eliminating the need to travel. But critics note that it presents risks for both consumers and policymakers.
Illegal operators, for example, provide no consumer protections and contribute nothing to Virginia’s Problem Gambling Treatment and Support Fund. They often target minors and self-excluded individuals, according to Keith Whyte, founder and president of Safer Gambling Strategies, LLC.
Whyte added that research “consistently” shows iGaming is tied to elevated risks of gambling addiction, with the highest rates among men between 18 and 35.
Experts further briefed lawmakers on the negative impacts online gaming could have on revenue and jobs at casinos.
Brianne Doura-Schawohl, founder and CEO of Doura-Schawohl Consulting, also outlined some of the public health and economic concerns tied to online gambling, including higher rates of suicides, substance abuse, and drops in average credit scores, and rising credit card delinquency.
According to her presentation, individuals with a gambling disorder are 15 times more likely to die by suicide than the general population.
Studies have also found that more teenagers are gambling online through the use of loot boxes in video games.
“I think that the federal government may never come to the table when it comes to addressing the public health issue of problem gambling,” Doura-Schawohl said, urging Virginia lawmakers to take action before considering an expansion of the gambling market.
“There’s too many things that need to be resolved before — if I were in your shoes — I would consider doing this,” she said.
During the last General Assembly Session, lawmakers considered legislation to legalize internet gaming in Virginia. Those proposals ultimately failed to advance out of either chamber, and legislators opted instead to send the issue for further study.
iGaming is currently legal in eight states and available to roughly 14% of the U.S. population, Del. Marcus Simon, D-Fairfax, said Tuesday. He added that the industry could generate an estimated $5.3 billion in new taxable revenue during its first five years.
Senate Bill 827, introduced by Sen. Mamie Locke, D-Hampton, would have authorized the Virginia Lottery Board to issue licenses to casino operators for online gaming. Like other proposals, the measure was left in committee to allow for additional study.
The subcommittee plans to hold two more meetings before the next General Assembly session begins in January. The next meeting, tentatively scheduled for September, will focus on existing and planned casinos. The final meeting will address broader gaming issues, such as skill games and charitable gaming, all ahead of the 2026 session.
Sen. Bryce Reeves, R-Spotsylvania, committee chair, said gambling enforcement remains one of his top priorities. That effort, he stressed, begins with creating the Virginia Gaming Control Agency to regulate the industry.
“We need to get the VGC set up like yesterday and start enforcing the law so we can get a handle on some of these things,” Reeves said. “Personally, I’m not passing any other bills until you all help us get the VGC done, because we’re just creating more mess and every year that we don’t get it passed, creates more and more chaos.”
Del. Paul Krizek, D-Fairfax, the committee’s vice chair, echoed Reeves’ concerns.
“Gaming can continue to be a powerful engine for jobs, revenue and community investment, but it’s got to be managed responsibly without streamlined oversight,” Krizek said.
“The risks multiply predatory practices, inconsistent rules, heightened risk for problem gambling and loss of public trust. The Virginia Gaming Commission is a step we need to preserve the good, address those challenges, and build a fair, accountable and prosperous gaming industry for everyone in 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 Rating: Centrist
This article provides a balanced overview of the debate surrounding the legalization of online gaming (iGaming) in Virginia. It presents viewpoints from various stakeholders across the political spectrum, including Democratic and Republican lawmakers, industry experts, and public health advocates. The coverage highlights both potential economic benefits and public health risks without showing a clear partisan preference or ideological bias, aiming instead to inform readers about the complexities of the issue.
www.thecentersquare.com – By Sarah Roderick-Fitch | The Center Square – (The Center Square – ) 2025-08-19 16:31:00
More than a week after President Trump declared “Liberation Day” in Washington, D.C., the administration reports success in reducing crime, with 465 arrests since August 11, many in high-crime areas. The D.C. Police Union cites significant drops in carjackings (83%), robberies (46%), violent crime (22%), car theft (21%), and property crime (6%), totaling an 8% overall crime reduction. Republican governors from Louisiana, Mississippi, Ohio, South Carolina, and Tennessee are sending over 1,100 National Guard troops to assist, with costs covered federally. The deployment’s duration and total expenses remain uncertain, though estimates suggest millions monthly for lodging and meals.
(The Center Square) – More than a week after President Donald Trump declared “Liberation Day” in Washington, D.C., his administration is touting the operation as a success as more Republican governors commit National Guard troops.
“At the direction of POTUS, our nation’s capital is a SAFER place – and we are just getting started,” U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi posted to X.
The attorney general said that since the operation began on Aug. 11, law enforcement officials have made 465 arrests, adding that “nearly half” of the “arrests have occurred in the high-crime areas” of the district.
The D.C. Police Union has calculated major decreases in crimes since “Liberation Day,” including 83% drops in carjackings, 46% decreases in robberies, 22% drops in violent crime, 21% decreases in car theft, and 6% drops in property crime. The group adds that there has been an 8% reduction in crime overall.
The group argues for a long-term solution that would require repealing “the misguided Comprehensive Policing and Justice Reform Act to make these changes permanent.”
The figures come on the heels of Republican governors announcing deployments of additional National Guardsmen to the district.
Trump initially announced that 800 National Guardsmen from D.C. would be deployed to patrol the district streets. Now, governors from Louisiana, Mississippi, Ohio, South Carolina and Tennessee will send more than 1,100 guardsmen to the district. To be sure, the federal government will be flipping the bill for the deployments.
During a Tuesday afternoon White House briefing, Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters that there is currently no timeline for how long the National Guard may be deployed to the district.
More unknowns remain; specifically, how much taxpayers can expect to dole out for the deployment of troops.
“We won’t know the cost until the mission concludes. We have nothing more to provide currently,” a defense official told The Center Square.
Lodging per diem rates for the District of Columbia are $183 per night and $92 a day for meals and incidentals.
Using those figures, it would cost taxpayers roughly $11 million to house approximately 2,000 troops for 30 days and over $5 million for food and incidentals.
For reference, following the 2021 U.S. Capitol riots, 26,000 National Guard troops were deployed to the nation’s capital, and the U.S. military secured nearly $500 million to cover the costs. All remaining troops, which were significantly reduced by March 2021, were eventually withdrawn by May 2021.
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 Rating: Center-Right
The article primarily reports on the actions and statements of Republican officials and law enforcement groups regarding the deployment of National Guard troops in Washington, D.C., presenting crime statistics and official comments without overt editorializing. However, the framing emphasizes the success of the operation and highlights Republican perspectives, such as praising President Trump’s declaration of “Liberation Day” and quoting supportive figures like Attorney General Pam Bondi and the D.C. Police Union. The language used is generally positive toward the Republican-led initiative and includes detailed cost analysis that may subtly critique the financial implications but does not balance with opposing viewpoints or Democratic perspectives. This results in a tone that leans slightly toward a Center-Right bias by focusing on Republican achievements and viewpoints without providing equivalent coverage of alternative perspectives or criticisms.
A new Roanoke College Poll shows Democrat Abigail Spanberger leading Republican Winsome Earle-Sears by 7 points in Virginia’s 2025 governor’s race, with 46% to 39% support among likely voters. The race has tightened since May, when Spanberger led by 17 points. Polling also shows narrow leads for Democrats Ghazala Hashmi for lieutenant governor and Jay Jones for attorney general, both within the margin of error. Inflation is the top voter concern. Approval ratings for President Trump and Governor Youngkin have improved slightly. The poll highlights deep partisan divides on politics and candidate perceptions in Virginia.
Democrat Abigail Spanberger holds a 7-point lead over Republican Winsome Earle-Sears in the race for Virginia governor, according to a new Roanoke College Poll that shows the contest tightening since the spring.
The survey, released by the college’s Institute for Policy and Opinion Research Tuesday morning, found Spanberger supported by 46% of likely voters compared with 39% for Earle-Sears. Fourteen percent remain undecided, and 1% said they would back someone else. The numbers mark a closer race than in May, when Roanoke’s poll showed Spanberger ahead 43%-26%.
“Many Republicans seem to have ‘come home’ to Earle-Sears since the May poll, but Spanberger’s voters are slightly more enthusiastic about voting and more certain of their vote,” said Harry Wilson, interim director for the Institute for Policy and Opinion Research at Roanoke College.
The poll of 702 Virginia residents was conducted between Aug. 11 and Aug. 15 and has a margin of error of 4.30% among all respondents, or 4.39% among likely voters. Most registered voters reported being very likely (83%) or somewhat likely (12%) to cast a ballot in November.
The survey also tested the races for lieutenant governor and attorney general.
Democrat Ghazala Hashmi, a state senator from Richmond, held a narrow lead over Republican John Reid, 38% to 35%, while Democrat Jay Jones edged Republican incumbent Attorney General Jason Miyares, 41% to 38%.
“The races for lieutenant governor and attorney general are both within the poll’s margin of error, suggesting the election is far from over,” Wilson said. He noted that the poll was weighted to reflect the 2021 Virginia exit poll, “which was a good year for Republicans.”
As has been true for many years now, Republicans and Democrats appear to be living on different planets in terms of how they view politics, elected officials, and candidates.
– Harry Wilson, interim director for the Institute for Policy and Opinion Research, Roanoke College
Three out of four likely voters (76%) said they are very certain of their choice for governor, and 21% are somewhat certain. Half of likely voters described themselves as very enthusiastic about casting a ballot, while 34% were somewhat enthusiastic.
Inflation topped the list of campaign concerns, with 54% of likely voters naming it the most important issue. Crime followed at 11%, abortion at 7%, jobs at 6%, and gun control at 4%.
The poll showed a mixed picture of how Virginians view their leaders. Sixty percent of respondents said the country is on the wrong track, but 52% said the commonwealth is headed in the right direction — both more positive than Roanoke’s May survey.
President Donald Trump’s job approval rating improved to 41%, while Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s approval climbed to 50%, closer to his average throughout his term. Youngkin’s favorability stood at 50% favorable and 42% unfavorable, while Trump’s favorability rose by eight points but remained underwater at 41% favorable and 57% unfavorable.
Spanberger registered a 44% favorable and 38% unfavorable rating, slightly better than in May. Earle-Sears’s numbers also ticked up to 36% favorable and 43% unfavorable, with about 1 in 5 Virginians offering no opinion of either candidate.
The poll also asked Virginians about Trump’s performance on specific issues. His approval stood at 43% on the economy, 42% on foreign policy, and 43% on immigration — all close to his overall approval rating.
A plurality of likely voters (45%) said Trump has done worse than they expected in his second term, while 28% said he exceeded expectations and 27% said he performed as expected.
Respondents favored Democrats on health care, education, Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid, and the environment. Republicans held the edge on immigration, the national debt and deficit, and, to a smaller extent, inflation and taxes.
“With regard to President Trump, respondents appear to steadfastly like or dislike him, regardless of the issue,” Wilson said.
“They differentiate, however, between the parties when it comes to handling specific issues. As has been true for many years now, Republicans and Democrats appear to be living on different planets in terms of how they view politics, elected officials, and candidates.”
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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 Rating: Centrist
The content presents polling data and political analysis in a factual and balanced manner, reporting on both Democratic and Republican candidates without evident favoritism. It includes quotes from a neutral academic source and covers a range of issues and viewpoints, reflecting a straightforward news style typical of centrist reporting. There is no language that suggests a strong ideological slant to the left or right.
