www.thecentersquare.com – By Jon Styf | The Center Square – (The Center Square – ) 2025-04-30 12:17:00
(The Center Square) – The Washington Commanders $2.7 billion stadium project touted at a Monday press conference as mainly funded by the team actually includes more than $2.5 billion worth of subsidies, according to the stadium financing blog Field of Schemes.
Neil DeMause, who covers publicly funded stadium projects across the country, published the proposed stadium agreement term sheet while adding up those costs beyond the $500 million through Sports Facilities Fee with a tax capture at the stadium that would be created to pay off bonds, along with $175 million for the parking structure. Events DC, which is partially funded through taxpayer money, will put $181 million toward parking garages on the property and D.C. will pay $202 million for utilities infrastructure, roadways and a WMATA transit study.
DeMause detailed the Commanders’ tax savings, including a $429 million property tax break because the city owns the stadium, $1 a year in rent over the 30-year lease term on federal land where the city has control of development that is estimated to be worth $1 billion.
“This is being sold as one of the smallest public contributions to an NFL stadium on a percentage basis,” DeMause told The Center Square. “But, once you count all of the different subsidies including tax breaks and other things like that. First of all, that’s not even true on a percentage basis but, secondly, this could be the easily the largest public subsidy for any stadium deal in history and the public is set to get nothing back.”
While the district will pay for portions of the stadium project, it will not receive any of the revenue from events at the stadium, stadium naming rights, personal seat licenses or parking on the 180-acre site.
The issue with a city taking revenue from a stadium it owns and paid to build has come up in Ohio with a pair of budget office reports on a proposed $600 million subsidy from the state of Ohio, where the office recommended the “state receive revenue-sharing from events commensurate with our property ownership share.”
Despite the claims from D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser, Commanders co-owner Josh Harris and NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell at Monday’s press conference, research from economists on stadium projects has consistently shown that those projects do not bring the promised returns to taxpayers.
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-Left
The article leans toward a Center-Left perspective primarily through its critical framing of the Washington Commanders’ stadium funding. The tone and language emphasize the significant public subsidies and tax breaks involved, highlighting concerns about the burden on taxpayers and questioning the claimed minimal public contribution. The inclusion of expert opinions and references to economic research skeptical of stadium-related public investments further signals a critical stance on government spending that benefits private entities. While the article reports factual details and figures, it selects information and frames it in a way that challenges pro-subsidy arguments, a common theme in Center-Left critiques of public funding for private projects.
A Roanoke College poll shows former congresswoman Abigail Spanberger leading Lieutenant Governor Winsome Earle-Sears 43%-26% in Virginia’s gubernatorial race. Spanberger also leads among independents, according to another poll. The Roanoke poll interviewed 658 voters, revealing high political anxiety and concerns over the national deficit. Spanberger’s favorability is balanced at 41%, while Earle-Sears’ favorability has declined to 32%. Governor Glenn Youngkin’s approval rating dropped to 46%. Most voters oppose broad tax hikes and spending cuts but favor raising taxes for high earners. With over a quarter of voters undecided, the race remains dynamic, though Spanberger currently holds a significant lead.
Former congresswoman and Democratic nominee for governor Abigail Spanberger fared better with voters than current lieutenant governor and Republican nominee Winsome Earle-Sears, according to a Roanoke College poll released Thursday showing Spanberger leading Earle-Sears 43%-26%. This follows another poll published this week showing Spanberger with a 4-point lead over Earle-Sears.
The Institute for Policy and Opinion Research at Roanoke College interviewed 658 Virginia residents between May 12 and May 19 to determine that Spanberger leads Earle-Sears by 17 percentage points. Meanwhile, another new poll commissioned by business organization Virginia FREE conducted between May 9 and May 13 shows independent voters favoring Spanberger by 53%-47%. That poll included 1,000 participants. The Roanoke College poll’s margin of error is 5.25%.
While the sample sizes of the polls is much smaller than the number of people who are likely to participate in November’s statewide election, polls conducted sporadically leading up to elections can point to partisan tides.
The Roanoke College poll also explored key issues that could affect both campaigns such as the national deficit and debt, political anxiety and the job approval of the current president and governor.
More than half of polled voters, 51%, think “ things in Virginia have gotten off on the wrong track,” while 66% held the same sentiment about the country as a whole. Voters also had mixed feelings about leadership in the state and country, with Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s job approval rating coming in at 46%, which Roanoke College noted as “his lowest and down seven points since November.” President Donald Trump’s job approval rating, 31%, was low but not his lowest.
Participants also weighed in with their approval and disapproval of Youngkin’s successor. Spanberger rated 41% favorable/40% unfavorable, similar to how polled voters rated her last November, while Earle-Sears’ favorability dropped from her previous rating and stands at 32% favorable/48% unfavorable. About one-fifth of respondents did not offer opinions on either candidates’ favorability.
The voter anxiety index from the Roanoke poll is 89.41, and reflects big shifts in how Virginians in both parties perceive the current state of government. Democratic voters’ anxiety skyrocketed from -10.39 in May 2024 to 101.77 last November, with a current anxiety index of 153.35. Meanwhile, Republican voters’ anxiety index decreased last year, from 166.59 in May to 13.52 in November 2024, and now stands at -30.10. These figures reflect that political anxiety correlates closely with partisan control of the White House and Congress.
With Virginia’s gubernatorial election falling the year after a presidential election, the past two decades have shown that voters typically elect a governor who is the opposite party of the one who won the White House the year prior.
On national debt perceptions, a large majority of Virginians, 42%, are very concerned, while 40% said they are somewhat concerned. When it comes to the cause of the national deficit, a majority, 61%, thinks it is a result of spending too much, while 34% think it’s from not raising enough money through taxes.
When asked how to address the deficit, 74% of respondents favor raising taxes for people earning more than $400,000 annually, while 82% oppose across-the-board tax raises for everyone. Seventy-one percent of respondents oppose wholesale spending cuts.
“Six months in a gubernatorial election season is an eternity in politics, but one would prefer to be ahead by 17 points,” said Dr. Harry Wilson, interim director for IPOR and professor emeritus of political science at Roanoke College.
He added that more than a quarter of Virginians are still undecided voters — which could be good news for both candidates.
“Spanberger is obviously leading at this point, and she leads among independents, but a large number of Republicans are undecided, and they will most likely end up voting for Earle-Sears,” Wilson said. “The favorable rating for Earle-Sears, however, should be cause for concern.”
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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: Center-Left
This article primarily reports on recent polling data about Virginia’s gubernatorial race between Democrat Abigail Spanberger and Republican Winsome Earle-Sears. While the coverage is largely factual and cites multiple polls, the emphasis on Spanberger’s lead and detailed explanation of Republican candidate Earle-Sears’ declining favorability suggest a subtle positive framing toward the Democrat. The article also highlights voter concerns about taxes, favoring tax increases on higher earners, a stance more aligned with center-left policy preferences. Overall, the tone remains mostly neutral but leans slightly toward the Democratic perspective by choice of details and framing.
www.thecentersquare.com – By Sarah Roderick-Fitch | The Center Square – (The Center Square – ) 2025-05-22 11:45:00
Two Israeli diplomats, Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Milgrim, were killed in an antisemitic attack outside the Capital Jewish Museum in Washington, D.C. The alleged shooter, Elias Rodriguez from Chicago, was apprehended, and the FBI is investigating. President Donald Trump condemned the attack on Truth Social, calling for an end to hatred and radicalism. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and U.S. officials expressed sorrow and vowed justice. New York Gov. Kathy Hochul ordered increased security statewide. Vice President JD Vance and Senator John Fetterman also condemned the violence and extended condolences to the victims’ families.
(The Center Square) – Outrage and condemnation are pouring in following the antisemitic “terror attack” that killed two Israeli diplomats in Washington, D.C. Wednesday night.
The Israeli Embassy identified the victims as Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Milgrim.
The shooting occurred outside the Capital Jewish Museum following an event for diplomats. Multiple media reports say the alleged shooter repeatedly shouted, “Free Palestine,” following the attack.
The alleged shooter has reportedly been identified as, Elias Rodriguez, a Chicago resident. The FBI confirmed that it was carrying out an investigation in Chicago related to the attack. Rodriguez was swiftly apprehended by authorities following the shooting.
President Donald Trump quickly condemned the attacks, also describing the attack as antisemitic.
“These horrible D.C. killings, based obviously on antisemitism, must end, NOW! Hatred and Radicalism have no place in the USA. Condolences to the families of the victims. So sad that such things as this can happen! God Bless You ALL!,” the president posted on his Truth Social account.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio vows to track down those responsible.
“We condemn in the strongest possible terms the murder of two staff members from the Embassy of Israel in Washington, DC. Our prayers are with their loved ones. This was a brazen act of cowardly, antisemitic violence. Make no mistake: we will track down those responsible and bring them to justice,” Rubio posted on X.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu noted that he has been in close contact with the Trump administration since the attack. He expressed anger towards the rise of antisemitism, while saying his administration was boosting security worldwide.
“This is a difficult and horrific event. I also spoke with the United States Attorney General, Pam Bondi, who shared with me all the details known so far about the identity of the killer and the two valuable employees who were brutally murdered. Prosecutor Bondi expressed deep, heartfelt sorrow. She informed me that President Donald Trump was closely following the incident, and that US authorities would do everything they could to bring the killer to justice. She also asked to convey her condolences to the families of the young couple who were about to get engaged.
“I thanked her and President Trump for their clear stance against anti-Semitism — a moral, courageous, and necessary stance. We are witnessing the terrible price of anti-Semitism and wild incitement against the State of Israel. The blood libels against the Jewish state are rising in blood – and they must be fought to the bitter end,” Netanyahu posted to X.
Democratic New York Gov. Kathy Hochul also said she was directing law enforcement to increase security in wake of Wednesday night’s attack.
“I am horrified by last night’s murder of two Israeli Embassy staffers at the Capital Jewish Museum. Antisemitism is a threat to all of us. This act of terrorism is a painful reminder that we must continue to fight it wherever it rears its ugly head…I will continue fighting to make sure all New Yorkers can feel safe in their communities. In an abundance of caution, we are increasing security measures at houses of worship and other vulnerable sites across the state,” Hochul posted on X.
Vice President JD Vance offered his condolences, echoing condemnation for recent antisemitic violence.
“My heart breaks for Sarah Milgrim and Yaron Lischinsky, who were murdered last night at the Capital Jewish Museum. Antisemitic violence has no place in the United States. We’re praying for their families and all of our friends at the Israeli Embassy, where the two victims worked,” the vice president posted to social media.
Sen. John Fetterman, D-Penn., who been a vocal supporter of Israel in the Democratic party, offered his condolences.
“Unbelievable and appears to be a targeted, antisemitic attack. My heart goes out to the families and loved ones of those who died or were injured in this senseless violence,” posted Fetterman on X.
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 primarily reports on a tragic event—the antisemitic attack killing two Israeli diplomats—by presenting statements from a range of political figures across the spectrum, including Donald Trump, Marco Rubio, Kathy Hochul, JD Vance, and John Fetterman. The language used is factual and focused on condemning the violence without promoting a particular ideological stance. By including responses from both Republican and Democratic leaders, the article emphasizes a unified condemnation of antisemitism and terrorism rather than advancing a partisan perspective. The framing is consistent with neutral reporting, as it refrains from editorializing or adopting the viewpoints of any individual or party featured, instead focusing on the event and reactions to it.
www.youtube.com – 12 On Your Side – 2025-05-22 07:55:29
SUMMARY: The forecast for Thursday, May 22, indicates cool temperatures with light showers moving through overnight. Richmond and surrounding areas will see temperatures in the 50s this morning, rising to the low 70s by afternoon with breezy conditions. A small chance of rain or thunderstorms remains, particularly later in the day. By evening, temperatures will drop to the low 60s. Friday and Saturday will feature clear skies and temperatures in the mid-70s, while Sunday and Monday will bring more cloud cover. Temperatures will stay below average until midweek, with the possibility of scattered showers on Tuesday.
Also get a look at the Memorial Day weekend forecast.
