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Virginia commissions approve $155 million Manassas rail line agreement

Published

1 week ago

March 7, 2025

Staff Editor

virginiamercury.com – Nathaniel Cline – 2025-03-07 13:30:00

Virginia commissions approve $155 million Manassas rail line agreement

by Nathaniel Cline, Virginia Mercury
March 7, 2025

Owners of the commuter rail system Virginia Railway Express on Thursday signed off on a five-year, $155 million agreement to purchase the Manassas Line, allowing the system to enhance service reliability and provide control over stations and schedules between Washington D.C. and Northern Virginia.

The Manassas Line originates at Union Station in Washington, D.C., and goes to Broad Run in Prince William County.

The move will give the rail system ownership of Seminary Yard in Alexandria, allowing the system to enhance the existing freight rail yard and construct a midday storage facility. The ownership rights will also give VRE the Broad Run Corridor from Alexandria to Broad Run, the permanent easement to five station platforms and the permanent commuter rail operating easement along the Manassas Line.

On Thursday night, the Northern Virginia Transportation Commission and the Potomac and Rappahannock River Transportation Commission, co-partners of VRE, officially voted at separate meetings to authorize the VRE chief executive officer to execute a funding agreement with the Virginia Passenger Rail Authority (VPRA).

The agreement is part of VRE’s System Plan 2050 designed to help officials address the public’s changing travel patterns, including those of commuting office workers, which have shifted over the past decade. The plan is also focused on maximizing daily riders and expanding daily service offering non-peak and weekend service.

“This is a long-term investment towards the future,” said NVTC Vice Chair Sarah Bagley at the meeting. She also serves as chair of the VRE Operations Board.

The decision by the governing bodies comes after VPRA and Norfolk Southern Railway Company agreed to purchase the Manassas Line last summer. In its Manassas Line Funding Agreement with VPRA, VRE committed to a multi-year funding schedule in exchange for four railroad property interests along the Manassas Line.

The groups said the properties are “critical” to VRE’s current and future commuter rail operations.

The agreement does not identify the specific source or sources of funds for each scheduled payment. However, the deal does provide a general framework for the funding commitment.

Under the agreement, VRE is committing to contributing $155 million to VRPA in six approximately equal payments. The final payment is expected to be on July 10, 2029.

The NVTC board discussed that while the agreement appears to be an added cost, investing in acquiring the railroad properties will create savings by cutting back on the rising costs of storing rail cars and leasing the Manassas Line.

VRE Chief Financial Officer Mark Schofield said on Thursday having its storage yard could also allow the system to enable other operators to store their railcars.

“The property acquisition piece of this was not something that we had maybe contemplated a couple of years ago, but we are making a very positive trade in terms of the cost of the midday storage yard,” Schofield said on Thursday.

Fairfax County Supervisor James Walkinshaw added, “We can’t just pick up the railcars and move them to some other track. We’re captured (and) that’s always a challenging negotiation.”

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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.

The post Virginia commissions approve $155 million Manassas rail line agreement appeared first on virginiamercury.com

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Protesters on National Mall call for Trump impeachment | NBC4 Washington

Published

1 day ago

March 14, 2025

Staff Editor

www.youtube.com – NBC4 Washington – 2025-03-14 19:49:35

SUMMARY: Protesters gathered on the National Mall for over four hours, many identifying as veterans angered by President Trump’s policies, particularly cuts to veterans’ services. The crowd, holding homemade signs like “No Kings, No Doge,” called for Trump’s impeachment, citing his abuse of power. Speakers, including former Capitol police officer Harry Dum, criticized Trump’s actions, particularly regarding January 6th. Organized by comedian Cliff Cash, the protest featured chants and emotional speeches, with frustration directed at politicians, including Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer. The protest highlighted concerns over national division and the ongoing political situation.

A rally on the National Mall including mostly veterans called for the impeachment of President Donald Trump. News4’s Paul Wagner reports.
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Lisa Coons resigns as Virginia’s superintendent of public instruction

Published

1 day ago

March 14, 2025

Staff Editor

virginiamercury.com – Nathaniel Cline – 2025-03-14 17:49:00

Lisa Coons resigns as Virginia’s superintendent of public instruction

by Nathaniel Cline, Virginia Mercury
March 14, 2025

Less than two years after joining the Virginia Department of Education, Lisa Coons is out as superintendent of public instruction, after replacing former superintendent Jillian Balow.

The news of Coons’ resignation was first reported by the Richmond Times-Dispatch. Chief Deputy Secretary of Education Emily Anne Gullickson will serve as acting state superintendent, the newspaper reported.

Coons joined the department on April 17, 2023 after leading Tennessee’s revisions for English Language Arts instruction. Appointed by Gov. Glenn Youngkin, she was hired to help Virginia address low student proficiency ratings in math and reading.

Coons joined the department during a period when the Board of Education was focused on following Youngkin’s directive of “restoring excellence” in Virginia’s public schools.

The board, along with Coons, navigated a turbulent period marked by a controversial revision of Virginia’s history and social science standards, which set Virginia’s expectations for K-12 student learning in those areas. The education department also worked to enhance special education regulations and practices, after a number of complaints were filed with the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Civil Rights, prompting a federal investigation.

During her tenure, the board also overhauled the standards of learning, reduced regulatory barriers, approved new laboratory schools, enhanced the public charter school review process and lowered the vacancy rate of teachers.

The governor’s office did not respond to a request for comment before press time.

This story will be updated as more information becomes available.

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Video shows smoke, flames as American Airlines plane catches fire at Denver airport | NBC4

Published

1 day ago

March 14, 2025

Staff Editor

www.youtube.com – NBC4 Washington – 2025-03-14 11:43:27

SUMMARY: An American Airlines plane caught fire while taxiing at Denver International Airport after diverting due to a mechanical issue. Passengers had to evacuate using emergency slides as thick smoke enveloped the aircraft. The flight, which originated from Colorado Springs and was headed to Dallas, had 178 people on board. Twelve passengers were hospitalized but are expected to recover. The FAA reported that the crew had noted engine vibrations prior to the incident. This event highlights ongoing concerns about aviation safety, following several notable incidents, including a midair collision earlier this year. The FAA is currently investigating.

Twelve people were taken to hospitals after an American Airlines plane landed at Denver International Airport on Thursday and caught fire, leaving smoke billowing across the tarmac.
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