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AeroFarms says it’s staying open, 3 days after announcing closure
A Friday news release said that the Pittsylvania facility would remain operational, despite an announcement earlier this week that it would close on Friday.
Politics
Youngkin urges lawmakers, incoming governor to maintain his final budget proposal
Glenn Youngkin’s final budget proposal includes raises for teachers and an effort to make the standard tax deduction permanent — but not an attempt to eliminate the car tax.
Local
Groundbreaking Creeper Trail repairs is set for Thursday
Gov. Glenn Youngkin and U.S. Forest Service officials are expected to attend.
Culture
FloydFest adds Railroad Earth and more to `26 lineup
The Dip and Chuck Prophet & His Cumbia Shoes also part of lineup additions announced on Thursday.
education
University of Lynchburg to pilot 3-year bachelor’s degree programs
The private university’s accreditor, which approved the launch of two three-year programs, also told Lynchburg this month it will retain its warning status for another year.
eCONOMY
Governor’s budget proposal includes $35 million for Southwest Va. inland port
If built, the facility could potentially lead to hundreds of new jobs around its Washington County location.
OPinion
James Madison University stands out in College Football Playoff field. Its mandatory student fee for athletics is more than 4 times higher than all the other schools put together.
Virginia allows public colleges to charge a mandatory student fee to support intercollegiate athletics. JMU’s rate of $3,036 per year is higher than all but two other schools in the state. JMU is an outlier not just in Virginia, but in the nation.
Health Care
30 vultures in Rocky Mount died from avian flu, state confirms
The virus is more active in the fall when birds are migrating, a Virginia Tech scientist says.
news briefs
Bath County airport, Motley’s Mill Dam in Pittsylvania among 8 sites named state landmarks
The airport dates to the 1930s; one of the original grass runways is still in use. The mill dates to 1785.
Sports
Rye Cove holds strong for a half but can’t match Rappahannock’s speed
Rappahannock rolled up a 49-14 win over Rye Cove to win Class 1 state football championship. Also: Full list of VHSL winners.
WEATHER
After one of its colder, snowier starts, December is about to shift gears
It may not qualify as “Torchmas” in Virginia, but Christmas week looks likely to be much milder than the first half of December has been.
Cardinal 250
Norfolk was burned, the only American city destroyed during the revolution; 250 years later, controversy remains over who ordered its destruction
The conflagration was a decisive propaganda victory for the Patriots, but there’s evidence, suppressed at the time, that they actually ordered the burning.
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