Virginia News Summary - March 14, 2025

As spring approaches, Virginia continues to see significant developments across various sectors. The state legislature recently concluded its 2025 session, with Governor Glenn Youngkin signing several key bills into law. Notable among these is a comprehensive flood resilience package, which allocates $100 million to coastal protection projects and establishes a permanent wetlands protection workgroup (Virginia Conservation Network).

In economic news, the University of Virginia's Weldon Cooper Center for Public Service released its latest forecast, projecting a 2.4% increase in the state's GDP for 2025, outpacing national growth estimates. However, employment growth is expected to slow to 0.71%, down from 1.7% in 2024 (Virginia Business).

The technology sector continues to drive economic expansion, with Buc-ee's, the Texas-based travel center chain, announcing plans to open its first Virginia location in Rockingham County this June. The 74,000-square-foot facility is expected to create over 200 jobs (Virginia Tourism Corporation).

In education, Virginia's Department of Education reported progress in addressing pandemic-related learning loss, with standardized test scores showing improvement across most grade levels. However, challenges remain in closing achievement gaps for disadvantaged students.

Public health officials are currently investigating a potential measles exposure at Washington Dulles International Airport. The Virginia Department of Health is working to identify individuals who may have been exposed on March 5 and is urging vigilance (Virginia Department of Health).

On the environmental front, the Virginia General Assembly passed several measures aimed at enhancing the state's renewable energy capacity. These include expanded tax incentives for solar installations and increased funding for electric vehicle charging infrastructure.

Weather-wise, the state experienced a milder-than-average winter, with the National Weather Service reporting that the trend is likely to continue into spring. However, officials warn that the risk of severe storms and flooding remains high, particularly in coastal areas.

Looking Ahead: Virginia is preparing to commemorate the 250th anniversary of Patrick Henry's famous "Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death" speech on March 23. The Virginia Museum of History and Culture in Richmond will unveil a new 5,000-square-foot exhibition titled "Give Me Liberty" on March 22, exploring Virginia's role in the American Revolution (Virginia Tourism Corporation). Additionally, all eyes will be on the upcoming state elections, with the entire House of Delegates up for grabs and several high-profile races for statewide offices heating up.