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Virginia Legislative Commission Recommends Closure of Commonwealth Center for Children and Adolescents Amid Safety Concerns

Virginia Legislative Commission Recommends Closure of Commonwealth Center for Children and Adolescents Amid Safety Concerns

A legislative commission in Virginia is maintaining its recommendation to close the Commonwealth Center for Children and Adolescents (CCCA) in Staunton due to ongoing patient safety concerns. Despite this, the Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services (DBHDS) has stated it is not currently pursuing the facility's closure. A DBHDS spokesperson, Lauren Cunningham, indicated that CCCA remains important to the current ecosystem, citing significant gaps in inpatient, residential, crisis, and other specialized services for children with complex behavioral health needs in Virginia. The Joint Legislative Audit Review Commission (JLARC), a bipartisan research arm of the Virginia General Assembly, initially issued its recommendation in 2023. JLARC Director Hal Greer reiterated the commission’s stance, noting that conditions at the facility have not significantly improved and that staff continue to report serious safety and treatment concerns.

Virginia Mandates Retirement Savings Program for Employers

Virginia Mandates Retirement Savings Program for Employers

Virginia has implemented 'RetirePath Virginia,' a mandatory retirement savings program for employers. This program requires businesses with five or more eligible employees, operating for at least two years, and not offering a qualified employer-sponsored retirement plan, to register. The initiative, originally passed by the Virginia General Assembly in 2021 and expanded on July 1, 2026, aims to ensure all employees in the state have access to a retirement savings option. Churches are not exempt from this policy if they meet the criteria. Employers are responsible for facilitating employee registration and withholding/submitting retirement funds, but are not required to contribute to employee accounts. Non-compliance can result in penalties of up to $200 per eligible employee per year. The program sets up Roth IRA accounts for participating employees, with an option to redirect contributions to a traditional IRA if Roth IRA limits are already met. Employees are not mandated to enroll, and fees apply to thos...

Austrian Skincare Brand Ringana to Establish U.S. Headquarters and Production in Roanoke, Virginia

Austrian Skincare Brand Ringana to Establish U.S. Headquarters and Production in Roanoke, Virginia

Meta Secures 144MW Texas Solar Farm Deal with Apex Clean Energy for Net-Zero Goals

Meta Secures 144MW Texas Solar Farm Deal with Apex Clean Energy for Net-Zero Goals

Meta Secures 144MW Texas Solar Farm Deal with Apex Clean Energy for Net-Zero Goals

Virginia Law Defines Confidential and Nonconfidential Court Records for Public Access

Virginia Law Defines Confidential and Nonconfidential Court Records for Public Access

Virginia law, specifically Section 17.1-292, outlines definitions for various types of court records, distinguishing between confidential and nonconfidential documents. This section applies to clerks of both courts of record and courts not of record. 'Confidential court records' are those recognized as confidential under applicable law or sealed by court order. Conversely, 'nonconfidential court records' encompass all other court records. The law also defines 'court records' broadly to include any record maintained by the clerk in civil, traffic, or criminal proceedings, as well as appeals from district courts. Additionally, 'land records' are defined as any writing authorized by law to be recorded that affects title to real property, whether on paper or in electronic format. These definitions are crucial for determining public access to legal documents within the state's judicial system.

Why Amtrak service will be disrupted in Washington DC for 9 days

Why Amtrak service will be disrupted in Washington DC for 9 days

Amtrak will disrupt service in DC for nine days in October as crews replace aging track infrastructure near Union Station.

Virginia Department of Forestry Seeks Deputy Regional Forester for Eastern Region Operations

Virginia Department of Forestry Seeks Deputy Regional Forester for Eastern Region Operations

The Virginia Department of Forestry (DOF) is actively seeking a Deputy Regional Forester (DRF) to lead field operations and implement agency programs within its Eastern Region. This region encompasses 36 counties and several cities, including Richmond, Portsmouth, Suffolk, Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, and Williamsburg. The selected DRF will report to the Eastern Region Forester and will be responsible for managing and overseeing the region's participation in various DOF programs. These programs include forest protection, fire prevention, forest management, cost-share initiatives, urban and community forestry, watershed and riparian forest management, and state lands management. The role also involves evaluating program effectiveness, supervising a team of program specialists and District Foresters, setting performance measures, and reviewing forest management plans. Additionally, the DRF will lead the regional safety program and manage wildfire response preparedness, including directing dispatch, developing...

Harrisonburg Installs New 24-Hour Secure Ballot Drop Box for Absentee Voting

Harrisonburg Installs New 24-Hour Secure Ballot Drop Box for Absentee Voting

Harrisonburg, Virginia, has installed a new 24-hour secure ballot drop box outside City Hall to facilitate the return of absentee ballots for the upcoming November election. This initiative aims to provide voters with a convenient and secure option for submitting their ballots at any time, including after work or on weekends. Mark Finks, Harrisonburg’s Director of Elections, emphasized that this addition offers another secure method for voters. The drop box is located next to the City Treasurer’s payment drop box in the drive-thru lane, and election officials will collect ballots from it according to Virginia's election security procedures. Voters can request absentee ballots by filling out an application available online or by contacting the Voter Registrar’s office, with a deadline of October 23 for mail-in ballot requests.

Richmond Advocates March for Nursing Home Reform and Accountability

Richmond Advocates March for Nursing Home Reform and Accountability

Richmond advocates gathered on Sunday to demand reform in long-term care facilities, citing concerns over neglect and lack of accountability for harm to residents. Tracy Pompey, founder of Justice and Change for Victims of Nursing Facilities, organized a 'ROAR Walk' in Richmond, which stands for Respect, Advocacy, Oversight, and Reform. This event is part of a broader national effort with similar walks occurring in various states. Pompey's personal motivation stems from the loss of her father in 2015 due to what she describes as nursing facility neglect, for which she found no accountability. Advocates highlight that Virginia is among the five worst states nationally for nursing home staffing, a factor they believe directly impacts the quality of care residents receive. Families have reported significant delays, sometimes hours long, in receiving basic needs such as bathing or assistance with using the bathroom. While acknowledging that Virginia has begun implementing changes, advocates stress that more wo...

Virginia Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services to Host Statewide Listening Sessions for State Plan for Aging Services

Virginia Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services to Host Statewide Listening Sessions for State Plan for Aging Services

The Virginia Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services (DARS), designated as Virginia’s State Unit on Aging, is preparing its next State Plan for Aging Services, which will cover the period from October 1, 2027, to September 30, 2031. This initiative is mandated by the Older Americans Act of 1965 and the Code of Virginia. To gather input for this crucial plan, DARS will be conducting a series of in-person and virtual listening sessions across Virginia. The department is actively seeking participation from adults aged 60 and older, caregivers, and professionals to ensure the plan effectively addresses the needs of the state's aging population.

Powerful nor'easter brings wind, rain, dangerous flooding to East Coast

Powerful nor'easter brings wind, rain, dangerous flooding to East Coast

The slow-moving storm is arriving with higher tides and rain just as monthly tides reach their highest during the full moon, adding to flooding dangers.