Youngkin announces award for Virginia Permit Technology

Governor Youngkin announced Virginia Permit Transparency (VPT), an online tracking system for permit and license applications, has received the 2025 Commonwealth Technology Award for Innovative Use of Technology.

VPT allows Virginia citizens to log in to track permits and licences which brings a great level of transparency to this process.

VPT has become a model for similar innovations for other states as well as the federal government.

Since the launch of VPT in 2024 departments such as Virginia State Police, Department of Motor Vehicles, Department of Energy, Department of Agricultural and Consumer Services and Marine Resources Commission have cut processing time by 10% or more. 

For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here.

Virginia taxpayers will see a tax rebate starting mid-October

Governor Glenn Youngkin announced that eligible taxpayers will receive a tax rebate of up to a possible $400 this fall.

The rebate could start arriving as early as October 15 with $200 for individual filers and $400 for joint filers.

The governor sighted strong job growth and business investment commitments of $140 billion as the reason.

The investments in the state have produced a $10 billion revenue surplus and enabled a record $9 billion in tax relief.

To be eligible for the rebate taxpayers must have incurred tax liability in 2024 and filed by November 3, 2025.

Taxpayers can visit this site to check their eligibility.

Taxpayers who received a state tax refund by direct deposit should expect to receive the rebate by the same method.

All other eligible taxpayers will receive their rebate by paper check in the mail.

If a taxpayer owes money to Virginia, or another state or local agency, the rebate will be used to satisfy that debt.

The taxpayer will receive the remainder of the rebate with an explanation and contact information of the agency owed.

If the rebate doesn’t cover what is owed a letter will be sent explaining how the rebate was used.

That letter will include contact information of the agency owed.

For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here.

Youngkin’s Executive Order to enhance Election security

Governor Glenn Youngkin announced the issuing of Executive Order 53 which will further enhance the security of the security of Virginia Elections.

This order implements steps that will tighten voting system standards as well as ensuring cooperation between state and federal agencies ensuring the accuracy of Virginia voter rolls.

Executive Order 53 directs the Virginia Commissioner and Department of Elections to strengthen election security by working with multiple federal agencies including the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and U.S Election Assistance Commission.

Together these agencies will ensure that data is shared securely and ineligible voters are removed from rolls.

For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here.

Luray, Winchester, Mount Jackson, and Front Royal receive grants for improvements

Governor Youngkin announced grant money awarded for projected improvements across Virginia.

Luray, Winchester, Front Royal, and Mount Jackson will all receive a portion of over $5 million in funds to revitalize historic commercial districts.

The funds are to help transform vacant structures, expand small businesses and bolster local economies.

The funds are through the Virginia Department of housing and community development’s Virginia Main Street project.

Thirty projects across Virginia will share and benefit from the over $5 million to not only help with revitalization but help to create jobs as well.

Locally from largest grant to smallest Luray’s 15 Campbell Street project will receive $1 million of the funds.

Winchester’s Taylor Pavilion and Alleyway Restoration project will receive $75,000.

Mount Jackson’s Mj:5, the nest project, will also see $75,000.

Downtown Front Royal Inc. will receive $15,000 for historic Main Street Gateway signage.

Other localities to see funds include Harrisonburg, Farmville, Waynesboro, and Bristol Virginia.

Grant applications and additional information is available at the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development website here.

For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here. 

VA. and W.VA report a decline in fentanyl overdose deaths

During National Fentanyl Awareness Day Governor Youngkin announced a record 44 percent decrease in fentanyl related overdose deaths in Virginia.

New data from the Virginia Department of Health reported to the governor the decline of 44 percent year over year and a decline of over 46 percent from the peak in 2021.

Data also indicates in a 12-month period November 2023 to 24 Virginia led the nation in year-over-year decline in drug overdose deaths.

The governor credited the launch of the aggressive law enforcement partnership known as Operation Free as one of the major factors in the decline.

The governor noted that operation free has seized enough fentanyl to kill every Virginian ten times over.

New laws also helped in the data, like banning pill presses, and notifying parents of child overdoses in schools according to the governor.

The creation of felony charges for dealers whose victims die from an overdose also contributed to the decline.

The creation of the Right Help Right Now initiative has equipped Virginians with lifesaving Narcan doses along with training in its use.

West Virginia Department of Human Services reported a decline of over 27 percent, which at one point during a 12-month period surpassed the national average of over 21 percent.

For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here.

Governor Youngkin debuts “Virginia Has Jobs”

Governor Glenn Youngkin announced the launch of the “Virginia Has Jobs” initiative in response to Virginians affected by the federal workforce’s mass firings.

This effort is designed to promote the Commonwealth’s economic strength by connecting Virginia’s job openings with a robust and talented workforce.

In the announcement, Governor Youngkin highlighted that over 250,000 public and private sector jobs are currently available throughout Virginia and some of the resources to connect with those opportunities.

Virginians affected by the mass layoffs can receive assistance from the Federal Worker Support Resource Package to navigate job changes and match each person’s skills and experience with open positions.

Virginia Works will also host a virtual job fair on March 5th from 10 am to 3 pm to support job seekers.

A link to more information from the Governor’s office on this and other resources like Unemployment Insurance and Health Care Coverage is available here. 

For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here.

SVBF selected for grant funding

Governor Glenn Youngkin announced 35 preservation projects, including one in Winchester, are set to receive grant funding through the Virginia 250 Preservation Fund.

The Department of Historic Resources administers the funds and selects the projects after a screening process that received over 220 initial applications in the summer of 2024.

Winchester’s Shenandoah Valley Battlefields Foundation was chosen for funding to support infrastructure improvements and exhibit updates to the Frederick County Courthouse.

The Foundation will receive a portion of roughly $20 million along with the other 35 projects.

All grantees will match at least one third of the state awarded funds from other sources or in kind services.

DHR will review project plans and conduct site visits as the funds are dispersed during 2025 and 2026.

The Virginia Preservation Fund was established to support improvement projects at museums and historic sites ahead of our nation’s 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.

For a full list of supported projects, click here. 

For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here.

Governor Youngkin delivers State of the Commonwealth address

Governor Glenn Youngkin delivered the 2025 State of the Commonwealth address yesterday in Richmond.

During the speech, he focused on a few key points including crime statistics, public schools, and the economy.

Statewide law enforcement efforts have led to a 38% decrease in murders in Virginia’s 13 most dangerous cities.

In education, Youngkin discussed the ALL In Virginia and Virginia Literacy Act which helped fight learning loss from the pandemic, a roughly 50% increase in overall funding for public education, and the establishment of numerous lab schools with more on the way.

Virginia’s economy produced a surplus once again and welcomed $90 billion in new investments from companies like LEGO, LS Cable, and more.

He also thanked the contributions of numerous state legislators and clerks including former Winchester resident and current Lt. Governor Winsome Earle-Sears for her work in supporting the health of women and children in the Commonwealth.

To view the full address, click here.

For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here.

Governor Youngkin proposes “No Sanctuary Cities”

Governor Glenn Youngkin unveiled a “No Sanctuary Cities” budget proposal aimed at strengthening cooperation with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The proposal mandates that local law enforcement, sheriffs, and jail officials fully comply with ICE detainers and notify ICE at least 48 hours before releasing any undocumented immigrant who has committed a crime. Furthermore, the plan includes withholding funding from localities that declare themselves “sanctuary cities” or implement practices that hinder collaboration with ICE.

This budget proposal reflects Governor Youngkin’s ongoing dedication to reducing crime and fostering safer communities. It builds on initiatives such as signing Executive Order 41, launching Operation Bold Blue Line (OBBL), and supporting the Attorney General’s Ceasefire Virginia Initiative. These efforts have already shown significant results, with OBBL cities experiencing a 34% decrease in murders and a 12% reduction in violent crimes this year. Every category of violent crime in OBBL cities has seen a double-digit percentage decline, contributing to an overall 11% drop in violent crime across the Commonwealth.

For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here.