Good morning from the Mercury.
Loudoun provides a really good example of how you can use data center tax revenue to lower burdens on households. I think that's a huge way that data centers can be better neighbors.” – Kaitlyn Harger, an economist at Chamber of Progress, a centrist-left think tank funded by the tech industry
A data center in Prince William County, Virginia. (Photo by Shannon Heckt/Virginia Mercury)
By Charlotte Rene Woods and Shannon Heckt
As a single mother balancing work against earning a nursing degree, Yvettrise Hoskie thought homeownership was out of her reach. Now, she’s settling into a Henrico County townhome development.
The county’s Affordable Housing Trust Fund helped with her downpayment, but the financial assistance was made possible by one of the state’s more controversial neighbors — data centers.
The fund was created in 2024 and helps first-time homebuyers making between 60% and 120% of the area’s median income. The fund is fueled by data center tax revenue.
The cover image of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Norfolk District report, "Peninsula Regional Coastal Storm Risk Management," released in July 2026. (Photo courtesy US Army Corps of Engineers, Norfolk Division)
By Jim Morrison
A U.S. Army Corps of Engineers draft feasibility study proposing scaled-down protection without structural elements like floodwalls for vulnerable portions of Hampton and Poquoson got a frosty reception from Hampton’s city manager during a recent presentation to City Council.
The $4.2 billion Coastal Storm Risk Management plan, now open to public comment, calls for elevating nearly 4,000 structures voluntarily in the two cities, something the Corps acknowledged it has little experience doing.
Exposure to mixed coal mine dust that contains silica — a carcinogen — can lead to the development of pneumoconiosis, commonly known as black lung disease. (Photo by Monty Rakusen/Getty Images)
By Charlotte Rene Woods
With new research showing that black lung disease among Appalachian coal miners has reached an almost 50-year high, advocates are demanding federal regulations be enforced.
The data published in the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine is also part of a peer-reviewed research letter from the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH).
By Nathaniel Cline
After more than two hours in the second of two closed sessions, the Shenandoah County School Board voted unanimously 6-0 Thursday night to appeal a federal court’s order for the district to remove Confederate names from schools in the county. It may cost millions in taxpayer dollars to contest the decision.
By Sam Gauntt
The Democratic National Committee on Saturday approved by voice vote its lineup of six early primaries for the 2028 election cycle, kicking off with South Carolina and Nevada.
Virginia's primary will be held Feb. 29, 2028.
NEWS TO KNOW
Our daily roundup of headlines from Virginia and elsewhere.
"Henry County suspends Flock camera access as privacy debate grows." | Martinsville Bulletin
"Virginia could owe $266M for SNAP benefits next year amid program declines." | Richmond Times-Dispatch
"Former Patrick & Henry Community College player makes it to the big leagues with New York Yankees." | Cardinal News
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