Press Releases

On Nov. 3 at 2 a.m., Daylight Saving Time will come to an end as we set our clocks back one hour. With dusk arriving an hour sooner, traveling in darker conditions can increase the risk of vehicle crashes involving pedestrians and cyclists.

Drivers should prepare to adapt to the time change and the risks it brings. One of the biggest adjustments will involve less visibility during the evening rush hour, so motorists and pedestrians and other vulnerable road users should be extra attentive. Other risks include fatigue that can contribute to drowsy driving and compromised night vision, especially for older people.

ARLINGTON, Va., October 30, 2024 — The Arlington County Sheriff’s Office is pleased to announce the creation of a new county position, Chief Medical Director, that will oversee and enhance the healthcare services provided within the Arlington County Detention Facility. This new leadership role is part of Sheriff Jose Quiroz’s ongoing commitment to ensuring the highest standard of care for individuals in the detention facility.

The Chief Medical Director will be responsible for managing all aspects of medical services, including physical and mental health care, substance abuse treatment, and crisis intervention. This new position will ensure that the Sheriff’s Office complies with best practices, regulatory standards, and the evolving needs of incarcerated individuals, while also ensuring compliance with relevant standards, including the Department of Corrections (DOC), American Correctional Association (ACA), and the Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA).

October 25, 2024 (Washington, D.C.) – Rep. Don Beyer (D-VA), who serves on the House Task Force on Artificial Intelligence and as Vice Chair of the Congressional Artificial Intelligence Caucus, today welcomed President Biden’s landmark National Security Memorandum (NSM) on Artificial Intelligence (AI) directing federal agencies to maximize the benefits of cutting-edge AI technology to support national security interests and bolstering American leadership on the global development of safe, secure, and trustworthy AI.

“President Biden’s ambitious NSM on AI builds on previous strategies to galvanize the federal government’s adoption of AI, advance U.S. national security interests, and ensure responsible innovation that safeguards against risks while upholding American leadership worldwide,” said Rep. Don Beyer. “AI has immense potential, but we need to get this right and we have no time to lose – so I’m glad to see the Executive Branch taking concrete steps to enhance the federal government’s approach to AI. The powers of the Executive Branch are limited, however, and in the long term it is critical that Congress pass key legislation, including my and Rep. Eshoo’s CREATE AI Act which would codify the National Artificial Intelligence Research Resource (NAIRR) as a shared national AI research infrastructure, as supported in the NSM. As the artificial intelligence industry advances, Congress cannot afford to be behind the curve. Finally, I am glad to see recognition of risks that accompany certain AI usage and a direction to begin mitigating or addressing those risks—Congress must also legislate strong standards for equity, bias, risk management, and consumer protection.”

U.S. Sens. Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine (both D-VA) joined U.S. Sens. Mike Rounds (R-SD), Angus King (I-ME), and a bipartisan group of colleagues in urging the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Department of Labor (DOL) to release the maximum number of Congressionally-authorized H-2B visas for Fiscal Year (FY) 2025.

The H-2B Temporary Non-Agricultural Visa Program allows U.S. employers to hire seasonal, non-immigrant workers during peak seasons to supplement the existing American workforce. In order to be eligible for the program, employers are required to declare that there are not enough U.S. workers available to do the temporary work, as is the case with Virginia’s seafood industry, which relies on H-2B workers for tough jobs such as shucking oysters and processing crabs. 

RICHMOND, VA – Governor Glenn Youngkin today announced a new Artificial Intelligence (AI) Task Force, as called for under Executive Order 30. The Task Force includes ten of the most prominent AI experts in the Commonwealth, drawn from Virginia educational institutions, non-profits, and private corporations.

The Task Force volunteers will provide advice to policymakers as they build on Virginia’s strengths to make it a leader in the AI space while erecting appropriate guardrails to ensure responsible use of the technology. It will also offer input to state agencies on using AI to enhance their operations while ensuring that the AI solutions they adopt are cost-effective.

Equality Arlington, an LGBTQ+ advocacy nonprofit, applauds Arlington County Manager, Mark Schwartz, for forming an LGBTQ+ Advisory Committee to provide information and guidance to county leadership on the needs of the LGBTQ+ community. Equality Arlington has been working with the County Manager’s office for months to shape the structure of the committee and ensure that it represents the diversity of the county’s LGBTQ+ residents and workers.

“We are very excited for the launch of the County Manager’s LGBTQ+ Advisory Committee this month. The committee will build on the advocacy work our organization has been doing for the last year and a half to ensure that Arlington County staff and leadership have a better understanding of the needs of LGBTQ+ residents and workers and that LGBTQ+ individuals have a voice within the county government,” said Kellen MacBeth, President of Equality Arlington.

Governor Glenn Youngkin announced today that President Biden has granted Virginia’s request for an expedited Federal Major Disaster Declaration due to impacts from Hurricane Helene. This declaration will provide additional support to individuals and local governments impacted in Virginia.

“This is the most significant disaster in the Commonwealth since 2011, and due to the severity and magnitude of the damages, we are thankful that Virginia was able to get this expedited disaster declaration so that we can continue this long process of recovery,” said Governor Glenn Youngkin. “This will allow us to get resources to our impacted communities and Virginians as fast as possible. We will continue to work to add jurisdictions as additional assessments occur in impacted areas.

Governor Glenn Youngkin issued the following statement on the port workers strike on the east and gulf coasts that jeopardizes the livelihoods of countless Americans and cripples supply chains nationwide:

“Every day this strike of Port Workers along the East and Gulf Coasts continues, the economic impacts intensify, affecting livelihoods, supply chains and prices. The economic fallout from the work stoppage at The Port of Virginia extends well beyond the Commonwealth, as the Port manages approximately $66 billion in essential imports, with nearly 60 percent destined for locations outside of Virginia. As a cornerstone of Virginia’s economy, the Port supports 10 percent of the gross state product and supports employment for over half a million jobs in Virginia.

Today, U.S. Sens. Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine (both D-VA) alongside Rep. Morgan Griffith (R-VA) wrote a letter to President Biden formally requesting the approval of Virginia’s request for an Expedited Major Disaster Declaration following the devastation caused by Hurricane Helene in Southwest Virginia. If approved, this request would grant emergency protective measures, including direct federal assistance under the Public Assistance and Individual Assistance programs for the impacted areas.

Specifically, Virginia requested Individual Assistance for the counties of Giles, Grayson, Smyth, Tazewell, Washington, Wythe, and the City of Galax, and Public Assistance for all categories for the counties of Bedford, Bland, Buchanan, Carroll, Craig, Dickenson, Giles, Grayson, Montgomery, Pittsylvania, Pulaski, Russell, Scott, Smyth, Tazewell, Washington, Wise, Wythe, and the cities of Bristol, Covington, Danville, Galax, Norton, and Radford.