Over the past 35 years, the Arlington Partnership for Affordable Housing has evolved to ensure that having a safe place to call home is available to those who need it most. Due to its rapid growth across the Washington, DC region at a time when finding affordable housing is becoming more out of reach, the nonprofit developer is changing its name to True Ground Housing Partners (True Ground). This new name demonstrates the unique resident experience it provides and deep commitment to the communities it serves.
The announcement marks a new era for the nonprofit affordable housing developer that provides housing to more than 5,000 individuals and families in one of its 2,800 apartments across 23 properties located in Arlington, Fairfax, Loudoun counties in Virginia and Montgomery County, Maryland. An additional 1,400 units are under construction or in pre-development in those jurisdictions, and Washington D.C., some of the nation’s most expensive housing markets.
Based on new authority from Congress, today the World Trade Center (WTC) Health Program has expanded enrollment to include additional responders who served on 9/11 and in the following weeks at the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia, and in Shanksville, Pennsylvania following the publication of an interim final rule effective September 11, 2024.
Prior to today’s interim final rule, there were a total of 1,330 Pentagon and Shanksville responders enrolled in the WTC Health Program (1,183 Pentagon and 147 Shanksville). However, previous research shows it is possible that up to 8,500 people may have responded at the Pentagon site and more than 1,000 people responded to the Shanksville crash site. These people are now eligible for the WTC Health Program and include:
A Georgia woman was cited by police after Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport intercepted a teal-colored gun with black floral designs on it among the woman’s carry-on items. The 9mm firearm was loaded with three gun magazines, totaling 30 bullets packed next to the gun.
When TSA officers intercepted the firearm and notified police, the Washington Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority Police responded to the checkpoint, confiscated the weapon and issued her a criminal citation. The woman told officials that she mistakenly placed the firearm in her carry-on bag.
The Virginia State Police Culpeper and Fairfax Divisions will be conducting Operation DISS-rupt on all 76 miles of Interstate 66 in Virginia on August 16-17, 2024. The traffic enforcement and educational safety initiative focuses on Distracted driving, Impaired driving, Speed compliance and Seat belt safety. Preliminary data from Jan. 1, 2024, to August 1, 2024, shows 477 persons have died in traffic crashes on Virginia roadways. In 2023, 471 persons died during the same time period.
“The middle of August is a perfect time to focus on promoting highway safety with schools starting back up, and people getting in their last-minute vacations,” said Captain Donald W Jones, Jr., Commander of the Virginia State Police Culpeper Division. “Additional state troopers will be on patrol along the entire I-66 corridor to enhance highway safety for all motorists. We ask Virginians to ‘DISS-rupt’ risky driving behaviors by focusing on the roads and by designating a sober driver if they have been drinking.”
Today, U.S. Sen. Mark R. Warner (D-VA) pressed Discord, an instant messaging social platform, about the company’s failure to safeguard minors and stop the proliferation of violent predatory groups who target children with the goal of forcing them to end their own lives and livestream the act online.
This letter follows a September warning from the FBI alerting Americans to the existence of these violent online groups, which exist on messaging platforms and deliberately extort children into producing child sexual abuse material (CSAM) or sharing acts of self-harm online. According to the warning, issued by the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center, these groups target minors between the ages of 8 and 17 years old and focus on racial and ethnic minorities, LGBTQ+ youth, and those who struggle with a variety of mental health issues.
The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) is prepared to address the potential severe weather impacts of Tropical Storm Debby, expected to reach the Commonwealth this afternoon, Wednesday, Aug. 7.
Impacts from the storm are expected to be felt across the Commonwealth, including heavy rain and strong winds beginning this afternoon, with peak impacts to occur Thursday afternoon into Friday. Localized flooding is possible, and wind gusts may result in downed trees and powerlines, scattered power outages and temporary interruption of services at tunnels and ferries.
Today, Governor Glenn Youngkin declared a state of emergency for the Commonwealth of Virginia based on National Weather Service and National Hurricane Center forecasts that indicate a tropical storm with significant rainfall and flooding across the entire Commonwealth could cause transportation difficulties and power outages.
“As we prepare for Tropical Storm Debby, I urge all Virginians and visitors to stay informed, follow local emergency guidelines, and take necessary precautions to ensure the safety of their families and communities. There is the potential for strong winds, heavy rains, and possible flooding across regions of the Commonwealth,” said Governor Glenn Youngkin. “It’s crucial that we work together and remain vigilant during these times to minimize the impact of the storm. The effects of Debby are far-reaching, and our neighboring states are facing significant challenges. Suzanne and I are praying for the residents of North Carolina, Florida, South Carolina, and Georgia as they endure the impacts of this tropical storm.”
Arlington, VA – The Animal Welfare League of Arlington (AWLA) has announced that Sam Wolbert, President & CEO, will be stepping down from the role effective December 15, 2024. After seven years of dedicated service, Mr. Wolbert will be moving away from Arlington, marking the end of a significant chapter for the organization.
During Mr. Wolbert’s tenure, AWLA has seen remarkable growth and achieved numerous milestones. These include an increase in animal adoptions through an expanded lifesaving mission, the development of a nationally recognized kitten foster program and wildlife resource center, expansion of community support through the community resources team and care clinics, and the enhancement of the behavior and animal training program.
Today, Representative Ro Khanna (CA-17) and Don Beyer (VA-08), the co-authors of the Supreme Court Term Limits and Regular Appointments Act, released the following statement on President Joe Biden’s plan to reform the Supreme Court, as outlined in a new op-ed in the Washington Post.
The Supreme Court Term Limits and Regular Appointments Act, which Reps. Khanna and Beyer first introduced in 2020, would establish 18-year term limits on any Supreme Court Justices approved after the bill is signed into law. After their 18-year terms, justices would then be allowed to continue their service on lower courts.
WHO: Housekeepers from the Hyatt Regency Crystal City, union workers represented by UNITE HERE Local 25 in Northern Virginia, community and labor allies, and local elected officials.
WHAT: Hyatt housekeepers, as well as union and political allies, will protest outside of the hotel, chant, and hold signs that read “HYATT: No union contract.” Elected officials will be speaking to workers. Workers will be available to share stories about why they are organizing.
July 22, 2024 (Washington, D.C.) – Rep. Don Beyer (D-VA) today introduced the National Urgent Recruitment for Skilled Employees (NURSE) Visa Act, legislation that would address the nationwide nursing shortage by making visas available to foreign nurses working in areas where the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) has determined there is a nursing workforce shortage.
“Nurses are the backbone of our nation’s health care system – they deliver lifesaving, quality care despite unprecedented challenges. As our health care system grapples with an increasing number of retiring nurses and high demand for skilled nursing professionals, we are approaching a critical tipping point where acute nurse staffing shortages are driving burnout leading to a compounding cycle,” said Rep. Don Beyer. “My bill, the NURSE Visa Act, would bolster the nursing workforce by allowing qualified foreign nurses to fill these gaps and ensuring that hospitals and clinics remain adequately staffed to maintain the high standards of care that Americans expect and deserve.”
ARLINGTON, VA – June 25 – Today, Google announced the 20 recipients of its 2024 Google for Startups Founders Funds for Black and Latino entrepreneurs. This year marks the first cohort exclusively comprised of AI-focused startups, advancing Google’s commitments to inclusion in AI and to helping diverse founders access capital. Each founder will receive $150,000 in non-dilutive cash awards and $100,000 in Google Cloud credits to help grow their businesses. In addition to capital, the founders will also gain access to mental health resources and mentorship from Google experts in AI and sales. One Virginia-based founder, Trustible, is among the recipients.
The 2024 Black and Latino Founders Fund recipients are using AI to help solve important business and societal challenges—from using AI to prevent wildfires to diverting fast fashion from landfills to helping millions of community college learners more successfully transfer and acquire four-year degrees.
