CLEAN VIRGINIA

Jun 18 2026POLITICS

Data Centers: Virginia’s Power Play and Local Debate

Virginia’s growing data‑center industry is stirring both excitement and concern across the state. Supporters argue that these massive facilities bring in substantial tax revenue and create jobs, helping to keep Virginia competitive in a tech‑driven world. Critics point out the hefty energy demands a

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Jun 09 2026SCIENCE

Understanding how algae fight back when water is cleaned

Cleaning water before it reaches our taps often involves adding chlorine to kill harmful algae. But algae have a clever trick—they wrap themselves in sticky layers called extracellular polymeric substances, or EPS. These layers act like shields, protecting the algae from chlorine’s effects. Scientis

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May 28 2026EDUCATION

Balancing screens and learning in Virginia Beach schools

Virginia Beach’s school board is rethinking how young students use computers in class. A new plan would stop pre-K through first graders from using school laptops during lessons next year. Second graders couldn’t take their devices home except in special cases, though they’d still use them at school

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May 20 2026POLITICS

Data Centers, Power and Politics: Virginia’s Growing Debate

Virginia is becoming the world’s hub for data centers, with a concentration so dense that it consumes enough electricity to light almost 900, 000 homes. These facilities promise hefty tax income for counties and a boost to the local workforce, yet they also raise serious questions about energy use a

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May 19 2026POLITICS

New Virginia Laws Aim to Close Gaps in Mother and Baby Healthcare

Virginia recently took another step forward in improving care for mothers and infants with a set of new laws signed in April. These laws expand on last year’s "Momnibus" package, which was the first major effort to tackle long-standing issues in maternal and infant health across the state. While the

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May 18 2026ENVIRONMENT

How AI is changing the cleanup game for polluted sites

Cleaning up polluted land isn’t just about digging and dumping. It’s about understanding what’s happening underground and making smart choices fast. For years, experts have relied on site models—basically educated guesses—to decide how to remove harmful vapors from soil and groundwater. These models

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May 18 2026LIFESTYLE

A Fresh Spot for Creatives in Virginia Beach

Virginia Beach just got a new spot that’s all about helping small businesses and artists shine. A pair of business owners, who know the struggle of finding the right workspace, decided to fix that problem themselves. They opened a place called The Void, a blank canvas-style studio where creatives ca

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Apr 29 2026POLITICS

Virginia’s Redistricting Fight Shows How Maps Shape Power

Virginia is caught in a legal tug-of-war over who controls the state’s political map. Last week, voters approved a new congressional district plan drawn by Democrats, which could flip four GOP-held House seats in November. But a county judge quickly blocked the results, calling the referendum illega

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Apr 28 2026SCIENCE

Balancing the Wastewater Equation: A Smarter Way to Treat Water

Cleaning wastewater efficiently is tricky, especially when dealing with low levels of ammonia. Traditional methods struggle because harmful bacteria called nitrite-oxidizing bacteria (NOB) keep growing and messing up the process. This new approach flips the script by using a smarter loading strategy

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Apr 23 2026OPINION

Virginia weighs risky dental cuts in budget squeeze

Virginia lawmakers face tough choices as they look for ways to balance the state budget. One proposal under review would limit Medicaid dental coverage for adults—a move that might seem like quick savings but could actually cost more in the long run. Research shows that when states cut dental benefi

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