Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
Available On Air Stations

VPM Daily Newscast: Jan. 17

A young woman in glasses listening to her phone next to the VPM Daily Newscast logo in shades of blue
VPM Daily Newscast

The VPM Daily Newscast contains all your Central Virginia news in just 5 to 10 minutes. Episodes are recorded the night before.

Listeners can subscribe through NPR One, Apple Podcasts, Megaphone, Spotify and wherever you get your podcasts.

Here’s a recap of the top stories on the morning of Jan. 17, 2024:

Bipartisan group of lawmakers seeks stricter regulation of data centers

Reported by VPM News’ Patrick Larsen

Data centers have disrupted business as usual in Virginia. They’re driving a projected doubling of electric demand over the next fifteen years, guzzling increasingly large amounts of water, and taking up more and more land in sprawling campuses and the transmission corridors that serve them.

They’re also bringing money into the commonwealth and the communities that host them. A JLARC report found the facilities create jobs — mostly during construction — and generate “substantial” tax revenues for the localities they’re built in.

But legislators have lagged behind these massive changes, putting off passing laws until they had more information.

“We aren't here today to talk about reform, because there are no laws to reform. The data center industry has largely grown unchecked,” said state Sen. Russet Perry (D–Fairfax) in a press conference at the state capitol this week. Perry is leading a bipartisan group of Virginia legislators attempting to establish rules and regulations around the facilities.

Perry said the coalition aims to set a framework based on four pillars: protecting families and businesses, enhancing transparency, effectively managing resources, and incentivizing efficiency.

Chesterfield County names John Murray school superintendent

Reported by VPM News’ Billy Shields

The Chesterfield County School Board announced Thursday that John Murray — who had been serving as interim superintendent since September — would take the district’s top role on a permanent basis. He replaces Mervin Daugherty, who retired in August after six years leading the school division.

“He understands rapid growth and the challenges it brings and he understands academic progress,” said Vice Chair Lisa Hudgins, the board’s Midlothian District representative, after the board voted unanimously to hire Murray permanently.

Murray, who has held several roles in Chesterfield schools, takes the position at a turbulent time for Central Virginia’s largest school district. Parents have repeatedly voiced concerns over school safety, and the district’s adoption of new policies on transgender students was a contentious topic during a seven-hour December board meeting.

In other news:

In case you missed it:

*This outlet utilizes a paywall.

VPM News is the staff byline for articles and podcasts written and produced by multiple reporters and editors.