The week’s top stories
-A 1939 federal law is causing waves in Fredericksburg’s 2025 local elections. Here, Joey LoMonaco details how the Hatch Act — and a recent legal opinion interpreting it — impacted three candidates for city office who are also federal employees.
-Spotsylvania schools employees will have a clear progression of discipline prior to termination as the result of a new policy adopted by the school board. However, certain offenses will still be met with immediate termination, Taft Coghill Jr. reports.
-Seems there is such thing as a free lunch, at least in Spotsylvania County. All students in the county will be eligible for free breakfast and lunch as a result of the Community Eligibility Provision for the upcoming school year.
-While several Northern Virginia school districts recently learned that they are being investigated by the Justice Department for Title IX violations, Stafford has no such issues, according to its superintendent. That’s one revelation from Jonathan Hunley’s wide-ranging interview with Superintendent Daniel Smith.
-The Caroline Planning Commission recommended denial of a data center project, the Ladysmith Data Hub, after residents spoke out during the public process, Coghill reports.
In other business
Could Stafford County become a travel sports mecca? That’s the vision for Farshid Hakimyar, who’s courting investors for a mega facility in Stafford that would include sports facilities, lodging and shopping. Read about it in Bill Freehling’s Biz Beat.
What they’re saying
“Every time I get out there, I feel like it’s my last show. I want to quit, but they keep calling me back.” -Fredericksburg jazz man Don Brown on the staying power of live music.
Pressing on
Look for more local-election coverage, including localized guides for what to expect on your ballot.
