State lawmakers will return to Richmond today to put the final touches on Virginia's next budget. General Assembly leaders threw out their budget proposal last month after agreeing to meet with Governor Youngkin to negotiate a compromise. The agreement announced last week will retain some Democratic spending priorities such as increased education spending and raises for teachers and state workers. It will also meet the governor's requirement for no statewide tax increases. The two-year spending plan will take effect on July 1st.
A troubled rock festival in Halifax County is being canceled for the second year in a row. Organizers of the Blue Ridge Rock Festival announced Friday that this year's event at Virginia International Raceway in Alton will not be held. The organizers said it's impossible to hold this year's event while claims from last year's cancellation are still being settled. The festival is working with vendors to refund advance ticket sales as quickly as possible.