On June 21, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in South Dakota v. Wayfair, Inc., et al. that states may require out-of-state retailers to collect sales taxes, even if the retailer has no physical presence in the state.

Gov. Ralph Northam and the state Board of Education revealed June 27 the schools earning 2018 Virginia Index of Performance (VIP) awards for advanced learning and achievement. The VIP program recognizes schools and divisions that exceed state and federal accountability standards and achieve excellence goals established by the Governor and the Board of Education.

Gov.Ralph Northam announced June 21 that Magnets USA, a manufacturer of primarily magnetic and paper promotional products, will invest $1.5 million in its operation in Roanoke County.

First Lady Pam Northern will lead the effort to improve the quality of and access to early childhood education programs across Virginia, support the early childhood education workforce, and ensure that Virginia makes the most of early childhood education resources.

When exposed to skin, the sap from a Giant hogweed plant can cause severe skin and eye irritation, painful blistering and permanent scarring. The plant is easily confused with other look alike plants such as elderberry and cow parsnip. People who think they have found Giant hogweed should take a digital photo of the leaf, stem and flower. They can report it to the local office of Virginia Cooperative Extension or file an online report. It can grow upwards of 15 feet tall with leaves as large as five feet across.

Northam issued this statement: “Virginia benefits from the important work of securing our border and we have a responsibility to contribute to that mission. However, we also have a responsibility to stand up to policies or actions that run afoul of the values that define us as Americans. Today I spoke with the Adjutant General of the Virginia National Guard and ordered him to withdraw four soldiers and one helicopter from Arizona until the federal government ends its enforcement of a zero-tolerance policy that separates children from their parents.

Commuter and express bus routes in the Interstate 66 corridor are showing significant increases in ridership due to tolling and new service funded by the I-66 Commuter Choice program, according to a new report released June 18 by the Northern Virginia Transportation Commission (NVTC). Bus travel times are more reliable too, the report said.

Governor Ralph Northam announced June 14 that Discovery, Inc., an American media company and a worldwide leader in real life entertainment, intends to invest $16 million to expand its global technology and operations hub in Loudoun County. Virginia successfully competed against Maryland and New York for the project, which will create 240 new jobs.