SCROLL NEWS / DISCOVERY
Search headlines
Find the stories shaping the conversation.
Results for " virginia " 1,661 found 🔀 AI-powered Shuffle
Virginia’s new public health leaders take the helm as state agencies weather uncharted waters
Two men with deep experience in health care policy and practice have recently been tapped to oversee Virginia’s public health agencies, as health care remains a top concern for residents and an ongoing challenge for state and federal lawmakers.
Hitachi Energy powers up $457M expansion in South Boston
Hitachi Energy will invest $457 million to expand power transformer production in South Boston, creating 825 jobs and building the nation’s largest large transformer plant.
Doctors and advocates work to improve maternal mental health across Virginia
Mental health care before, during, and after pregnancy can have long-term positive impacts on health for families.
Five to Try: Sports Bars
WATCH HOOPS, MUNCH, AND HOPE FOR MARCH GLADNESS By Butch Maier / Photo above: Socky's co-owners Sharon Sockman, David Sockman, and Alison Sockman-Gilli ...
UNC vs. Virginia Tech: Three keys to a Carolina victory
UNC eyes a third straight win and ACC double-bye push as desperate bubble team Virginia Tech visits Chapel Hill on Friday night.
Virginia Beach entertainment venues hosting job fairs
The Dome by Rutter Mills and the Veterans United Home Loans Amphitheater are hosting job fairs Saturday and March 14, respectively.
Virginia Beach entertainment venues hosting job fairs
The Dome by Rutter Mills is offering a job fair Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the venue, located at 400 20th St. Positions available include VIP hosts, changeover crews, ushers and more. For more...
College basketball picks: Predictions for Duke vs. Virginia, Kansas vs. Arizona, more top 25 games on Saturday
Our experts have picks for all of Saturday's big games as conference play heats up across the nation, with March Madness around the corner
AI, Ethics and Business Collide in Anthropic’s Standoff with the Pentagon
Marc Ruggiano, director of Darden’s LaCross Institute for Ethical Artificial Intelligence in Business and a navy veteran, shares his insights on the clash between Anthropic and the Pentagon and explains how Darden teaches students to navigate the often choppy waters of business, ethics and technology.
Small business owner reacts to West Virginia’s First Law of 2026
BECKLEY, WV (WVNS) — The first West Virginia law of 2026 was signed by Governor Patrick Morrisey on Monday, February 23, 2026. The Small Business Growth Act is designed to bring in private investments...
Justice Department Sues 5 States, Most Republican-Led, for Voter Data
The Trump administration sued Utah, Oklahoma and West Virginia, as well as Kentucky and West Virginia, to obtain unredacted voter registration databases in pursuit of baseless claims of voter fraud.
Public opinion is the strongest political force, Pelosi tells UVA audience
The UVA Center for Politics also presented U.S. Rep. Nancy Pelosi with its Defender of Democracy award.
Bracketology: Florida, Virginia moving up while Auburn, Indiana slide in NCAA Tournament projection
Breaking down who is trending up and who is trending down in CBS Sports Bracketology
Company accused Virginia health inspector of 'bias' as nursing homes received serious violations
Internal communications obtained by CBS 6 revealed allegations that a Virginia healthcare facility inspector was biased against a particular group of nursing homes.
Hall among leaders honored with West Virginia Leadership Business awards
Joshua Hall, Milan Puskar Dean of the John Chambers College of Business and Economics, is the recipient of The State Journal’s inaugural West Virginia Business Leadership award for Chief Operating Officer of a Medium-Sized Business.
Abigail Spanberger, in Democratic Response, Asks if Trump Is Working for Americans
“We all know the answer is no,” the Virginia governor argued in her rebuttal to President Trump’s State of the Union address.
Free sports physicals offered this Saturday
A free opportunity is available for athletes getting ready for the upcoming sports seasons.johnson primary care and wellness- in bristol, virginia is hosting a
Abigail Spanberger to Give Democratic Response to Trump’s Address
Abigail Spanberger, the newly elected governor of Virginia, was chosen to deliver her party’s response to President Trump’s State of the Union address.
Who is Abigail Spanberger? New governor giving the SOTU rebuttal
Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger is giving the Democratic response to Trump's State of the Union. Learn more about her background.
What to expect from Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger’s State of the Union response
Abigail Spanberger is less known for her oratory than for drilling down into the work of government.
WATCH LIVE: Gov. Spanberger delivers Democratic response to Trump's State of the Union
Accolades: UVA Health ranks among America’s great hospitals and top employers
Also in this roundup: a group salutes a Virginia Athletics communicator’s career, Yale lauds a president emeritus, and more.
No. 11 Virginia streaks into clash with NC State
No. 11 Virginia is seeking its longest winning streak since the 2018-19 national championship season when it hosts NC State in Atlantic Coast Conference action Tuesday night in Charlottesville, Va.
Virginia health department defies Trump vaccine changes
State officials say the federal shift on childhood vaccines wasn't backed by evidence.
No. 14 Virginia streaks into clash with NC State
No. 14 Virginia is seeking its longest winning streak since the 2018-19 national championship season when it hosts NC State in Atlantic Coast Conference action Tuesday night in Charlottesville, Va.
Virginia women cruise, California men clinch 2026 ACC titles
Virginia’s women stamped their imprint on nearly every race and locked up another ACC crown.
2 killed, 7 wounded in a street shooting in Virginia entertainment district
Richmond police chief says there were at least two shooters
2 killed, 7 wounded in a street shooting after a fight in Richmond's entertainment district
Police in Richmond, Virginia, say an apparent fight on a street in an entertainment district has ended with a shooting that killed two people and wounded seven others.
Justice Department says interim US attorney is fired hours after Virginia judges appoint him to replace Trump loyalist
Just hours after the federal judges in the Eastern District of Virginia appointed a new interim US attorney to replace Trump loyalist Lindsey Halligan, the administration said he is fired.
Virginia students pivot to STEM, health degrees
New state data shows STEM and health degrees surging as humanities majors steadily decline.
Virginia colleges see shift in top majors since 2004
SCHEV data shows top majors shifting toward business, health and computer science since 2004.
Virginia judge blocks Democrats' referendum, a blow to redistricting effort over 4 U.S. House seats
The order runs until March 18 and clashes with early voting set to begin March 6, which could doom the referendum.
No. 14 Virginia, Miami set for ACC second-place showdown
Second place in the Atlantic Coast Conference will be on the line Saturday afternoon when Miami visits No. 14 Virginia in Charlottesville, Va.
Get On Board Workforce Program | Valley Health
Learn how Valley Health’s "Get On Board" program in Virginia and West Virginia helps residents build skills, find steady work, and support a strong local workforce.
Virginia judge temporarily blocks Democrats from work on congressional redistricting bid
A Virginia court on Thursday temporarily blocked Democrats from preparing for an April voter referendum to redraw the state’s congressional maps, handing the party another setback in its efforts to pick up four more U.S. House seats in the national redistricting battle.
Gov. Abigail Spanberger Will Deliver Democratic Response to Trump’s State of the Union
In selecting the Virginia governor, Democrats turned to a centrist former congresswoman whose winning campaign last year showed how their party’s candidates can succeed in the Trump era.
An Architect of Virginia’s Redistricting Will Run for a New Seat Himself
Dan Helmer, a Democratic state lawmaker, played a key role in putting redrawn congressional maps before state voters.
February 19 Vallejo/Vacaville Arts-Entertainment Source: Activities
Feb. 19: Road Dog Revue, 6:30 p.m., Empress Marquee Club, 324 Virginia St., Vallejo. Feb. 20: Family Storytime, 10 a.m., Vallejo Springstowne Library, 1003 Oakwood Ave., Vallejo. Feb. 20: Barefoot …
VCU Health inpatient tower expands to 16 stories, nearly 600 beds
Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) is in the early planning stages to add eight additional stories to its inpatient tower, expanding the initial facility into a 16-story tower with nearly 600 b…
Trump family business files for trademark rights on any airports using the president’s name
The filings come amid dispute over funding of a tunnel between New York and New Jersey that is tied up with proposals that both it and the Dulles International Airport in Virginia bear his name.
Jeffries, Prasad appointed to lead W.Va. DOH's Rural Health Transformation program
The West Virginia Department of Health appointed, on Feb. 13, 2026, Carrie Jeffries as director and Dr. Soumya Prasad as deputy director to lead the state’s Rural Health Transformation program.
Tru Washington aiding Miami ahead of Virginia Tech tilt
Tru Washington is back, and that's great news for Miami.
Senate sends Small Business Growth Act to Gov. Morrisey’s desk
CHARLESTON – A bipartisan bill supported by both the West Virginia House of Delegates and state Senate meant to help small businesses gain access to investment dollars will now be the first bill to complete the legislative process. The Senate voted Monday to concur with changes made by the House to Senate Bill 1, the […]
West Virginia Senate sends Small Business Growth Act to Morrisey
CHARLESTON — A bipartisan bill supported by both the West Virginia House of Delegates and Senate meant to help small businesses gain access to investment dollars will now be the first to complete the legislative process. The Senate voted Monday to concur with changes made by the House to Senate Bill 1, the Small Business […]
JMU business student owns and operates junk removal service
Colin Wright, a northern Virginia native, spends his free time away from school helping people get rid of their unwanted junk through his business, Colin’s Haul’n.
In First Months as Governor, Abigail Spanberger Kicks Up Heat From the Right
The new governor of Virginia, who ran as a centrist Democrat and a former intelligence officer, says the attacks are a sign of her success.
Five takeaways from Virginia’s win over Ohio State in Nashville
No. 15 Virginia beat Ohio State in Nashville to move to 22-3 on the season.
Virginia health officials warn to avoid contact with Potomac River due to sewage spill
Three weeks after a sewage pipe burst along the Clara Barton Parkway, the Virginia Department of Health issued a recreational water advisory Friday telling residents to avoid using D.C.’s main waterway.
Virginia redistricting election will go forward while state Supreme Court considers appeal
Virginia Democrats hold six of the state's 11 U.S. House seats, but they are backing a revised map that could help them win up to 10 seats in this year's midterm elections.
Small Business Funding, CPS Support And Lab Grown Meat Round Out The House of Delegates’ Week - West Virginia Public Broadcasting
The House of Delegates took action on their stated legislative focus of economic development Friday, as well as supports for Child Protective Service workers.
NEW: Avoid contact with Potomac River, Va. Dept. of Health says
Avoid contact with the Potomac River. That's the message from the Virginia Dept. of Health, which just issued a recreational water advisory, three weeks after a large sewage pipe ruptured along the Clara Barton Parkway Million of gallons of raw sewage spilled into the Potomac, about four miles upstream from Arlington, before crews were able
Virginia redistricting election will go forward while court considers appeal
Virginia voters will get to cast ballots on a congressional redistricting plan benefiting Democrats while a court battle plays out over the legality of the effort.
Virginia Supreme Court allows redistricting special election to move forward
Democrats placed a voter referendum on the ballot in April that could pave the way for a new congressional map that heavily favors their party.
Love Safely This Valentine's Day - Richmond City Health Department
It’s no coincidence that Valentine’s Day is also National Condom Day! One of the simplest ways to show you care is to protect the health of those you love. Richmond and Henrico […]
Virginians can help science take flight during bird count weekend
Bird lovers across the Commonwealth are invited to help scientists track bird populations during the Great Backyard Bird Count, a global citizen science event running Feb. 13–16, 2026. In Virginia, p...
Best states to visit + places to skip, from frequent US traveler
My husband and I spent last year traveling across the US, visiting 29 states including Michigan, Vermont, South Dakota, West Virginia, and Idaho.
Fired Former Trump Prosecutor to Run for Congress in Virginia as a Democrat
J.P. Cooney, a former top deputy to the special counsel Jack Smith, who led two prosecutions of President Trump, plans to seek election to a newly drawn district in Northern and Central Virginia.
ChatGPT’s deep research tool adds a built-in document viewer so you can read its reports
You can also open a new table of contents that allows you to jump to specific sections of the report.
Virginia Democrats quickly send proposed redistricting map to Spanberger
Democrats in the Virginia General Assembly sent proposed congressional maps that favor their party to Gov. Abigail Spanberger (D) Tuesday as part of a budget package.
Innovation District hosts industry-informed life science skills course to support Virginia’s growing workforce needs
Throughout Virginia, the life sciences sector is gaining momentum as major pharmaceutical companies invest billions in new facilities and operations. As a result, employers need to find people who can step into laboratory and manufacturing roles right away. George Mason University's Innovation District is meeting the demand.
3 measles cases confirmed in DC — possible exposures at Reagan National, March for Life
Health officials are warning about cases of the measles in people who spent time around D.C. and Virginia, including at Reagan Airport and the March for Life.
Mental Health First Aid training offered March 6
The WVU community is invited to attend a Mental Health First Aid training hosted by WELLWVU and the West Virginia Collegiate Initiative to Advance Healthy Campus Communities from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. March 6 on Zoom.
Virginia lawmakers propose new tax on fantasy sports
Lawmakers in Virginia are considering legislation that could change the future of fantasy sports in the Commonwealth.
West Virginia students shine in regional Science Bowl event
The Science Bowl is a national academic competition hosted by the U.S. Department of Energy that tests high school and middle school students on their knowledge across all areas of STEM, and winner…
WVU women handle business in 87-68 win over Arizona
West Virginia took care of business Saturday, the way a top 20 team should against a struggling foe without its best player in the lineup. That the 20th-ranked Mountaineers ran away from Arizona, 87-68, inside the Hope Coliseum wasn’t exactly what caught the eye of Arizona head coach Becky Burke. It was how the Mountaineers […]
Virginians urged to take care of mental health during winter weather
The Virginia Department of Health (VDH) is urging Virginians to take care of themselves and loved ones during winter weather.
Health officials investigate confirmed measles case at Virginia airport
Health officials are investigating a confirmed case of measles in Virginia.
National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day - Virginia Department of Health
National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day (NBHAAD) is observed on February 7 each year. It exists to raise awareness about the impact of HIV on Black and African American communities. It was first observed in 1999 and highlights the importance of decreasing stigma and increasing community involvement. Improving access to HIV education, prevention, testing, and HIV care are focuses of NBHAAD, as well. Virginia data As is the case […]
Prioritize Heart Health - Richmond City Health Department
In honor of American Heart Month, Richmond and Henrico Health Districts (RHHD) encourage you to take action to prioritize heart health. “Heart health continues to be one of the top areas of health focus in our […]
Multidimensional Constructions of Target Groups and Their Political Implications: The Case of Immigrant (Il)Legality -
Multidimensional Constructions of Target Groups and Their Political Implications: The Case of Immigrant (Il)Legality By Kirill Zhirkov, University of Virginia, and Lauren Van De Hey, Utah State University Social construction theory postulates that policy outcomes [...]
No. 18 Virginia rides stingy defense into clash vs. Syracuse
No. 18 Virginia rides stingy defense into clash vs. Syracuse
Bill could affect history and social science lessons for students across Virginia
A bill being discussed in Richmond could impact what students across Virginia learn in history and social science classrooms.
Virginia Democrats Propose New Congressional Maps Ahead of Midterms
As they appeal a ruling blocking their redistricting efforts, the state’s Democrats proposed redrawing districts in a way that would strongly favor them.
Stealing cable has evolved: the new face of TV piracy
Fed up with increasing subscription prices, viewers embrace rogue streaming boxes.
Baylor aims to halt home woes, meets Colorado
By winning 63-53 Saturday at West Virginia, Baylor snapped a four-game losing streak.
AHCCCS Director steps down citing personal health concerns
The Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS) Director, Virginia “Ginny" Rountree, has resigned after just months of being appointed to her position by Gov. Katie Hobbs.
How Olympic athletes use science to win, according to an expert
Ahead of the Winter Olympics, a Virginia Tech aerodynamics expert breaks down how air resistance can determine who medals — and how some athletes try to bend the rules.
Scholars application open to health professions students
The WVU Institute for Community and Rural Health and the West Virginia Area Health Education Centers are accepting applications for the WV AHEC Rural Community Health Scholars program. The deadline to apply for early admission is March 31.
The 2026 Virginia Black Business Leaders Awards
From rebuilding communities in the post–Jim Crow era to leading Fortune 500 companies and public institutions today, Black business leaders have played a central role in shaping Virginia’s modern economy. Today, they are driving growth, innovation and opportunity across the commonwealth — leading major corporations, expanding small businesses, strengthening public institutions and driving progress across […]
Norfolk eyes Harbor Park entertainment district
An entertainment and nightlife district could be in the cards for the area surrounding Norfolk‘s upcoming $750 million waterfront resort casino near Harbor Park. The city owns most of the property around the casino site and the ballpark, controlling almost seven acres in an area bordered by the Elizabeth River, railroad tracks and Interstate 264. […]
‘Food is medicine’ and the $800M shortfall: How WV hopes to change rural health care
With West Virginia now poised to lose hundreds of millions of dollars annually in federal health care funding, Gov. Patrick Morrisey plans to embrace a “food-is-medicine” movement to bridge the gap and make the state’s residents healthier so they’re less reliant on the health care system.
Treysen Eaglestaff, West Virginia take aim at sinking Baylor
Treysen Eaglestaff was struggling to score all night in West Virginia's 59-54 win over Kansas State Tuesday, but coach Ross Hodge said the senior guard didn't let it weigh down the rest of his game.
Many Richmond businesses close as part of nationwide general strike against recent ICE actions
After many businesses throughout Central Virginia were forced to shutter their doors or alter their hours due to impacts from the winter storm, many have decided to close again on Friday, but for a…
Former Virginia Tech defensive coordinator heads back to the NFL
Former Hokies’ defensive coordinator Sam Siefkes is heading to Green Bay.
Virginia Tech's task? Slow No. 4 Duke's blowout roll
Duke experienced some close calls early in its ACC schedule, but the nation's No. 2 team in the NET rankings has dominated opponents of late.
New study shows WVU, WVU Health System have huge impact on West Virginia
President Michael T. Benson and Albert L. Wright, Jr. share details from the Tripp Umbach Economic Impact Report.
Virginia Tech visits coveted in-state LB Noah Glover
It’s a new era for Virginia Tech football and new head coach James Franklin is looking to make an impact on the recruiting trail for the Hokies. Virginia itself has been on the rise when it comes to producing blue-chip talent at the high school level. The 2026 cycle had multiple top-100 prospects in the […]
Betly expands online casino offering through new partnership with Inspired Entertainment
Delaware North’s Betly iCasino in West Virginia today announced a new partnership with Inspired Entertainment, a leading provider of innovative online casino content.
Pulaski County Sports & Entertainment Unveils Official Sportsplex Logo
New Facility Designed to Serve the Community and Welcome the World Pulaski County, Virginia – Pulaski County Sports & Entertainment is proud to unveil the official logo for the Pulaski County Sportsplex, a transformative new indoor sports complex that will serve as a premier destination for athletic competition while providing a year-round recreational asset for […]
Investment and Statecraft: The International Politics of Sovereign Wealth Funds - Georgetown Journal of International Affairs
In 1953, Kuwait established the world’s first sovereign wealth fund to invest the country’s oil revenues and generate returns that would reduce its reliance on a single resource. Since then, over 100 separate funds have been created to preserve national wealth and ensure long-term fiscal sustainability. Today, they manage over $10 trillion in global assets. In this discussion with GJIA, political economist Kathryn Lavelle explains the increasingly novel dynamics that surround fund behavior and what the world can come to expect from their growing presence in international financial markets. GJIA: When it comes to the roles sovereign wealth funds (SWFs) play in global markets and politics, what would you say makes them unique? Kathryn Lavelle: Sovereign wealth funds (SWFs) operate on behalf of governments as investors. That in itself is a strange relationship. Within them, a core contest takes place between the state’s interests (or sovereign) part of the dynamic, and the money interests (or wealth) part of it, and these two aspects are frequently in contradiction, serving fundamentally different goals. SWFs are also quite fascinating because when you talk to the people who manage these funds, they have an interest in convincing you that the decisions are made almost exclusively on a financial basis—they really will go to great lengths to differentiate their government owners and those who make the management decisions. At the same time, these people ultimately answer to someone in power. Therefore, for most SWFs, it remains deeply unclear who is actually making the investment decisions and for what purposes. Of course, it is not always clear how other vehicles, such as hedge funds and private equity make the decisions they do, but I think what a lot of people find particularly disconcerting about SWFs is that they seem to act on behalf of people who have a different identity from their own. People who could be trying to manipulate politics and markets in a way that would have a long-term effect on their own populations. Regular investors come and go at will, and they only share an interest in profit as far as most of us understand. However, SWFs have that extra “sovereign” part right behind them that obscures their true interest. GJIA: These funds can be found in countries all across the globe, in both authoritarian states and democracies. Would you say SWFs differ in their goals and structures between regime-type? KL: It is not necessarily regime type that makes the goals and structures of SWFs different. It has to do with their economies. Let’s look at a country like China. There’s going to be a debate about exactly how to characterize the regime, but it is a country with many different kinds of sovereign wealth funds, and a particularly opaque state connection to each. At one time, some of the state-owned Chinese oil companies created specialized investment vehicles listed outside Chinese markets that excluded parts of the firms that were more associated with human rights violations. At the same time, the China Investment Corporation (CIC)—China’s largest SWF—draws a lot of concern, not necessarily because of its investment activities, but because of the dynamics of global politics. So, I wouldn’t really tie differences to regime types themselves in a wholesale way, but rather to how such funds are perceived and how they are structured. Saudi Arabia’s SWF is getting all kinds of attention for its involvement in Hollywood, and this takes me right back to when I was a student in the 1980s, when people were concerned about Japanese investment entities buying assets in Hollywood. They aren’t quite the same in financial terms, but it’s the same kind of concern about foreign investment that drives people to be suspicious, and the whole idea that “foreigners are influencing Hollywood.” This holds true across industries, and it reflects where politics are in places like the United States right now. One metric we can try to look at is transparency, where all the funds will tell you, “we are transparent.” The problem you’ll keep running into with this approach is how you value things. When trying to do comparative studies of equity markets, you’ll find that every country doesn’t use Generally Accepted Accounting Principles like we do in the United States. A fund may appear opaque politically and not want people to show what they’re invested in or what their intent with that investment is, but they could also just not be able to report it because of the way it was purchased, or the kinds of shares they purchased. There are some assets out there that really are difficult to put a monetary value on. GJIA: To what extent do domestic politics shape SWF behavior in both the investing “home” country and the recipient “host” country? KL: This depends on the type of fund present and also on the extent to which voters’ political views are able to influence the fund. For example, in a democratic home state like Norway, the SWF doesn’t invest in nuclear weapons or tobacco because of social concerns, but there is a continuing debate over whether it should invest in oil, even though that’s where most of the money comes from. The degree to which Norway will continue to make those investments, and whether they contradict the government’s overall climate goals, is an open question in Norwegian politics. Because of the way the fund’s governance is structured, it may not be easy to resolve. On the other hand, some people consider pension funds, like the State Teachers Retirement System (STRS) in Ohio, to be quasi-SWF. They have a very strict separation between the people who make up the management division and the fund owners. No teacher or professor would want to invest in things that may harm the future of their students. At the same time, a fund manager might see an opportunity in a diversified multinational corporation that offers a good return, despite it deriving part of its revenue from e-cigarettes. These contests are very apparent. Domestic politics can work in host countries too. A good example is Singapore’s SWF, Temasek, investing in Thailand’s telecommunications sector. If you study political economy, you already know that countries everywhere are uncomfortable with foreign ownership of their telecom sectors because a foreign entity could monitor or manipulate our communications with each other. In the case of Temasek, there was significant pushback from Thai citizens surrounding the deal, which went on to influence national political sentiment toward Singapore as a whole, underscoring the risks some SWFs may face with their investment choices. In this case, fund behavior led to the dissolution of the entire Thai government in 2006 and a subsequent coup d’état. GJIA: To address some of this unease, the Santiago Principles were established in 2009 to ostensibly promote trust and transparency. From your perspective, have these mechanisms actually changed fund behavior? KL: In international relations theory, we always like to have a clear set of norms and best practices—the orientation we want the proverbial ship to be going in. In that regard, the Santiago Principles at least got the discussion going about which direction SWFs should take at a time when people were very skittish about the growing size of these funds. Nobody wanted them to be out there and potentially destabilizing economies, so talks about disclosure, conditions for withdrawal, and the independence of managers were helpful when initiated. The biggest stumbling block was that there wasn’t exactly a good way to measure compliance with the Principles, let alone how to hold funds to them. If you read the Principles, they’re overall quite vague. In general, a fund doesn’t want to reveal how and why they make certain investment decisions because that information is proprietary—a fund makes money off of how and why it makes decisions—so how do you reconcile that with loosely-defined ideas of openness? Some decisions might have a political purpose. The bottom line is that trying to figure out and assign a score to compliance is not easy, and it is therefore the reason why the Santiago Principles never really got off the ground to the point where they could truly direct fund behavior. GJIA: Many emerging markets are looking to build their own SWFs from mineral and oil revenues. Historically, have funds shaped development trajectories in these countries? KL: I think the big story in international emerging markets investment is that the investment is increasingly no longer unidirectional. In the past multinational corporations of primarily Western background were the main form of foreign direct investment in a country. That has changed dramatically, to the point where you have companies from so-called “developing countries” taking over companies in the United States. Therefore, the landscape of international investment has changed, and I think SWFs are certainly a possibility to be the next step in the game. Historically, you didn’t need an entire financial vehicle to reinvest commodity revenues in your country, but as emerging markets get more financially sophisticated, their capacity to operate such funds has increased. SWFs would allow treasuries to move from relying on holding foreign exchange assets like cash or government bonds to having broader financial markets and targeted growth areas, while easing pressure on welfare expenditures. GJIA: With their increasing financial weight, do you see the presence of SWFs being a factor in the political choices leaders will have to make with regard to domestic and foreign policy? KL: It will depend on just how big the funds get. One of the reasons people are already apprehensive is because of their scale, and if certain SWFs in certain countries achieve a large-enough size, the presence will absolutely be cause for concern. The other factor political leaders will have to consider are their objectives. It’s not always clear how to define a SWF, or even where its activity is concentrated, but it is certainly a worry from the perspective of national security of opaque external investment. More than that, I think one of the most interesting questions going forward is whether the United States, the home to the world’s largest financial markets, will develop its own fund, for which the Trump administration announced a plan. There have also been several proposals in Congress. Were it to come into being, it would have tremendous weight. At the same time, one of the hallmarks of U.S. capitalism is a lack of government ownership of shares, so it would not be clear how such a fund would be received in domestic politics, or which direction it would take. Given how politically fragmented the country is, a Democratic administration would likely be concerned about different sectors of the economy, such as healthcare, and want investment there, rather than a Republican administration, which might prefer defense industries. No investment vehicle could thrive under conditions of such instability. Moreover, it remains unclear where the money to fund a theoretical U.S. SWF would come from. It would be a fundamentally different entity depending on whether it is financed with debt, economic surplus, commodities, or the sale of state companies, as in the case of Singapore. If it is debt, or government borrowing of some form, then the fund would have to outperform whatever the cost of that debt is, which is not an easy thing to do. I think our political leaders have enough on their plate. Our system has worked well keeping political and investment functions generally separate. We have seen different forms of business rise and fall, and even the perception of different countries, all of which funds are tied to. Unless a major SWF either starts—like in the case of the United States—or collapses—an issue that concerns the Saudis, I don’t see any political tsunamis on the horizon. . . . Kathryn Lavelle is the Ellen and Dixon Long Professor of World Affairs at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio. Her research explores the exchange between domestic and international and political institutions with a particular emphasis on political economy and multilateralism. Dr. Lavelle’s first book, The Politics of Equity Finance in Emerging Markets, explored the political circumstances that surround large issues of stock in the developing world. After being granted tenure at Case Western, she was awarded an American Political Science Association Congressional Fellowship and named the William A. Steiger fellow, a designation given to the most promising political scientist in her class of fellows. While in Washington during 2006-2007, she worked on the staff of the House Committee on Financial Services on issues related to domestic and international monetary policy. Dr. Lavelle holds a PhD in political science from Northwestern University; an M.A. in government and foreign affairs from the University of Virginia; and a bachelor’s degree in international economics from Georgetown University. She is a permanent member of the New York Council on Foreign Relations. This transcript has been lightly edited for clarity and length. Interview conducted by Sid Mehrotra. Image Credit: Jason Leung, Unsplash Content Licenses, via Unsplash
Yes, romance & fantasy novels are political. : It's Been a Minute
How do romantic tropes and fantasies impact how you understand politics?You might be a fan of Romantic Fantasy, or as the internet calls it: Romantasy. Even if you're not, you would recognize the tradwives or fascism. Romantasies combine supernatural characters and plotlines with the rush of a whirlwind romance novel, and, in this episode, we're exploring how the politics of some of these books have an effect on politics in the real world.Brittany is joined by Netta Baker, Advanced Instructor of English at Virginia Tech, and Princess Weekes, video essayist and online pop culture critic. They get into how this genre demolishes misogyny while reinforcing conservative politics.Support Public Media. Join NPR Plus.Follow Brittany Luse on Instagram: @bmluseFor handpicked podcast recommendations every week, subscribe to NPR’s Pod Club newsletter at npr.org/podclub.
Virginia Democrats' redistricting resolution illegal due to technicality, judge finds
The judge also said the Democratic-led legislature failed to follow its own rules in adding the redistricting amendment to a special session, calling that “a blatant abuse of power.”
Virginia Democrats’ redistricting push is dealt a setback by state court
A state court on Tuesday blocked Virginia Democrats’ redistricting effort, delivering a setback to the party’s plans to redraw congressional lines ahead of November’s midterm elections.
VCU Health comments on viral videos with an alleged employee encouraging the poisoning of ICE agents
VCU Health has placed an employee on administrative leave after a video went viral on social media showing a woman encouraging people to poison federal immigration agents.
Report: In Some Urban Districts, Science of Reading Limits ‘Robust Comprehension’
Four school districts in major urban areas using the science of reading found while students are grasping basic literacy skills, limitations toward deeper comprehension still exist, according to a new study. The “Robust Reading Comprehension” report, conducted by nonprofit research organization SRI, examined literacy instruction in districts in Texas, Maryland, North Carolina and Virginia that […]
Virginia health officials urge flu prevention as cases increase and more headlines
Virginia health officials urge flu prevention as cases increase
Open enrollment in Virginia's health insurance marketplace is lagging
Friday is the last day to enroll in state-offered plans or change your coverage.