News Deserts, License Plate Readers, and Sports Stadium Scuttlebutt
IN THE NEWS:
Virginia has seven news deserts, and the news blackout is only growing. A new report from the State of Local News Project shows that in the last 20 years, one-third of America's newspapers have stopped the presses.
The license plate on your car may soon be a data point followed by 73 local police departments and sheriff's offices, a dozen colleges and universities, plus two dozen homeowners associations and civic associations. Critics worry that this technology can be used to investigate what store you shop at, which political rallies you are attending, and even which doctors you are visiting.
Community service boards across Virginia are receiving almost $60 million as part of a plan to add new crisis-receiving centers and stabilization units across Virginia. The administration says the receiving centers will play an important role in making sure people in a mental health crisis don't get caught up in the criminal justice system.
At the Watercooler:
Capitals, Wizards moving to Virginia.
Abigail Spanberger's push to bring whole milk back to public schools has successfully passed the House.
