Policy on the #NNK

Colorado State University’s CSU Tropical Weather & Climate Research Team wrote on April 3 (PDF) “that 2025 will have 17 named storms (average is 14.4), 85 named storm days (average is 69.4), 9 hurricanes (average is 7.2), 35 hurricane days (average is 27.0), 4 major (Category 3-4-5) hurricanes (average is 3.2) and 9 major hurricane days (average is 7.4).” In addition, CSU puts the probability for at least one major hurricane landfall on the east coast (U.S. East Coast Including Peninsula Florida south and east of Cedar Key) at 26%. The average from 1880–2020 is 21%. Hurricane season forecasts are out and most experts agree that the 2025 season, June 1 to November 30, is going to be unusually active. WeatherTiger’s Chief Meteorologist Ryan Truchelut wrote on May 28, “. . . we see about 65% odds of an above normal season, with 2025 more likely than not to tally 16 to 20 tropical storms, 7 to 9 hurricanes, 3 to 4 major hurricanes, and an Accumulated Cyclone Energy...

Facebook feed Are you not seeing what you want to see on Facebook? Are you missing out from news from friends, updates from organizations you support, and useful content from affinity groups? It’s the algorithm. Basically, you start with your friends and page likes. The algorithm takes that info and adds in on what posts you click most often, ads you click on, kinds of posts on which you comment. . . and what you see in your feed is the result. Which is why you may not see posts from particular friends. If you haven't clicked on a post to read more or comment, they are ofen left out of your feed. Learn more in Facebook Algorithm Explained: How Does It Work in 2025? . AI use and the very real negative environmental consequences I have AI on the brain. LLM Journalism Tool Advisor for Writing Prompts | Other Goodies landed in my inbox today only hours after King and Queen County Democratic Committee (Facebook) shared an action alert from Friends of Dragon Run abou...

The Virginia Marine Resource Commission (VMRC) has announced the 25% decline of the blue crab population between 2024 and 2025. The Chesapeake Bay Foundation (CBF) calls the results a “distressing low.” Many in the Bay watershed would likely agree with CBF’s reaction. Not two months ago, the Chesapeake Bay Foundation released the results of the IPSOS poll of 2,000 people living across the Chesapeake Bay watershed―DC, MD, PA, and VA―which found that the Bay animal most in need of protection was the blue crab (70%). Other top animals identified were bald eagle (68%), oyster (49%), and striped bass (36%). Read the full press release, “Virginia’s Adaptive Management Addresses 2025 Blue Crab Population Fluctuations,” here: HAMPTON, VA - The 2025 Bay-wide Winter Dredge Survey results indicate the Chesapeake Bay’s blue crab population has declined from an estimated 317 million crabs in 2024 to 238 million crabs. Virginia’s blue crab managers are not surprised by these findings, as c...

No fishing license is required for recreational rod and reel fishing on Virginia’s Free Fishing Days Friday, June 6 to Sunday, June 8 . According to the Department of Wildlife Resources , during Free Fishing Days, facilities use permits will also not be required. To increase angling opportunities, DWR has removed the restriction to fishing designated stocked trout waters for free fishing weekend. This will open over 2,900 miles of trout streams, in addition to numerous ponds, small lakes and reservoirs. Virginia’s diversified trout habitat offers a wide range of trout fishing prospects. All fishing regulations including size, season, catch limits, and gear restrictions will remain in effect. Want to join an organized, supplies-provided free fishing event? The Northern Neck Sail & Power Squadron is holding two events: Friday, June 6 at the Great Wicomico Fishing Pier and Kayak Launch (Fishing Pier Way, off of Rte 200) in Burgess, and Sunday, June 8 at Thoma...

The Virginia Department of Transportation is doing a study on the one-mile segment of Route 200 (Irvington Rd) between Route 688 (James B Jones Memorial Hwy)/Harris Rd and Old Saint Johns Rd/White Pine Dr in Kilmarnock. The public is encouraged to participate . VDOT is interested in the “potential safety and operational improvements for approximately 1 mile of Route 200 (Irvington Road). The goal of this study is to address any safety, congestion, access management and/or bicycle/pedestrian needs that may be identified along the study corridor or at the study area intersections.” Some of the questions you will be asked: Which of the following safety issues concern you? What mobility issues do you typically experience when using the study area? When do you typically travel in the study area? How often do you travel along the study area? Susie’s comments When there was an opportunity to comment, I suggested that VDOT...

The Emergency Committee on the Impacts of Federal Workforce and Funding Reductions is meeting Monday, May 12, 9:00 am - 3:00 pm . The meeting takes place in Wytheville and will be livestreamed . The public is encouraged to submit comments on the topics, specifically “suggestions for tangible actions - budget language or new legislation - that the General Assembly can take to assist affected workers in the short-term and make our economy more resilient in the long-term.” Tip : Send your comments directly to our delegate, Hillary Pugh Kent , via email or US Mail, Honorable Hillary Pugh Kent, POB 406, Richmond, VA 23218. Be sure to mention you live on, own a business on, or own property on the Northern Neck. Topics and speakers on the agenda (Word) are: Overview of Virginia’s Medicaid Program and Potential Impacts Cheryl Roberts, Agency Director, Department of Medical Assistance Services A National Perspective on Medicaid Jennifer Tolbert, Director, State Health Po...

Do right by the environment and dispose of household hazardous waste properly: Saturday, May 17 from 9:00 am - 2:00 pm at A. T. Johnson Building parking lot (18849 Kings Hwy, Montross). Chemicals to bring: spent fluorescent bulbs, unwanted pesticides, antifreeze, rechargeable batteries, cleaners, oil-based paint, stains, solvents, old/contaminated fuels or petroleum products, and household chemicals. Do not bring electronics, tires, radioactive items, smoke detectors, medical waste, or ammunition and explosives. In addition, Northern Neck Soil and Water Conservation District is working with Westmoreland Sheriff’s Office and C & F Bank to bring residents and property owners safe drug disposal and secure document shredding. The event is open to Westmoreland County residents and property owners only. Learn more about acceptable and unacceptable items ; more information is available from Kelly Brann ( email , 804-313-9102).

Historic Christ Church & Museum and Sewlovelee are featuring the art of NNK quilters July 1-7 at the Celebrating Our Independence Quilt Show . This joint celebration combines art and history. Quilters are asked to exhibit their red, white, and blue quilts which tell the stories of our independence from Britain, our history since the American Revolution, and the future of the United States. The quilts will also serve as the backdrop of Christ Church's annual reading of the Declaration of Independence. The reading is a patriotic celebration and is in partnership with the Cobbs Hall Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution and the Richard Henry Lee Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution. There is no fee to enter a quilt into the show. Learn more about entering the show . There is no fee to see the quilt exhibit. Edit, 1:00 pm: I cannot resist a tie-in, so here it is. Consider creating a quilt that is inspired by, speaks to, or represents the hist...

NOAA has naturally leaned into climate change as a constant challenge to be addressed across their portfolio of policy topics. In the report Status of Stocks 2022: Annual Report to Congress on the Status of U.S. Fisheries (2023) (PDF), NOAA wrote “rebuilding stocks to historical levels has become more challenging due to climate change and other factors.” In the same report, NOAA celebrated the rebuilding of 49 fishery stocks in the last two decades facilitated by the fishery management system―created in 1976 with the passage of Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (MSA) and amended several times. In Status of Stocks 2023: Annual Report to Congress on the Status of U.S. Fisheries (2024) (PDF), NOAA maintained that overfishing was a problem and climate change a challenge: We continue to implement management measures that end overfishing, rebuild overfished stocks, and sustain our fisheries for future generations. We accomplish our mission despite challenges,...

Registration for RCC’s Summer Health Careers Camp for middle and high school students opens today, May 1, at 6:00 pm. All camps are free. Camps are: Health-STEM Camp (June 9-13): Students in grades 6 through 12 will learn the basics for coding Arduino microcontrollers and use them to build circuits and analogues of basic healthcare sensors. They will also learn from health sciences staff how medical grade sensors work and are used in healthcare. Health Science Explorers Camp (July 7-11): Students in grades 9 through 12 will discover health careers, earn certifications through hands-on activities, and collaborate with RCC to build a pathway to their chosen career. Activities and field trips to community medical practices will explore various health careers including Nursing/EMS, Dental, DMS, Physical Therapy, and Pre-Med. VCU Health Tappahannock Health Careers Immersion Camp (June 9-12): Students in grades 10 through 12 will discover healt...