550 Jobs Lost in Emporia; JD Spain Sr. on Inside Scoop; Virginia Teacher Pay; Stock Up: Tariff Shortage Incoming?

May 03, 2025

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NEW PODCAST - Podcast 50 🎙️ John Reid, History… and Blackmail? With attorney and former campaign manager to Gov. L. Doug Wilder, Paul Goldman

Video: JD Spain Sr. on Inside Scoop with Russell Brooks

The Hon. JD Spain, Sr. was elected to the Arlington County Board on November 5, 2024, securing 58% of the vote (65,635 votes) in a decisive victory. His election marks a historic milestone as the first military veteran to serve on the Board since 1997. Below he talks on issues important to Arlington on Inside Scoop.

National Ranking: Virginia Teachers’ Pay Stagnant

By Nathaniel Cline for Virginia Mercury. From last year to now, Virginia raised teacher pay by an average of $3,000. Still, the commonwealth’s average pay rate for educators remains stagnant compared to other states, according to the latest salary report published by the National Education Association.

The commonwealth dropped by one spot to 26th, paying teachers an average of $66,327, an increase from a year ago. Virginia’s average teacher pay is $5,703 below the national average of $72,030, the NEA report states.

Education leaders and lawmakers in the commonwealth said inflation and investments are some of the factors contributing to mixed results in the national salary report.

“Clearly (the report) shows that we have made good improvement in recent years, and we have a long way to go,” said House Education Committee Chair Sam Rasoul, D-Roanoke. Read entire

Podcast 48 🎙️ Fergie Reid, Jr. on the 2025 Virginia House Races

Warning Signs: Is a Shortage of Essential Goods Coming?

BLACKPRESSUSA NEWSWIRE — Recently, Target and Walmart’s CEOs signaled to President Trump that their store shelves could soon be empty due to tariffs.

“Any increase in the cost of basic necessities will disproportionately impact Black Americans,” said Marc Morial, President and CEO of the National Urban League. This week, a Senate resolution aimed at reversing President Trump’s tariffs on imports failed in a 49–49 vote. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) was absent due to travel from South Korea, while Senator Mitch McConnell (R-KY) also did not vote. According to his staff, McConnell has remained “consistent in opposing tariffs.”

Recently, the CEOs of Target and Walmart warned President Trump that tariffs could soon lead to empty store shelves. Marc Morial, President and CEO of the National Urban League, has already reported signs of product shortages, raising concerns that the situation could mirror the supply chain disruptions experienced during the COVID-19 pandemic.

After consulting with economists, Marc Morial warned, “We’re going to see empty shelves by early to mid-May because vessels from China are turning around and heading back.” Many everyday products found on store shelves are sourced globally—including produce like bananas and mangoes. The primary suppliers of fresh bananas to the U.S. market include Guatemala, Ecuador, Costa Rica, Colombia, and Honduras. Read entire at Black Press USA

Emporia: Georgia-Pacific Plywood Plant Closes, 550 Jobs Lost

'Employees will continue to get paid and benefits for 60 days after today. But for all intents and purposes, the operations have been shut down today'

More than 550 employees at Georgia-Pacific’s plywood plant in Emporia, Virginia, are losing their jobs following the facility’s abrupt closure on Friday.

Georgia-Pacific informed workers of the shutdown during a series of meetings Friday morning and through a letter distributed to employees, according to Rick Kimble, the company’s director of public affairs.

Georgia-Pacific LLC, headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, is one of the world’s largest manufacturers and distributors of tissue, pulp, paper products, dispensers, packaging, building materials, and related chemicals. Much of its production is sourced from its own timber holdings.

WHRO Public Media Bert Schmidt Sends Message After Trump EO

WHRO CEO Bert Schmidt: On May 1, 2025, President Donald Trump signed an executive order directing the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) to cease federal funding for NPR and PBS. While this executive order targets national entities, its ramifications extend to local stations like WHRO Public Media, putting more than just programming at risk. It jeopardizes access to essential educational tools that families across our region rely on every day.

WHRO is more than just a broadcaster—we're your community's classroom, newsroom, and neighbor. As the only public media station in the nation owned by a collaboration of 21 local public school divisions, our mission is deeply rooted in education and community service.

Federal funding supports public safety communications by enabling public media stations to maintain and upgrade the infrastructure necessary for delivering lifesaving alerts and warnings during emergencies.

The value of public media is recognized across the political spectrum. A recent survey found that 83% of voters, including 70% of those who voted for President Trump, support continued federal funding for public television.

We are actively reviewing the implications of this executive order in collaboration with our national partners and will keep you informed as the situation develops.

Your support is more vital than ever. By championing WHRO, you help ensure that we continue to make our community smarter and happier.

Champion WHRO—Because What We Do, We Do Together

Here's how you can champion our mission today: Share our story: Let your community know why WHRO matters. Become a member: Your commitment fuels lifelong learning across our region. Join here. Advocate: Talk to your network and local leaders about the value of public media. Visit ProtectMyPublicMedia.org to make your voice heard now.

When you champion WHRO, you're lifting up learners, amplifying local voices, and ensuring our region continues to thrive through knowledge and connection.

Together, we can ensure that WHRO remains a beacon of education and culture, making our community smarter and happier.

Thank you for your support,

Bert Schmidt
Chief Executive Officer

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