Good morning, FXBG.
The yard signs can come down, the robocalls should finally stop, and the weather is still showing off: mostly sunny with a high near 75, according to the National Weather Service. Enjoy it. Rain chances jump to about 50% after 1 a.m. tonight.
In today's Rundown:
The results are in (unofficially): Stafford’s school sales tax falls short by a hair, Spotsylvania says yes to all four bonds, and all three amendments pass
A UMW documentary asks whether we're the next "Data Center Alley," and its makers take questions tonight
The week's best plans, from a pay-what-you-can musical to Kenmore by candlelight
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Today's photo: the Spotsylvania Courthouse complex, by Mojo Hand, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
🗳️ The morning after: what we know and what's next
The polls are closed, the counting is mostly done, and here’s where things stand this morning. Every number below is unofficial.
Where the numbers live: Unofficial results for every race and ballot question are on the state's election results page, which lets you filter by locality and precinct. That covers the U.S. Senate race, the 7th District House race and the three proposed amendments to the Virginia Constitution.
The results are in (unofficial):
Stafford’s school sales tax: No, by about 628 votes. The 1% sales tax for school construction failed 33,408 (50.47%) to 32,780 (49.53%), with all 37 precincts reporting, per state results reported by Potomac Local. Provisional and remaining absentee ballots aren’t fully counted, so this is the one to watch.
Spotsylvania’s four bonds: Yes, yes, yes and yes. Voters approved all four: about $237.3 million for schools, $67.6 million for transportation, $61.9 million for public safety and $33.6 million for the landfill and convenience centers, the Fredericksburg Free Press reports. Vote percentages for each question are on the state results page.
Spotsylvania Commissioner of the Revenue: Bowman wins. Bowman beat Yakabouski with about 53% of the vote, 30,973 to 27,367, with all 29 precincts reporting, per the Free Press (same link).
The three constitutional amendments: all pass statewide. Reproductive freedom, 62.25% yes. Repealing the same-sex marriage ban, 57.24% yes. Restoring voting rights after prison, 56.33% yes. All 133 localities reporting, per the Virginia Department of Elections.
Sources: Virginia Department of Elections unofficial results, Fredericksburg Free Press, Potomac Local. Unofficial until certified.
Why it may not be over: Every number you see this morning is unofficial. Mailed ballots postmarked by Election Day can still arrive and count for a few more days, provisional ballots get sorted out, and local electoral boards then canvass the results before the state certifies them later this month. In a race as close as Stafford’s, a few hundred votes can move. And the Fredericksburg Free Press has reported that a legal challenge to the reproductive rights amendment already has a court hearing set for Nov. 13.
We'll dig into what the results mean for your tax bill, your schools and your roads once the counts settle. How was your line yesterday? Hit reply with your precinct and your wait, and we'll share the best (and worst) stories Thursday.
🏭 Are we the next "Data Center Alley"? Free screening tonight
If you've watched the proposals stack up along I-95, from Stafford's tech zones to Spotsylvania's giant campuses, here's your chance to ask questions. "The New Data Center Alley," a 26-minute documentary made at the University of Mary Washington, gets a public screening and Q&A tonight.
Tonight, Wed., Nov. 4, 7–9 p.m. · Weatherly Wing, Seacobeck Hall 145, UMW · Free, open to the public
The film was produced over about five weeks last summer by communication and digital studies professor J.D. Swerzenski with students Chloe Adler and Owen Wheeler. Its starting point: with Loudoun and Prince William largely built out, data center development has moved south, and the filmmakers count more than 25 data center campuses proposed or under construction within 10 miles of Fredericksburg. Many are "hyperscale" campuses that use far more land, power and water than the older centers up north.
What we like is that it doesn't only talk to one side. According to the FXBG Advance, the makers interviewed UMW sociology professor and environmental activist Eric Bonds, Erin Sanzero of the monitoring group Protect Stafford, Free Press editor Joey LoMonaco, and local attorney Charlie Payne, who represents data center interests. One number that'll stick with you: the film says a single campus under construction here is planned as a one-gigawatt facility, which it compares to about 1% of Virginia's current power use. That's the filmmakers' figure, and tonight's Q&A is a good place to ask how they got it.
After the screening, the three producers take questions, followed by a reception with light refreshments. Can't make it? The full film is on YouTube. Watch it with whoever in your house keeps asking why the power bill went up.
🎭 Your week, planned
"Dear Evan Hansen" at UMW: The Tony-winning musical opens Thursday at Klein Theatre and runs through Nov. 22, with tickets $5–$40. The deal: tonight's preview is pay-what-you-can. If you're skipping the documentary, this is your cheapest night out of the week.
Night in Washington's Day: Historic Kenmore lights up the Great House 18th-century style, with night-sky viewing and music from Colonial Faire. Sat., Nov. 7, 6–9 p.m., $15 adults, $7 students, free for 5 and under. Timed tickets in advance.
Jazz4Justice: The UMW Jazz Ensemble and Legal Aid Works team up for the 13th year, with proceeds split between student scholarships and free legal help for low-income neighbors. Sat., Nov. 7, 7:30 p.m., Dodd Auditorium, $10.
Model trains at the mall: The Rappahannock Model Railroaders run their layouts near the Spotsylvania Towne Centre food court Saturday 10 a.m.–9 p.m. and Sunday 11 a.m.–4 p.m. Free, and a guaranteed hit with anyone under 8.
Hosting something this weekend we missed? Reply and tell us. Friday's issue has room.
📌 Also worth knowing…
A new playground in Bowling Green: More than 75 volunteers wrapped up a three-day build at Bowling Green Town Park, a partnership of the town, Amazon and the nonprofit KABOOM!, the Free Press reports. Caroline families, go test the slides.
Last call for the Idlewild VRE bus: Fredericksburg Regional Transit ends its Idlewild-to-VRE route on Nov. 23 after council approval. The city says parking at the downtown station isn't the crunch it once was. Riders, start planning now.
Monthly utility bills are coming: City residents, your first monthly water, sewer and trash bills arrive around Nov. 24. The city says rates aren't changing; the bills just show up twice as often.
Free ham radio license exam: If you took the Rappahannock Valley Amateur Radio Club's free fall class, the license exam is Nov. 12 at the Sheriff's substation at Spotsylvania Towne Centre. Details at rvarc.club.
Holiday season is close: Downtown's Holiday Open House Weekend and the Riverfront Park tree lighting are Nov. 14–15. Full guide coming next week.
👋 Before you go
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