Dogwood Daily: The Amazon effect in Northern Virginia

Welcome to today’s edition of the Dogwood Daily. We’ve got a round-up of all today’s Virginia news coming right up. If you’re enjoying the Dogwood Daily, there’s more where that came from. Like a lot more. But not TOO much more.

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But First…

This summer marks the 50th anniversary of the state’s “Virginia is for Lovers” slogan and in commemoration of the anniversary, a three-dimensional “LOVE” artwork will travel around Virginia this summer. So if you want to be the world’s most unusual groupie, now’s your chance.

5 Things you need to know today…

1. Amazon’s impending arrival sends NoVa housing prices soaring – Amazon has caused housing prices in Arlington to increase by at least 7%, up to $713,000, according to a new analysis by the Washington Post. Fairfax County also saw average prices rise by 6% while Alexandria saw a 7% increase over 2018, and the Post’s analysis shows that these surges occurred after Amazon’s announcement in November that it would open its HQ2 in Crystal City.
    
2. Former heads of the EPA blast Trump administration – Four former leaders of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency criticized the Trump administration’s management of the agency, saying the administration runs the risk of harming the environment and public health for years to come. The former EPA leaders, who served presidents of both parties, sounded the alarms about EPA officials abandoning  the agency’s mission, ignoring science, and silencing information about climate change.
    
3. State Sen. Adam Ebbin and Del. Mark Keam endorse Pete Buttigieg for President – Two Democratic state lawmakers, state Sen. Adam Ebbin (D-Alexandria) and Del. Mark Keam (D-Fairfax) announced that they would support South Bend, Ind. Mayor Pete Buttigieg for President. Their endorsements come ahead of Buttigeig’s appearance this Saturday at the Blue Commonwealth Gala, the Democratic Party of Virginia’s annual fundraiser in Richmond.
    
4. Gov. Northam announces round table discussions on gun laws – Gov. Ralph Northam announced his administration would host a series of public discussions on Virginia’s gun laws in advance of the state legislature’s July 9 special session. Northam announced the special session after the May 31 mass shooting in Virginia Beach, saying he wants the Republican-controlled General Assembly to reform the state’s lax gun laws, but Republicans have already indicated they have little interest in doing so.
    
5. Appalachia’s only grocery store to close – Appalachia’s only grocery store, Save-A-Lot, will close on June 21, according to the Coalfield Progress. Town officials say they recently learned of the closure and are trying to find ways to stop businesses from shutting down.The news comes just a few days after WalMart announced it would close its store in nearby Big Stone Gap, depriving residents of southwest Virginia of another source of groceries.