Kunle Falayi
Virginia
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Articles by Kunle Falayi
Another Virginia county drops Flock surveillance
Virginia Center for Investigative Journalism Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Christopher Tyree A car drives past an automatic license plate reader on Route 29 in Charlottesville on June 27, 2025. One of the largest automatic license plate reader networks in the state is shut down Henrico County is ending its contract with Flock Safety, making it the largest Flock camera user in Virginia to cancel the automated license plate reader system.
The mounting costs of the Iran War Original
Virginia Center for Investigative Journalism Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email UPI / Alamy Stock Photo/Alamy Stock Photo / https://www.alamy.com 3E6E3Y8 An Iranian soldier stands amidst the wreckage of a U.S. aircraft that crashed in area near Isfahan, Iran on Monday, April 6, 2026.Iran's Revolutionary Guards said a US aircraft that had been searching for the crew member of a missing US fighter jet had been destroyed, Iranian media reported.
A rural diabetes clinic struggles to provide care
Federal cuts and policy changes have pushed more than 113,000 patients out of Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program in Virginia. The changes have cut reimbursements that sustain clinics in communities like Franklin, a city in the middle of Virginia's diabetes belt.
A rural diabetes clinic struggles to provide care
Federal cuts and policy changes have pushed more than 113,000 patients out of Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program in Virginia. The changes have cut reimbursements that sustain clinics in communities like Franklin, a city in the middle of Virginia's diabetes belt.
A rural diabetes clinic struggles to provide care
Virginia Center for Investigative Journalism Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Federal cuts and policy changes have pushed more than 113,000 patients out of Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program in Virginia. The changes have cut reimbursements that sustain clinics in communities like Franklin, a city in the middle of Virginia's diabetes belt. Click here to read this story.
Amidst cuts, a rural diabetes clinic struggles to provide care
Federal cuts and policy changes have pushed more than 113,000 patients out of Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program in Virginia. The changes have cut reimbursements that sustain clinics in communities like Franklin, a city in the middle of Virginia's diabetes belt.
A small Virginia town de-Flocks Original
Virginia Center for Investigative Journalism Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email David Manson Two of Bridgewater's Flock cameras show bags on them on Wednesday, September 9, the morning after the town council passed a resolution to cancel its contract with Flock Safety. A VCIJ at WHRO analysis of Flock Safety logs found that data from Bridgewater’s commuters was searched millions of times by law enforcement across the country.
A small Virginia town de-Flocks
A VCIJ analysis of Flock Safety logs found that data from Bridgewater’s commuters was searched millions of times by law enforcement across the country. A year later, town leaders voted to dump the AI-powered surveillance network. The Bridgewater Town Council this week canceled its contract with Flock Safety, following months of community unrest over widespread surveillance sparked by a report by the Virginia Center for Investigative Journalism at WHRO.
Inside Virginia’s city halls, concerns, confusion rise with Flock protests Original
Virginia Center for Investigative Journalism Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Jaysun Silver A protester outside Richmond City Hall during a demonstration against Flock cameras before a City Council meeting on July 27, 2026. Photo by Jaysun Silver // VCIJ A VCIJ review of thousands of public records shows widespread misunderstanding and mistrust of Flock Safety – even inside city halls and police headquarters.
Inside Virginia’s city halls, concerns, confusion rise with Flock protests
A VCIJ review of thousands of public records shows widespread misunderstanding and mistrust of Flock Safety – even inside city halls and police headquarters. A Williamsburg resident in March asked the police department at the College of William & Mary how data collected by the school’s Flock Safety surveillance system is shared. Police Chief Don Butler asked Flock for the answer, according to records obtained by the Virginia Center for Investigative Journalism at WHRO.
As Flock surveillance spreads, Virginia communities push back Original
Virginia Center for Investigative Journalism Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Jaysun Silver / Jaysun Silver Protesters hold up “BLOCK FLOCK” signs at a Richmond City Council meeting on July 27, 2026, as part of continuing demonstrations against the 99 Flock cameras installed across the city.
Virginia’s highest public earners come with a whistle or a corner office
A comprehensive analysis by VCIJ at WHRO of Virginia’s public salaries data shows who earns the most – and who lags behind. Virginia’s highest-paid workers were in a league of their own: university coaches and athletic directors dominated the top of the state’s payroll, with several earning more than $1 million.
Virginia’s highest public earners come with a whistle or a corner office
Virginia Center for Investigative Journalism Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Virginia Athletics / Virginia Athletics Tony Elliott displays the TaxSlayer Gator Bowl trophy after UVA’s 13-7 win over Missouri on Dec. 27 at EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville, Florida. The victory capped the Cavaliers’ 2025 season with an 11-3 record, the most victories ever for a UVA football team.
Search our Virginia salary database Original
Virginia Center for Investigative Journalism Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Kunle Falayi / VCIJ The Virginia Center for Investigative Journalism at WHRO compiled salary data for 170,000 state employees in 2025. The Commonwealth of Virginia employed more than 170,000 people across 212 agencies, colleges and universities, medical facilities, and other institutions in 2025.
Audio: An Oceanfront Samaritan sweeps the surf – and finds gold
Arts & Culture Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Kunle Falayi / VCIJ James Whitfield holds his treasure hunting gear at Virginia Beach's oceanfront on Saturday, June 6, 2025. Saturday, June 6, 2026 was a perfect day to visit the Virginia Beach Oceanfront. Warm sun, good vibes and a buzzing crowd provided the ambience for our party of about 50 families and friends from our Richmond-area church.
An Oceanfront Samaritan sweeps the surf – and finds gold
Virginia Center for Investigative Journalism Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Kunle Falayi / VCIJ James Whitfield holds his beach hunting gear at Virginia Beach's oceanfront on Saturday, June 6, 2025. He is flanked by Tos and Bukola Ogunade who lost a $15,000 ring Whitfield found. A church picnic in Virginia Beach turned from joy to panic. Then they spotted a local treasure hunter.
What can consumers expect from the proposed Dominion deal?
NextEra Energy's acquisition of Dominion Energy, if approved, would dramatically increase the company's customer base to about 16 million electric utility customers, making it the largest investor-owned utility in the U.S. It already is the most valuable electric utilityin the world by market capitalization. Florida Power & Light, NextEra's regulated electricity provider, currently serves about 12 million people in Florida.
What can consumers expect from the proposed Dominion deal?
The planned acquisition of Dominion Energy by NextEra Energy brings together two multi-billion-dollar utilities. Here’s how they compare, and what consumers might see ahead NextEra Energy’s acquisition of Dominion Energy, if approved, would dramatically increase the company’s customer base to about 16 million electric utility customers, making it the largest investor-owned utility in the U.S. It already is the most valuable electric utility in the world by market capitalization.
What can consumers expect from the proposed Dominion deal?
Virginia Center for Investigative Journalism Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Alamy Stock Photo / www.alamy.com 2XEFT4J Marshall, Michigan - The Cereal City Solar project, a 100 MW solar farm. It is a project of NextEra Energy Resources, a major developer of renewable e The planned acquisition of Dominion Energy by NextEra Energy brings together two multi-billion-dollar utilities.
A domestic fight, a gun, and a Virginia tragedy
Virginia Center for Investigative Journalism Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email The murder-suicide of a former state official and his wife reveals a common thread in family violence A police officer puts cordon tape on a hydrant outside the home of former Virginia Lieutenant Governor Justin Fairfax, after he shot and killed his wife Cerina Fairfax and himself, according to police, in Annandale, Virginia, U.S, April 16, 2026. REUTERS/Nathan Howard The murder-suicide of former Lt. Gov.
In Virginia, public information has a price Original
Virginia Center for Investigative Journalism Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Kunle Falayi//VCIJ / VCIJ A message from James City County acknowledging VCIJ’s record request and an invoice the county sent. In Virginia, the cost of accessing public records can range from free to tens of thousands of dollars — raising questions about how public that information really is.
Virginia police search vehicle surveillance data 24/7. ‘Why?’ isn’t always clear. Original
Virginia Center for Investigative Journalism Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Kunle Falayi//VCIJ Surveillance image illustration A VCIJ at WHRO analysis of Flock Safety data shows a startling variety of reasons – mandated by a new state law – for vehicle surveillance. Critics say the automatic license plate reader law has made use of the technology even less transparent.
Weapon offenses rise on Virginia university campuses Original
Virginia Center for Investigative Journalism Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Photo by Yiqing Wang First responders block access to Old Dominion University's campus following an on-campus shooting on March 12. One person and the shooter died. VCIJ Weapons law violations at Virginia's colleges and universities have climbed since 2020, driven by cases at Old Dominion University and Virginia Commonwealth University, according to Virginia State Police data.
After police reforms, Virginia traffic stops increase
Virginia law enforcement officers conducted more than 1.24 million stops last year, a 7% increasefrom 2024, according to new data from the Virginia State Police. The records also show a familiar pattern: the likelihood of being stopped or searched still varies by race, despite reforms meant to curb those disparities. The police stops are documented under Virginia's Community Policing Act, a cornerstone of policing reforms enacted in 2021.
After police reforms, Virginia traffic stops increase
Virginia Center for Investigative Journalism Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Norfolk Police Department Law enforcement data from the 2020 Community Policing Act sheds light on traffic enforcement across the Commonwealth Virginia law enforcement officers conducted more than 1.24 million stops last year, a 7% increase from 2024, according to new data from the Virginia State Police.
DOGE cuts wiped out years of growth in Virginia’s federal civilian jobs Original
Federal job losses tied to the Department of Government Efficiency wiped out all of Virginia’s federal job gains of six years in just 11 months last year, according to Bureau of Labor Statistics data. In most years since 2005, Virginia has had a net gain of federal jobs.
DOGE cuts wiped out years of growth in Virginia’s federal civilian jobs
Federal job losses tied to the Department of Government Efficiency wiped out all of Virginia’s federal job gains of six years in just 11 months last year, according to Bureau of Labor Statistics data. In most years since 2005, Virginia has had a net gain of federal jobs.
DOGE cuts wiped out years of growth in Virginia’s federal civilian jobs — Virginia Center for Investigative Journalism
In most years, the Commonwealth has gained federal civilian workers. The Trump administration’s cuts took away more than 20,000 government jobs last year. Federal job losses tied to the Department of Government Efficiency wiped out all of Virginia’s federal job gains of six years in just 11 months last year, according to Bureau of Labor Statistics data. In most years since 2005, Virginia has had a net gain of federal jobs.
DOGE cuts wiped out years of growth in Virginia’s federal civilian jobs Original
Virginia Center for Investigative Journalism Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Christopher Tyree//VCIJ / Virginia Center for Investigative Journalism In February 2025, Goodyear announced that 850 workers would be laid off from their Danville, Virginia, plant. The layoffs here were part of a larger trend across the state as manufacturing took a downturn.
New SNAP requirement raises worries of worsening hunger in Virginia
Health Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Photo by Justin Sullivan A sign noting the acceptance of electronic benefit transfer (EBT) cards, which SNAP beneficiaries use to pay for food, is displayed at a grocery store. The federal shutdown is over, but thousands of Virginians who rely on food stamps are now being told to reapply for SNAP — a process that could leave families without assistance for weeks.
For Virginia foodbanks, growing demand amidst federal cuts — Virginia Center for Investigative Journalism
The Trump administration canceled 94 million pounds of food aid in recent months. Here’s what didn’t make it to Virginia charities. As Virginia’s food banks struggle to meet increased demand, the federal government canceled food purchasing contracts that could have fed thousands of needy residents for months, an analysis by the Virginia Center for Investigative Journalism at WHRO shows.
For Virginia foodbanks, growing demand amidst federal cuts Original
Virginia Center for Investigative Journalism Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Christopher Tyree Pansy Frye and other volunteers load boxes of nonperishable goods for area seniors as part of a federal program at the Blue Ridge Area Food Bank distribution center in Charlottesville, Tuesday, November 12th. Photo by Christopher Tyree The Trump administration canceled 94 million pounds of food aid in recent months. Here’s what didn’t make it to Virginia charities.
Federal cuts and shutdown heighten food insecurity across Virginia — Virginia Center for Investigative Journalism
Federal actions hit hardest on needy families in small cities and rural, southwest counties, according to a VCIJ at WHRO analysis Federal cancellations of food bank contracts and stalled assistance for needy families will hit hardest in Virginia's rural and urban communities, according to an analysis by the Virginia Center for Investigative Journalism at WHRO.
Federal cuts and shutdown heighten food insecurity across Virginia
Virginia Center for Investigative Journalism Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Spencer Platt / Getty Images SNAP beneficiaries will temporarily receive assistance through the Virginia Emergency Nutrition Assistance as government shutdown locks up funding for the federal program.
Virginia statewide races draw big national, out-of-state donors - again — Virginia Center for Investigative Journalism
Billionaires from outside Virginia and partisan groups are fueling campaigns in the final weeks before the Nov. 4 elections. A texting scandal and an 11th-hour redistricting session have brought new money to Virginia’s heated final weeks of the statewide campaign, according to new finance disclosures.
Big money flows to Virginia delegate candidates in Hampton Roads
Hampton Roads may hold the key to which party controls the Virginia House of Delegates this year – and heavy donations are flowing to candidates. Democrats are outraising Republican candidates $7 million to $3.1 million in six competitive races in southeastern Virginia, according to campaign finance data compiled by the nonpartisan Virginia Public Access Project. All 100 House seats are on the ballot Nov. 4. Democrats hold a slim majority going into the election.
For Virginia farmers, a bumper harvest amid growing uncertainty — Virginia Center for Investigative Journalism
President Donald Trump’s tariffs and aggressive immigration enforcement have shaken markets and migrant labor. Kenney Barnard’s family has cultivated tobacco on Hoot Owl Hollow Farm in Amelia Court House since the 1950s. Through decades of shifting public sentiment and declining demand, they held firm.
New $100,000 H-1B visa fee could stun Virginia companies, universities — Virginia Center for Investigative Journalism
Virginia’s businesses, nonprofits and schools employ thousands of foreign professionals. President Trump’s proclamation raising the cost of H-1B visas to $100,000 could send shockwaves through tech companies, universities and even public schools Virginia employers secured nearly 110,000 H-1B visa approvals for foreign skilled workers between 2021 and 2025, underscoring the state’s deep reliance on global talent.
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