Virginia’s 7th Congressional District is one of the tightest races in the country, and Republican primary voters head to the polls on August 4. In this Potomac Local News interview, Kelly Sienkowski sits down with Philip Harding, the businessman, former presidential fellow, and entrepreneur seeking the Republican nomination to take on incumbent Democrat Eugene Vindman in November.

Harding, a first-generation college graduate who earned degrees from Harvard, worked in Congress and the Pentagon, and founded the global company Impact Junkie, makes the case that Northern Virginia families are crushed by government overreach, rising taxes, and a national debt he says exceeds $100 trillion when unfunded liabilities are counted. He argues the solution is not more programs but stronger families, fewer regulations, lower tax burdens, and a return to free-market principles that let people create and flourish.

From Stafford and Fredericksburg to Spotsylvania and Prince William, Harding says voters keep telling him the same thing: the cost of living is too high, parental rights in schools are under threat, and federal shutdowns keep punishing the region’s large federal workforce and contractors. He supports reducing or eliminating the U.S. Department of Education, backs private-sector solutions like Invest America accounts, and wants Congress to stop the cycle of shutdowns by focusing on outcomes instead of grandstanding.

Harding also discusses his campaign album Grit and Dreams, his background as a pastor’s son and associate pastor, and why he believes the Democratic Party’s direction toward socialism is a dead end that Virginians are rejecting. He frames the race as a choice between failed systems of the past and a brighter future built on the American dream.

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Residents in Fredericksburg are spooked by a data center in Manassas — and the connection is closer than you think. On July 21, locals packed the Central Rappahannock Regional Library for a community forum titled “Are We the New Data Center Alley?” as massive server farms push south from Loudoun County through Prince William, Stafford, and beyond.

Virginia already hosts more than 600 data centers — more than any other place on Earth — and the industry keeps expanding. Officials love the promised millions in tax revenue for police, fire, and schools. But Manassas learned the hard way with the Brickyard project: when a bank leased space inside the facility, state law exempted those assets from BPOL taxes. The city lost out on several million dollars it thought was coming. Former Fredericksburg City Council member Matt Kelly warned the revenue is not stable and urged localities to earmark it for specific needs like housing instead of dumping it into the general fund. Homeowners, he noted, still end up paying when real estate tax rates adjust against rising assessments.

Water is the other pressure point. Data centers need enormous amounts of it for cooling. Governor Abigail Spanberger’s administration finally released a long-delayed report on the Eastern Coastal Plain Aquifer — six months late. The study shows groundwater east of I-95 is already constrained by population growth and industrial use. New data centers relying on evaporative cooling are unlikely to receive reliable permits in that region. Critics are asking why the report sat on a shelf while the state continues courting more facilities.

In Stafford County, a proposed data center near the Eskimo Hill Road landfill has raised questions about possible unmarked graves tied to enslaved people from 150 years ago. A member of the county’s historical commission alleged a cultural-resource staffer was told not to attend the public hearing. A FOIA request returned no records of any such order. A local resident later walked back related claims with an “if true” qualifier, leaving the controversy unresolved.

Also in this episode: efforts to launch formal slug lines on I-66 express lanes at the Monument Drive Garage in Fair Oaks and the University Boulevard Park and Ride in Gainesville, plus a look at stray animals currently at the Prince William County Animal Shelter.

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Manassas City School Board candidate Marina Dove has spent years posting on Facebook about prayer in public schools, Bible reading, rejecting evolutionary science, and affirming traditional marriage as one man and one woman. Those posts are now front and center as she seeks the Democratic Party’s nomination for one of three open seats this November.

In today’s episode, Uriah Kiser breaks down the timeline of Dove’s posts from 2024 through earlier this year, the joint campaign kickoff she held with incumbent Lisa Stevens and Marcus Still, and the complete silence from both Dove and the Manassas and Manassas Park Cities Democratic Committee when asked for comment. School board races in Virginia are officially nonpartisan, but party endorsements still matter—and none have been announced yet.

We also cover the latest from across Northern Virginia: only half of the first graduating class from Mary Washington Health Care’s Graduate Medical Education program is staying in the Fredericksburg area; strong thunderstorms are on the way for Tuesday; HoneyGrow has opened its first local spot in Gainesville; and the Rappahannock Swim League Divisional Championships wrapped up at the Jeff Rouse Center in Stafford with more than 2,000 young swimmers competing.

Plus, Volunteer Prince William opportunities, a fatal crash on Prince William Parkway, Virginia’s early position in the 2028 Democratic primary calendar, and how you can send tips, photos, and news directly to the newsroom.

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This independent local coverage exists because readers and viewers like you keep it going. If you value straight reporting on Manassas, Stafford, Prince William, and the rest of Northern Virginia without the national noise, hit like, drop a comment with your thoughts on the school board race, subscribe, and turn on notifications so you never miss an update.

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Prince William County residents packed a Nokesville rally Thursday night to push back against Dominion Energy’s proposed 6.5-mile transmission line. The line would link a substation in Nokesville to another near data centers off Hornbaker Road outside Manassas. State Senators Jeremy McPike and Danica Roem, plus Board Chair Deshundra Jefferson, spoke out against it. Locals say they’ve had enough of the data center boom and the power infrastructure that comes with it.

This is the latest chapter in Northern Virginia’s data center story. Just days earlier the State Corporation Commission green-lit another transmission line in Loudoun County despite strong opposition from residents and local officials worried about homes and schools. Data centers already built or under construction are sitting on waiting lists because the grid simply doesn’t have enough power yet. Meanwhile, a land-swap proposal near Prince William Forest Park could put four more data centers close to Quantico Creek, raising water-quality alarms from conservation groups.

Elsewhere in the region: Spotsylvania Superintendent Clint Mitchell says pre-employment drug testing would drive away good teachers. State Senator Tara Durant and a school board member are pushing back and seeking an Attorney General opinion. Senator Louise Lucas has transferred $300,000 from her campaign account to cover legal costs after the May FBI raids on her Portsmouth office and cannabis business—she has not been charged.

In Woodbridge, Supervisor Jeannie LaCroix and Keep Prince William Beautiful led one of the biggest Route 1 cleanups in recent memory. Fairfax County schools will roll out tap-to-ride cards on buses this fall for tracking, meals, and field trips. Fredericksburg is converting hundreds more streetlights to LED.

We also dig into the $57 million parking garage between Sentara Northern Virginia Medical Center and Wegmans that remains largely empty. OmniRide moved its transit hub there. Podcaster Kevin Parker went to document the scene, had his e-bike stolen, spotted the thief crossing I-95 on Opitz Boulevard, and got the bike back the same day.

Support independent local journalism that covers the stories that actually affect Stafford, Prince William, and the rest of Northern Virginia.

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A brand-new parking garage sits between Sentara hospital and Wegmans in Woodbridge. It was sold as a major win for transit and drivers. Two years later, it’s still mostly empty — and nearly impossible to reach on foot or by bike.

Community advocate Kevin Parker joins Uriah Kiser on the Potomac Local News Podcast to walk through exactly what he found. Parker wrote about the garage for Greater Greater Washington after watching groups of people carrying plastic bags walk in the roadway across the busy Opitz Boulevard bridge over I-95. The same stretch serves the new homeless navigation center and the relocated OmniRide local bus hub.

The garage was originally tied to a Potomac Nationals baseball stadium that never happened. Supervisors warned years ago it would be underutilized. The bus transfer point was later moved there anyway, forcing riders and pedestrians through a dangerous interchange with incomplete sidewalks, long signal waits, and no continuous path on the side closest to the services people need.

Parker also shares the moment someone rode off on his e-bike while he was photographing the site — and how he got it back. The episode digs into the planning silos, the cost of the project, and whether VDOT or Prince William County will ever fix the pedestrian access that was never designed in.

Parker's article: https://ggwash.org/view/104112/where-even-the-homeless-may-need-to-drive

If you live in Woodbridge, Dale City, Lake Ridge, or anywhere that relies on OmniRide in eastern Prince William County, this one matters. The decisions made here affect how people without cars get to jobs, medical care, and basic services.

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Watch the full conversation for the photos, the history, and the questions that still haven’t been answered about one of the county’s biggest recent transportation investments.

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The world’s longest-running play is right here in Stafford County. Agatha Christie’s The Mousetrap has landed at the Riverside Center for the Performing Arts, bringing its snowstorm, strangers, and shocking murder mystery to Fredericksburg audiences through August 23.

Uriah Kiser sat down with two of the stars: Mia Gomez-Montero, making her Riverside debut as Molly Ralston, and longtime Riverside regular Kevin Cleary as her stage husband Giles. Fresh off a master’s from the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama, Mia talks about shifting from musicals into pure mystery, perfecting a rock-solid British accent, and discovering that Molly and Giles could almost be the Maitlands from Beetlejuice. Kevin, who previously played Jesus in Jesus Christ Superstar and Poirot in Murder on the Orient Express, explains what it’s like to flip from detective to the guy who is very much not in control of the chaos.

They dig into the breakneck three-and-a-half-week rehearsal process, the intricate post-World War II set that becomes a character itself, and how a tight-knit cast of smart, locked-in actors made the legendary script feel fresh. You’ll hear about the humor of doors and misspelled signs, the respect required for Christie’s words, and why this production of the West End classic is landing so well with Northern Virginia crowds.

The Mousetrap runs July 15 through August 23, 2026 at Riverside in Stafford County. Tickets and full show details are at RiversideDT.com. If you love sharp local theater, classic mysteries, and the people bringing Broadway energy to the Fredericksburg area, this conversation is for you.

If this interview made you want to grab tickets or just support independent local journalism, hit like, drop a comment with your favorite Agatha Christie twist, subscribe, and turn on notifications so you never miss the next story from Stafford, Fredericksburg, Manassas, and beyond.

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Manassas is staring at big changes — and Eugene “Doc” Brown wants a seat at the table.

In this Potomac Local News podcast interview, longtime community advocate Eugene Brown sits down with Uriah Kiser to talk about his run for Manassas City Council, the controversial 167-apartment project planned next to the historic Meredith House, new affordable housing at the old DMV site on Godwin Drive, the city’s ongoing school challenges, and the political transition as Mayor Michelle Davis-Younger prepares to step down.

Brown breaks down the tension between Manassas’ “historic heart, modern beat” brand and the reality of dense new development downtown. He explains why the city needs housing and a parking garage but questions whether the current renderings fit Old Town’s character. He also digs into the Landings at Cannon Branch project, the school board’s debate over AI policies for student papers, and what the departure of Mayor Davis-Younger and Delegate Michelle Maldonado means for the city’s future.

A longtime Prince William and Manassas face with deep roots in the chamber, workforce development, and human services, Brown lays out his three-part platform: Stay (aging in place for seniors and veterans), Move (better mobility and transportation options), and Connect (strengthening community and senior centers). He shares how a Boys & Girls Club case study years ago shaped his focus on after-school resources and why he believes the city must better link nonprofits, schools, and local government.

Whether you live in Old Town, the Landings, or anywhere in the independent city of Manassas, this conversation covers the issues that will shape the next few years.

Canadian wildfire smoke is heading straight for Northern Virginia, bringing hazy skies and poor air quality to Stafford, Manassas, Fredericksburg and beyond. In this episode of the Potomac Local News Podcast, host Uriah Kiser breaks down the forecast, health warnings for sensitive groups, and what to expect this weekend.

Manassas City School Board members clash over AI plagiarism. One pushes for expensive new detection software costing tens of thousands, while others say traditional teacher methods have worked for decades—no new spending required. Plus, Fredericksburg police roll out powerful AI license plate readers and real-time translation tools in 57 languages to solve crimes faster on the streets.

Uriah also introduces Potomac Local News’ new business partnership program—three tiers designed to help local companies and nonprofits reach 82,000 monthly readers, daily email subscribers, podcast listeners, and social audiences while supporting independent community journalism.

Like, comment, subscribe, and turn on notifications for more hyper-local Northern Virginia news, politics, schools, public safety, and weather updates. Text news tips to 571-989-1695.

Stafford County police are investigating a suspicious package, shutting down Route 1 (Richmond Highway) in the Widewater area near the Joy of Living Church. Drivers should use I-95 to avoid delays.

In Manassas, the historic 165-year-old Meredith House social club is closing after a major renovation. Rising costs, limited membership, and a non-renewed ABC license led to the difficult decision. Meanwhile, plans for a large 165-unit apartment complex and parking garage could dramatically change downtown.

Prince William County is preparing for federal election monitors during the August 4 primary as the DOJ seeks more information on its Spanish language election assistance program. Plus, the community mourns Peggy Curry, a beloved longtime waitress at Montclair Family Restaurant who passed away while at work.

Uriah Kiser breaks down these local stories impacting Stafford, Manassas, Prince William, and Northern Virginia residents.

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We break down the July 8, 2026, Architectural Review Board work session on the controversial Center Street redevelopment project in Old Town Manassas.

The proposed project by Mid-Atlantic Land Group would replace the former Olde Towne Inn and MIFCO sites with ~167 multifamily apartments, a six-story parking garage (500+ spaces), and a future boutique hotel — all within the historic overlay district. Residents raised strong concerns about the building’s height, massive scale, and compatibility with the historic character of Center and Zebedee streets, particularly the way the new structure wraps around the historic Meredith House.

We’ll review:

Public comments from Preserve Historic Manassas, longtime residents, and former officials

Design team updates on brick facades, stepbacks, materials, and garden plaza plans

ARB discussion on design guidelines and the balance between historic preservation and downtown density/housing goals

Is this project the revitalization Old Town needs, or does it go too far? What should the ARB require next?

Drop your thoughts in the chat — we’ll read some live. This is your chance to weigh in on the future of historic Manassas.

📍 Old Town Manassas, VA

🗓️ Next ARB session expected ~July 18–21

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#Manassas #OldTownManassas #HistoricPreservation #VirginiaPolitics