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Virginia Democrat Suhas Subramanyam Weigh Dramatic Court Changes After Supreme Court Strikes Down Voter-Approved...
CHANTILLY, Va. — In the wake of a Virginia Supreme Court ruling that invalidated a newly approved congressional redistricting map, some Democrats are exploring...
Virginia House Debates SB727: Bill Banning Assault Firearm Carry in Public Passes Amid Controversy
Tom Garrett described initial shock upon reading the text, which bars carrying such weapons 'about his person' in public areas. He employed a Venn...
Mother Raises Serious Allegations Against Franklin City Schools Over Special Needs Student Care
She contended that although funding is designated to follow individual special needs students, the corresponding level of care does not materialize. According to her...
Fairfax County School Board Faces Internal Criticism from Melanie Meren Over Data Gaps in...
The Fairfax County School Board, which includes Chair Sandy Anderson (At-Large), Karl Frisch (Providence District), Melanie Meren (Hunter Mill District), Rachna Sizemore Heizer (Braddock...
SEIU Union Funds Fuel Expensive Virginia Redistricting Referendum That Was Later Struck Down
In early April 2026, the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Virginia State Council announced a $500,000 contribution from member dues to Virginians for Fair...
Virginia Democrats seek emergency injunction from US Supreme Court in redistricting fight
The U.S. Supreme Court building. (Photo by Ariana Figueroa/States Newsroom)
Virginia Democrats on Monday asked the U.S. Supreme Court to revive the voter-approved redistricting amendment...
Move over, sheep. Cattle are grazing solar sites, too, and that’s good news for...
Cows graze under solar panels at Silicon Ranch's 3.5-MW solar farm in Rutherford County, Tennessee. (Photo courtesy Silicon Ranch)
The conventional wisdom was wrong. And...
House and Senate Budget Proposals Differ by Over $1 Billion on Fairfax County Allocations...
Fairfax County, Virginia's most populous locality with more than 1.1 million residents, faces significant budgetary implications from these discrepancies. The House proposal, which has...
Virginia Democrats File Typo-Riddled Motion Seeking U.S. Supreme Court Review After State Court Strikes...
RICHMOND, Va. — Virginia Democrats have asked the U.S. Supreme Court to intervene in a high-stakes redistricting dispute after the Virginia Supreme Court nullified...
Public health officials warn of rise in measles, as Virginia. hantavirus patient under monitor
A digitally colorized, thin-section transmission electron microscopic image of a single measles virus particle, or virion. (Photo courtesy Centers for Disease Control and Invention...
Virginia House Debates Leadership Structure for New Distributed Energy Resources Task Force
Helmer's comments focused on Recommendation 3 within the bill, arguing that board-chosen leadership aligns with standard practices for such advisory groups. The exchange highlighted...
Debate Heats Up in Fairfax County Over Recommending Smartphone Delay for Children Until 8th...
Proponents argue that early smartphone introduction fosters addiction, comparable to other compulsive behaviors, impairing impulse control and daily functioning. Behavioral challenges manifest as increased...
A Not So Star Spangled Banner
In a Nation deeply divided and searching for common ground, one would think a unifying theme would be the founding of our Great Nation,...
Virginia Marijuana retail plan in limbo after lawmakers reject Spanberger changes
In Virginia, the future of a legal, regulated market for adult-use marijuana remains in limbo years after possession was legalized. (Photo Illustration by Mario...
Prince William County’s Transit Operations: Funding Without General Fund Reliance and Comparison to Fairfax...
The system's annual revenue totals about $30 million, sourced from mechanisms including local contributions and fares, with $20 million allocated from state grants and...
Dr. Kimberly Melman-Orozco Alleges Prince William County School Board Offered $20K NDA in ADA...
Melman-Orozco stated that the offer was made to prevent further discussion of the issues, which she claims involved failures to accommodate her child's needs...
Virginia Supreme Court Strikes Down Voter-Approved Redistricting Amendment, Sparking Debate Over Procedural Rules Versus...
RICHMOND, Va. — On May 8, 2026, the Virginia Supreme Court ruled that a Democrat-backed constitutional amendment authorizing temporary partisan redistricting of congressional districts...
Democrats fail to pass budget
In politics, there are some days when whole months can happen. The General Assembly reconvened on Wednesday, April 22, and it was one...
Resident Voices Financial Hardship at Warren County Supervisors Meeting Over Proposed Tax Increase
In his public comment, Jenkins stated he works six days a week, tithes at church, and pays his taxes diligently. He disclosed having only...
FBI raids Sen. Louise Lucas’ Portsmouth office, marijuana business
State Sen. Louise Lucas, D-Portsmouth, on the Senate floor at the Virginia Capitol in Richmond. Federal agents on Wednesday raided Lucas’ Portsmouth office and...
DOJ Civil Rights Division Launches Investigation into Fairfax County Commonwealth’s Attorney Steve Descano for...
The U.S. Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division has initiated a formal federal investigation into the Office of the Fairfax County Commonwealth’s Attorney, led...
FBI Executes Multiple Raids on Virginia Senate Leader Louise Lucas’s Office and Related Sites...
Portsmouth, Virginia – Federal agents with the FBI carried out search warrants Wednesday at the Portsmouth office of Virginia State Senate President Pro Tempore...
Local governments race to attract data centers, often in spite of concerns from their...
Marvell data center is one of eight newly approved data center campuses in Culpeper County. (Photo by Evan Visconti/Virginia Mercury).
Data centers — proposed beside...
Loudoun County Proposes New Taxpayer-Funded Short-Term Rent Supplement Program
Loudoun County, Virginia—one of the wealthiest counties in the United States—may soon launch a new county-funded “short-term rent supplement program” aimed at promoting housing...
Virginia Legislation Seeks Modernization of Social Services Technology Systems
Virginia lawmakers are advancing legislation aimed at modernizing the technological infrastructure supporting the state's administration of key federal benefit programs. House Bill 66, introduced...
State bus line debuts new east-west route that connects 10 cities across Virginia
The state's bus line The Virginia Breeze launchd a new east-west route, The Tidewater Current, on April 20, 2026. Passengers may travel from Virginia...
Fairfax County Parent Urges Superintendent Michelle Reid’s Resignation Over Alleged Mishandling of School Incidents
FCPS has faced multiple controversies during Reid's tenure, which began in 2022 after her appointment by the Fairfax County School Board. One prominent issue...
Fairfax County School Board Considers Amendment to Reduce Elementary Early Release Days
The board, consisting of Chair Sandy Anderson (Springfield District), Ricardy Anderson (Mason District), Melanie Meren (Hunter Mill District), Robyn Lady (Vice Chair, Dranesville District),...
Inventory Uncovers Compliance Gaps in Loudoun County Venues Posing Public Safety Concerns
The review detected volume anomalies across the venues, described as warranting further investigation from both administrative and investigative standpoints. Officials noted that such discrepancies...
Virginia Delegate Lopez Critiques School Curriculum Limits in House Address
Lopez pointed to Youngkin's inauguration day actions, where the governor issued multiple executive orders, including one targeting inherently divisive concepts in curricula. This order...
New court challenge targets Virginia abortion amendment ballot language
Family Foundation president Victoria Cobb speaks alongside lawyers and plaintiffs in a case challenging Virginia's pending ballot referendum to enshrine reproductive rights into the...
Heated Exchange with Melanie Meren Fairfax County School Board Meeting Centers on Tech Contract...
During the session, Melanie Meren took the floor, holding a small potted plant adorned with pink flowers, to demand prompt transparency on the contract....
Virginia Farmers impacted by Hurricane Helene may apply for farm recovery grants
Flooding in Damascus, Virginia on September 27, 2024, after Hurricane Helene. (Photo courtesy of Virginia Department of Emergency Management)
Next week, the Virginia Farm Recovery...
Fairfax Supervisors Reject Motion to Review Immigration Policy Amid Backlash Over Local Murder Case
During a Public Safety Committee meeting, Springfield District Supervisor Pat Herrity proposed directing county staff to review the 'Trust Policy,' formally known as the...
Abigail Spanberger’s first 100 days are flashing a warning Virginia Democrats should not ignore
Gov. Abigail Spanberger signs bills to set referendums for four constitutional amendments on Feb. 6, 2026. (Photo by Charlotte Rene Woods/ Virginia Mercury)
Gov. Abigail...
A new law will make it easier to build a tiny house in your...
An ADU with alley access in Richmond’s Fan neighborhood. (Photo by Wyatt Gordon)
Accessory dwelling units — which could be a tiny house on another...
Virginia Supreme Court weighs challenge to redistricting amendment
The Supreme Court of Virginia in Richmond on April 27, 2026. (Photo by Samantha Willis/Virginia Mercury)
The Supreme Court of Virginia on Monday heard arguments...
Data center tax exemption changes still holding up Virginia budget
Virginia House Speaker Don Scott (left) and Senate President Pro Tempore Louise Lucas speak with reporters on Wednesday. (Photo by Charles Paullin/Inside Climate News)
This...
Concerns Mount Over Mold and HVAC Issues in Virginia Public Schools
A notable case cited involves schools in Chesterfield County's Douglas District. There, significant delays in HVAC maintenance reportedly resulted in the release of Legionella...
Mount Vernon’s Revolutionary War Weekend Returns May 2-3: Step Into History as America’s 250th...
MOUNT VERNON, Va. – Just one week from now, George Washington’s Mount Vernon estate will once again come alive with the sights, sounds, and...
Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office Delivers Swift Justice: Transgender-Identifying Substitute Teacher Arrested for Alleged ‘Murder...
In a decisive move that underscores the critical importance of community vigilance and strong law enforcement in protecting our children, the Loudoun County Sheriff’s...
Tensions Escalate at Fairfax County School Board Meeting Over Vote on Unfinished Calendar
Hunter Mill District's Melanie Meren voiced strong reservations, noting past instances where motions passed without full review but insisting she required a complete view...
Early poll is sobering for Spanberger, but it’s a wake-up call, not an epitaph
Gov. Abigail Spanberger speaks with reporters outside the Executive Mansion in Richmond earlier this month. (Photo by Markus Schmidt/Virginia Mercury)
The first report card on...
Fairfax County Student Representative Addresses School Board on Impact of Frequent Early Release Days
Anderson pointed to several specific concerns raised by students, teachers, and peers. She noted that early release days lead to inconsistent schedules across different...
Virginia Supreme Court Prepares to Hear Challenge to Narrowly Passed Redistricting Amendment
The amendment stems from Democratic efforts in the General Assembly to revisit congressional maps drawn in 2021 by the state Supreme Court. Those maps,...
Virginia lawmakers recess special session without a budget deal
The Virginia state Capitol in Richmond, where lawmakers convened Thursday for a special session to finalize the budget. (Photo by Charlotte Rene Woods/Virginia Mercury)
The...
GOP’s hope to undo Virginia’s new redistricting power grows after judge halts maps
Supreme Court of Virginia in Richmond, Va. (Photo by Parker Michels-Boyce for The Virginia Mercury)
After losing Tuesday’s closely watched redistricting referendum, Virginia Republicans are...
Conservation groups raise alarm as Potomac River named most endangered in the nation
A view of the U.S. Capitol from the Potomac River, March 30, 2026. (Photo by Shannon Heckt/Virginia Mercury)
The Potomac River, otherwise known as “the...
Va. lawmakers OK governor’s tweaks to major bills, reject health and labor bill amendments
Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger speaks with the press as lawmakers deliberate her changes to their bills on April 22, 2026. (Photo by Charlotte Rene...
March for Life abortion opponents hit the streets in Virginia March for Life
As the governor, advocates and lawmakers celebrated the new maternal health laws inside the Patrick Henry Building Wednesday morning, about 1,000 people gathered outside...
Public Comment Urges Solar and Battery Integration for Proposed Virginia County Government Center
The commenter commended these provisions as successful steps toward environmental protection but advocated for additional requirements: installation of rooftop solar panels and battery storage...
Hospitals are not closing down
The hospitals in the area say that they will continue to serve the region, despite possible cuts in Medicaid funding which were approved...
Tazewell Circuit Court Blocks Certification of Virginia’s Redistricting Referendum, Ruling Process Unconstitutional
TAZEWELL, Va. — In a dramatic late-day ruling issued Wednesday, April 22, 2026, the Tazewell Circuit Court blocked certification of results from Tuesday’s special...
Virginia voters back redistricting amendment after months of legal and political battles
A voter casts a ballot in the April 21 redistricting referendum at the Stonebridge Recreational Center in Chesterfield County. (Photo by Markus Schmidt/Virginia Mercury)
Virginia...
Loudoun County Allocates $85.8 Million to Attainable Housing Since FY2023 in Proposed FY27 Budget
Key components of the FY27 proposal include $10.5 million allocated to a loan program anticipated to fund 100 units and $4.5 million for the...
George Washington University Hires Judge Overseeing Antisemitism Case Against It to Teach Discretionary and...
The Washington Free Beacon showed that George Washington University hired a federal judge who is presiding a lawsuit accusing GW Law of "pervasive antisemitic...
Loudoun County Farmer Highlights Concerns on Agrotourism’s Impact on Rural Preservation
Rockland Farm's history traces back over 200 years within the Rust and Brown-Devlin family lineage, including figures like Elizabeth Devlin. The site has weathered...
Purcellville Town Council Member Voices Strong Opposition to Valley Commerce Center Rezoning at Loudoun...
PURCELLVILLE, Va. — Loudoun County residents and local officials packed the Board of Supervisors chambers on April 15 for a contentious public hearing on...
Abigail Spanberger signs bill forcing Virginia schools to add ‘Restorative Disciplinary practices’ before suspending...
Abigail Spanberger, the Virginia governor, signed into law a state bill that was passed by her Democratic colleagues. The bill prohibits public schools in...
10 questions and answers about Virginia’s redistricting referendum
(Photo illustration by States Newsroom)
Virginians will head to the polls Tuesday to approve or reject a closely watched constitutional amendment that could reshape the...
Loudoun County Approves Zoning Amendments to Facilitate Reconstruction of Agricultural Buildings
Rural zoning in Loudoun County is designed to promote and protect agricultural land use. Essential structures like barns support daily farm activities, including crop...
Loudoun Supervisor Koran Saines Denies Data Center Financial Ties During April 7 Board Meeting,...
LOUDOUN COUNTY, Va. — In a pointed defense of his integrity amid ongoing public scrutiny of data center development in Loudoun County, Sterling District...
Spanberger acts on immigration bills, seeks changes to ICE-related measures
Protesters hold signs outside Richmond City Hall in August during a rally against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detentions, calling for the city to...
Public Input Calls for Enhanced Sustainability Features in Loudoun County’s Tuscarora Land Bay 4...
The application addresses development on the property designated for county government use. Proposed conditions encompass stormwater protection and related design elements, invasive species certification...
Former Virginia Lt. Gov. Justin Fairfax kills wife, then himself, police say
Former Virginia Lt. Gov. Justin Fairfax presides over the state Senate during the 2020 General Assembly session in Richmond; police say he fatally shot...
Governor amends bills that shift costs onto data centers. Critics say her tweaks weaken...
Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger listens as former President Barack Obama speaks at a Nov. 2025 rally for her campaign when she was the Democratic...
Uptick in continued Virginia General Assembly legislation reflects varied motivations
The State Capitol in Richmond. (Photo by Kacy Lee/Capital News Service)
By Kacy Lee/VCU Capital News Service
RICHMOND, Va. — Hundreds of bills were continued to...
Supreme Court ruling revives debate over conversion therapy bans, including in Virginia
The U.S. Supreme Court on Oct. 9, 2024. (Photo by Jane Norman/States Newsroom)
An 8-1 ruling from the U.S. Supreme Court has revived a legal...
Spanberger signs sweeping gun legislation reshaping Virginia’s firearm laws
Gun safety advocates at a Moms Demand Actions rally in Richmond. (Photo by Markus Schmidt/Virginia Mercury)
Just hours before a midnight deadline, Gov. Abigail Spanberger...
Governor pitches amendments to Prescription Drug Affordability Board bill that some say ‘nullify’ it
Photo illustration of prescription medicine in bottles. (Photo by Charlotte Rene Woods/Virginia Mercury)
While Gov. Abigail Spanberger never signaled she would sign the proposed Prescription...
Loudoun County’s FY 2027 Proposed Budget, Non-Departmental Expenditures
Loudoun County’s FY 2027 Proposed Budget lists Non-Departmental Expenditures as one of the largest single categories in the General Fund, totaling approximately $2.103 billion...
Loudoun Education Foundation Bridges Meal Gap for LCPS Students During Snow Day Closures
LEF's Fueled program supplies weekend meal bags, in-school food pantries, and snacks to 56 LCPS schools. By mid-school year, the program had distributed more...
Loudoun County Resident Opposes Proposed Maintenance Facility Citing Child Safety and Recent Fatal Crash
The speaker stated, 'I believe this location is not befitting for the purpose that it is being intended for,' emphasizing the facility's potential as...
Ethiopian Orthodox Christians mark Easter in Washington with prayer and joyful family celebrations
WASHINGTON, D.C. (AP) - Dressed in all white, hundreds Ethiopian Orthodox Christians crowded into Washington, D.C.'s DSK Mariam Church, to sing hymns and pray...
Marijuana testing challenges persist as Virginia retail market nears
Photo of Virginia Cannabis Control Authority graphic with campaign material on their website. (Photo courtesy Virginia Cannabis Control Authority)
By Stef Anderson/VCU Capital News Service
RICHMOND,...
18-year old found guilty of groping Fairfax Co. High school students
A Fairfax County High School 18-year old student was found guilty of groping a number of female classmates.
Israel Flores Ortiz, who was initially charged...
Oakhill Farm, Monroe’s Loudoun County estate on pause
Landscape near Oak Hill Farm in Loudoun County, the former seat of President James Monroe, where legislators are trying to create a public park....
Virginia set to rejoin RGGI as utilities prepare to pass the cost back to...
A natural gas-fired power plant. (Photo by Getty Images)
Virginia is poised to reenter the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative this summer, a move that could...
US employers created 178,000 new jobs in March, a huge increase from the February...
WASHINGTON, D.C. (AP) - American employers created 178,000 jobs in March, a surprising number after a dismal month of February. The unemployment rate dropped...
Virginia sees 33,000 ACA enrollment drop since subsidies expired, more likely on the way
(Photo by Getty Images)
What might be pocket change to some can be a breaking point for others — forcing tough choices between health insurance...
‘Skill’ slot machines are a risky bet for Virginia
Skill games in a Richmond corner store. The games popped up in gas stations, convenience stores and bars around the state before they were...
Abigail Spanberger signs first wave of bills targeting health care, housing and energy cost
Gov. Abigail Spanberger has signed the first first batch of bills passed by state lawmakers before they adjourned in mid-March, advancing measures on health...
The debate over Fairfax Co.’s casino is centered on a question: Does Tysons really...
As Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger is weighing whether she will sign a measure allowing voters to decide whether or not to build a Casino...
Loudoun County Democrat School Board Votes Down Expansion of School Resource Officers to Elementary...
In a 5-3-1 vote during a special meeting on March 5, 2026, the board declined to endorse the expansion. The full board includes Chair...
LCPS Gambles with Student Safety: Defying Severe Storm Warnings While Neighbors Close Schools
Another day, another episode of chaos dressed up and promoted as exceptionalism by Loudoun County Public Schools.Regional Weather Warnings and Neighboring Districts' Responses
Over the...
Virginia General Assembly Debates Tax Treatment of Vacant Land Amid Housing Concerns
During the public session, one speaker advocated for reduced taxation on undeveloped parcels, arguing it would incentivize property owners and developers to improve the...
Virginia voter guide: Ballot questions voters about Democratic efforts to redraw the congressional map
Legal challenges to redistricting efforts are playing out in court. A referendum which would allow Democratic legislators to temporarily redraw Virginia’s congressional map continues...
Mark Warner files for reelection, launching bid for fourth U.S. Senate term caught lying...
Virginia Sen. Mark Warner speaks with reporters in the U.S. Capitol building in October. (Photo by Jennifer Shutt/States Newsroom)
U.S. Sen. Mark Warner formally launched...
Virginia Lawmakers Debate Sales Tax Impact on School Funding Amid Richmond-Suburb Shopping Patterns
Under Virginia law, localities collect a 1% share of the 6% sales tax on transactions occurring within their borders. This money supports general funds,...
Virginia Referendum Pits Redistricting Proposals Against Voter-Approved Commission
The proposal stems from legislation passed by the Democrat-majority House of Delegates and Senate. It would suspend the decennial redistricting cycle mandated by Amendment...
Virginia League of Women Voters Endorses SB 58 to Increase Mail Ballot Deadlines
SB 58 aims to adapt election procedures to contemporary challenges in mail delivery. Currently, mail ballots must be postmarked by Election Day and received...
Loudoun School Board Rejects SRO Expansion for Elementary Schools Despite Sheriff Data
The board, which includes members Ross Svenson, Anne Donohue, and additional representatives from the district's regions, conducted citizen participation. Speakers stressed vulnerabilities of young...
Virginia Republicans Unanimously Approves Bill Easing Rental Lease Terminations for Military Personnel
RICHMOND, Va. - The Virginia General Assembly has delivered a strong show of support for the state's military community by passing House Bill 174,...
Early voting underway for Virginians to weigh in on congressional redistricting plan
Virginians can now begin voting on whether the state should temporarily redraw its congressional districts as part of a rare springtime special election.
The step,...
Minimum Wage to $15 by 2028 Amid Close Vote
RICHMOND, Va. – The Virginia Senate gave final legislative approval to House Bill 1 on March 4, 2026, passing the measure by a narrow...
Virginia Concealed Carry Reciprocity Reform Bill Falters in House Public Safety Committee
RICHMOND, Va. – Legislation aimed at tightening Virginia's concealed handgun permit reciprocity standards met a roadblock in the House Public Safety Committee, where House...
Virginia HB4 Clears Senate Committee, Poised to Expand Local Control Over Affordable Housing Sales
RICHMOND, Va. — House Bill 4, a measure designed to preserve affordable housing in Virginia, advanced through the Senate General Laws and Technology Committee...
Virginia Legislature Overwhelmingly Approves HB 312 to Safeguard Consumers in Auto Glass Repair Industry
RICHMOND — In a display of strong bipartisan consensus, the Virginia General Assembly has advanced House Bill 312, establishing clear notice requirements for motor...
Virginia House Bill HB311 Aims to Enhance Driver Protections in Photo Speed Monitoring Enforcement
In the 2026 Virginia General Assembly session, House Bill 311, introduced by Delegate Otto Wachsmann, sought to amend state law governing photo speed monitoring devices by requiring more detailed information on mailed summonses for captured violations.
Virginia General Assembly Advances HB54 to Bolster State Government Talent Pipeline with New Internship...
RICHMOND, Va. – The Virginia General Assembly has made significant progress on House Bill 54, a measure aimed at strengthening the Commonwealth's public sector...