Charges
- Dominion Seeks SCC Blessing for Valley Link Affiliates as FERC Weighs 11.4% ROE Incentives
RICHMOND — Dominion Energy is asking Virginia regulators to bless affiliate contracts that would let shell companies carry a
- UCS: Data-Center Grid Hookups Put $4.3B on PJM Customers in 2024 — Virginia Alone Near $2B
Union of Concerned Scientists brief says transmission-level campus taps are socialized through FERC and state rates; Virginia’s 60 tracked projects total about $1.988 billion under the rules Democrat-era load growth exploited.
- Spanberger presents slate of data center regulation proposals, puts first directives in motion
Gov. Abigail Spanberger signed Executive Order 22 on Friday, Sept. 18 to kick off her data center regulation package.
- Airport leaders in the region seek to expand service from Dulles airport to Asia
Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority officials attended an event in Taipei (via MWAA).
- Ghiorzi Family Tells SCC to Reject Dominion’s IRP: Co-Locate Generation or Make Data Centers Pay for Underground HVDC
LOVETTSVILLE, Va. — In April 2025 comments on Dominion’s 2024 Integrated Resource Plan (PUR-2024-00184), Theresa Ghiorzi and relatives urge the SCC to reject the plan, require campus co-located baseload, and stop socializing ‘multi-driver’ 500/765 kV extension cords from West Virginia coal across 13 PJM states.
- Century-Old Law Gives Virginia Legislator-Lawyers Broad Power to Delay Court Cases
State law allows attorneys serving in the General Assembly to obtain continuances in court proceedings when legislative duties interfere.
- Loudoun Sheriff Issues Letter Clarifying ICE Cooperation Practices
Loudoun County is governed by a nine-member Board of Supervisors that includes Chair At-Large Phyllis Randall, Vice Chair Michael Turner of the Ashburn District, Juli Briskman of the Algonkian District, Sylvia Glass of the Broad Run District, Caleb Kershner of the Catoctin District, Matthew Letourneau of the Dulles District, Kristen Umstattd of the Leesburg District, Laura TeKrony of the Little River District, and Koran Saines of the Sterling District.
- States take action against ‘claim sharks,’ who charge veterans for disability assistance
Consultants who charge military veterans to help them file their disability claims at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs make millions of dollars each year.
- Names of Criminal Aliens Arlington Released Instead of Transferring to ICE
Judiciary staff detail Ricardo Castro Ramirez, Soukouly Mohammad Hashi, Johslin Ariel Lopez-Rodas, a gang member with a 57-page history, a felony hit-and-run case, and an abduction/family-assault defendant released under Democrat sanctuary rules.
- Arlington’s Democrat Prosecutor Admits Office Weighs Immigration Status — Even in Some Child-Victim Cases
Deposition cited in House Judiciary report: Commonwealth’s Attorney Parisa Dehghani-Tafti’s office considers immigration status, uses “lateral” DWI charges for DACA recipients, and says child-victim cases “depend on what the charge is.”
- Underprosecuted Then Rearrested: Report Ties Arlington Democrat Leniency to Attempted-Rape Case
Judiciary staff: after years of light handling by Democrat CA Parisa Dehghani-Tafti’s office, Guatemalan national Luzvin Orvando Garcia Moran was charged in an April 2026 Arlington attempted rape — despite prior warnings he was a danger.
- Virginia’s federal lawmakers lock in on regulating data centers
U.S. Sen. Mark Warner and U.S. Rep. Suhas Subramanyam, both Virginia-based Democrats, have introduced legislation targeting the data center industry.
- Governor Spanberger Announces New Chip-and-Tap Electronic Benefit Transfer Cards
Virginia is mailing more secure SNAP cards statewide, with the rollout expected to finish by the end of December.
- Manassas Shooting Suspect's Criminal History Raises Questions on Bond Decisions
A 16-year-old girl died as an innocent bystander in a shooting at the First Friday event in Old Town Manassas on September 4, 2026.
- Manassas Shooting Suspect Had Prior Convictions and Pending Charges
Authorities in Manassas have charged 21-year-old Tasheem Rashad Douglas with second-degree murder and related firearm offenses following a shooting on September 4, 2026.
- Old Dominion University Shooter, Convicted of Islamic State Links, Released From Prison Only 2 Years Before Attack
Documents from the court show that less than two years after Mohamed Bailor Jalloh had been released from prison on charges of attempting to help the Islamic State, he opened fire in a class before ROTC students were able to subdue and kill him.
- New proposal from grid operator PJM would require data centers to bring their own power
Data center with transmission lines in Prince William County, VA. (Photo by Shannon Heckt/Virginia Mercury) PJM, the regional grid operator for most of the East Coast, is asking federal regulators to approve a rule requiring new large-load customers, namely data centers, to bring their own power supply to the grid. With Virginia among the 13 […]
- Virginia Man Flees Country After Weekend Pass from Mental Facility
Abdulloi Toshpulodzoda departed the United States on a one-way flight to Tajikistan while on an approved 48-hour pass from a state mental health facility. Court records show he had been committed to the Northern Virginia Mental Health Institute after a not guilty by reason of insanity finding in the 2019 killing of his landlord. The […]
- Advocacy Group Requests Steve Descano Recusal in Fairfax Supervisor Andres Jimenez Traffic Case
A local advocacy organization has formally requested the recusal of Fairfax County Commonwealth’s Attorney Steve Descano from a pending reckless driving case. The case involves County Supervisor Andres Jimenez, who faces charges stemming from a May traffic stop where he was cited for driving 104 miles per hour in a 70-mile-per-hour zone. Virginians for Safe […]
- Virginia legislator Louise Lucas was allowed to use campaign funds for her defense. So she did.
State Sen. Louise Lucas, the powerful Portsmouth Democrat, used $300,000 in campaign funds to contribute to her legal defense fund and hire a law firm following an FBI raid in May on her businesses in Portsmouth. That’s a sizable amount. What The Virginian-Pilot article should have noted higher in the story was that Lucas was […]
- Virginia House Candidate Sheila Bynum-Coleman Sentenced in PPP Loan Fraud Case
A former candidate for the Virginia House of Delegates was sentenced to two years in prison for her role in obtaining and misusing more than $225,000 in federal Paycheck Protection Program loans during the COVID-19 pandemic. The sentence follows a guilty plea to charges of making false statements on loan applications and failing to file […]
- White’s Ferry paves way for Potomac River crossing’s reopening
A Virginia-based ferry owner has donated his dormant transportation service that connects the commonwealth to Maryland, ending Virginia’s era of ownership in hopes of lifting the ferry suspension after six years. White’s Ferry is one of a few that remain nationally. At the time of its closure in December 2020, it allowed 600 to 800 […]
- Jim Jordan Examines Sanctuary Policies Linked to Steve Descano
Jim Jordan presented details regarding sanctuary policies associated with Steve Descano in a recent public statement. These policies include decisions by local officials to limit assistance to federal immigration authorities. Jordan noted connections between these choices and instances where violent offenders are not fully prosecuted. The framework described involves declining to honor requests fr
- Virginia Senator Louise Lucas Reports Campaign Expenditures for Legal Costs Ahead of New Restrictions
State Senator Louise Lucas of Portsmouth authorized two payments from her campaign account on June 30 that totaled $300,000 and were directed toward legal defense expenses. These disbursements occurred one day before new state legislation restricting the personal use of campaign funds became operative. Campaign finance filings show one payment of $200,000 went to the […]
- Virginia House Bill Targets Reduction in Concealed Handgun Permit Fees
House Bill 106 was introduced in the Virginia House of Delegates during the 2026 Regular Session. The legislation proposes to amend and reenact Section 18.2-308.03 of the Code of Virginia, which pertains to concealed handgun permit fees. The main purpose of the bill is to lower the maximum fee charged by local law-enforcement agencies for […]
- Prince William County FY2027 Budget Lowers Property Taxes While Raising Utility Fees
Prince William County residents will experience a complex shift in their local financial obligations as the newly adopted fiscal year 2027 budget takes effect. While the overall real estate tax rate will see a notable reduction, local property owners will simultaneously face increased costs through adjustments to specific county services. The finalized budget explicitly includes […]
- Manassas Park Faces Steep Utility Rate Increases Amid Enterprise Fund Shortfalls
Officials in Manassas Park are grappling with stark financial warnings regarding the future of the city utility systems and enterprise funds. Consultants recently presented a sobering financial outlook indicating that severe enterprise fund shortfalls could require massive revenue increases in the near future. During a presentation on June 16, 2026, financial experts informed the local […]
- Landlords to Offer Payment Plans Before Evicting for Minor Rent Defaults, Virginia General Assembly Approves Bill
Virginia General Assembly Approves Bill Requiring Landlords to Offer Payment Plans Before Evicting for Minor Rent Defaults The Virginia House of Delegates and Senate have passed legislation that establishes new protocols for landlords seeking to address tenant nonpayment of rent under the Virginia Residential Landlord and Tenant Act. House Bill 95 specifically targets situations where […]
- Virginia Lawmaker Proposes Stronger Penalties for Dangerous Vehicle Eluding Incidents
Virginia Delegate Jason Ballard has introduced legislation in the 2026 session of the House of Delegates to strengthen the penalties associated with felony eluding in specific high-risk scenarios. House Bill 99, titled Felony eluding; mandatory minimum term in correctional facility, seeks to amend Section 46.2-817 of the Code of Virginia to impose a one-year mandatory […]
- Virginia General Assembly Enacts Bill on Criminal Discovery Materials
In the 2026 session of the Virginia General Assembly, legislation requiring enhanced access to discovery materials for the accused in criminal cases was enacted into law. House Bill 118, sponsored by Delegate Karen Keys-Gamarra, mandates that the Commonwealth provide copies of certain evidence to defendants upon request. The bill amends existing code sections to ensure […]
- Virginia House Advances Firearm Transfer Rules in 2026 Legislation Amid Opposition
In the 2026 session of the Virginia General Assembly, House Bill 93 emerged as a key piece of legislation concerning the handling of firearms by individuals subject to protective orders or convicted of certain domestic offenses. The measure modifies sections 18.2-308.1:4 and 18.2-308.1:8 of the Code of Virginia to establish stricter protocols for firearm possession […]
- Hollymead Elementary Principal Resigns Following Staff Member’s Arrest on Felony Charges
Albemarle County Public Schools has accepted the resignation of Hollymead Elementary School Principal Joe McCauley amid a sexual abuse scandal involving a former staff member. The announcement came recently as the district addresses the fallout from criminal charges against Michael Swiney. McCauley had previously been placed on administrative leave during an internal review. Michael Swiney, […]
- FOIA Fee Practices Draw Attention in Virginia Local Government Operations
Questions have emerged in Virginia regarding the role of fees charged for Freedom of Information Act requests by local government entities. These charges are intended to offset the administrative expenses of processing records, yet they have prompted discussion about their potential effect on the volume and nature of public inquiries. In regions such as Fairfax, […]
- Fairfax Sheriff Stacey Kincaid Explains Court-Ordered Release in Murder Arrest Case
Sheriff Stacey Kincaid addressed questions regarding the release of an individual arrested on murder charges in Fairfax County. The release occurred after Commonwealth’s Attorney Steve Descano declined to prosecute the case. A judge issued the order that required the sheriff’s office to free the suspect. Congressman Jim Jordan inquired about the circumstances leading to the […]
- Mother Claims Retaliation in Franklin City School Board Plea Over Special Needs Child’s Removal
During the session, announced by the district on its website and social media, the mother approached the podium with supporting documents and described the sequence of events leading to her child’s placement elsewhere. She characterized the removal as an abuse of authority, questioning whether it represented the treatment parents receive for raising concerns. ‘This is […]
- Here are 10 notable new Virginia laws that will take effect July 1
Hundreds of new Virginia laws will begin taking effect Wednesday, after Gov. Abigail Spanberger acted on more than 1,100 bills approved by the Democratic-controlled General Assembly earlier this year. Not every measure passed this year will be triggered into action all at once. Some policies will phase in over the coming months or years, while […]
- Mother Testifies to Alleged Abuse, Fraud in Franklin City Public Schools Special Education Program
During the public comment period at a recent school board meeting, the parent, accompanied by a supporter, accused school officials of filing fraudulent truancy charges against her family after she reported abuse against her nonverbal autistic son, identified in related discussions as Elijah. She claimed the school submitted false statements to the court, resulting in […]
- Albemarle County Public Schools Employee Indicted on 11 Felony Counts in Sex Crimes Case Involving Multiple Juvenile Victims
CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. — A 37-year-old employee of the Albemarle County Public Schools system has been charged with 11 felony counts related to alleged sex crimes involving children, according to the Albemarle County Police Department. Michael J. Swiney of Buckingham County was indicted by a grand jury on Monday, June 1, 2026, on seven counts of […]
- Gov. Abigail Spanberger signs wetlands, PFAS and flooding bills
Gov. Abigail Spanberger signs an environmental bill into law in Stafford, VA on May 6, 2026. (Photo by Shannon Heckt/Virginia Mercury) On the banks of Aquia Creek in Stafford, Gov. Abigail Spanberger on Wednesday signed a slew of bills designed to protect Virginia’s clean water from harmful forever chemicals and aid communities as sea levels […]
- House Judiciary Committee Launches Investigation into Arlington County Prosecutor Parisa Dehghani-Tafti Over Alleged Sanctuary Policies and Public Safety Concerns
WASHINGTON — The Republican-led House Judiciary Committee has opened a formal oversight investigation into Parisa Dehghani-Tafti, the Commonwealth’s Attorney for Arlington County and the City of Falls Church, Virginia, accusing her office of implementing sanctuary-style policies that prioritize illegal immigrants over American citizens and endanger local communities. In a letter dated May 4, 2026,
- Fairfax Case Involving Hiram Baca Daniel Rodriguez Raises Questions on Plea Deal Outcomes
The case of Hiram Baca Daniel Rodriguez, a repeat offender in Fairfax County, has drawn attention to prosecutorial practices in the office of Commonwealth Attorney Steve Descano. Reduced charges and a plea deal that avoided extended incarceration preceded the abduction of a child. Details from the proceedings show the defendant agreed to a six-month term […]
- Dominion proposes slight decrease in offshore wind cost on monthly bills
Dominion Energy installed two test turbines to generate power 27 miles off the coast of Virginia Beach, seen here in 2021, as a precursor of the largest offshore wind project in the United States. (Photo courtesy Dominion Energy) In its latest filing updating state regulators on how much the Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind (CVOW) project […]
- DOJ Civil Rights Division Launches Investigation into Fairfax County Commonwealth’s Attorney Steve Descano for Alleged Discrimination in Favor of Illegal Immigrant Defendants
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 by Steve Descano, examining whether its plea bargaining, charging decisions, and sentencing policies discriminate against U.S. citizens by providing preferential treatment to illegal immigrant defendants. The notification was sent to
- FBI Executes Multiple Raids on Virginia Senate Leader Louise Lucas’s Office and Related Sites in Major Corruption Probe
Portsmouth, Virginia – Federal agents with the FBI carried out search warrants Wednesday at the Portsmouth office of Virginia State Senate President Pro Tempore L. Louise Lucas and at least 10 other locations across the state as part of an ongoing public corruption investigation. According to footage broadcast by Fox News and accounts from individuals […]
- 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 Gov. Abigail Spanberger’s still brand-new term is in, and she can’t be happy with it. I’m hearing she’s decidedly unhappy. A new survey by the Washington Post and George Mason […]
- 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 his wife early Thursday morning before taking his own life. (Photo by Ned Oliver/Virginia Mercury) Former Virginia Lt. Gov. Justin Fairfax fatally shot his wife, Cerina Fairfax, before taking his own […]
- 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, Va. –THC breathalyzers are often discussed as a way to detect drivers under the influence, especially as Virginia closes in on a retail cannabis market, but questions remain about […]
- 18-year old found guilty of groping Fairfax Co. High school students
This post was originally published on this site. 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 with 13 crimes was found guilty on nine counts of misdemeanor battery and assault, was acquitted on three other charges and one […]
- Loudoun County Democratic Committee Under Criminal Investigation
The Loudoun County Democratic Committee is under criminal investigation for allegedly engaging in illegal fundraising activities in violation of Virginia Code § 18.2-340.36:1(A) — the state’s charitable gaming law. This statute is not vague: “No charitable gaming shall be conducted by, or for the benefit of, any organization that is established or conducted for the purpose of influencing elections
- Tim Greenway, Former Roanoke county school board member faces charges for election-related infractions
Tim Greenway, who is running for reelection as a member of the Roanoke School Board this fall, was charged with a misdemeanor related to elections.