communities
- Virginia Budget Empowers Local Schools with $400.4 Million Flexible Supplement
The Virginia state budget for fiscal year 2027 includes a significant conservative victory for education funding through a one-time $400.4 million flexible supplement.
- Data Center Growth Raises Noise and Air Quality Concerns Near Loudoun Schools and Homes
Loudoun County has experienced significant data center development in recent years that has brought both economic benefits and challenges for nearby residents.
- Warner wins fourth term , Luria ousts Kiggans in VA-02 as 2 U.S. House races remain undecided
U.S. Sen. Mark Warner speaks to Virginians at his re-election celebration in Alexandria on Nov. 3, 2026.
- Attorney General Awards $75,000 to 30 TRIAD Chapters Across the Commonwealth
Commonwealth of Virginia Office of the Attorney General 202 North 9th Street Richmond, Virginia 23219 804-786-2071 FAX 804-786-1991 Virginia Relay Service 800-828-1120 For media inquiries only, contact: Rae Pickett RPickett@oag.
- Governor Spanberger Announces 46 Local Tourism Programs to Receive Marketing Grants to Drive Visitation to Virginia
RICHMOND, VA — Governor Abigail Spanberger today announced that $205,300 in matching grant funds will be awarded to 46 tourism marketing
- Chesapeake Bay gets a C+ in overall health, Va. and Md. leaders say work to protect it must continue
Heath Kelsey with the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Sciences presents the 2026 Chesapeake Bay Watershed Report Card in Woodbridge, Virginia.
- Loudoun superintendent pushes back after Va. delegate slams LGBTQ+ history acknowledgment
Loudoun County Public Schools Superintendent Aaron Spence testifies during a June 10, 2026 congressional hearing.
- Warner seeks a final term as Mizusawa makes his case for change
Democratic U.S. Sen. Mark Warner (left) faces Republican challenger Bert Mizusawa in his bid for a fourth term in the Senate.
- Governor Spanberger Announces M.C. Dean Expansion in Caroline County, Creating Nearly 2,000 New Jobs for Virginians
RICHMOND, VA — Governor Abigail Spanberger today announced that M.C. Dean — an innovative power and technology engineering firm — will invest $412.5 million to expand production capabilities at the company’s Modular Mission Critical™ manufacturing campus based in Caroline County.
- Virginia votes Tuesday: Everything you need to know about the 2026 primary elections
Voters on Tuesday will choose nominees for U.S. Senate and congressional races across the commonwealth.
- Data center backlash set to sway midterm elections
An aerial view shows a data center situated near single-family homes in Northern Virginia.
- Governor Spanberger Announces $52 Million to Support Hurricane Helene Recovery & Rural Localities
RICHMOND, VA — Governor Abigail Spanberger today announced more than $52 million to support projects across Southwest and Western Virginia through Good Neighbor Agreements signed with the U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service (USFS).
- NEW: Governor Spanberger Stands Up to Trump Administration Effort to Strip Protections from 400,000 Acres of National Forests in Virginia
RICHMOND, VA — Governor Abigail Spanberger today urged the Trump Administration to abandon its proposal to rescind the 2001 Roadless Area Conservation Rule — known as the Roadless Rule — that would jeopardize nearly 400,000 acres of National Forests in Virginia.
- Governor Spanberger Announces Walashek Industrial & Marine Expansion in Norfolk
RICHMOND, VA — Governor Abigail Spanberger today announced Walashek Industrial & Marine, Inc. — a leading provider of maritime boiler repair and maintenance for military and civilian vessels — will expand its operations in Norfolk, creating 40 new jobs in the Commonwealth.
- Governor Spanberger Announces Nearly $1.3 Million in Scholarships & Incentives for Nursing Students
RICHMOND, VA — Governor Spanberger today announced that the Virginia Nursing Workforce Center (VNWC) has awarded nearly $1.3 million in scholarships and incentives to nearly 350 prospective students across the Commonwealth.
- Governor Spanberger gives away $67 Million for Home Energy Efficiency Projects to receive only $15 Million in work
RICHMOND, VA — Governor Abigail Spanberger today announced the release of more than $67 million in available Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) funds that were previously withheld by the Youngkin Administration.
- Virginia Pastors Release Open Letter Opposing Constitutional Amendments
A coalition of Virginia pastors has published an open letter at virginiapastors.
- TRAP Program turns lost fishing gear into lasting solutions as nationwide impact grows
After recovering more than 600,000 pounds of lost fishing traps in just two years, the Nationwide Fishing Trap, Removal Assessment and Prevention (TRAP) Program is announcing 11 new coastal clean up projects in seven states.
- Governor Spanberger Hosts 1,000 Law Enforcement & Community Leaders for Statewide Summit on Strengthening Emergency Preparedness
RICHMOND, VA — Governor Abigail Spanberger today hosted 1,000 law enforcement, public safety, and community leaders from across Virginia in
- Governor Spanberger Announces $615,000 in Virginia Main Street Grants to Revitalize Historic Commercial Districts Across 22 Communities
RICHMOND, VA — Governor Abigail Spanberger today announced $615,000 in grant awards to support 22 community revitalization projects across Virginia downtowns through the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development’s Virginia Main Street program.
- Chesapeake Bay underwater grasses increase 7%, buoyed by gains in salty waters
Submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV), one of the Chesapeake Bay’s most important indicators of ecosystem health, increased by 7% to an estimated 89,395 acres in 2025.
- EPA to give $90M for clean water and restoration projects in Chesapeake Bay watershed, 28 in Va.
A living shoreline project on the James River.
- The simple affordability fix Virginia just can’t seem to make
Townhomes under construction in Richmond, Va. on May 15, 2026.
- Vindman faces crowded field and economic pressures in Virginia’s 7th District Congressional race
Pictured from left are candidates for the seventh congressional district race in Virginia: U.S. Rep. Eugene Vindman, D-Woodbridge, Republican Douglas Ollivant and Libertarian Taner Lopez.
- W&M researcher leads study on students’ literacy outcomes under Virginia Literacy Act
Elizabeth Talbott has been awarded a research grant to conduct a longitudinal study of the Virginia Literacy Act.
- Governor Spanberger Announces First-Ever Director of Outdoor Recreation
DANVILLE, VA — Governor Abigail Spanberger today announced Virginia’s first-ever Director of Outdoor Recreation — a position focused on growing the outdoor recreation economy, supporting communities that rely on tourism, and increasing economic development across the Commonwealth.
- Youth advocates warn higher marijuana fine could deepen racial disparities
Virginia lawmakers are weighing how increased penalties for public marijuana consumption could affect young people as the state prepares to launch legal retail sales in July 2027.
- Governor Spanberger Celebrates $16.5 Million to Improve Infrastructure in Hampton Roads
RICHMOND, VA — Governor Abigail Spanberger today celebrated $16.5 million in federal grants through the Defense Community Infrastructure Program (DCIP) to improve and support infrastructure in the City of Portsmouth, York County, and across Hampton Roads.
- Luria and Kiggans rematch in Va.’s 2nd Congressional District among most-watched races in nation
From left to right: U.S. Rep. Jen Kiggans, R-Virginia Beach, Democrat Elaine Luria, and independents Bishop Staten and Matt Baker.
- Virginia receives $7.2 million grant to expand childcare in Southwest, Southside Virginia
A supporter for early childhood and child care access wears a "gotta have child care" pin in Richmond on Jan. 21, 2026.
- When Virginia’s congressional candidates don’t debate, voters get sound bites instead of substance
Basic civic literacy, which debates and candidate forums promote, is not even an afterthought for many political candidates in Virginia and other states, columnist Jim Spencer writes.
- Federal Judge Effectively Blocks New State Law Limiting Virginia's Cooperation with Immigration and Customs Enforcement
A federal judge has temporarily blocked Virginia from enforcing most provisions of a new law restricting cooperation between local law enforcement and federal immigration authorities, allowing existing partnerships with U.S. Immigration and Customs enforcement to continue while the legal challenge plays out.
- Cumberland county residents split on proposed gas plant, slated to be second largest in the nation
Cumberland County residents meet Aug. 31, 2026 to discuss the proposed Dominion Cumberland Energy Center.
- Inside Virginia’s city halls, concerns, confusion rise with Flock surveillance protests
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.
- Prince William County Board of Supervisors Hears Resident Concerns on Land Acquisition
During a Prince William County Board of Supervisors meeting a resident presented concerns about predatory land grab tactics impacting the local community.
- Delegate Shin Stresses Local Authority in HB 1238 Pet Shop Oversight Debate
Virginia lawmaker highlights resource gaps and local permission in final remarks on legislation allowing localities to regulate pet shops and shelters.
- Virginia Students Highlight Environmental Risks from Data Center Power Lines
Students and local leaders discuss habitat loss and school proximity issues tied to high-voltage lines serving Northern Virginia data centers.
- Number Needed to Treat Explains Medicine Effectiveness Metrics
The Number Needed to Treat statistic plays an essential role in how medical professionals evaluate the impact of treatments.
- Dominion unveils route changes for Valley Link Transmission line
The proposed Valley Link Transmission Line's Route 2 option with variations, which Dominion Energy has shared with nine Virginia counties that the line could cross, if approved.
- Virginia Outdoors Foundation protected 11,000 new acres and awarded nearly $6 million in grants
From family farms and public parks to expanding the Bull Run Mountains Natural Area Preserve, VOF's work in 2025 added to its portfolio of protected open space for future generations.
- Roanoke region remains in emergency drought conditions despite rain in other areas
A map shows the Roanoke region of Virginia in emergency drought conditions in October 2026.
- Virginia localities weigh 1% sales tax for school construction as voters decide on expansion
A view from the front entrance of the renovated Gloucester County High School, which opened in September 2025.
- Governor Spanberger Announces $23 Million in Grants for Community Development Across the Commonwealth
RICHMOND, VA — Governor Abigail Spanberger today announced $22.7 million in Community Development Block Grants (CDBG) that will fund 17 community projects across Virginia.
- West Piedmont Planning District Commission Awarded Funding Through Virginia Housing Workforce Housing Investment Program
The West Piedmont Planning District Commission learned back in December that it was awarded $1,000,000 in funding through the Virginia Workforce Housing Investment Program.
- James Morefield House Bill 62 Eases Tazewell Town Manager Residency Rule
RICHMOND — In a move underscoring the value of local decision-making and practical governance, the Virginia General Assembly has sent House Bill 62 to the governor’s desk, amending the charter of the Town of Tazewell to ease residency requirements for its town manager.
- Governor Spanberger Celebrates Virginia Wine Month, Invites Virginians to Support Local Growers
RICHMOND, VA — Governor Abigail Spanberger today is celebrating the start of Virginia Wine Month and inviting Virginians to support the growers, winemakers, and small businesses that make the industry an important part of local economies and communities across the Commonwealth.
- Loudoun Staff Member Details Equity Council Progress Toward Student Support
Cassidy Kavanaugh outlines the Loudoun County Equity Council shift to an advisory role focused on data-driven recommendations for LCPS students.
- Governor Glenn Youngkin Announces, “Keep Virginia Winning” Budget to Deliver on Critical Investments and Expand Tax Relief for Hardworking Virginians