Politics
- David Reid Responds to Phyllis Randall on Data Center Responsibilities
Virginia Delegate David Reid has published an op-ed that addresses statements made by Loudoun County Chair Phyllis Randall concerning data center development.
- Prince William Supervisors Vote Unanimously to End By-Right Data Center Development
An 8-0 board vote advances Tom Gordy’s 90-day grace framework, shrinks the 2016 overlay, and leaves residential and school setbacks for later Planning Commission action.
- King George school board settles suit, will allow middle school LGBTQ+ student club
(Illustration by mustafahacalaki/Getty Images) King George County Schools will now allow sixth- to eighth-grade students to form non-curricular clubs, including one supporting LGBTQ+ students, after the school board settled with the families of two students who said the school did not allow them to form the LGBTQ+ club previously, according to a Monday announcement.
- Mike Turner Strategy: Require Onsite Microgrids, Green Business Zone With Up to 50% Tax Rebate — Or Keep Building 500 kV Lattices
Ashburn supervisor’s paradigm paper says Loudoun’s grid cannot keep pace; he floats mandatory carbon-net-zero microgrids, SMRs, and a Green Business Development Zone sweetened with rebates against ~$666M in data-center BPPT.
- 41,085 Declined ICE Detainers Nationwide — Arlington Held Up as Democrat Sanctuary Case Study
House Judiciary: sanctuary jurisdictions declined at least 41,085 ICE detainers Oct. 2022–early 2026 and 17,864 in Trump’s first 12 months back; Arlington’s Democrat Trust Policy is the Virginia deep dive.
- Henrico Advances $304 Million East End Water Main to Cut Reliance on Richmond
Utilities to file 50 percent design next week on a 13-mile western-to-eastern transmission main after the January 2025 Richmond plant failure; construction targeted for 2028–2031.
- Henrico Teachers and Parents Confront School Board Over Sweltering Classrooms and HVAC Failures
Educators describe 85-degree rooms and year-long neglect as parents demand a public daily repair audit; Teacher of the Year ties facilities failures to broader safety and support gaps.
- Virginia Data Centers Point Past 60 GW as Bills, Water, and Diesel Costs Mount
Statewide impact study cites ~1,300 possible facilities, Dominion bill path toward $315, Loudoun’s billion-plus gallons, 8,910 generators, and PJM transmission skewed to data-center load under Democrat-era growth policy.
- Attorney General Jones Permanently Blocks Federal SNAP Penalties Targeting Virginia
A federal judge in Oregon made a multi-state injunction permanent, shielding Virginia from steep SNAP fines and clarifying food aid for certain lawful permanent residents.
- Virginia Lawmakers Weigh Election Spending Caps Tied to Federal Rulings
State Sen. Scott Surovell details proposed limits on political committee spending and corporate donations during a Privileges and Elections discussion.
- From Marye’s Transmission Study to the 2013 Amendment — Utilities Still Take Land for Data Center Load
RICHMOND — Virginia’s modern property-rights constitution did not begin with the U.S. Supreme Court’s 2005 Kelo decision.
- Loudoun’s Turning Point: First 5–4 Data-Center Denial in 2024, Scaled 6–3 Pass, Then March 18 End of Open By-Right
Turner’s timeline traces Democrat-board politics from the first major denial of a 2.9M sq ft project, to a 1.3M by-right comeback, to the 7–2 March 18, 2025 vote ending open by-right — with grandfathering still attached.
- Survey Finds Majority of Virginia Families With Children Face Food Insecurity
State-commissioned poll fills gap left by ended USDA hunger survey; food banks report rising demand and thinner donations.
- Central Virginia Lined Up for 290+ Data Centers — Spreading Loudoun’s Fight Down the I-95 Corridor
Unconstrained Demand says Central Virginia expects 290-plus campuses that would rival Northern Virginia’s hubs, with statewide tallies near 1,300 facilities and 390 million square feet as Democrat recruitment goes statewide.
- Virginia’s Data-Center Boom Runs on Water and Diesel: Loudoun’s Billion Gallons and 8,910 Generators
Unconstrained Demand tallies Loudoun data centers above 1 billion gallons of water in 2023, statewide use above 2.1 billion, and 8,910 mostly Tier 2 diesel generators permitted for up to 500 hours a year.
- Data-Center Growth Adds Tens of Billions to Plan NPV vs “No Data Center Growth”
SCC-directed 2024 IRP supplement (PUR-2024-00184) shows portfolio NPVs about $100.2–$103.3 billion with data-center growth versus about $77.2–$80.9 billion when data-center load growth is frozen.
- Democrat Trust Policy Bars Arlington Police From Calling ICE — Even for Violent Felons, Gangs, and Terrorists
House Judiciary report: Democrat-run Arlington County Board Trust Policy blocks ACPD from contacting ICE for violent felons, gang members, traffickers, or terrorists; ACSO honored only 2 of 310 ICE detainers (0.65%).
- Alexandria Schools Race Toward September 30 Decisions on Hazardous Walk Zones and Bus Routes
ACPS and City Hall are reviewing parent hazard claims at key Alexandria intersections before a Sept. 30 ParentSquare deadline on walk-zone bus exceptions amid driver shortages.
- Theresa Ghiorzi Moves to Dismiss Golden-Mars, Citing Loudoun Route Rigging and Untallied Homeowner Takings
RICHMOND / LOUDOUN COUNTY, Va. — In PUR-2025-00056, Theresa Ghiorzi asks the SCC to dismiss Dominion’s Golden-Mars 500/230 kV application, restart siting de novo, finish Line #514 first, and stop connecting high-demand customers until Data Center Alley load drops below NERC-violation thresholds.
- Virginia’s Democratic Trifecta Passes 49 Election Bills as Felony Voting Rights Head to November Ballot
Ballotpedia counts a 250 percent jump in election measures; ranked-choice voting is now permanent, Virginia joined the National Popular Vote compact, and automatic rights restoration awaits voters November 3.
- State Corporation Commission Orders Three In-Person Hearings on NextEra-Dominion Merger
Commissioner Samuel Towell cites unprecedented public interest as the SCC adds regional witness sessions beginning November 5 in Richmond atop telephonic testimony days.
- MARL Price Tag Climbs Toward $1.46 Billion After Loudoun Reroute and NextEra Cost Doubling
LOUDOUN COUNTY, Va. — The Mid-Atlantic Reliability Link corridor into Data Center Alley is getting more expensive — and Loudoun’s own routing politics are part of the reason.
- NextEra and Dominion sweeten $67 billion merger with longer Virginia bill credits
The state Capitol.
- Want to weigh in on the Dominion-NextEra merger? Here’s where public hearings will be held.
Virginia State Corporation Commission members hear testimony concerning Dominion Energy's proposed rate increase and plan to create a new rate class for data centers on September 2, 2025 in Richmond.
- MARL Power Line Is Generation Delivery for Data Centers, Not Grid Reliability, Filings Argue
LOUDOUN COUNTY, Va. — The Mid-Atlantic Reliability Link project — the multi-state 500-kilovolt corridor also described as MARL / Gore-Doubs-Goose Creek — is being sold as a reliability upgrade.
- Data Center Fight Moves Into Greater Richmond as 17 Campuses Advance Across Eight Counties
Henrico, Chesterfield, Hanover, and Dinwiddie hearings fill with water, power, and tax-base arguments while Spanberger’s September directives and moratorium petitions set the statewide backdrop.
- Trump administration moves to steer homelessness grants toward treatment and enforcement
A campsite is seen in Anchorage, Alaska, last year.
- Virginia Panel Advances Plan for a Licensed Nurse in Every School by 2028
School Health Services Committee backs a nurse-per-building or per-325-students rule with two-year hiring waivers; November 18 vote would send the proposal to the 2027 General Assembly.
- Virginia Voters Face November Ballot Questions on Abortions and Marriage Equality
Two Article I amendments ask whether abortions and baby killing decisions and same-sex marriage should be locked into the state bill of rights beyond ordinary politics.
- Republican veteran Tony Sabio is on a ‘mission’ to win Virginia’s most Democratic United States House seat
Republican Tony Sabio is vying to replace Democratic incumbent U.S. Rep. Don Beyer in Virginia's 8th Congressional District race.
- Loudoun County Supervisors Advance 12-Month Pause on New Data Center Applications
Loudoun’s Board of Supervisors voted 7-1-1 to draft a temporary pause on new data-center applications while rewriting local rules, with a final vote expected in October.
- Attorney General Jay Jones Asks Regulators to Reset Clock on Dominion-NextEra Merger
Virginia Attorney General Jay Jones says the companies’ Sept. 14 supplemental filing is a different deal that should restart the SCC’s 180-day review, potentially pushing a decision into March 2027.
- Virginia Delegate Presses House for Car Tax Relief Amid Affordability Push
Delegate Terry Kilgore urges incremental repeal of the car tax during the 2026 legislative session, citing affordability goals and prior campaign commitments.
- Chesapeake Bay ospreys see worst breeding season on record
Dr. Bryan Watts, a researcher at William & Mary checks an osprey nest for eggs on the Ware River.
- Louise Lucas and Don Scott Clash as Virginia Budget Talks Stall Over Data Center Tax Breaks
With just days remaining in the 2026 legislative session, Virginia lawmakers are running out of time to reach agreement on a new two-year state budget, even as Democrats control the governor’s office and both chambers of the General Assembly. As of Wednesday afternoon, budget con
- Michael Feggans Gold Star Spouse Property Tax Exemption Passes House Unanimously; Senate Delays Action
RICHMOND, Virginia – Legislation aimed at providing complete property tax relief for surviving spouses of fallen Armed Forces members cleared the Virginia House of Delegates with unanimous acclaim.
- Montgomery County court to decide if Spanberger’s removal of Virginia Tech board member was lawful
A Southwest Virginia circuit court will consider whether a sitting governor’s decision to remove a college governing board member was legal, a rare type of case in the commonwealth. In June, John Rocovich, one of the longest-serving governing board members in Virginia Tech’s history, filed a civil lawsuit in Montgomery County Circuit Court challenging Gov. […]
- Board Clarifies Operations of Staff-Led Groups Amid FOIA Inquiry
During a public meeting, Commissioner Banks inquired about the compliance of local committees with the Freedom of Information Act. He asked whether the current structure of these groups might lead to violations of open government standards. The questions focused on how committees handle matters that could involve public business. Board representatives offered a direct response […]
- Who Speaks for American Hindus
We did the math. Here are the receipts. In the last six years, Hindus for Human Rights has posted 4,204 posts about Indian politics. This compares to 1,261 posts on Hindu culture and only 721 posts about the Indian diaspora living in North America. Why is this important? HfHR aims to establish itself in American […]
- Virginia Medical Freedom Alliance Prepares Health Choice Summit Amid Ongoing Debates Over Medical Autonomy
The Virginia Medical Freedom Alliance (VAMFA), a nonprofit organization based in the Commonwealth, is set to host its Health Choice Summit on September 12, 2026, at the Founders Inn Conference Center in Virginia Beach. Titled “Health Choice: Liberation from Mandates” and associated with the theme “Operation Save Our Children,” the event is organized in partnership […]
- Anti-Slapp law plays role in backing Va. teacher and parent targeted by false online accusations
A Northern Virginia court in June rejected social media efforts to damage the reputation of a teacher and parent, awarding them more than $1 million in combined damages. Robert Rigby Jr., a longtime educator and advocate for LGBTQ+ students, said after the leader of conservative political action committee Virginia Project posted unfounded accusations that he […]
- Congressman Suhas Subramanyam Addresses Questions on Alleged Organizational Ties
Congressman Suhas Subramanyam participated in an interview where he faced questions about alleged ties to organizations connected to the RSS network in the United States. The discussion covered aspects of his campaign funding and attendance at specific events. Observers noted the exchange as part of broader examinations into political associations. The Congressman provided responses emphasizing […
- Virginia Taxpayers Forced to Foot $17.6 Million Bill for Rapid Rehousing Following Federal Cuts
The state of Virginia is preparing to shoulder a massive financial burden as federal funding for housing programs dries up, forcing local taxpayers to foot the bill. Lawmakers are currently pushing a massive $17.6 million allocation for rapid rehousing efforts in the upcoming biennial budget to cover the sudden gaps left by Washington. Fiscal conservatives […]
- UVA study shows how housing affordability policy, civic engagement and voter turnout connect
A University of Virginia professor’s research aims to illuminate how federal policy that supports affordable homeownership intersects with civic engagement via the ballot box, as housing affordability and access remain top concerns for voters in Virginia and across America. A new study titled “Mortgage Refinancing and Political Participation” explored how remedies in the aftermath of […]
- Virginia Lawmakers Consider Reparations for Land Taken via Eminent Domain for Universities
Virginia Democrats are advancing proposals for reparations aimed at families who lost property to eminent domain during expansions at Christopher Newport University and Virginia Commonwealth University. The measures focus on historical land acquisitions that occurred over several decades. These developments have prompted renewed discussion about the effects of institutional growth in the state. De
- Virginia Taxpayers Forced to Shoulder $17 Million for Eviction Prevention as State Backfills Federal Cuts
STATE TAXPAYERS ON THE HOOK Virginia taxpayers are now being asked to shoulder the financial burden of pandemic-era welfare programs that were originally funded by the federal government. State lawmakers have recently allocated seventeen million dollars specifically dedicated to eviction prevention assistance programs across the commonwealth. This massive spending initiative effectively shifts the
- Virginia Budget Directs $28.9 Million to At-Risk Programs Amid Fiscal Concerns
The State of Virginia has finalized its budget for the FY2027-FY2028 Biennium, drawing significant attention from fiscal conservatives concerned about escalating government expenditures. Lawmakers have approved a massive $28.9 million allocation specifically targeted for at-risk student programs within the K-12 public education system. This substantial financial commitment increases the maximum At
- Historic $2 Billion Education Spending Sparks Conservative Concerns Over Government Bloat in Virginia
The newly proposed Virginia biennium budget for fiscal years 2027 and 2028 introduces a staggering level of state spending that has raised significant concerns among fiscal conservatives. At the center of this financial blueprint is a historic two billion dollar allocation in new public education funding, marking the largest single investment of its kind in […]
- Virginia FY2027 Budget Pushes $25 Million into New Housing Bureaucracy
As Virginia lawmakers finalize the fiscal year 2027 budget, taxpayers are facing the financial burden of yet another newly created government entity. The proposed budget allocates a staggering $25 million to capitalize the brand-new Virginia Housing Revolving Loan Fund. This massive expenditure represents a significant expansion of state government designed to subsidize mixed-income housing projec
- Public college governing boards
Even after being ousted as the Virginia Military Institute’s first Black superintendent last summer, retired Major General Cedric Wins said Monday at a higher education-focused conference in Washington D.C. that by helping to examine and improve governing boards for Virginia’s public colleges and universities on a state commission, he is committing another act of service. […]