public safety
- Newport News rape, sodomy convict granted geriatric parole after nearly 24 years
Rodney Jerome Jones, 61, was granted parole in August after serving decades on rape and forcible sodomy convictions, according to Virginia Parole Board records.
- Richmond police chief: Shooting outside Virginia GOP offices was a business dispute, not election-related
Richmond's police chief says an Oct. 29 shooting that wounded a bystander outside the Republican Party of Virginia's headquarters was the result of a business dispute and was not connected to the election.
- Virginia Advances House Bill 40 on Undetectable Firearms
House Bill 40 would create a felony for manufacturing, selling or transferring firearms undetectable by standard security screenings at airports, schools and other public facilities.
- Virginia Bill Targets Rigid Deadlines in Child Sexual Abuse Civil Cases
HB 1020 would let courts weigh newly discovered DNA, confessions, and witness accounts without altering core filing periods or evidentiary standards.
- Norfolk man, 71, with 1992 rape convictions and 2023 child-rape conviction granted parole
Clarence Eugene Billups, 71, was granted parole in September after serving decades on rape, including the 2023 rape of a child under 13 convictions, according to Virginia Parole Board records.
- Congresswoman Kiggans Joins Discussions on Public Safety and Elections
Congresswoman Jen Kiggans of Virginia’s Second District took part in a discussion with FBI Director Kash Patel and Hampton Roads law enforcement officials focused on public safety topics.
- Culpeper Prosecutor Presses Senate Panel on Check Fraud Venue Rules
Commonwealth’s Attorney Russ Rab tells the Senate Courts of Justice Committee that clarifying venue statutes would help prosecute washed and forged check cases that cross county lines.
- Staunton man convicted of 1990 rape and robbery granted parole after 32 years
John Michael Moran Jr., 56, was granted parole in September after serving decades on rape and robbery convictions, according to Virginia Parole Board records.
- Richmond man serving life for 1989 first-degree murder granted parole; prosecutor supported release
Calvin Darnell Johnson, 61, was granted parole in September after serving decades on first-degree murder convictions, according to Virginia Parole Board records.
- Virginia Measure Would Lift Housing Grant Cap for Local Employees
A subcommittee bill seeks to remove the longstanding $25,000 limit on locality housing assistance grants for police, teachers and other essential county workers.
- Virginia Senate Panel Weighs Venue Change for Check Fraud Prosecutions
Courts of Justice Committee reviews legislation allowing prosecutors to charge check washing and uttering offenses in the locality where victims reside.
- Virginia Senate Examines Limits on Police Drone Deployments
Lawmakers review legislation clarifying authorized uses of unmanned aircraft by law enforcement in emergencies and investigations.
- Governor Spanberger Orders Creation of Statewide Plan to Strengthen Cybersecurity, Prevent & Respond to AI-Related Cyberattacks
RICHMOND, VA — Governor Abigail Spanberger today issued Executive Directive 6 to strengthen the Commonwealth’s cybersecurity and address the risks posed by the rapid development of artificial intelligence.
- Virginia Lawmakers Weigh AI Fraud Alert System Modeled on Amber Alerts
A proposed bill would direct the Attorney General to create statewide notifications for major AI-driven scams threatening Virginia consumers.
- Virginia Lawmaker Advances Permit Framework for Hound Hunting
House Bill 1396 would direct the Department of Wildlife Resources to create a permit process aimed at accountability and safety for hunting with hounds.
- 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
- Attorney General Jones Launches Firearms Accountability & Industry Responsibility Unit
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.
- Mother Urges Virginia DMV Panel to Tighten Driver Education Oversight After Fatal Crash
Tammy Guido McGee tells a DMV subcommittee her son died in a preventable crash with an unlicensed driver and backs a bill requiring disclosure of instructor disciplinary records.
- James City Delegate Advances Parking Enforcement Expansion Bill
A James City delegate moves companion legislation to update and extend permissive parking enforcement authority to every Virginia locality.
- 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.
- 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.
- Tom Gordy Examines $60 Million Renovation Proposal for Prince William County Building
Prince William County Supervisor Tom Gordy has addressed an ongoing discussion regarding a potential $60 million renovation of a local building.
- Recall Petition Targets Fairfax County Prosecutor Following High-Profile Murder Case
Cheryl Minter, mother of Stephanie Minter, has filed a recall petition against Fairfax County Commonwealth’s Attorney Steve Descano.
- Arlington County Adopts $1.7 Billion Budget Amid Calls for Improved Fiscal Timelines
The Arlington County Board officially adopted a $1.7 billion budget for fiscal year 2027 on April 22, 2026, marking a modest 0.7 percent increase over the previous year.
- Virginia House Adopts Senate Changes to Bill on Firearms and Domestic Abuse Convictions
Lawmakers advance House Bill 93 with an amendment raising the standard for firearm surrender by convicted domestic abusers to probable cause.