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- Packed SCC hearing draws public comment on proposed $67B Dominion–NextEra merger
Overflow crowds spoke for about three hours in Richmond.
- Senate Republicans Call Out Hypocrisy in Surovell Letter on Higher Ed Governance
RICHMOND, VA – Senate Republican leaders today issued a strong rebuttal to a letter circulated by Senator Scott Surovell and other members of the Senate Democratic caucus purporting to defend “institutional independence” in Virginia’s system of higher education.
- House GOP Leaders: ‘What Happened to Making Life More Affordable for Virginians?’
What Happened to Making Life More Affordable for Virginians?
- Senate Republican Caucus Condemns Delegate Dan Helmer’s Attack on the Judiciary
Senate Republican Caucus Condemns Delegate Helmer’s Attack on the Judiciary, Calls on Governor Spanberger, Speaker Scott, Leader Surovell,
- Justice Department says it moved to intervene in Loudoun locker-room lawsuit
Then-Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche said DOJ moved to intervene in a lawsuit by Loudoun parents who say their sons were suspended over a locker-room objection.
- Loudoun and four other Northern Virginia districts placed on federal reimbursement status, education secretary says
Education Secretary Linda McMahon said Loudoun and four other Northern Virginia districts were designated high-risk for Title IX violations and placed on reimbursement status for over $50 million.
- Timeline: Loudoun County, the school boards letter and the Garland memo, 2021 to 2026
A timeline of the Loudoun assault, the NSBA letter, the Garland memo and what followed, from 2021 to 2026, assembled from the new DOJ report.
- At DOJ roundtable, Youngkin, McMahon and Patel put Northern Virginia at center of parents'-rights fight
A transcript in the DOJ report shows Youngkin, McMahon, Patel and Jordan putting Loudoun, Fairfax and Northern Virginia at the center of a June roundtable on parents' rights.
- Alexandria-based school boards group's 2021 letter cited only Loudoun as its Virginia example, DOJ report shows
The NSBA's September 2021 letter to President Biden, reprinted in a DOJ report, cited a Loudoun County School Board meeting as its only Virginia example.
- House Republicans Roll Out Affordability Done Right Agenda to Lower Costs for Virginians
“Democrats talk about affordability,” Kilgore said.
- Public hearings for the NextEra-Dominion merger have begun. Here’s what you need to know.
Dominion Energy offices in Richmond, Va. (Photo by Parker Michels-Boyce for the Virginia Mercury) Public hearings in the case to decide the fate of the proposed merger between Dominion Energy and Florida-based NextEra Energy begin this week at the State Corporation Commission.
- Loudoun County School Board Faces Parent Concerns Over Facility Policies and Safety
Parents in Loudoun County have raised objections to policies implemented by the Loudoun County School Board concerning student access to bathrooms and locker rooms.
- 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.
- Justice Department report reprints Loudoun lawsuit alleging school officials downplayed 2021 Stone Bridge assault
The DOJ report reprints an October 2025 federal suit alleging Loudoun school officials showed deliberate indifference after a 2021 restroom assault at Stone Bridge High School.
- DOJ report says 2021 school-board memo grew out of White House pressure, with Loudoun case at its center
A 273-page Justice Department report concludes former AG Merrick Garland's 2021 school-board memo grew out of White House pressure and internal objections, and it opens with a Loudoun County case.
- Study provides a remedy for coal dust in Newport News. Good luck getting terminal operators to pay.
This coal transfer terminal in Newport News sits close to many homes in the majority Black East End neighborhood.
- 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.
- After statewide tour, Virginia Lt. Gov. Hashmi officially opposes Dominion-NextEra merger
Lt. Gov. Hashmi is joined by two lawmakers in Richmond, VA on Oct. 6 2026 for a press conference announcing she is opposing the merger of Dominion Energy and NextEra Energy.
- 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.
- Virginia Republicans urge Spanberger to call special session for fuel-tax holiday
Republican lawmakers are urging Gov. Abigail Spanberger to call a special session to suspend Virginia’s gasoline and diesel taxes for 90 days to ease fuel costs for families and businesses.
- Bristol building owners continue to fight legal battle against abortion clinic
The landlords of Bristol who tried for two years to get the abortion clinic out of their building have appealed the dismissal their lawsuit against clinic owner.
- Abigail Spanberger Signs Executive Order 22 on Data Center Accountability and AI Task Force
Governor Abigail Spanberger’s Executive Order 22 and 2027 legislative slate target NDAs, local approval for large loads, noise and backup power, and an AI task force—without a statewide moratorium.
- 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).
- Virginia has a new law that regulates the use of license plate readers
The General Assembly has decided to take action to curb the use of automatic license plate readers by law enforcement.
- Higher Standards of Learning Cut Scores Coming, but Not This Year, Virginia Board Says
Virginia Board of Education Members listening to Superintendent Emily Anne Gullickson at the board’s business meeting on Nov. 13, 2025.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Virginia House and Senate Move to Speed Up Career and Technical Education Teachers
Virginia legislators are taking on a major issue to meet the growing demand for skilled workers: the shortage in career and technical education teachers.
- In Rare Move, State Corporation Commission Orders Three In-Person Hearings for NextEra-Dominion Merger Case
Virginia State Corporation Commission members have ordered three opportunities for the public to have their say about the proposed NextEra-Dominion merger, the first to kick off Nov. 5. In this September 2, 2025 photo, commissions hear testimony in Richmond on a different case. (Photo by Shannon Heckt/Virginia Mercury) The State Corporation Commission has ordered additional chances for the public to officially testify in the case to approve or reject the proposed $67 billion NextEra-Dominion merger , Virginia regulators said Thursday.
- 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
- Public Comment at Loudoun School Board Raises Alarms Over Child Safety Incident
The meeting occurred in Loudoun County, Virginia, under the oversight of the Loudoun County School Board. The board consists of nine members: Chair April Chandler, Vice Chair Anne Donahue, and representatives from the county’s magisterial districts including recent additions sworn in January 2026.
- Data Center Bills Dominated This Year's General Assembly. Here's What Passed.
The rapid growth of Virginia’s data center industry was a key point of focus during the 2026 legislative session, as lawmakers sought to balance the sector’s benefits — including over $80 billion in state investments and thousands of jobs — against its enormous electricity and water needs, which are a growing concern for communities statewide. Legislators filed dozens of bills directly aimed at re
- Dominion asks State Corporation Commission to recover an additional $922 million for fuel costs over multiple years
Dominion Energy asked the State Corporation Commission to recover an additional $922 million in fuel costs, citing extreme power demands during as well as a national rise in gas prices as reasons for the escalation beyond its original calculations State Corporation Commission staff reported that Dominion’s “actual fuel and purchased power expenses rose dramatically from […]
- Scott Surovell Advances School Food Waste Legislation
Senator Scott Surovell has put forward legislation that would require Virginia schools to adopt improved methods for managing food waste. The bill targets the incorporation of composting infrastructure particularly in new school buildings. This effort aims to address the volume of food waste generated in educational settings across various localities. During legislative proceedings the proposal […
- State Corporation Commission commissioner, former NextEra attorney declines to recuse herself from merger case
On Tuesday, Virginia lawmakers heard from utility regulation experts on the potential impact of the proposed merger between Dominion Energy and NextEra Energy. If approved, the merger would create the largest electric utility in the country. In the days preceding this week’s Commission on Electric Utility Regulation meeting, legislators asked State Corporation Commission Chair Kelsey […]
- Hampton leaders cool to limited Army Corps flood solutions
A U.S. Army Corps of Engineers draft feasibility study proposing scaled-down protection without structural elements like floodwalls for vulnerable portions of Hampton and Poquoson got a frosty reception from Hampton’s city manager during a recent presentation to City Council. The $4.2 billion Coastal Storm Risk Management plan, now open to public comment, calls for elevating […]
- Virginia Lawmaker Scott Surovell Seeks Speed Cameras on George Washington Parkway Amid Enforcement Limits
State Senator Scott Surovell has introduced legislation to place speed cameras on a section of the George Washington Parkway. The measure responds to challenges in traffic enforcement along the roadway. Officials have identified a specific jurisdictional issue preventing standard policing. Discussions in the legislature continue to examine the proposal and its potential effects. Details of […]
- Virginia Democrats Push $17 Million Eviction Prevention Program Amid Budget Bloat Concerns
Virginia lawmakers are advancing a new state budget that includes a massive $17 million allocation for eviction prevention assistance, sparking immediate concerns among fiscal conservatives. This hefty provision is tucked inside House Bill 30, which proponents are calling the Affordable Virginia Budget for the upcoming fiscal years. While advocates claim the funding is necessary to […]
- Campaign to enshrine voting rights in Virginia Constitution kicks off in Norfolk
Portsmouth school board member Quniana Futrell appeared somber behind the podium in Norfolk’s Slover event space as she spoke in support of a proposal to amend Virginia’s constitution to automatically restore voting rights for people who complete felony sentences. She recalled her experience growing up with both of her parents incarcerated and said her mother […]
- Virginia Taxpayers Foot the Bill for Risky $25 Million Mixed-Income Housing Loan Fund
The Virginia state government is aggressively expanding its footprint in the real estate market with the creation of a massive revolving loan fund pilot program for mixed-income housing. Lawmakers have pushed forward with this costly initiative, aiming to funnel millions of taxpayer dollars into the acquisition, construction, and improvement of various housing projects. Critics of […]
- Virginia primary voters pick Mizusawa to face Warner, finalize key US House races
Virginians cast their ballots Tuesday in an unusually-timed primary that settled a statewide Republican contest for the U.S. Senate and determined several of Virginia’s most closely watched congressional matchups for the November election. Retired U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Bert Mizusawa won the GOP’s nomination to challenge longtime Democratic U.S. Senator Mark Warner, while incumbents and […]
- Virginia voters could gain a bigger voice in choosing the 2028 presidential nominees
Virginia is on track to become the sixth and final early-voting state in the 2028 Democratic presidential nominating calendar under a proposal unveiled last week, a move that could bring presidential candidates, campaign spending and national attention to the commonwealth in the weeks before Super Tuesday. The Democratic National Committee’s Rules and Bylaws Committee recommended […]
- Spanberger restores voting rights to more than 60,000 Felons
Gov. Abigail Spanberger has restored voting and other civil rights to more than 60,000 Felons since taking office in January, reversing the more restrictive restoration process adopted by her predecessor and reopening voting access for thousands of people with past felony convictions, her administration said Friday. The 66,085 Virginians whose rights have been restored may […]
- 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 […]
- Loudoun Board Discusses Nighttime Enforcement Pilot Program Risks
Loudoun County operates under the Board of Supervisors, consisting of Chair Phyllis Randall, Algonkian District Supervisor Juli Briskman, Ashburn District Supervisor Mike Turner, Broad Run District Supervisor Sylvia Glass, Catoctin District Supervisor Caleb Kershner, Dulles District Supervisor Matt Letourneau, Leesburg District Supervisor Kristen Umstattd, Little River District Supervisor Scott Ph
- Virginia Democrats Push Massive Budget Expansion Replete With New Taxes and Unprecedented Spending
Governor Abigail Spanberger and Democratic leaders in Richmond have finalized a state budget that drastically expands the size and scope of Virginia government. The newly approved spending plan features a record-shattering $2 billion in new public education funding and creates massive new entitlement programs at the expense of taxpayers. While proponents argue these measures are […]
- Virginia Taxpayers Foot the Bill for Record Two Billion Dollar Education Spending Spree
The recently finalized fiscal year 2027 to 2028 biennium budget for the State of Virginia includes a staggering two billion dollar investment in new public education funding. A central component of this massive financial package is a mandated four percent salary increase for public school teachers and support staff in each of the next two […]