Virginia State Police
- Man convicted of four counts of forcible sodomy in Hopewell granted parole after 30 years
Waverly Otis Robinson, 63, was granted parole in September after serving decades on four counts of forcible sodomy convictions, according to Virginia Parole Board records.
- Fairfax County man convicted in 1998 stabbing death granted parole over family's opposition
Troy Demar, 53, was granted parole in September after serving decades on second-degree murder convictions, according to Virginia Parole Board records.
- Virginia Beach man with long burglary record granted geriatric release after nearly 35 years
Michael McCoy Duncan, 62, was granted parole in September after serving decades on dozens of burglary and larceny counts convictions, according to Virginia Parole Board records.
- 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.
- 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.
- Apple Wallet adds driver’s licenses and IDs for Virginia residents
Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles Commissioner Saundra Jack and Secretary of Transportation Nick Donohue at a press event on Aug. 26, 2026.
- Special Prosecutor Clears Franklin County Officials in Freedom of Information Act Probe
One of the less noticed features of the Virginia Way is the long-running tendency of the commonwealth’s leaders to conduct their decision-making behind closed doors.
- Legislation to force Virginia traffic camera fine payments will make ‘nightmarish’ court workloads
Signs in front of Granby High School in Norfolk, Va. warn motorists they may get a ticket if they're caught speeding by a camera.
- 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.
- Paul Krizek House Bill 32 Strengthening Problem Gambling Advisory Committee Passes
RICHMOND, Va. – The Virginia General Assembly has given final approval to House Bill 32, a measure aimed at enhancing the state’s response to problem gambling by expanding the membership of the Problem Gambling Treatment and Support Advisory Committee.
- 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 […]
- Virginia Budget Expands Government Bureaucracy to Fund New Recreational Marijuana Market
The state of Virginia is embarking on a massive expansion of state bureaucracy to establish a fully regulated recreational marijuana marketplace under the forthcoming biennial budget. Governor Abigail Spanberger recently announced a compromise to launch retail sales by July 1, 2027, ending a five-year period where adult possession was legal but retail sales were not. […]
- Virginia State Senate Advances Public Safety and Veterans Budget Proposals
The Virginia State Senate Finance and Appropriations Committee has outlined specific amendments to public safety and veterans funding through Senate Bill 29 and Senate Bill 30. These measures propose targeted general fund increases for fiscal years 2026 through 2028. Allocations address operational needs in law enforcement agencies and correctional facilities. Veterans care initiatives also receiv
- 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 […]
- Virginia Budget Includes Marijuana Retail Framework With Enforcement Pause
Virginia lawmakers approved a state budget that incorporates language establishing a regulated retail market for marijuana. The provisions set the start date for legal sales at July 1 of the following year. This timeline creates an interval of approximately one year prior to the activation of the new regulatory structure. Virginia State Police received instructions […]
- Virginia marijuana budget language triggers legal confusion, political fallout
Virginia’s decision to revive legal cannabis sales through the state budget instead of standalone legislation has triggered several days of confusion over the commonwealth’s marijuana laws, with lawmakers, local prosecutors, Virginia State Police and legislative officials offering differing interpretations of when key provisions take effect. Much of the confusion focused on two issues: whether Vi
- Justice Department Files Lawsuit Against Virginia Over Semi-Automatic Rifle Restrictions
The United States Department of Justice filed a federal lawsuit on July 1, 2026, against the Commonwealth of Virginia and the Virginia State Police. The complaint challenges a newly enacted state law that bans the commercial purchase and sale of ordinary semi-automatic rifles. This includes AR-15-style firearms, which the department notes are owned by millions […]
- Justice Department Challenges Virginia Assault Weapons Law in Federal Court
The U.S. Department of Justice filed a federal lawsuit on July 1, 2026, against the Commonwealth of Virginia and the Virginia State Police. The suit challenges provisions of a state law that restrict certain semi-automatic firearms. Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon of the Civil Rights Division announced the action, which targets bans on the purchase, […]
- Spanberger signs sweeping gun legislation reshaping Virginia’s firearm laws
Gun safety advocates at a Moms Demand Actions rally in Richmond. (Photo by Markus Schmidt/Virginia Mercury) Just hours before a midnight deadline, Gov. Abigail Spanberger on Monday submitted a series of amendments to high-profile gun legislation passed by the General Assembly last month, while also signing several related measures into law. Taken together, the changes […]
- 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 […]
- Virginia House Bill HB311 Aims to Enhance Driver Protections in Photo Speed Monitoring Enforcement
In the 2026 Virginia General Assembly session, House Bill 311, introduced by Delegate Otto Wachsmann, sought to amend state law governing photo speed monitoring devices by requiring more detailed information on mailed summonses for captured violations.
- Gov. Spanberger ends ICE agreement involving Virginia State Police and corrections officers
This post was originally published on this site. Gov. Abigail Spanberger has formally ended an agreement with the U.S. Customs and Immigration Enforcement that had allowed Virginia State Police troopers and Virginia Department of Corrections officers to assist ICE. The agreement — which stems from Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s administration — had effectively placed state law […]
- Governor Glenn Youngkin and First Lady of Virginia Suzanne S. Youngkin Celebrate Virginia’s 59% Drop in Fentanyl Overdose Deaths
Governor Glenn Youngkin and First Lady of Virginia Suzanne S. Youngkin joined a wide array of stakeholders and allies today at the Patrick Henry Building to celebrate the nearly 59 percent reduction in fentanyl-involved overdose deaths in the Commonwealth of Virginia today versus January 2022.
- Va. school divisions (Loudoun, Essex, and Northumberland) repay nearly $30 million in misused special ed funds; one division disputes
Three school divisions charged with misusing federal funds intended for students with disabilities have made nearly $30 million in total repayments, according to the state Department of Education, which will be returned to the federal government. Still, one division is actively disputing the charge.
- 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.
- Virginia Homeland Security Task Force Has Arrested Over 500 Criminal Illegal Immigrants, Over 130 Gang Affiliates
The Virginia Homeland Security Task Force (VHSTF), a federal-state partnership established by the U.S. Department of Justice to combat transnational organized crime, gang violence and immigration violations across Virginia passed 500 arrests this week, Governor Glenn Youngkin announced Monday.