Virginia
- Over 80% of Virginia experiencing severe drought conditions
A farm in King William County in April 2020. (Photo by Sarah Vogelsong /Virginia Mercury) The latest U.S. Drought Monitor report shows the entirety of Virginia is experiencing some level of drought conditions right now. The majority of the state is classified as “severe drought” with the greatest deficits in the counties along the North […]
- The sheer waste of Virginia’s redistricting referendum staggers the conscience
Signs encourage voters to reject or approve a proposal to give lawmakers temporary power to redraw the state’s congressional maps outside the Hanover County Government Complex, April 18, 2026. The proposal passed April 21 by a slim margin, but the state Supreme Court overturned the amendment May 8. (Photo by Samantha Willis/Virginia Mercury) Friday’s unprecedented […]
- 60 acres of Virginia Land Given for Free in Henrico for Black Virginians to Farm
Duron Chavis on land transferred to the Central Virginia Agrarian Community Land Trust. May 2026. (Photo by Shannon Heckt/Virginia Mercury) In a fallow field off the Virginia Capital Trail in Henrico County Tuesday morning, urban agriculture expert Duron Chavis walked through the grass alongside Parker Agelasto, a former Richmond City councilman who now leads the […]
- Virginia Democrat Suhas Subramanyam Weigh Dramatic Court Changes After Supreme Court Strikes Down Voter-Approved Redistricting Map
CHANTILLY, Va. — In the wake of a Virginia Supreme Court ruling that invalidated a newly approved congressional redistricting map, some Democrats are exploring aggressive legislative responses, including potential changes to the composition of the state’s highest court. U.S. Rep. Suhas Subramanyam (D-Va.), who represents Loudoun County, has publicly stated his support for taking significant […]
- Virginia House Debates SB727: Bill Banning Assault Firearm Carry in Public Passes Amid Controversy
Tom Garrett described initial shock upon reading the text, which bars carrying such weapons ‘about his person’ in public areas. He employed a Venn diagram to demonstrate overlaps: Northern Virginia pickup truck owners, rural firearm owners, and recreational shooters/hunters. A limited exemption for hunting or target practice, he argued, fails to exempt most scenarios, like […]
- Mother Raises Serious Allegations Against Franklin City Schools Over Special Needs Student Care
She contended that although funding is designated to follow individual special needs students, the corresponding level of care does not materialize. According to her account, families advocating for their children encounter repercussions rather than support from the system intended to safeguard them. The parent highlighted operational gaps that hinder effective service delivery, noting that grants
- Fairfax County School Board Faces Internal Criticism from Melanie Meren Over Data Gaps in Policy Decisions
The Fairfax County School Board, which includes Chair Sandy Anderson (At-Large), Karl Frisch (Providence District), Melanie Meren (Hunter Mill District), Rachna Sizemore Heizer (Braddock District), Mateo Dunne (Mount Vernon District), Seema Dixit (Sully District), Ilryong Moon (Lee District), Ryan McElveen (Dranesville District), and Robyn Lady (Mason District), oversees Fairfax County Public Scho
- SEIU Union Funds Fuel Expensive Virginia Redistricting Referendum That Was Later Struck Down
In early April 2026, the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Virginia State Council announced a $500,000 contribution from member dues to Virginians for Fair Elections, the primary committee supporting a “Yes” vote on a controversial constitutional amendment for temporary legislative redistricting of congressional districts. The donation, highlighted in campaign finance disclosures on VPA
- Virginia Democrats seek emergency injunction from US Supreme Court in redistricting fight
The U.S. Supreme Court building. (Photo by Ariana Figueroa/States Newsroom) Virginia Democrats on Monday asked the U.S. Supreme Court to revive the voter-approved redistricting amendment struck down last week by the Supreme Court of Virginia, escalating the fight over the state’s congressional map to the nation’s highest court with the 2026 midterms inching closer. In […]
- Move over, sheep. Cattle are grazing solar sites, too, and that’s good news for Virginia.
Cows graze under solar panels at Silicon Ranch’s 3.5-MW solar farm in Rutherford County, Tennessee. (Photo courtesy Silicon Ranch) The conventional wisdom was wrong. And having helped spread the conventional wisdom, I was wrong, too. Mea culpa. It turns out sheep aren’t the only animals capable of handling the job of vegetation management on solar […]
- Virginia Democrats File Typo-Riddled Motion Seeking U.S. Supreme Court Review After State Court Strikes Down Redistricting Amendment
RICHMOND, Va. — Virginia Democrats have asked the U.S. Supreme Court to intervene in a high-stakes redistricting dispute after the Virginia Supreme Court nullified a voter-approved constitutional amendment on procedural grounds, a development that preserves the state’s current congressional maps for the 2026 midterm elections. The Virginia Supreme Court ruled 4-3 on May 8, 2026, […]
- Public health officials warn of rise in measles, as Virginia. hantavirus patient under monitor
A digitally colorized, thin-section transmission electron microscopic image of a single measles virus particle, or virion. (Photo courtesy Centers for Disease Control and Invention Public Image Library) As the weather warms and travelers prepare to embark on summer vacations, public health officials are warning about an expected uptick in measles cases, which were already climbing. […]
- Virginia House Debates Leadership Structure for New Distributed Energy Resources Task Force
Helmer’s comments focused on Recommendation 3 within the bill, arguing that board-chosen leadership aligns with standard practices for such advisory groups. The exchange highlighted procedural nuances in establishing the task force, which would include representatives from utilities like Dominion Energy, environmental organizations, local governments, and industry experts. These entities are pivot
- Debate Heats Up in Fairfax County Over Recommending Smartphone Delay for Children Until 8th Grade
Proponents argue that early smartphone introduction fosters addiction, comparable to other compulsive behaviors, impairing impulse control and daily functioning. Behavioral challenges manifest as increased irritability and reduced social skills, compounded by cyberbullying prevalent on social platforms. Sleep quality declines due to screen-emitted light interfering with circadian rhythms, resultin
- A Not So Star Spangled Banner
In a Nation deeply divided and searching for common ground, one would think a unifying theme would be the founding of our Great Nation, a Nation created under the guise of “No Kings” and a nation of “We the People”, vice the governmental opposite, “His Majesty”. If you thought this, you would be wrong. Apparently, […]
- Virginia Marijuana retail plan in limbo after lawmakers reject Spanberger changes
In Virginia, the future of a legal, regulated market for adult-use marijuana remains in limbo years after possession was legalized. (Photo Illustration by Mario Tama/Getty Images) Five years after Virginia legalized simple adult possession of marijuana, lawmakers are at an impasse over how to finally stand up a legal retail market, after the General Assembly […]
- Prince William County’s Transit Operations: Funding Without General Fund Reliance and Comparison to Fairfax County
The system’s annual revenue totals about $30 million, sourced from mechanisms including local contributions and fares, with $20 million allocated from state grants and $10 million from other local streams. This covers the entirety of operations for services like OmniRide buses managed by the Potomac and Rappahannock Transportation Commission (PRTC), which connects Prince William County […]
- Dr. Kimberly Melman-Orozco Alleges Prince William County School Board Offered $20K NDA in ADA Dispute
Melman-Orozco stated that the offer was made to prevent further discussion of the issues, which she claims involved failures to accommodate her child’s needs adequately. She referenced recordings of conversations with board or district officials, noting a contingency clause requiring the NDA for payment. Declining the deal, she affirmed her commitment to her First Amendment […]
- Supreme Court of Virginia strikes down redistricting amendment, keeps current maps in place
The Supreme Court of Virginia in Richmond on April 27, 2026. (Photo by Samantha Willis/Virginia Mercury) The Supreme Court of Virginia on Friday struck down the voter-approved redistricting amendment, upholding a lower court ruling that had declared the measure unconstitutional less than 24 hours after last week’s special election and briefly halted its implementation. The […]
- Virginia Supreme Court Strikes Down Voter-Approved Redistricting Amendment, Sparking Debate Over Procedural Rules Versus Voter Intent
RICHMOND, Va. — On May 8, 2026, the Virginia Supreme Court ruled that a Democrat-backed constitutional amendment authorizing temporary partisan redistricting of congressional districts violated the state constitution’s procedural requirements. The decision nullifies the results of the April 21 special election referendum, in which voters narrowly approved the measure by approximately 51.7% to 48.3
- Democrats fail to pass budget
This post was originally published on this site. In politics, there are some days when whole months can happen. The General Assembly reconvened on Wednesday, April 22, and it was one such day. It never stops. What is the common factor? I think it’s Democrats who make bad decisions. You would think that a $50-million […]
- Resident Voices Financial Hardship at Warren County Supervisors Meeting Over Proposed Tax Increase
In his public comment, Jenkins stated he works six days a week, tithes at church, and pays his taxes diligently. He disclosed having only 75 cents in his bank account, attributing it to the demands of family life. Describing his current home as too small for his growing family, Jenkins noted the challenges posed by […]
- FBI raids Sen. Louise Lucas’ Portsmouth office, marijuana business
State Sen. Louise Lucas, D-Portsmouth, on the Senate floor at the Virginia Capitol in Richmond. Federal agents on Wednesday raided Lucas’ Portsmouth office and adjacent cannabis business as part of a court-authorized FBI search operation. (Photo by Shannon Heckt/Virginia Mercury) Federal agents on Wednesday morning raided the Portsmouth office of state Sen. Louise Lucas, one […]
- DOJ Civil Rights Division Launches Investigation into Fairfax County Commonwealth’s Attorney Steve Descano for Alleged Discrimination in Favor of Illegal Immigrant Defendants
The U.S. Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division has initiated a formal federal investigation into the Office of the Fairfax County Commonwealth’s Attorney, led by Steve Descano, examining whether its plea bargaining, charging decisions, and sentencing policies discriminate against U.S. citizens by providing preferential treatment to illegal immigrant defendants. The notification was sent to
- FBI Executes Multiple Raids on Virginia Senate Leader Louise Lucas’s Office and Related Sites in Major Corruption Probe
Portsmouth, Virginia – Federal agents with the FBI carried out search warrants Wednesday at the Portsmouth office of Virginia State Senate President Pro Tempore L. Louise Lucas and at least 10 other locations across the state as part of an ongoing public corruption investigation. According to footage broadcast by Fox News and accounts from individuals […]
- Local governments race to attract data centers, often in spite of concerns from their constituents
Marvell data center is one of eight newly approved data center campuses in Culpeper County. (Photo by Evan Visconti/Virginia Mercury). Data centers — proposed beside town centers, on generational farmlands, in view of cemeteries and next to Civil War battlegrounds across Virginia — are testing local governments’ ability to regulate industrial land use. Concurrently, the […]
- Loudoun County Proposes New Taxpayer-Funded Short-Term Rent Supplement Program
Loudoun County, Virginia—one of the wealthiest counties in the United States—may soon launch a new county-funded “short-term rent supplement program” aimed at promoting housing stability. The initiative, advanced by Supervisors Juli E. Briskman (D-Algonkian) and Koran T. Saines (D-Sterling), has drawn attention for its broad eligibility criteria. The program would provide up to six months […]
- Virginia Legislation Seeks Modernization of Social Services Technology Systems
Virginia lawmakers are advancing legislation aimed at modernizing the technological infrastructure supporting the state’s administration of key federal benefit programs. House Bill 66, introduced in the 2026 session of the Virginia House of Delegates, directs the Department of Social Services and the Department of Medical Assistance Services to engage a third-party vendor to conduct a […]
- State bus line debuts new east-west route that connects 10 cities across Virginia
The state’s bus line The Virginia Breeze launchd a new east-west route, The Tidewater Current, on April 20, 2026. Passengers may travel from Virginia Beach to Harrisonburg, with multiple stops along the way. (Photo courtesy Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation) Travelers looking to traverse the commonwealth from east to west and vice versa […]
- Fairfax County Parent Urges Superintendent Michelle Reid’s Resignation Over Alleged Mishandling of School Incidents
FCPS has faced multiple controversies during Reid’s tenure, which began in 2022 after her appointment by the Fairfax County School Board. One prominent issue involved Hayfield Secondary School’s football program, where state investigators confirmed violations of athletic recruitment rules. Dozens of players transferred from Freedom High School in Prince William County following a coach’s move. […]
- Fairfax County School Board Considers Amendment to Reduce Elementary Early Release Days
The board, consisting of Chair Sandy Anderson (Springfield District), Ricardy Anderson (Mason District), Melanie Meren (Hunter Mill District), Robyn Lady (Vice Chair, Dranesville District), Seema Dixit (Sully District), Tom Dunn (Dranesville District representative), Karl Frisch (Providence District), Rachna Sizemore Heizer (Braddock District), Mateo Dunne, Marcia St. John-Cunning, Kyle McDaniel,
- Inventory Uncovers Compliance Gaps in Loudoun County Venues Posing Public Safety Concerns
The review detected volume anomalies across the venues, described as warranting further investigation from both administrative and investigative standpoints. Officials noted that such discrepancies are not dismissed as insignificant but represent potential areas of concern requiring scrutiny. Enforcement actions have been linked to generating complaints, while numerous issues appear to exist witho
- Virginia Delegate Lopez Critiques School Curriculum Limits in House Address
Lopez pointed to Youngkin’s inauguration day actions, where the governor issued multiple executive orders, including one targeting inherently divisive concepts in curricula. This order sought to end teachings promoting ideas associated with critical race theory, such as claims of inherent racial superiority or oppression. Lopez described these as an ill-defined mandate setting sights on race […]
- New court challenge targets Virginia abortion amendment ballot language
Family Foundation president Victoria Cobb speaks alongside lawyers and plaintiffs in a case challenging Virginia’s pending ballot referendum to enshrine reproductive rights into the state’s constitution on April 30, 2026. (Photo by Charlotte Rene Woods/Virginia Mercury) Tazewell County makes news once again — this time over a second lawsuit challenging a proposed constitutional amendment that […]
- Heated Exchange with Melanie Meren Fairfax County School Board Meeting Centers on Tech Contract Disclosure
During the session, Melanie Meren took the floor, holding a small potted plant adorned with pink flowers, to demand prompt transparency on the contract. She drew comparisons to previous board processes, such as the recompeting of the chief financial officer role, where information was shared directly. ‘In other instances like when we were recompeting our […]
- Fairfax Supervisors Reject Motion to Review Immigration Policy Amid Backlash Over Local Murder Case
During a Public Safety Committee meeting, Springfield District Supervisor Pat Herrity proposed directing county staff to review the ‘Trust Policy,’ formally known as the Public Trust Confidentiality Policy. Enacted by the board in 2020-2021, the policy establishes standards to prevent county employees from sharing information with federal immigration officials, aiming to build trust within immigra
- Abigail Spanberger’s first 100 days are flashing a warning Virginia Democrats should not ignore
Gov. Abigail Spanberger signs bills to set referendums for four constitutional amendments on Feb. 6, 2026. (Photo by Charlotte Rene Woods/ Virginia Mercury) Gov. Abigail Spanberger signed a package of gun bills on April 10, including a ghost gun ban, an industry liability measure and a closure of the intimate partner loophole. The bills are […]
- A new law will make it easier to build a tiny house in your back yard, starting next year
An ADU with alley access in Richmond’s Fan neighborhood. (Photo by Wyatt Gordon) Accessory dwelling units — which could be a tiny house on another home’s lot, a garage-turned-apartment, a carriage house, or an ‘in-law suite’ — will be easier to build beginning next year, following Gov. Abigail Spanberger’s signature of a new law this […]
- Virginia Supreme Court weighs challenge to redistricting amendment
The Supreme Court of Virginia in Richmond on April 27, 2026. (Photo by Samantha Willis/Virginia Mercury) The Supreme Court of Virginia on Monday heard arguments over whether Democrats followed constitutional requirements in advancing a voter-approved redistricting amendment, zeroing in on disputes over election timing, public notice requirements and the scope of a special session last […]
- Concerns Mount Over Mold and HVAC Issues in Virginia Public Schools
A notable case cited involves schools in Chesterfield County’s Douglas District. There, significant delays in HVAC maintenance reportedly resulted in the release of Legionella bacteria, the causative agent of Legionnaires’ disease, a potentially deadly pneumonia. Legionella proliferates in water droplets from cooling towers and ventilation systems when not regularly cleaned and disinfected. This i
- Mount Vernon’s Revolutionary War Weekend Returns May 2-3: Step Into History as America’s 250th Anniversary Approaches
MOUNT VERNON, Va. – Just one week from now, George Washington’s Mount Vernon estate will once again come alive with the sights, sounds, and smells of the American Revolution. The popular Revolutionary War Weekend, scheduled for Saturday, May 2, and Sunday, May 3, 2026, promises an immersive two-day living-history experience that transports visitors back more […]
- Tensions Escalate at Fairfax County School Board Meeting Over Vote on Unfinished Calendar
Hunter Mill District’s Melanie Meren voiced strong reservations, noting past instances where motions passed without full review but insisting she required a complete view before voting. ‘We’ve had motions voted,’ she said, adding, ‘until I see it… that is part of this process.’ Meren argued that proper presentation to the board enables informed decision-making, a […]
- Early poll is sobering for Spanberger, but it’s a wake-up call, not an epitaph
Gov. Abigail Spanberger speaks with reporters outside the Executive Mansion in Richmond earlier this month. (Photo by Markus Schmidt/Virginia Mercury) The first report card on Gov. Abigail Spanberger’s still brand-new term is in, and she can’t be happy with it. I’m hearing she’s decidedly unhappy. A new survey by the Washington Post and George Mason […]
- Fairfax County Student Representative Addresses School Board on Impact of Frequent Early Release Days
Anderson pointed to several specific concerns raised by students, teachers, and peers. She noted that early release days lead to inconsistent schedules across different grade levels, complicating teachers’ efforts to maintain steady pacing in instruction. These shortened days often result in abbreviated lessons, with content coverage adjusted downward to accommodate the reduced time. Families face
- Virginia Supreme Court Prepares to Hear Challenge to Narrowly Passed Redistricting Amendment
The amendment stems from Democratic efforts in the General Assembly to revisit congressional maps drawn in 2021 by the state Supreme Court. Those maps, created after a 2020 voter-approved measure established an independent commission, resulted in a configuration reflecting Virginia’s competitive politics, approximately 7 Democratic-leaning districts to 4 Republican-leaning ones. Proponents of the
- Virginia lawmakers recess special session without a budget deal
The Virginia state Capitol in Richmond, where lawmakers convened Thursday for a special session to finalize the budget. (Photo by Charlotte Rene Woods/Virginia Mercury) The Virginia General Assembly convened for a special session Thursday to finalize the state’s $212 billion budget, but recessed after just a few hours without a deal, underscoring deep divisions within […]
- GOP’s hope to undo Virginia’s new redistricting power grows after judge halts maps
Supreme Court of Virginia in Richmond, Va. (Photo by Parker Michels-Boyce for The Virginia Mercury) After losing Tuesday’s closely watched redistricting referendum, Virginia Republicans are now shifting their focus to the courts, arguing the legal fight — not the ballot box — will ultimately determine whether the measure stands. That legal fight escalated late Wednesday, […]
- Conservation groups raise alarm as Potomac River named most endangered in the nation
A view of the U.S. Capitol from the Potomac River, March 30, 2026. (Photo by Shannon Heckt/Virginia Mercury) The Potomac River, otherwise known as “the nation’s river,” has been named the most endangered river in the country, following a massive sewage spill earlier this year and the ongoing buildout of thirsty data centers across the […]
- Va. lawmakers OK governor’s tweaks to major bills, reject health and labor bill amendments
Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger speaks with the press as lawmakers deliberate her changes to their bills on April 22, 2026. (Photo by Charlotte Rene Woods/ Virginia Mercury) Virginia lawmakers met Wednesday to weigh Gov. Abigail Spanberger’s amendments to dozens of bills passed this year, reflecting both shared goals and differing views on some of the […]
- March for Life abortion opponents hit the streets in Virginia March for Life
Attendees of Virginia March For Life in downtown Richmond on April 22, 2026. (Photo by Charlotte Rene Woods/Virginia Mercury) As the governor, advocates and lawmakers celebrated the new maternal health laws inside the Patrick Henry Building Wednesday morning, about 1,000 people gathered outside for the Virginia March for Life Hosted with support from the Family […]