Virginia
- Richmond Secures 32.8 Million in State Funds for Water Plant Filter Upgrades
A regional water workgroup boosted the city's treatment-plant project by $12.8 million over the baseline grant.
- Report Says Hampton Roads Needs Thousands More Health Care Workers
Claude Moore Opportunities estimates shortages of more than 3,500 registered nurses plus therapists, aides and specialists.
- Virginia Department of Health Reports Possible Measles Outbreak in Northern Virginia and Washington D.C.
The James A. Wilding arrival hall at Dulles International Airport.
- Virginia’s federal lawmakers lock in on regulating data centers
U.S. Sen. Mark Warner and U.S. Rep. Suhas Subramanyam, both Virginia-based Democrats, have introduced legislation targeting the data center industry.
- Martinsville Will Drop Flock Cameras When Contract Ends December 31
Police say the license-plate readers work but public trust has collapsed, joining a wave of Virginia localities stepping away.
- Russell County Eyes Three or Four Data Centers on Reclaimed Moss Number 3 Mine
Oasis Digital Properties says power and clients still must line up while the industrial authority cites a nondisclosure agreement.
- 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.
- Dominion Pitches Three Gigawatt Gas Plant for Cumberland County
Residents packed a school cafeteria to hear details on a proposed plant that would rank among the nation's largest.
- Fed raises interest rates for first time in 3 years, battling persistent inflation
Kevin Warsh, now chair of the Federal Reserve, testifies during his Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs confirmation hearing in the Dirksen Senate Office Building on April 21, 2026 in Washington, D.C. (Photo by Andrew Harnik/Getty Images) WASHINGTON — The Federal Reserve raised interest rates Wednesday for the first time in three years as inflation continues to dog the economy, largely driven by soaring gas and fuel oil prices while the war in Iran drags on.
- Elections Department Limits Felony Voting Bars to Murder and Manslaughter
New guidance follows a federal Readmission Act ruling and arrives days before early voting for the Nov. 3 midterms.
- Dominion NextEra Expand Residential Bill Credit Offer to Four Years
Shareholder-funded credits of about $10 a month would shift value away from large data centers under the revised merger package.
- Navy Picks Hunt to Privatize 8,000 Hampton Roads Barracks Beds in 1.7 Billion Deal
New towers in Newport News and renovations across Norfolk and Virginia Beach bases aim to get junior sailors off ships.
- Central Virginia Authority Funds New I-64 Exit to Ease Short Pump Congestion
About $63 million in regional money advances a diverging-diamond interchange at North Gayton Road in Henrico.
- Appalachian Power Pegs Google Botetourt Grid Upgrades at 264 Million
Filings say the campus would draw about 300 megawatts and that other ratepayers should not cover the dedicated work.
- Voters in 47 Localities Will Decide School Construction Sales Tax This Fall
Communities newly authorized by the legislature are putting a 1% sales tax for school capital projects on the November ballot.
- Dominion and NextEra Pitch Downtown Richmond Office Tower Tied to Merger
A shareholder-funded tower at 701 E. Cary St. joins expanded bill credits and a five-year Virginia headcount pledge.
- Attorney General Announces 353 Million for Virginia in Meta Child Safety Settlement
The multistate deal requires Instagram and Facebook time limits, nighttime blocks and stronger age checks pending federal court approval.
- Governor Declares Drought Emergency to Speed Hay Deliveries to Farms
Executive Order 21 authorizes over-width hay transport after a statewide shortfall estimated at 500,000 tons.
- State Education Board Clarifies Expanded High School Graduation Course Options
Updates spell out how Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate and transfer students can meet diploma requirements this year.
- Early Voting for November 3 Begins September 18 Across Virginia
The Department of Elections says every locality will offer early in-person voting through Oct. 31, including new Sunday hours before Election Day.
- Loudoun Supervisors Vote 7-1-1 to Advance Yearlong Data Center Application Pause
Staff must draft a resolution for a final October vote after Chair Randall frames the pause as time to rewrite local rules.
- Virginia Beach Aquarium Adds Cigarette Butt Recycling to E-Cycling Event
Organizers say butts are the state's top litter item and can be turned into outdoor furniture and tool handles.
- Virginia Beach Urges Residents to Cut Nonessential Water Use Amid Drought
Public utilities say reservoir levels are about 10 percent below normal after a dry 2026, the most serious local drought conditions since 2002.
- Dominion and NextEra Pledge Extra Bill Credits and Jobs if Merger Is Approved
The utilities say average residential customers would get $10 monthly credits for four years under a revised package tied to their proposed $67 billion combination.
- Virginia Lawmakers Move Closer to Regulating Self-Driving Vehicles
A General Assembly workgroup is drafting a commercial autonomous-vehicle framework ahead of a Nov. 1 report for the next legislative session.
- Washington Manassas Airport Awarded 1.1 Million for New Control Tower
The grant is part of nearly $40 million Gov. Abigail Spanberger announced for 65 public-use airports statewide.
- Governor Spanberger Announces New Chip-and-Tap Electronic Benefit Transfer Cards
Virginia is mailing more secure SNAP cards statewide, with the rollout expected to finish by the end of December.
- Loudoun Supervisors Advance Proposed Yearlong Pause on New Data Centers
A temporary halt on new applications heads toward a final vote Oct. 13 as neighbors and electrical workers clash over growth.
- Loudoun County to Weigh Temporary Pause on New Data Center Applications
Supervisors will review staff plans for a development freeze while rewriting standards and ending remaining by-right grandfathering.
- Virginia Bishop Directs Priests to Read Letter on Ballot Measures
Bishop Michael Burbidge of the Diocese of Arlington directed priests across the diocese to read a pastoral letter at all Masses this past weekend.
- Virginia House Bill 47 Aims to Expand Tax Relief for Military and Foreign Service Retirees
House Bill 47, which seeks to broaden state income tax subtractions for retirement benefits earned by uniformed services and United States Foreign Service officers, has been left in the House Finance Committee as the 2026 legislative session progresses.
- Spanberger Names Andrea Fletcher to Lead New Virginia Digital Service
The unit will modernize state websites and systems and scrutinize technology contracts before taxpayers are locked in.
- Virginia Bishop Directs Reading of Letter on Ballot Measures
Bishop Michael Burbidge of the Diocese of Arlington directed priests throughout his diocese to read a pastoral letter during Masses this weekend.
- State revenues climb 2.8% in August, remain ahead of forecast
Gov. Abigail Spanberger's administration reported that Virginia’s general fund revenues rose 2.8% in August and remained ahead of the state’s forecast through the first two months of fiscal 2027.
- Virginia Senate Pushes Forward House Bill 40 Banning Unserialized Firearms and Undetectable Plastic Guns
As the 2026 Virginia General Assembly session progresses, House Bill 40, which prohibits the manufacture, import, sale, transfer and possession of plastic firearms, advanced through key Senate committees this week.
- Loudoun County to Consider Data Center Pause, Removing By-Right Grandfather Clause
A view of a data center in Loudoun County next to Chick Ford & Ryan Bickel Fields.
- Rob Wittman, Running Again in Virginia First Congressional District, Supports Trump’s $1.5 Trillion Defense Spending Budget
U.S. Rep. Rob Wittman, R-Westmoreland, is backing President Donald Trump’s proposed $1.5 trillion defense spending budget, as the nation marks its eighth month in a war with Iran that Trump launched without congressional approval.
- Virginia Lawmakers Move Closer to Regulating Self-Driving Vehicles
Virginia lawmakers are considering regulations to allow for autonomous commercial vehicles, which could shift companies from using gas to electric, self-driving vehicles.
- Virginia’s Medical Marijuana Program Logs Big Sales, but Patient Concerns Linger
Cannabis leaves.
- Virginia House Bill 1251 Fails in Subcommittee, Ending Push for Digital Right to Repair Act
House Bill 1251, the Digital Right to Repair Act, has stalled in the Virginia House of Delegates during the 2026 Regular Session.
- Elizabeth Guzman House Bill 417 Expands In-State Tuition for Military Families
The Virginia House of Delegates has taken a decisive step to honor the sacrifices of active-duty service members and veterans by overwhelmingly passing House Bill 417.
- Wendell Walker House Bill 1029 Proposes Temporary Sealing of Criminal Complaints
House Bill 1029, introduced by Delegate Wendell Walker, would amend Virginia law to provide for the temporary sealing of complaints involving criminal warrants, summonses and capiases.
- Nicole Cole House Bill 422 Limits Water Utility Rate Increase Filings
The Virginia House of Delegates approved House Bill 422 on February 4, 2026, with a vote of 69-29, sending the measure to the Senate for consideration.
- David Reid House Bill 409 Clarifies School Bus Passing Rules on Divided Highways
In a rare display of unanimous agreement, the Virginia General Assembly has approved House Bill 409, clarifying traffic rules for passing stopped school buses on divided highways, access roads and certain driveways.
- Valley Link Transmission Line Threatens Generational Farm in Orange County
Michael Carter Jr.
- Lynchburg Expands Child Protective Services with Kinship Care and Substance Use Experts
Five new positions in Lynchburg’s human services department aim to keep children out of the foster care system and provide more support to families already in it.
- Virginia lawmakers prepare for a future filled with highly automated aircraft
Virginia lawmakers are aiming sky high as they turn their attention to the future of “advanced air mobility.”
- Virginia General Assembly Passes House Bill 357 Reforming Felony Arrest Bail Procedures
RICHMOND — The Virginia General Assembly has completed action on House Bill 357, sponsored by Delegate Katrina Callsen, which adjusts the conditions under which individuals arrested for felonies may be released on secured or unsecured bonds.
- 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.
- Virginia General Assembly Passes House Bill 191 to Protect Minor Victims of Sex Trafficking
RICHMOND, Va.