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Petersburg mayor resigns from local Democratic Committee and more Va. headlines
• Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney announced his intention to run for governor, setting up a likely Democratic primary battle against U.S. Rep. Abigail Spanberger, the party’s only other declared gubernatorial candidate.—Associated Press, ABC News • “In the wake of the Democrats’ victory in last month’s legislative election, advocates for a state-regulated cannabis marketplace in Virginia are experiencing a […]
A financial crisis for state emergency services and more Va. headlines
• “In 2020, Virginia lawmakers worked with law enforcement groups to pass new rules aimed at decertifying police officers facing allegations of misconduct. But three years later, Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s administration has prevented key parts of the law from going into effect — a move a top Democrat said is in clear violation of the law.—VPM […]
Syphilis cases on the rise and more Virginia headlines
• Syphilis cases have increased 22% in Virginia over the past year, spurring the state Department of Health to launch a new webpage to track the disease.—Staunton News-Leader • Gov. Glenn Youngkin said he was “extremely worried” about free speech on Virginia college campuses at a Higher Education Summit on Free Speech and Intellectual Diversity at the […]
FOIA Friday: UVa and Richmond Public Schools refuse to release shooting reports
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. While the Virginia Freedom of Information Act presumes all government business is by default public and requires officials to justify why exceptions should be made, too many Virginia leaders in […]
Virginia is top contender for battery project and more state headlines
• Virginia is a top contender for a plant being developed by Tennessee-based Microporous that would manufacture lithium-ion battery parts. The project, which just nabbed a $100 million U.S. Department of Energy grant, is eyeing the Southern Virginia Megasite at Berry Hill in Pittsylvania.—Virginia Business • The local chapter of the United Auto Workers union in […]
High medical marijuana prices driving consumers elsewhere and more Va. headlines
• An increasing number of people are calling for the University of Virginia to release its independent review of the murder of three student athletes by another student last year. “Are they hiding something? I don’t know. But I know one way you can stop speculation on it: Release it to the families like you promised.”—Daily […]
High numbers of RSV cases statewide and more Va. headlines
• Virginia’s Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services is reorganizing in an attempt to carry out behavioral health reforms that are part of Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s “Right Help, Right Now” plan to improve services for people in psychiatric or substance use crises. —Richmond Times-Dispatch • Doctors are seeing high numbers of RSV cases statewide, as well […]
A new political coalition in Mathews County and more Va. headlines
• After a ruling by the Supreme Court of Virginia this summer, the state Department of Corrections is extending enhanced sentence credits to more inmates convicted of attempted crimes. The ACLU of Virginia had argued the state was improperly denying the enhanced credits to certain incarcerated people.—Washington Post • The Virginia NAACP is criticizing Senate Democrats’ choice […]
Keeping children facing family crisis with relatives and more Va. headlines
• “Virginia’s first Black House speaker says there’s room to work with Gov. Youngkin.” —NBC News • A judge allowed a lawsuit by a Walmart employee who was nearly shot by her supervisor in a Nov. 2022 mass shooting at a Chesapeake store that left six dead to proceed against the mega retailer.—WAVY • Hanover County Schools administrators […]
Virginia State University first HBCU to host U.S. presidential debate and more state headlines
• Virginia State University will host the second of three scheduled general election presidential debates in 2024, making it the first historically Black college or university to do so.—WRIC • “Growing Pains” TV star turned author Kirk Cameron will appear at a Spotsylvania County high school next month to read from his new book, which […]
A lawsuit over the ‘catfish cop’ and more Va. headlines
• “The race for a Petersburg-area House of Delegates seat is likely to go to a recount after the Republican candidate was declared the victor by 74 votes, but the outcome will not affect the new majority Democrats won in the chamber in the Nov. 7 elections.”—Washington Post • A California family is suing the […]
Lawmakers seek yet another skill game ban delay and more Va. headlines
• After the Supreme Court of Virginia lifted an injunction that had barred the state from enforcing its ban on skill games for nearly two years, a bipartisan group of lawmakers asked Gov. Glenn Youngkin to further delay enforcement of the law, saying they want to craft a plan to regulate the machines.—Richmond Times-Dispatch • Virginia Attorney […]