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Youngkin blasts DOJ lawsuit that thrust Virginia’s voter roll removals into national spotlight
Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s executive order to remove more than 6,000 Virginians from the voter rolls has come under intense national scrutiny after the Department of Justice (DOJ) filed a lawsuit challenging its legality. With just weeks until the Nov. 5 election, the suit has amplified concerns over voter disenfranchisement and the integrity of the state’s […]
Insurance payments to repeatedly flooding Va. properties continue to rise
When it comes to protecting against flooding, the National Flood Insurance Program is increasingly underwater in Virginia, especially in Hampton Roads. A new analysis and online tool created by the Natural Resources Defense Council reveals that nearly 7,000 Virginia properties had repeated claims for flood damage over 10 years. And the program, administered by the […]
Federal government sends Virginia $10 million for Route 58 repair after Hurricane Helene washout
The United States Department of Transportation announced Friday that it’s sending $10 million to the Virginia Department of Transportation to “restore and reopen” a one-mile stretch of Route 58 in Washington County that was washed out when Hurricane Helene wreaked havoc in the Southwest Virginia region. “Hurricane Helene’s devastation affected communities in multiple states, including […]
Harris vs. Trump: Who is raising more money in Virginia and more state headlines
• “Harris vs. Trump: Who is raising more money in Virginia?” —WSET • “Virginia Republicans say they’re optimistic about November. Experts say they shouldn’t be.” — The News Virginian • “Richmond’s Black History Museum joins global network for education on slavery.” — Axios Richmond • “Virginia’s juvenile striped bass numbers down for 2nd straight year, […]
Leslie Mehta hopes to flip Virginia’s Republican-leaning 1st Congressional District
Longtime incumbent U.S. Rep. Rob Wittman, R-Westmoreland, has served the 1st Congressional District since 2007. But this year’s Democratic challenger, Leslie Mehta, might make him work harder to win. She thinks she can flip the seat. “The thing with Rob Whitman is that he’s never had a real challenge,” said Chaz Nuttycombe, founder of the […]
Despite recent rain, farmers in Virginia struggle with effects of summer drought
Morgan Slaven runs a sheep farm in Augusta County, where her family has been across different operations for seven generations, now with her nieces pitching in. This year, Slaven was grateful because of her “off farm job” to generate income after drought conditions, presenting back to back years of challenges ahead of this year’s harvest […]
Data shows thousands of Virginians in need of child care services
Parents of nearly 10,000 children in Virginia are seeking early childhood care and education services primarily in the south and central regions, according to data collected by the Department of Education as of Oct. 1. Industry experts say the challenge is balancing capacity and demand as the state focuses on preparing children and supporting families. […]
Va. Supreme Court ruling puts Fauquier dirt farmer back in business and more state headlines
• “Tony Bennett cites NIL and transfer portal era as reason he’s suddenly retiring at Virginia.”—Associated Press • “Faculty at Northern Virginia Community College say president’s leadership is ‘harming students.’”—WTOP • “253K people left Virginia last year: These were their top destinations.”—WRIC • “The unique way Richmond elects its mayor.”—VPM News • “Fauquier dirt farmer […]
‘Momnibus bill’ plans announced at Virginia’s Black Maternal Health Summit
Virginia lawmakers plan to introduce a “momnibus bill” in each chamber next year to help enhance maternal healthcare access, reduce mortality rates and address racial and unconscious bias. A play on the term, “omnibus,” the forthcoming legislation will be able to address a series of factors that contribute to negative maternal health outcomes. “Too many […]
FOIA Friday: Nonprofit sues Criminal Justice Services for withholding records of officers
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 […]
Va. attorney general sued by election worker he accused of corruption and more state headlines
• “Va.’s AG accused an election worker of corruption. She’s suing him back.”—Washington Post • “UVa surgeons detail ‘upcoding’ they say allowed health system to fraudulently bill patients.”—Daily Progress • “It’s wildfire season in Va. How you can help prevent them?”—WTOP News • “Lanternfly infestation continues to plague Northern Virginia wineries.”—Fox 5 • “How Virginia […]
Witt and McGuire square off in sole 5th District debate
Democrat Gloria Witt and her Republican opponent, state Sen. John McGuire, faced off in a respectful but spirited debate Thursday for the first and only time, offering sharply contrasting visions for Virginia’s 5th Congressional District as the race enters its final stretch. The 45-minute discussion, hosted by WSET Lynchburg at Hampden-Sydney College in Farmville, provided […]
Amazon announces deal with Dominion Energy to develop a small nuclear reactor
Amazon announced Wednesday that it entered into an agreement with Dominion Energy to pay for the development of a small modular reactor as the utility explores building one at its North Anna Power Station, an existing traditional nuclear power plant in Louisa County. At its second headquarters in Arlington, Amazon also announced an agreement with […]
Think you might have been mistakenly purged from Virginia’s voter rolls? Here’s what to do.
Though state law allows people who didn’t indicate citizenship status when filling out forms at the Department of Motor Vehicles to be removed from voter rolls, two lawsuits have alleged that Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s administration is violating federal law by continuing removals within 90 days of Election Day. For anyone who became a citizen since […]
Social Security and Medicare: Where do Harris and Trump stand?
This is one in a series of States Newsroom reports on the major policy issues in the presidential race. WASHINGTON — The presidential debate in early September included just one mention of Social Security and three references to Medicare, making the safety net programs a minuscule part of the policy discussion, despite their importance to […]
Democrat Gloria Witt surpasses 5th District GOP rival John McGuire in latest fundraising
In a significant fundraising boost, Democrat Gloria Witt for the first time has outpaced her Republican opponent, state Sen. John McGuire, R-Goochland, in Virginia’s 5th Congressional District, with only weeks until the Nov. 5 election. Witt’s campaign reported having pulled in $218,627 in the third quarter ending Sept. 30, as opposed to McGuire, who raised […]
Dominion pushes for renewables, more natural gas in latest long-term plan
Virginia’s largest utility, Dominion Energy, on Tuesday filed an update to its long-term electricity generation plan showing the majority of energy it expects to produce will come from renewable sources. Dominion’s revamped, non-binding Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) looks 15 years into the future to detail how power will be provided and calls for an “all-of-the-above” approach that […]
Trump vows to levy ‘horrible’ tariffs on imports, rejecting fears of inflation spike
Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump defended his plans for steep tariffs on Tuesday, arguing economists who say that those higher costs would get passed onto consumers are incorrect and that his proposals would benefit American manufacturing. During an argumentative hour-long interview with Bloomberg Editor-in-Chief John Micklethwait hosted by the Economic Club of Chicago, Trump vehemently […]
CNN’s Tapper, Youngkin spar over Trump’s military remarks and other Virginia headlines
• “CNN’s Tapper, Youngkin spar over Trump’s military remarks.” — The Hill • “Fairfax supervisor Pat Herrity mulls GOP run for lieutenant governor.” — Richmond Times-Dispatch • “Illegal THC-infused seltzers are available in Virginia.” — Axios • “Chance to learn more about insurance rates in Virginia.” — CBS19 • “Food truck owner plans to sue […]
Waynesboro GOP officials sue over Va.’s voting system, threaten to block election certification
Two GOP officials from Waynesboro have filed a lawsuit challenging Virginia’s voting system ahead of the Nov. 5 presidential election while threatening to not certify the results. In their complaint, Curtis Lilly, the chairman of the Waynesboro Electoral Board, and Scott Mares, the board’s vice chair, are raising concerns about the validity of future results […]
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The Virginia Mercury is an independent, nonprofit online news organization covering state government and policy. From the push to remove Confederate statues to big shifts in health care and energy policy, the Old Dominion is changing. The Mercury aims to bring a fresh perspective to coverage of the state’s biggest issues. The news outlet, which also features original and guest commentary on a range of topics, is staffed full-time by five veteran Virginia newspaper journalists. The Mercury is part of States Newsroom, a national 501(c)(3) nonprofit supported by grants and a coalition of donors and readers. We retain full editorial independence and are a proud member of the Virginia Press Association.
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