“Grow up!”
Former Del. A.C. Cordoza defends controversial civil-rights-themed mailers opposing Virginia’s redistricting referendum Tuesday as Black conservatives joined the fight.
Democrats blasted the tactic as misleading and “stupid.” #valeg
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Virginia’s congressional Republicans are urging the Trump administration to review Virginia legislation that would tighten state oversight of the Virginia Military Institute, warning the changes could affect the military college’s governance.
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Virginia is one step closer to probation reform. Bipartisan bills headed to Gov. Abigail Spanberger would allow some people on probation to earn reductions in their supervision if they meet certain requirements and milestones.
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A controversial mailer campaign opposing Virginia’s redistricting referendum is drawing backlash for using civil rights imagery and references to Jim Crow.
Critics say the materials mislead voters, while the PAC behind them has little public footprint.
virginiamercury.com/2026/03/09/c...
The Virginia Department of Health has lifted the recreational water advisory for some parts of the state after 243 million gallons of sewage spilled into the Potomac River last month. But an environmental group is concerned that contaminants remain in the water. virginiamercury.com/2026/03/09/a...
Amid clinic closures, projected hospital funding cuts and millions at risk of losing insurance, health care issues will put Virginia Democrats on the offensive against Republicans in the midterm elections this fall, analysts say. Here's how it could play out: virginiamercury.com/2026/03/09/h...
A law legislators passed just weeks into this year's General Assembly session will be tested in a case challenging one of four constitutional amendments Virginia voters are supposed to weigh in on this year — and could have implications for all of them. virginiamercury.com/2026/03/06/l...
NEW: Early voting is now underway in Virginia’s redistricting referendum.
Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va., calls the proposal a temporary response “to counter the tyranny that Donald Trump has unleashed.”
virginiamercury.com/2026/03/06/u...
New Virginia Capital Trail Foundation Executive Director Sam McKelvey has a fresh vision for the car-free, 51-plus mile path running from Richmond to Jamestown. He envisions an app that will let trail users explore "400 years of Virginia history along the trail." virginiamercury.com/2026/03/06/m...
Bills to give state regulators authority to review how proposed data centers would impact the environment and energy reliability before approval were defeated this week. Opponents said they'd compromise local control; the bills' sponsors will try again next year. virginiamercury.com/2026/03/06/g...
NEW: Virginia AG Jay Jones has joined more than 20 states in suing the Trump administration over new global tariffs of up to 15% on imported goods.
The suit argues the president is imposing sweeping taxes on Americans without congressional approval.
virginiamercury.com/2026/03/05/v...
A last-minute change to a Virginia bill could double the state’s medical malpractice payout caps for plaintiffs, dramatically raising potential awards in rare cases that hit the cap.
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NEW: Former President Barack Obama and Gov. Abigail Spanberger welcome a Virginia Supreme Court ruling allowing early voting to begin Friday in the state’s redistricting referendum as Republicans mobilize opposition.
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Early voting begins Friday across Virginia for an April 21 referendum that could let lawmakers redraw the state’s congressional districts before the midterms.
The Va. Supreme Court cleared the way Wednesday, staying a lower court order pausing preparations.
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A Bedford County supervisor has filed a lawsuit challenging Virginia’s proposed reproductive rights constitutional amendment, arguing lawmakers didn’t follow procedures required before the 2025 election.
virginiamercury.com/2026/03/04/b...
Commentary: A proposal to bring a casino to wealthy Fairfax County is drawing fierce opposition from residents who say the area doesn’t need it — and would likely reject it at the ballot box, Roger Chesley writes.
virginiamercury.com/2026/03/04/v...
Legislation aimed at lowering utility bills by shifting some grid costs to data centers also revives the state’s expensive power-line burial program — a trade-off some lawmakers say could still push rates higher.
virginiamercury.com/2026/03/04/b...
Virginia lawmakers passed a bill requiring schools that teach about the Jan. 6, 2021 attack on the U.S. Capitol to present it as a violent effort to overturn the election.
The measure now heads to the governor’s desk.
virginiamercury.com/2026/03/04/b...
Virginia lawmakers have passed a bill requiring clear ingredient labels on menstrual products sold in the state, aiming to boost transparency and consumer safety.
The measure now heads to Gov. Abigail Spanberger’s desk.
virginiamercury.com/2026/03/03/b...
Virginia’s Commonwealth Transportation Board has reversed an earlier decision to transfer a rail-and-trail project to another agency, restoring control amid local debate over the future of the corridor.
virginiamercury.com/2026/03/03/v...
Parents in Scott County say they’re still waiting for answers after a spate of childhood cancer diagnoses as the Virginia Cancer Registry reviews data — even after a state health report ruled out a cluster due to outdated data.
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Virginia health secretary Marvin Figueroa (right) and health commissioner Dr. Cameron Webb are steering the state’s public health agencies as state health departments nationwide grapple with federal shifts that threaten to drain budgets and slash workforces. virginiamercury.com/2026/03/02/v...
President Trump’s war in Iran could shake up Virginia’s congressional races.
Dems question its legality; most VA Republicans back it.
Sen. Warner, up for reelection this fall, calls it a “war of choice.”
virginiamercury.com/2026/03/02/a...
Senate Bill 386 outlines Virginia's first steps towards restricting the use of biosolids, fertilizer which may contain toxic, health-harming "forever chemicals." The measure would mandate testing for the substances and ban use once certain levels are detected. virginiamercury.com/2026/03/02/v...
As Virginia schools adopt AI and students spend more time on screens, state lawmakers are questioning the impact on students’ safety, critical thinking and learning skills. Several AI bills are on track to pass the General Assembly; here's what they'd do: virginiamercury.com/2026/03/02/v...
AI in VA: Advocates of artificial intelligence praise the technology for increasing efficiency and productivity.
But as schools adopt AI and students spend more time on screens, Virginia state lawmakers have questions. @virginiamercury.com
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Several insurers left the Affordable Care Act marketplace at the end of last year, triggering a special enrollment period for some who lost their health coverage in the shift. These people have until March 1 to enroll in a new insurance plan; here's how: virginiamercury.com/briefs/if-yo...
Lawmakers rejected 14 nominations by former Gov. Youngkin at three institutions this month: Richard Bland College, VCU, and ODU. The legislature and Gov. Spanberger are reviewing the nomination process for governing boards at Virginia’s colleges and universities. virginiamercury.com/2026/02/27/v...
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has unveiled a new initiative to deliver critical national priority projects faster and cheaper.
It’s a potential breakthrough for the Corps and could fast-track some of Virginia’s coastal resilience projects. virginiamercury.com/2026/02/27/a...
Virginia legislators passed their spending plans yesterday, but the Senate's pitch to end data centers' sales tax exemption met pushback from worker unions and House Speaker Don Scott. Keeping the exemption will save jobs and boost the economy, they said. virginiamercury.com/2026/02/27/w...
