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State, federal sexual assault bills to better protect students in limbo
By Anna West/VCU Capital News Service RICHMOND, Va. — Federal and state lawmakers have introduced legislation to strengthen support for and better protect sexual assault victims on college campuses, but the progress has been stagnant. A congressional bill introduced by a Virginia senator previously died and was reintroduced, but it is still in committee. […]
Virginia’s new mayors include first Black woman, Indian-American at city helm
By Marlene Dolla/VCU Capital News Service RICHMOND, Va. — There were many competitive mayoral races across Virginia and the outcomes include some historic firsts, and two races within the margin of a recount. Democrat Alyia Gaskins ran unopposed to become the City of Alexandria’s first Black woman elected mayor. She received 94% of over 65,000 […]
‘Rail should be bipartisan’: Commuters hope for continued investment as Biden’s term ends
By Cruz Walden/VCU Capital News Service RICHMOND, Va. — Jerrad Lee leaves his Midlothian house at 5:20 a.m., skipping the morning cup of coffee if he is running late. Lee arrives at the Staples Mill Amtrak station just in time to catch the 6:05 a.m. train to Union Station in Washington. Once on the train, […]
Election Day photos showcase Central Virginians at the polls
By Nick Caffacus and Alyssa Hutton/VCU Capital News Service RICHMOND, Va. — Central Virginia voters showed up to the polls on Tuesday Nov. 5 for their last chance to make their voices heard in the 2024 election. Voters, depending on their locality, voted for a presidential candidate, a Senate seat, congressional representative, a state constitutional […]
Va. college voting bloc utilizes same-day registration, shares top policy issues
Editor’s note: This story was reported by Charles Paullin and student journalist Katie Farthing in a special Election Day collaboration between The Virginia Mercury and VCU Capital News Service. RICHMOND, Va. — On Tuesday morning, outside the Virginia Commonwealth University polling location on the second floor of the Student Commons, several students shared their […]
Va. immigrants want candidate support: ‘We’re here to pave way for future generations’
By Samantha Granados / VCU Capital News Service RICHMOND, Va. — Presidential and congressional candidates have made immigrants and immigration a campaign focus. Immigrants represent 16% of Virginia workers, including entrepreneurs who make up 29% of “Main Street business owners,” according to a recent study by The Commonwealth Institute. Main Street businesses are “storefront shops […]
LGBTQ+ nonprofit hopes to drive support with new Va. license plate
By Katie Farthing /Capital News Service RICHMOND, Va. — Diversity Richmond, a local nonprofit that supports the Greater Richmond area’s LGBTQ+ community, released a preliminary design for its new “Celebrate Diversity” state license plate. Diversity Richmond hopes the license plate will increase visibility for the community, according to the Rev. Lacette Cross, who is also […]
Virginia college students run statehouse for a weekend
By Brodie Greene/Capital News Service RICHMOND, Va. — College students from nine Virginia universities spent a recent weekend at the State Capitol to learn about the legislative process through a government simulation. Students elected leadership positions within their respective parties, with roles that included majority and minority leader, as well as majority and minority whip. […]
Congress debates problem gambling as sports bettors trend younger
By Stacy Watkins/Capital News Service RICHMOND, Va. — Football season has kicked off and stretches from September to February. The sport is forecasted to bring in $35 billion in legal bets this season, according to the American Gaming Association. In Virginia it is one of the top types of sports wagers made, according to Virginia […]
Virginia colleges change protest rules, mirroring ‘unprecedented’ U.S. trend, advocate says
By Summer DeCiucis/Capital News Service RICHMOND, Va. — Students, lawmakers and free-speech activists question if updated university policies that regulate student demonstrations violate First Amendment rights. After campus protests that led to some clashes with police, institutions such as Virginia Commonwealth University, James Madison University, University of Virginia and Virginia Tech adopted similar policies. The […]
Homelessness on the rise in Richmond region’s older population
By Samantha Granados/Capital News Service RICHMOND, Va. — Older adults age 55 and up accounted for 44% of the homeless population in the Greater Richmond region, according to a recent annual count. Homelessness in the region increased 20% from 2023, while older adult homelessness rose two percentage points, based on recent data collected by the […]
Local registrars confident Virginia election is secure, encourage transparency
By Anna West/Capital News Service RICHMOND, Va. — Virginia election directors were busy in the weeks before early voting, and are working to ensure the process remains secure. Some elections officers have focused on voter engagement in an effort to counter distrust they believe stems from a lack of education about the process. In addition […]