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Richmond City Council wants to increase internet speeds, close ‘digital divide’
By Liam Velazquez/Capital News Service RICHMOND, Va. — Richmond City Council recently adopted a resolution to declare high-speed internet a public necessity for all Richmond residents, an update to similar legislation passed three years ago. Andreas Addison, 1st District councilman and mayoral candidate, proposed the 2021 resolution. That resolution called on city officials to assess […]
Number of incarcerated pregnant women increases amid opioid epidemic
By Alyssa Hutton, Capital News Service Video by Jimmy Sidney, VCU InSight RICHMOND, Va. — Karlee Clements was six months pregnant, “full on into addiction” and begging to go to jail because she was afraid she would kill her child. Soon after, she was incarcerated at Riverside Regional Jail for a violation. Because of her […]
Coming soon: Signs warning consumers about invasive plants
By Shelby Warren / Capital News Service Legislation to educate consumers on invasive plant species passed in the General Assembly, but not without debate over where signage would be placed. Invasive plant species are not native to the region and can negatively impact ecosystems. The Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation has identified 90 invasive […]
Gov. Youngkin vetoes bills to rejoin voter data-sharing organization
By Emily Richardson/Capital News Service Gov. Glenn Youngkin recently vetoed two bills that would have allowed Virginia to rejoin a national organization that helps maintain voter rolls. The nonpartisan Election Registration Information Center, or ERIC, ensures up-to-date voter rolls and helps voters register when they move, according to Sen. Schuyler VanValkenburg, D-Henrico. Virginia was a founding member […]
Dark Sky Week resolution highlights ‘wonder and awe’ of star gazing
By Sam Bradley / Capital News Service Lawmakers unanimously supported a resolution that encouraged Virginians to “ponder the cosmic eons beyond” and consider the impact of increased light pollution. Del. David Reid, D-Loudoun, introduced House Joint Resolution 74 to designate the week of the new moon in April as International Dark Sky Week. Gov. Glenn Youngkin […]
Resolution honors Black donor as hidden figure in medical science
By Taya Coates / Capital News Service The first human-to-human heart transplant in the South occurred without donor consent from the injured Black man or his family, to help a white businessman live. Doctors in 1968 determined Bruce Tucker would not survive a severe head injury. The medical team led by Dr. Richard Lower and Dr. David […]
Virginia college sports betting proposal off the books for another year
By Ryan Carpenter / Capital News Service State lawmakers struck out again with a proposal to allow betting on Virginia college sports teams. Virginia law since 2021 has allowed sports betting through casinos and online sports books like FanDuel and BetMGM, with the exception of wagers on state youth and college sports. Some legislators have […]
Virginia bills advance to protect state employees who access medical cannabis
By Michael Chun / Capital News Service State lawmakers have advanced bills that would allow public sector employees to use medical cannabis without losing their job. House Bill 149, introduced by Del. Dan Helmer, D-Fairfax, extends to state public employees rights that already exist in the private sector. The bill passed with bipartisan support on […]
Virginia bills to cap rent increases don’t advance this session
By Thailon Wilson / Capital News Service State lawmakers did not advance legislation this session that aimed to slow rising rent prices, although affordable housing remains a big concern for constituents. Two proposed bills would have allowed localities to adopt anti-rent gouging provisions, prevent landlords from increasing rent without at least two-month notice, and set an […]
Virginia data shows severe shortage of child and adolescent psychiatrists
By Hollyann Purvis/Capital News Service RICHMOND, Va. — As a teacher and mother to a child with autism, Elizabeth Callahan is all too familiar with flaws in the Virginia mental health care system. “I see the longevity of it, and there’s just so many holes,” Callahan said. Callahan’s son was diagnosed by a developmental pediatrician […]
What Virginia college students need to know about voting
By Hollyann Purvis / Capital News Service College-aged people are among the largest voting block, yet tend to have the lowest turnout in elections, according to Campus Vote Project Virginia coordinator Amber Wilt. The group is a project of the Fair Elections Center and works to reduce barriers to student voting, according to its website. Just […]
Virginia municipalities crack down on short-term rentals
By Sam Brown / Capital News Service Several Virginia municipalities have recently drafted or passed ordinances to regulate short-term rentals. Scrutiny of short-term rentals mirrors a nationwide trend. Companies like Airbnb and Vrbo have become popular lodging options for tourists, as well as people in need of temporary housing. Municipalities have pushed back against the […]