Author

Charlotte covers politics for Virginia Mercury following several years of state, local and federal government coverage at other Virginia outlets to include the Richmond Times-Dispatch and Charlottesville Tomorrow. Some focal points of her coverage for Virginia Mercury include health and housing policy.
Virginia Mercury is part of States Newsroom, the nation’s largest state-focused nonprofit news organization.
National Democratic group boosts Srinivasan, Singh in upcoming Virginia special elections
By: Charlotte Rene Woods - December 6, 2024
With a Republican-controlled White House, U.S. House and Senate on the horizon, some special elections in Virginia next month are the first opportunity for voters to challenge or reinforce Democratic majorities in the state legislature. That’s why the Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee is putting a spotlight on Senate District 32 and House District 26. After […]
Why Sen. Sturtevant wants to stop big investment firms from buying homes in Virginia
By: Charlotte Rene Woods - December 5, 2024
Sen. Glen Sturtevant, R-Chesterfield, has been frustrated by large investment firms purchasing homes in Virginia. Both in posts on social media and in a Zoom call open to the public and press on Wednesday, he outlined some policy proposals that he hopes can help with affordable housing. First, he laid out his legislative efforts to […]
Richmond registrar resigns following reports of code violation, misuse of public funds
By: Charlotte Rene Woods - December 4, 2024
Richmond registrar Keith Balmer confirmed that he resigned from his position Wednesday, a decision the city’s electoral board accepted in a closed session earlier in the day. His last day will be Dec. 31. The board met to discuss investigations that revealed multiple violations of city policy and misuse of public funds, The Richmonder reported. […]
Kaine, Spanberger part of bipartisan, bicameral efforts to address drug supply chain shortages
By: Charlotte Rene Woods - December 4, 2024
Southside Virginia resident Wendy Oliver’s body might be frail amid her struggle with Lupus — an autoimmune disease that has rendered her disabled — but her spirit is strong as she and her husband navigate accessing her pain medication amid national drug shortages. “This (disease) is something I have to deal with, but I don’t […]
Virginia electoral board certifies 2024 results following ‘safe and fair’ election
By: Charlotte Rene Woods - December 2, 2024
The State Board of Elections officially certified this year’s election on Monday, affirming the results of local, congressional and national contests in the commonwealth. “The bottom line is that we had safe and fair elections in Virginia this year,” said John O’Bannon, the chair of the board who was appointed by Gov. Glenn Youngkin. Monday’s […]
Virginia Department of Corrections confirm inmates burned themselves; lawmakers want investigation
By: Charlotte Rene Woods - November 27, 2024
At least six incarcerated people have burned themselves at western Virginia’s Red Onion State Prison, the Virginia Department of Corrections confirmed Wednesday. Lawmakers in Virginia’s Legislative Black Caucus say a dozen prisoners have harmed themselves since mid-September and want an investigation into inmates’ claims of poor living conditions and treatment in the high-security prison. Earlier […]
Hundreds of animals have tested positive for rabies in Va. this year. How does it affect humans?
By: Charlotte Rene Woods - November 27, 2024
Last week, central Virginia’s district of the state health department reported a cat in Lynchburg tested positive for rabies, following at least four cases in the Lynchburg area and 272 positive rabies tests in animals statewide so far this year. While the full year’s numbers haven’t been reported yet, 381 animals tested positive for rabies […]
Virginia housing groups look to 2025 for legislative, funding solutions
By: Charlotte Rene Woods - November 25, 2024
The number of Virginians who are unhoused has been on the rise, according to various data sources. A report from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development showed that in 2023, roughly 7.8 per 10,000 people in Virginia were experiencing homelessness. Recent point-in-time counts in the greater Richmond area showed an increase in unhoused […]
Youngkin establishes task force to combat negative effects of social media on youth mental health
By: Charlotte Rene Woods - November 21, 2024
Gov. Glenn Youngkin announced Executive Order 43 on Thursday, which enacted a multi-pronged effort to address the impact of social media use on children’s mental health. The order established the Reclaiming Childhood Task Force to counter “addictive” social media use in youth and “create opportunities for cultural change.” The directive came months after the governor […]
Virginia localities affected by Hurricane Helene now eligible for special SNAP benefits
By: Charlotte Rene Woods - November 18, 2024
Some Southwest Virginians affected by this fall’s Hurricane Helene will be able to tap into the Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance (D-SNAP) program. Recipients will receive one month of benefits that they can use to purchase groceries at SNAP-authorized stores and select online retailers to help meet food needs as they stabilize in recovery efforts. Over […]
Miyares seeks reelection as attorney general, paves way for Earle-Sears in governor’s race
By: Markus Schmidt and Charlotte Rene Woods - November 18, 2024
Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares announced Monday that he will seek reelection in 2025, putting to rest speculation that he might enter the Republican primary for governor. His decision effectively clears the way for Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears to secure her party’s nomination for the state’s top job. “I serve as the people’s protector,” Miyares […]
Workforce housing directive to bolster economic development and new home construction in Virginia
By: Charlotte Rene Woods - November 15, 2024
Virginia will help fund housing construction near major business developments, Gov. Glenn Younkgin announced this week. A new executive order, on the heels of an announcement about a major manufacturing development near Danville, sets a goal of investing $75 million towards localities that want to bolster housing supply tied to new job creation over the […]