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Harris-Walz ‘Fighting For Reproductive Freedom’ bus tour coming to Virginia this week
A national bus tour will be making pit stops in Virginia this week to highlight Vice President Kamala Harris and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz’s commitment to reproductive rights policy. The tour will tout campaign promises to voters, such as Harris’ plan to sign into law a bill to restore federal abortion protections, should congress send […]
Brown Grove residents’ case against Wegmans, Hanover County to get new review in appellate court
A years-long legal battle has entered a new chapter as residents of Brown Grove, a historically Black neighborhood in Hanover County, and a neighboring subdivision, have filed their response as part of the appeal in their case against the county’s board of supervisors and Wegmans. Though the national grocery chain was granted approval by the […]
Where do Virginia congressional candidates in key districts stand on top policy issues?
As Election Day draws closer, The Mercury asked candidates in four key Virginia congressional races — Districts 2, 7, 9 and 10 — to share their views and policy plans on the issues that most impact the commonwealth, and reviewed their positions on their campaign websites, social media pages, and in other media. Read their […]
Tennessee lawmaker Justin Pearson stumps for Democrats in Virginia
Tennessee state lawmaker Justin Pearson, D-Memphis, on Thursday joined U.S. Rep. Jennifer McClellan, D-Richmond, in Ettrick to engage young Democratic voters ahead of the presidential and congressional elections this fall. His visit to support Virginia Democrats and Vice President Kamala Harris came as Axios reported that former President Donald Trump’s campaign is scaling back in […]
Va. AG Miyares joins multistate inquiry into asset managers’ environmental investments
Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares joined a cohort of 24 attorneys general seeking answers from financial institutions that are prioritizing investments in companies with greenhouse gas reduction targets. Miyares signed onto a letter citing research from Consumers’ Research, a nonprofit organization, that highlighted large asset managers voting for recommendations by Institutional Shareholder Services on climate-related […]
Va. Republican voters, officials press for Harris over Trump
For Clint Taylor, for years the extent of his engagement in politics had just been filling in circles on ballots, he said. But now, he’s active in political advocacy, encouraging people to shift support from Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump this year — despite having voted for Trump in 2016 himself. Taylor decided to back […]
How Kamala Harris’ new policy plan could impact housing in Virginia
Virginia Democratic lawmakers praised Vice President Kamala Harris’ housing policy plans in a virtual call Wednesday afternoon. The gathering came on the heels of a new campaign ad highlighting Harris’ plan to build three million new homes and rental units if elected president. The plan is part of a proposal she unveiled ahead of the […]
CDC, Va. health officials tout updated COVID vaccine
While respiratory illnesses like the flu typically trend higher in the winter months, COVID-19 is not totally seasonal. Data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention indicate high or very high levels of COVID nationwide this summer. But with new vaccines expected to be available next month and the winter months on the horizon, […]
Youngkin announces expansion of fentanyl overdose awareness campaign
After an unstable childhood, Sheyka Lyon said that she had lost herself as an adult with drug addictions. She made her way to Virginia as a sex trafficking victim, she said, but found recovery when tapping into support programs at Caritas — a Richmond-based nonprofit that supports people in recovery from substance abuse. “It really […]
Eviction Defense Center pop-ups hosted around Richmond as pilot program
Richmond residents facing eviction might find walk-in hours at their local library helpful to get a refresher on their rights and tips on navigating the legal process. The Virginia Poverty Law Center (VPLC) has partnered with the Richmond Public Library to host in-person assistance hours at three locations each week. In addition to the in-person […]
Charlottesville’s about to become the second Virginia city to adopt ranked choice voting
Charlottesville’s about to become the second Virginia city to adopt ranked choice voting Charlottesville’s city council approved a draft ordinance this week that will allow the use of ranked choice voting next year — when primary elections will be held for some council seats. Though the measure will still need to formally pass at the […]
Could this right-to-counsel program for evictions become a statewide model?
While the sense of what makes a place a home can be strong, Jana Hobbs knows how fragile the ability to remain in a home can be. From a transient childhood to a portion of her younger adulthood spent unhoused and on drugs, to coping with mental health issues, Hobbs has had to overcome obstacles […]