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State report recommends sweeping changes to Virginia psychiatric hospital system
In a sweeping report released Monday, a state commission recommended changes to Virginia’s decade-old “bed of last resort” law and urged the state to put greater pressure on private hospitals to accept patients under commitment orders. The proposals, put forward by the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission, a state body that conducts studies for […]
Beware of holiday scammers, says Virginia AG Miyares
The holidays are in full swing, with snowflakes falling, partygoers highballing, carolers caterwauling — and scammers cold-calling. And emailing. And texting. Last year, the consumer protection division of Virginia’s Office of the Attorney General received 1,006 complaints during the holiday season, generally defined as running from the two weeks before Thanksgiving through New Year’s Day, […]
Virginia nets $729 million for Long Bridge expansion
Virginia officials announced Thursday that the state has netted $729 million in federal funds to help pay for the expansion of the Long Bridge over the Potomac, widely seen as the biggest rail choke point along the East Coast. “This investment will help transform the rail system in Virginia, improving the flow of people and […]
PETA launches animal welfare violation tracker for Va. schools using animals in research
People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) has launched a website cataloging violations of federal animal welfare rules at five Virginia public universities that use animals in their research. “The information we are gathering is intended to educate legislators on the need for more transparency and accountability for taxpayer funded institutions that still experiment […]
Va. corrections department: No sex offender crimes involving minors reported on Halloween
The Virginia Department of Corrections said that while no crimes involving convicted sex offenders and minor victims were reported on Halloween, probation and parole officers requested eight warrants for probation violations and arrested five people. “We would like to report zero violations on Halloween, but these warrants and arrests demonstrate the Virginia Department of Corrections’ […]
Va. Supreme Court rules felon must reimburse state Medicaid for victim’s medical costs
The Supreme Court of Virginia last week ruled that a Patrick County man convicted of a 2019 stabbing must pay restitution to the state Medicaid program to cover the costs of the victim’s medical treatment. The ruling reverses an earlier decision by the Virginia Court of Appeals that found the state’s Department of Medical Assistance […]
Va. court: Zoning violation notices must spell out consequences of not appealing to local board
In a case involving a Chesapeake carport, the Virginia Court of Appeals ruled that zoning violation notices issued by a local government must clearly state that the property owner’s failure to contest the violation within 30 days means the decision is legally “final and unappealable.” “Without the finality language, a property owner might logically conclude […]
All Virginia wildfires except Matt’s Creek contained, say officials
After an unusually active fall fire season that has seen responders struggle to get multiple blazes under control, all of Virginia’s wildfires except for the Matt’s Creek Fire in Bedford County have been contained. As of Monday night, the state had “no active wildfires” besides Matt’s Creek, said Virginia Department of Forestry spokesman Greg Bilyeu […]
For 346th year, Virginia tribes present governor with a tribute of game
Turkey may be the symbol of Thanksgiving in the U.S., but in Virginia, the first sign of the holiday is usually two deer laid before the steps of the Executive Mansion. For the 346th year, the Mattaponi and Pamunkey tribes presented the state’s governor with an annual tribute of game as part of a ceremony […]
The first bills of the 2024 Virginia General Assembly have dropped. Here’s what they would do.
Virginia’s next General Assembly won’t convene until Jan. 10, but senators and delegates have already begun penning legislation. (And by that, we mean the Virginia Division of Legislative Services is hard at work translating their goals into the high-flown tones of state code.) On Monday, the start of the 2024 session’s official prefiling period, lawmakers […]
Virginia members of Congress ask for investigation into site pick for new FBI headquarters
Eleven members of Virginia’s 13-member congressional delegation are asking the acting inspector general for the federal General Services Administration to launch an investigation into the agency’s site selection process for the new Federal Bureau of Investigation headquarters. “There is overwhelming evidence suggesting that the General Services Administration (GSA) administered a site selection process fouled by […]
Who Virginia Dems and the GOP picked to lead them in the 2024 General Assembly
Ahead of the 2024 General Assembly session, Virginia Democrats and Republicans are picking their leadership. After winning narrow majorities in both the House of Delegates and the Senate, Democrats are poised to assume majority roles in the chambers, while the GOP will take up minority positions. Here’s who the parties have picked: Virginia Senate Majority […]