Criminal Justice + Policing
Biden commutes nearly all federal death sentences
President Joe Biden commuted the sentences on Monday of 37 death row inmates, citing his conscience as a force behind the decision. He also left the death sentences unchanged for three men charged with hate-motivated mass shootings and terrorism. Biden, who imposed a moratorium on federal executions during his administration, commuted the death sentences to […]
Virginia lawmakers renew push for legal cannabis marketplace
Virginia lawmakers are preparing to reintroduce bipartisan legislation aimed at creating a regulated and taxed adult-use cannabis marketplace in the state. The renewed push comes after Gov. Glenn Youngkin vetoed a similar proposal earlier this year. Del. Paul Krizek, D-Fairfax, and Sen. Aaron Rouse, D-Virginia Beach, are once again spearheading the effort, planning to bring […]
Virginia’s new corrections ombudsman to prioritize Red Onion prison probe
Virginia’s top investigatory body is turning its attention to Red Onion State Prison following alarming reports of self-harm and poor conditions at the supermax facility in Wise County. Andrea Sapone, the state’s new corrections ombudsman, announced Monday that her office will prioritize an investigation into living conditions and the health and safety of incarcerated individuals […]
New Virginia investigator to streamline complaint filing for incarcerated people and their families
Virginia’s new corrections ombudsman, Andrea Sapone, is hitting the ground running, pledging to investigate allegations of mistreatment and address health and safety concerns raised by incarcerated people and their families. Hired in late September by the Office of the State Inspector General, Sapone said her office has already begun tracking letters and emails from those […]
Virginia Department of Corrections confirm inmates burned themselves; lawmakers want investigation
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 […]
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 joins push to break Google’s search monopoly
Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares has joined the U.S. Department of Justice and a coalition of 38 state attorneys general in proposing sweeping remedies to dismantle Google’s unlawful monopoly over internet search engines and restore competition in the digital marketplace. The push follows a landmark ruling in August 2024 by a federal district court in […]
Virginia lawmakers considering regulating police use of automated license plate readers
State lawmakers are debating whether to regulate law enforcement departments’ use of Automated License Plate Readers (ALPR). They heard constituents’ perspectives on the technology and reviewed studies from the Virginia State Crime Commission at a meeting in Richmond on Thursday. ALPRs are typically mounted cameras (but can also be dashboard cameras) that capture a photograph […]
Va. House panel advances amendments on abortion rights, marriage equality and voting rights
A Democratic-led House of Delegates panel on Wednesday advanced three proposed constitutional amendments, including a revised measure seeking to enshrine abortion rights in the state’s highest law. The new proposal would also require third-trimester abortions to be approved by one doctor instead of three, as the law currently mandates. The 22-member House Privileges and Elections […]
Waynesboro voters sue to block election board’s potential refusal to certify 2024 results
Five Waynesboro voters have filed a lawsuit to prevent the majority of the Waynesboro Board of Elections from following through on their controversial pledge to refuse certification of the November 2024 election results, a move they argue would violate Virginia state law. The plaintiffs — Jennifer Lewis, Ann Criser-Shedd, Greg Fife, Chris Graham and Andrea […]
These Virginians won’t be able to vote next month
Santia Nance and Gin Carter said they haven’t washed a single dish since their partners were released from prison. As both loathe the household chore, Nance’s husband Quadaire Patterson and Carter’s husband Taj Mahon-Haft have been more than happy to take it on. While Carter is in her fourth year of veterinarian school, Mahon-Haft said […]
Waynesboro GOP officials sue over Va.’s voting system, threaten to block election certification
Two GOP officials from Waynesboro have filed a lawsuit challenging Virginia’s voting system ahead of the Nov. 5 presidential election while threatening to not certify the results. In their complaint, Curtis Lilly, the chairman of the Waynesboro Electoral Board, and Scott Mares, the board’s vice chair, are raising concerns about the validity of future results […]