Government + Politics
Virginia’s turkeys will soon grace tables in India
As Virginians gather around the table for some Thanksgiving turkey, the state’s first shipment of turkey products are headed to India, thanks in part to the work of the state’s two U.S. senators. Earlier this month, Sen. Mark Warner announced that India will receive the frozen birds after reduced tariffs facilitated the first shipment “Obviously […]
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 […]
Investigation finds nearly $500,000 in waste, fraud, and abuse in Richmond Elections Office
An investigation into allegations of misuse of public resources by Richmond General Registrar Keith Balmer and his office has confirmed 25 of 26 claims of waste, fraud, and abuse, leading to nearly $500,000 in wasted taxpayer funds, according to a report released this week by the city’s inspector general. The city council is now calling […]
McGuire still hasn’t resigned his state Senate seat weeks after congressional win
Three weeks after being elected to the U.S. House of Representatives, Virginia state Sen. John McGuire, R-Goochland, has yet to resign his seat in the Virginia Senate, an unusual delay that has raised questions about the transition of power and the scheduling of a special election to fill his vacancy. McGuire, who defeated Democrat Gloria […]
Virginia housing groups look to 2025 for legislative, funding solutions
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 […]
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 […]
Youngkin establishes task force to combat negative effects of social media on youth mental health
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 […]
S&P upgrades Petersburg’s bond rating to AA-, reflecting financial resurgence
S&P Global Ratings has upgraded the city of Petersburg’s general obligation (GO) bond rating to AA- from A+, a move that highlights the city’s strengthened financial health and steady progress toward fiscal stability. The upgrade underscores Petersburg’s success in building reserves, improving liquidity, and achieving a secure financial position after years of turmoil. Petersburg’s GO […]
Trump’s victory sets the stage for high-stakes Virginia elections in 2025
Former President Donald Trump’s return to the White House following the Nov. 5 election is already sending ripples through Virginia politics and setting the stage for an intense 2025 election cycle in the commonwealth. With control of the governorship and the House of Delegates on the line, both parties are strategizing to leverage the shifting […]
Trump picks Dr. Oz to run mammoth Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
WASHINGTON — Former TV personality and onetime U.S. Senate candidate Mehmet Oz could become the next administrator for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, an expansive government agency that is responsible for large swaths of the country’s health care. President-elect Donald Trump announced his intent to nominate Oz on Tuesday, writing in a statement […]
Virginia localities affected by Hurricane Helene now eligible for special SNAP benefits
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 […]