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Virginia Mercury
Millions are trying FDA-authorized alternatives to Big Pharma’s weight loss drugs
By Arthur Allen Pharmacist Mark Mikhael has lost 50 pounds over the past 12 months. He no longer has diabetes and finds himself “at my ideal body weight,” with his cholesterol below 200 for the first time in 20 years. “I feel fantastic,” he said. Like millions of others, Mikhael credits the new class of […]
Bacteria prompts swimming ban in part of Virginia Beach Oceanfront more state headlines
• “Virginia Attorney General asks SCOTUS to block new EPA power plant regulations.”—WAVY • “Many Virginia stores still selling illegal hemp products, over $10 million in fines issued in the last year.”—WRIC • “In Giles County, officials hope to breathe new life into an old coal power plant.”—Cardinal News • “Richmond jail still operating under […]
Daughter of former Supreme Court justice appointed to Virginia Board of Education
Meg Bryce, a daughter of the late conservative Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia, has been appointed by Gov. Glenn Youngkin to serve as the newest member of the Virginia Board of Education. The governor has yet to fill the second seat on the nine-member board after two seats became available earlier this month. “We are […]
William & Mary receives $100 million donation for school of marine sciences to study climate change
One of Virginia’s top universities will dedicate a $100 million donation to revamping its marine science school and attracting researchers to help students understand the evolving impacts of climate change. The College of William & Mary announced Wednesday it received the gift from philanthropist Jane Batten to rename its School of Marine Science at the […]
Amazon claims to power all its operations with renewable energy. If only that were true.
When Amazon announced this month that it had achieved 100% renewable energy seven years ahead of schedule, that sounded like really good news for Virginia. Amazon owns more data centers here than anyone else, and data center energy demand is driving Dominion Energy Virginia’s plan to renege on its climate commitments, keep dirty coal plants […]
City of Richmond sells building to Planned Parenthood for $10 and more Virginia headlines
• “Records suggest Gov. Youngkin took Altria’s jet for Republican National Convention trip.”—WRIC • “Richmond sells North Side building to Planned Parenthood for $10.”—Richmond Times-Dispatch • “Virginia lawmaker withdraws earmark for gas pipeline.”—E&E News by Politico • “Suffolk approves surface mining on property that contains natural heritage site.”—WHRO • “The nearly forgotten law that kept Virginia […]
Virginia’s DNC delegation votes to back Harris at convention
Nearly all of Virginia’s 119 delegates to next month’s Democratic National Convention have endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris to lead the party’s presidential ticket in November, after President Joe Biden abandoned his reelection bid. Harris was already well on her way to locking down the nomination, but the Monday night vote added Virginia’s delegates to […]
Va. plans to create cell phone-free education guidelines. Developing them will be complex.
As concerns mount over student performance, echoed in an executive order from Gov. Glenn Youngkin, Virginia is developing policies and guidelines to restrict students’ use of cell phones during school hours. Some educators and advocates question the effort and believe that cell phone-free policies could be hard to enforce and may harm certain students. Research shows […] The post Va. plans to create cell phone-free education guidelines. Developing them will be complex. appeared first on Virginia Mercury.
Environmental groups raise issues about Hopewell plant’s air permit
Last week, the Southern Environmental Law Center filed a petition with federal regulators that raises pollution concerns stemming from Virginia’s issuance of an air permit to an AdvanSix Resins and Chemicals manufacturing plant in the city of Hopewell. On July 19, the SELC filed the petition with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency on behalf of […] The post Environmental groups raise issues about Hopewell plant’s air permit appeared first on Virginia Mercury.
States strike out on their own on AI, privacy regulation
As congressional sessions have passed without any new federal artificial intelligence laws, state legislators are striking out on their own to regulate the technologies in the meantime. Colorado just signed into effect one of the most sweeping regulatory laws in the country, which sets guardrails for companies that develop and use AI. Its focus is mitigating consumer […] The post States strike out on their own on AI, privacy regulation appeared first on Virginia Mercury.
Two more dogs die at Alexandria pet hotel already under investigation and more Va. headlines
“Landlords again attempt to oust Bristol abortion clinic from its building.”—Cardinal News “Mother of Huguenot shooting victim seeks $26M from Richmond Public Schools.”—Richmond Times-Dispatch “Fredericksburg Mayor Devine Addresses Train Derailment, Calls for Transparency.”—Potomac Local News “2 additional dogs reported to have died after stay at Virginia PetSmart hotel already under investigation.”—WTOP “Virginia Tech researchers explore […]
Reproductive rights could be a key platform for Harris in Virginia
Though now somewhat outdated after President Joe Biden dropped out of his campaign for reelection, a recent Emerson College poll showed former President Donald Trump with a two-point lead over him. While forthcoming polling can help shed more light on a matchup between Trump and current Vice President Kamala Harris, the presumptive Democratic nominee, the […]
Virginia Democrats rapidly coalesce behind Harris after Biden steps aside
Even before the presidential debate, according to U.S. Sen. Tim Kaine, Democrats were concerned about a perceived lack of energy in their party. But whatever uncertainty came with President Joe Biden’s decision Sunday to end his campaign and back Vice President Kamala Harris to lead the Democratic ticket, Kaine said the elevation of Harris has […] The post Virginia Democrats rapidly coalesce behind Harris after Biden steps aside appeared first on Virginia Mercury.
With Biden out, Virginia Dems pray for new nominee and a boost from the top of the ticket
Until Sunday afternoon, Democrats in Virginia and elsewhere were in deepening despair over their prospects in the presidential election less than four months down the line. They had two options: worse and worst. President Joe Biden’s Sunday concession to the ravages of advanced age (already the oldest sitting president in U.S. history, he would turn […] The post With Biden out, Virginia Dems pray for new nominee and a boost from the top of the ticket appeared first on Virginia Mercury.
Environmental lawyers share how Chevron doctrine’s overturning impacts Virginia
The U.S. Supreme Court’s recent decision to overturn the Chevron doctrine could impact environmental protections in Virginia — or not. While the exact implications are unclear, attorneys with environmental organizations say the overturning could influence Virginia’s tailpipe emissions, but rules around keeping waterways clean appear to be on firmer ground. “There’s no question you’re going […] The post Environmental lawyers share how Chevron doctrine’s overturning impacts Virginia appeared first on Virginia Mercury.
Va. law enforcement leaders ‘confident’ in public safety coverage plans for future campaign rallies
Former President Donald Trump rallied in Chesapeake, Virginia about two weeks before a nationally-televised assassination attempt at a Pennsylvania rally left him and two others wounded, and one person dead. While it’s unclear whether there will be more presidential rallies here before the November election, amid heightened public safety concerns, local and state police agencies […] The post Va. law enforcement leaders ‘confident’ in public safety coverage plans for future campaign rallies appeared first on Virginia Mercury.
What to know about Vice President Kamala Harris, endorsed by Biden as his successor
WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden on Sunday endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris to be the new Democratic presidential nominee, passing the torch to the California native who has helmed administration initiatives on reproductive rights and gun control. A former U.S. senator from California who vied for her party’s presidential nomination in the 2020 primaries, Harris, 59, would […] The post What to know about Vice President Kamala Harris, endorsed by Biden as his successor appeared first on Virginia Mercury.
Reactions to Biden stepping aside and more Virginia headlines
• “Virginia lawmakers react after Biden announces he is dropping out of the 2024 race.”—13NewsNow • “Political analyst weighs in on VP-nominee J.D. Vance’s visit to Southwest Virginia.”—WSLS • “Biden’s withdrawal resets elections in Virginia.”—Richmond Times-Dispatch • “Train derailment in Fredericksburg damages garages, no injuries reported.”—7News • “America’s next great wine destination? Northern Virginia.”—Wall Street […]
President Joe Biden bows out of reelection campaign, endorses Harris
WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden dropped out of the 2024 presidential race Sunday, he said in a letter posted to social media, creating an unprecedented vacancy atop the Democratic ticket one month before he was scheduled to officially accept his party’s nomination. In a followup post less than 30 minutes later, Biden endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris to […] The post President Joe Biden bows out of reelection campaign, endorses Harris appeared first on Virginia Mercury.
Youngkin speaks about energy plan ahead of update in coming weeks
Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin on Friday leaned into his All-of-the-Above energy plan that calls for continued use of natural gas, despite scientists stating human use of fossil fuels is causing climate change’s increasingly intense storms. “We need more gas. We need more solar and wind and we need nuclear and we are going to lead […] The post Youngkin speaks about energy plan ahead of update in coming weeks appeared first on Virginia Mercury.
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The Virginia Mercury is an independent, nonprofit online news organization covering state government and policy. From the push to remove Confederate statues to big shifts in health care and energy policy, the Old Dominion is changing. The Mercury aims to bring a fresh perspective to coverage of the state’s biggest issues. The news outlet, which also features original and guest commentary on a range of topics, is staffed full-time by five veteran Virginia newspaper journalists. The Mercury is part of States Newsroom, a national 501(c)(3) nonprofit supported by grants and a coalition of donors and readers. We retain full editorial independence and are a proud member of the Virginia Press Association.
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