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Virginia Mercury
IT glitch caused delays in flights, business operations in Virginia and across the globe
Air travel, banking, media and hospital systems were just some of the industries affected by a bug in a software update that scrambled business operations for many globally on Friday. Many of those who use Microsoft Windows likely experienced a “blue screen of death” or an error page. The issue was due to a single […] The post IT glitch caused delays in flights, business operations in Virginia and across the globe appeared first on Virginia Mercury.
FOIA Friday: Records show years-long history of overdue balances of ex-Richmond city official
One of the less noticed features of the Virginia Way is the long-running tendency of the commonwealth’s leaders to conduct their decision-making behind closed doors. While the Virginia Freedom of Information Act presumes all government business is by default public and requires officials to justify why exceptions should be made, too many Virginia leaders in […] The post FOIA Friday: Records show years-long history of overdue balances of ex-Richmond city official appeared first on Virginia Mercury.
Dept. of Ed. holds first ‘cell phone-free education’ meeting and more Virginia headlines
• “Virginia Department of Education holds first ‘cell phone free education’ meeting.”—Fox 5 • “Suffolk family warns parents to check for ticks after daughter’s tick paralysis diagnosis.”—WAVY • “Virginia man indicted for exploiting girl, flying to Minnesota to try and meet her, DOJ says.”—CBS News • “Virginia health department warns against swimming in James River […]
U.S. appeals court agrees to block central part of new Title IX gender rules for schools
A federal appellate court has upheld blocking central parts of new Title IX rules from the Biden administration and granted an expedited hearing in October. A three-judge panel of the 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals agreed Wednesday to block the rules from taking effect Aug. 1, shortly before most schools begin their academic year. The rules, […] The post U.S. appeals court agrees to block central part of new Title IX gender rules for schools appeared first on Virginia Mercury.
Va. legislature restores funding for tuition benefit for military families, for now
Legislators met on Thursday and passed bills to repeal changes to a college financial aid program for military veterans’ families and designate $90 million towards sustaining it for at least the next two years. The Virginia Military Survivors and Dependents Education Program (VMSDEP) provides education benefits to children and spouses of severely injured or killed […] The post Va. legislature restores funding for tuition benefit for military families, for now appeared first on Virginia Mercury.
Chesterfield County decides to not take up zoning appeal for Dominion’s natural gas plant
Chesterfield County has denied an appeal to overturn a land use decision for Dominion’s proposed natural gas plant, but community members say they aren’t giving up. Friends of Chesterfield, the group fighting the project, was appealing the county administrator’s determination that a natural gas plant at Dominion’s old coal-fired Chesterfield Power Station on Coxendale Road […] The post Chesterfield County decides to not take up zoning appeal for Dominion’s natural gas plant appeared first on Virginia Mercury.
New rite of the season, unfortunately, includes uptick in COVID-19 cases
Summertime in Virginia: Temps are sweltering and show no sign of abating. Children are out of school and bored. Various fruits and vegetables are ripe for the picking, even in this hellish heat. And cases of COVID-19, the scourge of our nation and the planet, tick up around the commonwealth. It’s become a rite of […] The post New rite of the season, unfortunately, includes uptick in COVID-19 cases appeared first on Virginia Mercury.
Southwest Virginia health districts launching long COVID study
As COVID-19 rates rise in Virginia and around the nation this summer, the prevalence of long COVID is underreported. Virginia’s health department wants to better understand it, so it’s about to conduct a new study. The latest study will focus on Southwest Virginia residents after an initial analysis on Central Virginia last fall. Long COVID […]
Summer is one of the deadliest times of year for Virginia drivers
National Roadside Safety Awareness Month is in third gear now. And with lots of summer still left on the calendar, agencies like AAA and the Virginia Department of Transportation want drivers to remember a few key things before heading out on a road trip. VDOT stats suggest July is the deadliest time of year for […] The post Summer is one of the deadliest times of year for Virginia drivers appeared first on Virginia Mercury.
Angry patients spur new state watchdogs to bring down drug prices
Spurred by fed-up consumers, states are trying to curb spiraling prescription drug costs by assembling special public boards to investigate and regulate pricing. The idea is similar to a local utility board: a public group that sets rules or makes recommendations to ensure that what they’re regulating — in this case, prescription medications — is […] The post Angry patients spur new state watchdogs to bring down drug prices appeared first on Virginia Mercury.
Va. congressional campaigns’ summer cash flow and more state headlines
• “Incumbents see cash advantage in competitive Virginia congressional races.”—Washington Post • “After last-minute VP frenzy, Youngkin seems to lay groundwork for 2028.”—Washington Post • “Richmond 2024 mayor’s race: How the campaigns view money’s role and influence on politics.”—WRIC • “Appeals court voids Marine’s adoption of Afghan orphan; child’s fate remains in limbo.”—Associated Press • […]
Va. transportation board approves railway sale to support Southwest Va. passenger rail expansion
On Tuesday, Virginia reached another stop towards expanding passenger rail by authorizing the sale of the Virginian Line to Norfolk Southern Railway Company, for $54 million. The Commonwealth Transportation Board authorized the Virginia Passenger Rail Authority to sell approximately 28 miles of track back to Norfolk Southern. By state law, the board is required to […]
Proposed first-ever federal standards for maternal care met with mixed response from hospitals
As part of President Joe Biden’s initiative to reduce maternal mortality rates and improve health outcomes in underserved communities, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services announced new policy proposals that would require hospitals to adhere to more rigorous maternal care standards or risk losing their ability to participate in Medicare. According to the proposed rule, the changes […] The post Proposed first-ever federal standards for maternal care met with mixed response from hospitals appeared first on Virginia Mercury.
Metro slows down as temps go up and more Virginia headlines
• “VCU poll shows Trump ahead in Virginia as support for Biden wanes.”—Washington Post • “State board votes to raze 12-story portion of downtown’s Pocahontas Building for new courts complex.”—Richmond Biz Sense • “Giant inflatable IUD goes up at Virginia Beach Oceanfront.”—WAVY • “Metrorail lowers train speeds as rail temps top 135°.”—NBC4 • “About 900 […]
Defendants seek dismissal of lawsuit alleging fraudulent ownership scheme of Omega Protein
A company created during the 2017 sale of Omega Protein, the lone menhaden reduction fishery in the Chesapeake Bay, is seeking a dismissal of a lawsuit alleging that it lied about its corporate structure to evade the U.S. citizenship requirements. On July 9, Ocean Fleet Services and several other defendants named in the suit filed […] The post Defendants seek dismissal of lawsuit alleging fraudulent ownership scheme of Omega Protein appeared first on Virginia Mercury.
Va. AG Jason Miyares leads 16 states asking Supreme Court to hear parental rights case
Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares is spearheading an amicus brief requesting the U.S. Supreme Court hear a case centered on protecting parental rights to “make decisions concerning the care, custody, and control of their children.” A coalition of 15 other states has joined Miyares on the brief including Alaska, Florida and Texas. If successful, the […] The post Va. AG Jason Miyares leads 16 states asking Supreme Court to hear parental rights case appeared first on Virginia Mercury.
Flags half-staff in Va. in memory of man killed in Trump rally shooting and more state headlines
• “Virginia Gov. Youngkin orders flags at half-staff in memory of victim at Trump rally.”—WJLA • “Capitol Police assures Virginia officials in wake of attempt on Trump’s life and ahead of upcoming special session.”—WVTF • “1 killed, 6 injured when pickup truck collides with horse-drawn buggy in Virginia.”—Associated Press • “Virginia has the lowest rate […]
Youngkin touts Trump as fellow ‘outsider Republican businessman’ at Republican National Convention
The Republican National Convention began Monday, and Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin helped kick off the festivities by celebrating former president Donald Trump, who became the party’s official nominee. The gathering in Milwaukee, Wisconsin took place days after a shooter attempted to assassinate Trump at a rally in Pennsylvania. Trump’s ear was injured, two men were […]
Data centers, proliferating statewide, could soon be built on mined lands in Southwest Virginia
This is Part 3 of a three-part series on efforts to develop on abandoned mine lands in Southwest Virginia. Read Part 1 here and Part 2 here. Under federal regulations, mine companies begin operation in Southwest Virginia, dig for their coal and then return the land close to its natural condition or in a state that […] The post Data centers, proliferating statewide, could soon be built on mined lands in Southwest Virginia appeared first on Virginia Mercury.
U.S. House committee advances bill that would halt application of new silica dust rule
The U.S. House Appropriations Committee voted last week to advance an appropriations bill for the federal Department of Labor that contains a provision to block the implementation of a newly finalized rule meant to limit coal miners’ exposure to dangerous silica dust. The bill previously passed a subcommittee and, on Wednesday, passed the full Appropriations Committee 31-25 with no amendments that […] The post U.S. House committee advances bill that would halt application of new silica dust rule 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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