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Virginia Mercury
Former Va. Senate GOP leader clashes with election official over assault case
A few weeks ago, former Virginia Senate GOP leader Tommy Norment contacted a pair of Charles City County election officials with an unusual request. As an attorney, Norment is representing a Republican member of the Charles City Electoral Board, Maria Anne Kinney, whose feud with other election officials in the county has led to her […] The post Former Va. Senate GOP leader clashes with election official over assault case appeared first on Virginia Mercury.
Text messages reveal behind-the-scenes details of Petersburg casino process
On the mid-April day when the Virginia General Assembly was voting on whether to give the city of Petersburg permission to pursue a casino, Sen. Lashrecse Aird sent a text message to a top city official saying she needed a document sooner rather than later. City Manager March Altman texted Aird on the morning of […] The post Text messages reveal behind-the-scenes details of Petersburg casino process appeared first on Virginia Mercury.
First Lady Jill Biden will visit Virginia Beach and more state headlines
• “First Lady Jill Biden to visit Virginia Beach on Thursday.”—Virginian-Pilot • “Former Virginia EMS employee accused of embezzling $4 million.”—Richmond Times-Dispatch • “Misleading effort to put third-party presidential candidate on Virginia ballot.”—NBC4 • ‘It’s quite political’: Hanover School Board debates leaving state association.”—WRIC • “‘Empty the Shelters’ reduces adoption fees for Virginia shelter pets.”—Roanoke […] The post First Lady Jill Biden will visit Virginia Beach and more state headlines appeared first on Virginia Mercury.
US surgeon general declares gun violence ‘a public health crisis’
By Rachana Pradhan and Fred Clasen-Kelly U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy declared firearm violence a public health crisis, as gun deaths and injuries punctuate daily life in America. On nearly every day of 2024 so far, a burst of gunfire has hit at least four people somewhere in the country. Some days, communities have endured four or […] The post US surgeon general declares gun violence ‘a public health crisis’ appeared first on Virginia Mercury.
Biden to pardon vets discharged for same-sex relationships
WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden will pardon U.S. military veterans who were discharged or convicted under military law for consensual same-sex relations, the administration announced Wednesday. The White House could not provide an exact number of veterans who will be pardoned, but the administration estimates thousands were convicted over several decades and may be eligible. […] The post Biden to pardon vets discharged for same-sex relationships appeared first on Virginia Mercury.
Virginia could clear up fuzzy line between sports betting and fantasy contests
Virginians now have multiple ways to try to make money wagering on sports. Whether the state treats it as gambling or not depends on which app you use. State lawmakers are expressing growing concern about the fuzzy line between sports betting and fantasy sports contests that have gotten closer and closer to mimicking full-blown gambling. […] The post Virginia could clear up fuzzy line between sports betting and fantasy contests appeared first on Virginia Mercury.
Virginia votes to reopen winter crab dredge season
For the first time in 15 years, Virginia will reopen its winter crab dredging season, despite opposing recommendations from state staff and environmental groups wanting to protect the species. The Virginia Marine Resources Commission voted 5-4 to repeal the regulation that has been in place since 2008 prohibiting the winter season. Commissioner Jamie Green cast […] The post Virginia votes to reopen winter crab dredge season appeared first on Virginia Mercury.
The Pentagon’s plan to go solar: another chapter in a great American success story
Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin can’t run for reelection, so it’s frustrating to see him spending so much time trying to score political points. The latest episode came earlier this month, when according to Fox News, Youngkin sent a letter to Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin questioning the Pentagon’s plan, announced back in January, to install solar […] The post The Pentagon’s plan to go solar: another chapter in a great American success story appeared first on Virginia Mercury.
Undecided voters are the prize for both Biden and Trump in Thursday presidential debate
President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump will get a crucial opportunity to reach undecided voters and set the terms for the 2024 presidential campaign at Thursday night’s debate in Atlanta. Partisans on either side have already made up their minds about which candidate they’ll support. And with this year’s race serving as a […] The post Undecided voters are the prize for both Biden and Trump in Thursday presidential debate appeared first on Virginia Mercury.
Four ‘marine life’ bites in Virginia Beach over the past week and more state headlines
• “Documents reveal proposed changes to Virginia’s African American history course.”—WRIC • “Lawsuit over Virginia’s withdrawal from clean air program advances.”—Roanoke Times • “ER visits ‘extremely high’ in VA during heat wave: CDC data”—Reston Patch • “Four ‘marine life’ bites in Virginia Beach this past week, officials confirm.”—WAVY • “Exclusive: New nonprofit news site launching […] The post Four ‘marine life’ bites in Virginia Beach over the past week and more state headlines appeared first on Virginia Mercury.
Va. education board approves Old Dominion as fiscal agent for five lab schools
On Friday, the Virginia Board of Education approved lab school applications for five colleges, with Old Dominion University acting as fiscal agent for all of them. Old Dominion’s Lab School Network will comprise nine schools, representing a portion of the 15 school applications the board approved, the first of which, Virginia Commonwealth University’s lab school, […] The post Va. education board approves Old Dominion as fiscal agent for five lab schools appeared first on Virginia Mercury.
Youngkin unveils new permit transparency website
Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin announced the expansion of an online platform to give the public more information on the status of permits across several agencies, a process that started with the state’s environmental protection agency. The Virginia Permit Transparency website went public Friday, giving an increased view of permit reviews for six state agencies: the […] The post Youngkin unveils new permit transparency website appeared first on Virginia Mercury.
Fair housing is up to all of us
We all deserve the freedom to choose where we live. But even Virginians who have won a lottery struggle to find a way home. Last month, a Richmond mother — I’ll call her Michelle — called my colleagues at Housing Opportunities Made Equal of Virginia (HOME of VA). She had recently given birth to twins. […] The post Fair housing is up to all of us appeared first on Virginia Mercury.
133 years later, Bristol’s sole documented lynching to receive marker and more Virginia headlines
• “Lynchburg registrar breaks down election procedure error leading to uncounted ballots.”—WSET • “Discarded bottle at Dulles helps solve 2001 cold case, police say.”—Washington Post • “Bristol’s only documented lynching will finally get a marker.”—Cardinal News • “Trump builds ties with Gov. Glenn Youngkin in an effort to flip Virginia.”—NBC News • “Virginia: Wallops will […] The post 133 years later, Bristol’s sole documented lynching to receive marker and more Virginia headlines appeared first on Virginia Mercury.
Ashley Judd, congresswomen, state lawmakers and advocates gather on second anniversary of Dobbs
“My story includes abortion — a guy I’ve known since I was a kid raped me,” actress and activist Ashley Judd shared with a crowd of about 100 in Richmond on Monday to mark the two-year anniversary of the overturn of federal abortion protections. “And when I became pregnant, I was so grateful that I […] The post Ashley Judd, congresswomen, state lawmakers and advocates gather on second anniversary of Dobbs appeared first on Virginia Mercury.
As offshore wind installation rises, Dominion showcases environmental, economic benefits
ATLANTIC OCEAN — On a recent summer day, under blue skies, a 272-feet tall, 31-feet wide, 1,500-ton steel cylinder was being pushed into the ocean floor 27 miles off the coast of Virginia Beach. The process will be repeated for months as Dominion Energy builds the country’s largest offshore wind project. “It’s really cool,” said […] The post As offshore wind installation rises, Dominion showcases environmental, economic benefits appeared first on Virginia Mercury.
Trump plans post-debate rally in Chesapeake and more Virginia headlines
• “Donald Trump plans Chesapeake rally on Friday after presidential debate.”—Virginian-Pilot • “Va. Democrats rally for November’s battle, fend off criticism of Israel-Gaza stance.”—Richmond Times-Dispatch • “VA Assembly changes law for farmers with unregistered vehicles.”—Farmville Herald • “The ‘basketball IQ’ that’s taking JJ Redick to LA is nothing new. Just ask his Roanoke County coach.”—Cardinal […] The post Trump plans post-debate rally in Chesapeake and more Virginia headlines appeared first on Virginia Mercury.
Don’t give up on the FAFSA, advocates for student financial aid urge
WASHINGTON — Though the new version of the form to apply for federal financial student aid has had its fair share of highly publicized hiccups, U.S. Under Secretary of Education James Kvaal says the department has made a lot of progress in the past couple of months. The Free Application for Federal Student Aid — […] The post Don’t give up on the FAFSA, advocates for student financial aid urge appeared first on Virginia Mercury.
Exclusive: DNC moves ahead on all-virtual roll call for Biden presidential nomination
WASHINGTON — The Democratic National Committee has taken a significant step toward formally designating Joe Biden as the party’s presidential nominee before the Democratic convention in August — a move that’s necessary to place him on the Ohio ballot for November’s election, States Newsroom has been told. DNC members finalized their vote Thursday to move […] The post Exclusive: DNC moves ahead on all-virtual roll call for Biden presidential nomination appeared first on Virginia Mercury.
Virginia’s new school accountability system is taking shape
The Virginia Board of Education took another step on Friday to clarify how schools will be rated and student performance measured to better determine how to direct state resources. The board, on the superintendent’s recommendation, approved four performance descriptors: “Distinguished,” “On Track,” “Off Track” and “Needs Intensive Support.” Schools considered “distinguished” are those that exceed […] The post Virginia’s new school accountability system is taking shape 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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