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Virginia Mercury
Proposed high school in Hampton Roads would build on anti-drug successes elsewhere
Andrew Finch, who’s worked at and evaluated “recovery” high schools for more than a quarter century, has some advice for administrators who want to open such a sanctuary for teenagers battling substance abuse in South Hampton Roads: Create a school that’s distinct from the general population of students – and possibly in a separate building […] The post Proposed high school in Hampton Roads would build on anti-drug successes elsewhere appeared first on Virginia Mercury.
Virginia analysts say rally shooting likely to ‘energize’ Trump supporters and more state headlines
• “Tragedy likely to energize Trump supporters, Virginia analysts say.”—Richmond Times-Dispatch • “McCarthy suggests Trump pick ‘popular’ Glenn Youngkin as VP if he wants to win.”—The Hill • “Virginia Republicans mum on Trump’s remarks about Jan. 6 at Chesapeake rally.”—Virginian Pilot • “What invasive species are there in Virginia?”—WRIC • “What city goes all out […]
Gov. Youngkin, Va. legislators denounce political violence after deadly Trump rally shooting
Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin and Virginia lawmakers reacted to the shooting at a July 13 campaign rally in Pennsylvania — where former President Donald Trump and two others were injured and two people, including the shooter, were killed — by denouncing political violence. Youngkin thanked God for “protecting” Trump, he said in a statement Sunday […] The post Gov. Youngkin, Va. legislators denounce political violence after deadly Trump rally shooting appeared first on Virginia Mercury.
Members of Congress condemn violence after shots seemingly fired at Trump rally
WASHINGTON — Members of Congress rejected political violence Saturday after a shooting at Donald Trump’s campaign rally in Pennsylvania left at least one rallygoer dead and forced the Secret Service to rush the former president off stage. Local authorities confirmed the shooter was killed, according to The Associated Press. The shooting at a crowded outdoor […] The post Members of Congress condemn violence after shots seemingly fired at Trump rally appeared first on Virginia Mercury.
Trump ‘safe’ after shooting at campaign rally in Butler; one spectator and suspected gunman killed
BUTLER — Former President Donald Trump is recovering Saturday after a shooting at a campaign rally in Butler that left a rally-goer and the gunman dead, authorities said. Two people were critically injured in the incident, according to the U.S. Secret Service. Shortly after Trump took the stage at about 6 p.m., several loud pops […] The post Trump ‘safe’ after shooting at campaign rally in Butler; one spectator and suspected gunman killed appeared first on Virginia Mercury.
After 235 years, America still isn’t ready for President Kamala Harris
The question burning at the center of American public opinion since the first presidential debate: If President Joe Biden steps down, who will replace him as the Democratic nominee for president of the United States? The most obvious answer appears to be the nation’s second-in-command, Vice President Kamala Harris. But her candidacy would face nearly […] The post After 235 years, America still isn’t ready for President Kamala Harris appeared first on Virginia Mercury.
FOIA Friday: New footage shows ‘excessive force’ history of Chesterfield officer
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: New footage shows ‘excessive force’ history of Chesterfield officer appeared first on Virginia Mercury.
CNBC names state best for business and more Virginia headlines
• “Virginia is America’s Top State for Business in 2024, with the nation’s best schools and solid infrastructure.”—CNBC • “Good files recount petition in highly contested 5th District GOP primary.”—Cardinal News • “‘No rift’ between Warner, Kaine as Dems debate Biden’s status.”—Richmond Times-Dispatch • “81-year-old Norfolk woman was held down by daughter while grandson strangled […]
Jamestown-Scotland Ferry service back on track
Passengers worried their summer travel plans would be disrupted by a schedule change to the ferry service over the James River will now have smooth sailing after all. Last month, the Virginia Department of Transportation announced a reduced schedule to begin on July 8 because the service for the Jamestown-Scotland Ferry lacked a certified chief […] The post Jamestown-Scotland Ferry service back on track appeared first on Virginia Mercury.
‘Miracle’ dog rescued from cave in Narrows and more Virginia headlines
• “Despite Virginia heat, some voters remain chilly on Biden.”—WTVF • “Chesterfield Parks and Rec announces ban on swimming in parks.”—Richmond Times-Dispatch • “Ranking quicker, cheaper fixes to Northern Virginia’s congestion woes.”—WTOP • “Deadly canine virus on the rise in Central Virginia.”—WVIR • “Cavers exploring in western Virginia rescue ‘miracle’ dog found 40 to 50 […]
Dominion seeking small nuclear reactor proposals
LOUISA COUNTY – Past the security gate at the North Anna Power Station, beyond the waste storage field and near a lagoon where water cools, two tan domes stand. They house traditional nuclear reactors that each produce about 945 megawatts of electricity for a combined total of over 1,800 megawatts. On Wednesday, Dominion Energy announced […] The post Dominion seeking small nuclear reactor proposals appeared first on Virginia Mercury.
State survey shows barriers to prenatal care access for Medicaid patients
The results of a survey commissioned by a state department shows that a majority of low-income pregnant people newly enrolled in Medicaid aren’t able to access prenatal care in a timely manner due to processing issues stemming from managed care organizations. Managed care organizations are insurers paid by the state to provide Medicaid coverage, which […]
Skill games remain illegal in Virginia, but some businesses are evading the ban
Virginia lawmakers banned skill games years ago after rejecting the argument that slot machine lookalikes don’t count as gambling because they involve more skill than luck. An industry push to convince the General Assembly to repeal that ban failed earlier this year. Despite that failure, a new type of machine is showing up in Virginia […] The post Skill games remain illegal in Virginia, but some businesses are evading the ban appeared first on Virginia Mercury.
More resources needed to help older Virginians facing homelessness
As we age, we face a myriad of new challenges. For a growing sector of older Americans, housing instability and homelessness is a daunting challenge they must now navigate. The reality across Virginia – and the nation – is that the number of seniors experiencing homelessness is on the rise. In Virginia, data from Point […] The post More resources needed to help older Virginians facing homelessness appeared first on Virginia Mercury.
Groups and families celebrate implementation of law allowing early release for certain inmates
Santia Nance and Quadaire Patterson’s love story is entering a new chapter. A law took effect last week that allowed certain incarcerated people to be released from prison for acquiring earned sentence credits. Patterson is now also earning good fiance points by “doing every dish” in the house since he moved out of prison and […] The post Groups and families celebrate implementation of law allowing early release for certain inmates appeared first on Virginia Mercury.
What Virginia’s election rules say about parties swapping nominees
As Democrats around the country debate whether the party can still win with President Joe Biden leading the ticket, they have roughly two months left to make a change on Virginia’s presidential ballot, according to state election law. In Virginia, the last day for political parties to get a nominee on the ballot is Sept. […] The post What Virginia’s election rules say about parties swapping nominees appeared first on Virginia Mercury.
Research shows heat exposure disproportionately affects Black Richmonders
RICHMOND – Michael, a resident of Richmond’s Southside who declined to share his last name, sat on Forest Hill Avenue waiting for a bus Tuesday just before 2 p.m., when a car thermometer recorded the temperature at 94 degrees. Michael wasn’t waiting under a bus shelter as he headed home from a doctor’s appointment. Rather, […] The post Research shows heat exposure disproportionately affects Black Richmonders appeared first on Virginia Mercury.
Offshore wind cable plant, 70 stories tall, coming to Chesapeake and more Virginia headlines
• “New offshore wind plant will bring 70-story tower, more than 300 jobs to Chesapeake.”—Virginian-Pilot • “Va. Medicaid program $140 million over budget in last fiscal year.”—Richmond Times-Dispatch • “Former dean sues Southside Virginia Community College over claims of discrimination.”—Cardinal News • “State is ahead of the curve with broadband plans.”—Farmville Herald • “VDH issues […] The post Offshore wind cable plant, 70 stories tall, coming to Chesapeake and more Virginia headlines appeared first on Virginia Mercury.
AI could usher in a golden age of technological breakthroughs – if it doesn’t kill us first
Somehow, we were not prepared for this. Artificial intelligence was in development for decades, during which time we fantasized about all the wonderful things it was going to do for us. And then the bots launched almost fully formed like Athena springing from the forehead of Zeus with her sword in hand, and only then […] The post AI could usher in a golden age of technological breakthroughs – if it doesn’t kill us first appeared first on Virginia Mercury.
Congressional Dems urge a more robust Biden on the campaign trail, but few openly revolt
WASHINGTON — Democrats in Congress called on President Joe Biden to prove to voters that he is up for another four years in the Oval Office, though many in interviews pledged to stick with him as the presumptive nominee as they returned to the Capitol on Monday following the Fourth of July recess. Questions over […] The post Congressional Dems urge a more robust Biden on the campaign trail, but few openly revolt 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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