President Trump has refused to sign a bipartisan bill that represents the most significant congressional action to address the nation’s housing shortage in decades, which has aspects first piloted in Virginia. It may still become law, federal lawmakers say. virginiamercury.com/2026/06/26/l...

A state budget amendment calls for 45% of funds generated by Virginia utilities' participation in the regional carbon market to be directed back to Dominion and other companies. They'll then give the money back to customers, an estimated rebate of $3/month. virginiamercury.com/2026/06/26/b...

Higher education leaders in Virginia and Ohio announced Thursday that they will join forces to create a model for three-year bachelor’s degrees, an effort to better meet student and employer needs and increase affordability. virginiamercury.com/briefs/virgi...

After criticism from educators and lawmakers, Virginia education officials are proposing a two-year delay in raising new school performance standards, arguing districts need more time to adjust to sweeping accountability changes already underway. virginiamercury.com/2026/06/25/a...

Virginia lawmakers approved $10.6 million in emergency funding to help contain toxic leaks and stabilize the bankrupt Shoosmith landfill in Chesterfield, where state officials warn ongoing contamination could threaten nearby waterways and the Chesapeake Bay. virginiamercury.com/2026/06/25/v...

Va. patients and healthcare providers are speaking out about the confusion surrounding reproductive health laws four years after the Dobbs decision, as debates over abortion access, contraception and a constitutional amendment continue across the commonwealth. virginiamercury.com/2026/06/25/w...

Virginia AG Jay Jones joined a coalition of Democratic attorneys general challenging a settlement tied to President Trump’s lawsuit against the IRS, arguing the agreement raises constitutional concerns and could shield Trump and his businesses from scrutiny. virginiamercury.com/2026/06/25/v...

Four years after the Dobbs decision overturned Roe v. Wade, doctors and patients across the U.S. say miscarriage care remains legally and medically confusing in many states, with uncertainty around abortion laws continuing to affect emergency treatment and care. virginiamercury.com/2026/06/24/r...

The U.S. Senate joined the House in approving a war powers resolution aimed at ending U.S. hostilities with Iran, marking a rare bipartisan rebuke of President Donald Trump’s handling of the conflict. Four Republicans joined Democrats in backing the measure. virginiamercury.com/2026/06/23/r...

COMMENTARY: President Donald Trump’s push to revive coal won’t bring the industry back, but could leave Virginians paying higher energy costs as utilities lean harder on expensive fossil fuels instead of cheaper renewable energy, Ivy Main argues. virginiamercury.com/2026/06/24/t...

The federal government is seeking industry interest in potential mineral mining off Virginia’s coast, a move that could eventually open parts of the Atlantic seabed to exploration for materials used in technology and clean energy production. virginiamercury.com/briefs/feder...

Gov. Abigail Spanberger announces new reforms for Virginia prisons and a revamped state corrections oversight council, saying the changes are aimed at improving accountability, transparency and conditions inside the commonwealth’s correctional system. virginiamercury.com/2026/06/24/s...

As thousands of Virginians with certain past felony convictions remain in a voting registration limbo, a civil rights group filed a motion on June 18 seeking an expedited remedy. via @virginiamercury.com

Northern Virginia lawmakers are weighing whether to merge several transit agencies in an effort to cut costs, streamline operations and improve coordination across one of the region’s busiest transportation networks. virginiamercury.com/2026/06/23/l...

A civil rights group is asking a federal court to speed up Virginia’s overhaul of its voter registration process for some formerly incarcerated people, arguing eligible voters remain stuck in limbo ahead of upcoming elections. virginiamercury.com/2026/06/23/c...

Virginia legislators today approved a two-year, $205 billion budget proposal to fund healthcare and public education, provide 4% teacher raises and a 3.5% pay bump to state employees, establish a retail weed marketplace and hedge against decreased federal dollars. virginiamercury.com/2026/06/22/v...

Over the past five years, Virginia localities have generated just $119 million total from a targeted sales tax to fund school construction and maintenance, fueling calls to expand the tax statewide. virginiamercury.com/2026/06/22/v...

After courts struck down Virginia’s redistricting amendment, Republican and Democratic challengers are prepping for an Aug. 4 primary election in the state's 5th Congressional District, aiming to unseat incumbent GOP U.S. Rep. John McGuire. virginiamercury.com/2026/06/22/m...

Virginia is experiencing drought conditions, as Gov. Spanberger urges residents to conserve water. Most localities don’t have specific standards to manage water conservation for data centers during dry periods, which use massive amounts of water daily. virginiamercury.com/2026/06/22/a...

After months of debate and a fraught battle over how to tax and regulate data centers, Virginia budget negotiators announced a deal Friday evening featuring a new energy consumption tax for the industry that’s expected to generate $1.2 billion over the biennium. virginiamercury.com/2026/06/19/v...

The Virginia House of Delegates will meet Monday in Richmond, as will the Senate. Both chambers are working to resolve the state budget, which must be finalized by June 30 or risk a government shutdown. Negotiators are reportedly close to a deal. virginiamercury.com/2026/06/19/v...

Congress enacted the 13th Amendment on Jan. 31, 1865, abolishing slavery. It was not until June 19, 1865, that word of the amendment reached enslaved people in Galveston, Texas, marking the origin of the Juneteenth holiday. virginiamercury.com/2026/06/19/j...

William & Mary’s Lemon Project helps African Americans in Williamsburg uncover their families’ histories and the role their relatives played in shaping the college, the city and the landscape of the early United States. virginiamercury.com/2026/06/18/w...

A court ruled that certain felony convictions shouldn't have resulted in loss of voting rights; Virginia’s Department of Elections had until June 1 to comply with the order to rectify the situation. Now, some former felons don't know if they'll be able to vote. virginiamercury.com/briefs/some-...

On the heels of signing reproductive healthcare access bills into law Wednesday, Gov. Abigail Spanberger announced she's joined a national coalition with other governors to preserve access to birth control and abortion, the focus of ongoing legal challenges. virginiamercury.com/2026/06/17/s...

From @virginiamercury.com: The Virginia Senate released its latest budget proposal that preserves a sales and use tax exemption for the data center industry, the major hangup that has gummed up negotiations between both legislative chambers.

The Virginia Senate's new budget, released Tuesday, would preserve data centers' tax exemption but levy a tiered impact tax on the types of backup generators the facilities use, which Senate leaders say could generate $1.8 billion for state coffers. virginiamercury.com/2026/06/17/s...

A new Virginia law will centralize internship outreach, streamline application processes and provide agency support, making internships more visible and accessible to all students, including those from under-resourced schools and students with disabilities. virginiamercury.com/2026/06/17/v...

The announcement marks a major shift, after Gov. Abigail Spanberger vetoed the cannabis marketplace plan approved by lawmakers in this year’s General Assembly session, five years after the state made adult simple possession legal. @virginiamercury.com

Gov. Spanberger and the legislative architects of a long-awaited retail weed framework presented a new plan for the recreational marketplace, set to launch next summer. State sales tax on retail weed will start at 6%, while stores will be capped at 350 statewide. virginiamercury.com/2026/06/16/s...

COMMENTARY: By backtracking on environmental standards for data centers now, House leaders and the governor show they are willing to capitulate entirely to the industry and its labor allies, columnist Ivy Main writes. virginiamercury.com/2026/06/16/a...

The four Democrats vying to challenge 2nd Congressional District Republican incumbent Jenn Kiggans aim to address how candidates receive donations for their campaigns by reigning in large political action committees’ gifts and “dark money” contributions. virginiamercury.com/2026/06/16/l...

Lawmakers have presented different ideas on how Virginia should fund priorities in healthcare and education, while data centers’ tax break remains a sticking point. The budget must be finalized by June 30 or an unprecedented state government shutdown will ensue. virginiamercury.com/2026/06/15/t...

A few hundred people live on Tangier Island, which residents, environmental groups and preservationists call a unique aspect of Virginia history and culture and a critical habitat for wildlife. They're seeking more federal and state resources to protect it. virginiamercury.com/2026/06/15/t...

Gov. Spanberger's flurry of vetoes drew the ire of several Democratic legislators and now, as lawmakers race to finalize the state budget before June 30, Virginia's first woman governor is defending her actions and approach. virginiamercury.com/2026/06/15/i...

The new House budget proposal no longer includes environmental standards data centers would need to meet in order to be exempted from the state’s sales and use tax, and calls for a commission to study the industry's impact and benefits in Virginia. virginiamercury.com/2026/06/12/n...

A federal judge in the Eastern District of Virginia halted the Trump administration’s nearly $1.8 billion “anti-weaponization” fund for one week, giving the government time to sign a “clear, unambiguous” agreement that the fund is dead. virginiamercury.com/2026/06/12/r...

COMMENTARY: Virginia's data center tax exemption returns less to the state than it costs and has grown into a near-billion-dollar annual line, but leaders have not decided whether they have the will to change course, guest columnist Tommy Turner writes. virginiamercury.com/2026/06/11/t...

Gov. Spanberger vetoed 31 bills, including key Democratic priorities like expanding collective bargaining rights for public employees and creating a legal weed market framework. The actions drew her party's ire but the governor maintains, "I’m doing my job.” virginiamercury.com/2026/06/12/s...

A court injunction has paused the USDA's conditions that block Virginia and other states from food assistance funding unless they certify their programs don't promote DEI, gender ideology or serve undocumented immigrants. virginiamercury.com/briefs/injun...

Loudoun County Public Schools Superintendent Aaron Spence defended the district before Congress, pushing back against the idea that schools and parents are “adversaries” amid heated national debates over gender policies, parental rights and student safety. virginiamercury.com/2026/06/11/v...

A 2021 law allowing Virginians with certain past felony convictions to have their criminal records sealed will take effect July 1. Lawmakers and advocates say this will allow former felons without new convictions to expand their housing and employment options. virginiamercury.com/2026/06/11/s...

Sen. Tim Kaine has introduced legislation aimed at addressing teacher shortages by expanding teacher residency programs, strengthening educator training and helping new teachers enter the profession with less financial strain. virginiamercury.com/briefs/kaine...

A new state report found 13 of Virginia’s 36 rural hospitals are at risk of closure, including five considered at “immediate risk,” raising concerns about health care access in rural communities already facing staffing shortages and financial strain. virginiamercury.com/2026/06/10/s...

GOP U.S. Rep. Rob Wittman seeks another term in VA1 as Democrats battle through a crowded primary field in one of the state’s closely watched House races. virginiamercury.com/2026/06/10/w...

Gov. Abigail Spanberger has appointed 32 new members to governing boards at Virginia’s colleges and universities, continuing her effort to reshape higher education leadership across the commonwealth. virginiamercury.com/briefs/spanb...

A federal judge has approved a settlement requiring Virginia election officials to accept certain student voter registration applications that were previously rejected over missing dorm or campus mailbox details. virginiamercury.com/2026/06/09/j...

COMMENTARY: After a string of horrific deaths on Virginia roads, columnist Roger Chesley argues it’s time for drivers to slow down, stay focused and remember that every decision behind the wheel can change lives forever. virginiamercury.com/2026/06/08/i...

A federal judge is weighing whether Shenandoah County schools can keep Confederate-linked names restored by the school board in 2024 — a case that could test the limits of student rights, educational equity and local control in Virginia schools. virginiamercury.com/2026/06/08/j...

Congress is moving closer to sending a bipartisan housing bill to President Donald Trump’s desk, with support from Virginia lawmakers, including Sens. Mark Warner and Tim Kaine. virginiamercury.com/2026/06/04/c...