A growing number of states — including Virginia — are adopting new protections for pregnant and postpartum women in custody, from limits on shackling to new lactation and health care policies inside correctional facilities. virginiamercury.com/2026/05/12/r...

COMMENTARY: Columnist Bob Lewis calls Virginia’s failed redistricting referendum saga a waste of money, political capital and public trust — after months of court fights, campaign spending and constitutional chaos ended with the amendment struck down. virginiamercury.com/2026/05/12/t...

After Gov. Abigail Spanberger signed twin bills on Monday, Virginia is now on track to establish a paid family and medical leave program by 2028. via @virginiamercury.com

Virginia just became the first Southern state to guarantee paid family and medical leave for workers. The new law allows eligible employees to take up to 12 weeks of paid leave for major health issues, caregiving, childbirth and more. virginiamercury.com/2026/05/12/v...

Virginia Democrats on Monday asked the U.S. Supreme Court to revive the voter-approved redistricting amendment struck down last week by the Supreme Court of Virginia, escalating the fight over the state’s congressional map to the nation’s highest court. virginiamercury.com/2026/05/11/v...

The federal student loan system is set to see a dramatic overhaul beginning this summer, and critics warn it likely will make loans more expensive and difficult to obtain for borrowers — driving them to private lenders or altering their plans for higher education. virginiamercury.com/2026/05/11/r...

National estimates show 80,000 Virginians could see reductions to their WIC fruit and vegetable benefits under a proposed federal spending bill. Virginia currently serves more than 104,000 people through the Women, Infants and Children nutrition program (WIC). virginiamercury.com/2026/05/11/p...

The U.S. Supreme Court's recent weakening of Voting Rights Act protections could have dire effects on Black political power in the commonwealth, Virginia analysts and civil rights groups say, and makes the state's own voting rights law even more vital. virginiamercury.com/2026/05/11/a...

The U.S. Court of International Trade handed a win to two small businesses and Washington state after they challenged Trump's 10% global tariffs. Virginia was one of 24 states to join the lawsuit; state AG Jay Jones called it "a major victory for Virginians." virginiamercury.com/2026/05/08/r...

COMMENTARY: Given the dire economic situation facing small farms in Virginia today, “cattle-voltaics” — where grazing cows handle vegetation management at solar sites — could offer a lifeline for rural communities, columnist Ivy Main writes. virginiamercury.com/2026/05/08/m...

Virginia’s voter-approved redistricting amendment has been struck down by the Supreme Court of Virginia, which ruled lawmakers violated the constitution by advancing the proposal after early voting in the 2025 House elections had already begun. virginiamercury.com/2026/05/08/s...

#breaking The Supreme Court of Virginia has struck down Virginia’s voter-approved redistricting amendment. The court says lawmakers violated the state constitution by advancing the proposal after early voting had already begun in the 2025 House elections.

VIRGINIA SUPREME COURT REJECTS CONGRESSIONAL REDISTRICTING VOTE: A big deal, story coming shortly from @virginiamercury.com.

Public health officials are warning about an expected uptick in measles, with at least 20 cases reported so far in Virginia this year. They're also monitoring a Virginia patient who was aboard a cruise ship that experienced a deadly hantavirus outbreak. virginiamercury.com/2026/05/08/p...

And readers can continue to follow the @statesnewsroom.com coverage on the ground on redistricting, from states including @tennesseelookout.com @lailluminator.com @alabamareflector.com @georgiarecorder.com @virginiamercury.com & more www.newsfromthestates.com/article/tenn...

Gov. Abigail Spanberger signed a package of environmental bills aimed at protecting Virginia wetlands, strengthening PFAS (“forever chemicals”) monitoring and helping communities prepare for flooding and climate-related disasters. virginiamercury.com/2026/05/07/g...

Gov. Abigail Spanberger on Wednesday signed a slew of bills designed to protect Virginia’s clean water from harmful forever chemicals and aid communities as sea levels rise due to climate change. via @virginiamercury.com

Dominion Energy says it plans to build a new 3-gigawatt natural gas power plant in Cumberland County, a massive project the utility says is needed to meet soaring electricity demand driven largely by Virginia’s data center boom. virginiamercury.com/2026/05/07/d...

Virginia hemp growers say they’re facing growing uncertainty as both state and federal officials move to tighten rules on hemp-derived THC products, raising fears about the future of an industry that expanded rapidly after the 2018 Farm Bill. virginiamercury.com/2026/05/07/v...

Voters, including those within the Make America Healthy Again movement, say the rising cost of healthcare is a significant concern that will have an impact on whom they support in November’s midterm elections, according to a poll released Wednesday by KFF. virginiamercury.com/2026/05/06/r...

FBI agents raided the Portsmouth office and cannabis business tied to Virginia state Sen. Louise Lucas on Wednesday as part of a federal investigation, shaking Virginia politics and prompting swift reactions from Democratic leaders. virginiamercury.com/2026/05/06/f...

Virginia joined 21 other states in opposing a proposed USPS rule that would allow certain firearms to be mailed, with Attorney General Jay Jones warning the change could bypass background checks and undermine state gun laws. virginiamercury.com/2026/05/05/v...

A key vote on tighter menhaden fishing restrictions in Virginia’s Chesapeake Bay waters was delayed Tuesday, extending the fight between conservation groups and Omega Protein over the future of the Bay’s ecosystem. virginiamercury.com/2026/05/06/m...

COMMENTARY: Gov. Spanberger’s stance on data centers is shaping up as a real test of her affordability message — balancing pressure to rein in rising energy costs with concerns about protecting a major industry, guest columnist Tommy Turner writes. virginiamercury.com/2026/05/05/s...

Black maternal health groups that helped shape Virginia’s perinatal care model say they’ve been left out of state grant funding, raising concerns about transparency and fairness. virginiamercury.com/2026/05/05/b...

Americans saw prices at the pump sharply rise in recent days as the nationwide average cost for a gallon of regular gas shot up 38 cents over the past week, according to GasBuddy. virginiamercury.com/2026/05/04/r...

Gov. Spanberger signed a bill to decriminalize suicide after the legislation failed to pass in previous years. The Bureau of Insurance of the State Corporation Commision must review the effects of abolishing the common law crime of suicide on insurance by Nov. 1. virginiamercury.com/2026/05/04/s...

A court ruled that Virginia’s rights restoration process violated a Civil War-era law. That means this fall, Tati Abu King will be able to vote in midterm elections and weigh in on an amendment to cement voting protections for other ex-offenders. virginiamercury.com/2026/05/04/t...

Gov. Spanberger is weighing bills that would allow class action suits to be tried in state courts, which advocates say would expand access to justice. Virginia is one of only two states that doesn't provide a formal class action process in its state court system. virginiamercury.com/2026/05/04/s...

The National Energy Assistance Directors Association projects the average electricity cost to cool homes between June and September will reach $778 this summer — a 8.5% increase from last year and nearly 37% higher than in 2020. virginiamercury.com/2026/05/01/r...

QuickVisitMD, a new bilingual telehealth service, launched this week to serve patients in Virginia and West Virginia, reports Charlotte Rene Woods of @virginiamercury.com.

A second lawsuit now challenges a proposed constitutional amendment that would enshrine reproductive rights in Virginia. The suit says it would eliminate parental consent requirements for minors seeking abortions or surgical birth control, and hamper safety. virginiamercury.com/2026/05/01/n...

Rideshare news out of VA: Democratic Gov. Abigail Spanberger signed legislation aimed at tightening safety standards for rideshare services like Uber and Lyft. @virginiamercury.com virginiamercury.com/2026/05/01/s...

Catching a ride via Uber or Lyft just got safer in Virginia. Gov. Spanberger has signed new rideshare bills into law, requiring stronger identity verification and expanding background screenings and optional audio, video recording during rides. virginiamercury.com/2026/05/01/s...

COMMENTARY: Blaming former Gov. Youngkin for voters approving mid-decade redistricting misses the point — and reflects Trump’s “aversion to reality,” writes Bob Lewis. Voters made the call, he argues, amid a broader national push to redraw congressional maps. virginiamercury.com/2026/04/30/y...

QuickVisitMD, a bilingual telehealth service, has launched to serve patients in Virginia and West Virginia, expanding access to care for English- and Spanish-speaking residents. virginiamercury.com/briefs/new-b...

King Charles III, in a historic address to Congress, urged the U.S. to uphold checks and balances on executive power while highlighting shared democratic values and the U.S.-U.K. alliance. virginiamercury.com/2026/04/29/r...

Commentary: Virginia voters had a say on mid-decade redistricting — something most Americans didn’t get as other states redrew maps at President Trump’s urging. It’s not ideal, but letting voters weigh in still matters, writes Roger Chesley. virginiamercury.com/2026/04/29/v...

Virginia House lawmakers want data centers to meet new conditions to keep their lucrative sales tax break — including buying renewable energy credits and meeting environmental standards. virginiamercury.com/2026/04/29/h...

Former FBI Director James Comey has been indicted again — this time over a social media post showing seashells arranged “86 47,” which Trump allies said was a threat against the president. virginiamercury.com/2026/04/28/r...

Gov. Abigail Spanberger marked her first 100 days by touting progress on lowering costs — highlighting new laws and proposals on health care, housing and energy affordability, key pillars of her agenda in a Democratic-controlled General Assembly. virginiamercury.com/2026/04/28/s...

A deadly domestic violence tragedy involving former Lt. Gov. Justin Fairfax and his wife Cerina is now putting new Virginia laws under the spotlight — with advocates and officials pointing to recent changes aimed at preventing similar cases. virginiamercury.com/2026/04/28/c...

The Supreme Court of Virginia heard arguments Monday in a challenge to the voter-approved redistricting amendment, with Justice Russell pressing both sides on election timing, public notice requirements and the scope of last October’s special session. virginiamercury.com/2026/04/27/s...

COMMENTARY: The governor vetoed a Fairfax casino proposal that residents and local leaders opposed, but Sen. Majority Leader Scott Surovell – a Fairfax County Democrat and persistent supporter of a casino-entertainment complex – has indicated this saga isn’t over. virginiamercury.com/2026/04/27/g...

State budget negotiations are stalled over data centers' sales and use tax exemption, which Senate lawmakers want to axe but House legislators and Gov. Spanberger want to keep. The state waived $1.9 billion in sales taxes from data centers last year. virginiamercury.com/2026/04/27/d...

Half a decade after legalizing adult possession of weed, Virginia's road to a retail marketplace hit a speed bump after lawmakers rejected Gov. Abigail Spanberger's plan to delay sales until 2027, personal possession limit and restructure the sales framework. virginiamercury.com/2026/04/27/v...

COMMENTARY: The commonwealth can become a national model for what sustained recovery can look like when policy, funding and community are aligned to build what comes next, writes guest columnist Sarah King. virginiamercury.com/2026/04/24/s...

Localities have tools to control harms associated with data centers, like noise, pollution, strain on power and water resources and zoning challenges. But research shows local governments may try to ease regulations to reap major tax revenues from the industry. virginiamercury.com/2026/04/24/l...

Virginia lawmakers recessed just hours into a special session to finalize the $212B budget — without a deal. A Democratic split over data center tax breaks is stalling talks. virginiamercury.com/2026/04/23/v...

COMMENTARY: Many of us voted for the redistricting referendum Tuesday, holding our noses as we did. That we felt we had to is an indictment on the applied politics of this age, columnist Bob Lewis writes. virginiamercury.com/2026/04/23/a...