Thousands of Medicaid patients served by Fishing Point Healthcare in Hampton Roads are scrambling to find new providers because the clinics paused services as a state investigation for suspected fraud unfolds. virginiamercury.com/2026/03/27/n...

Virginia’s GOP lawmakers want the state to create a three-month gas tax holiday to help people weather the surge in fuel prices amid the ongoing Iran war. The plan would cost $125 million per month, which Republican leaders said could be paid with state reserves. virginiamercury.com/2026/03/27/r...

Virginia health care systems are firing off warnings about big changes to Medicaid and hospital funding mechanisms looming on the horizon, as lapsed ACA subsidies have forced tens of thousands of Virginians to drop their health insurance. Voters are taking note. virginiamercury.com/2026/03/27/v...

Sen. Jennifer Boysko, a longtime advocate for pay equity, is sponsoring legislation aimed at closing the wage gap by requiring salary transparency and limiting the use of salary history. via @virginiamercury.com

Virginia Attorney General Jay Jones has joined a multi-state lawsuit challenging the Trump administration’s move to roll back key federal vehicle emissions rules. The effort is part of a broader fight over climate policy and the EPA’s authority. virginiamercury.com/briefs/ag-jo...

After years of vetoes, Virginia Democrats have sent an equal pay bill to Gov. Abigail Spanberger that would bar employers from asking about salary history — a move supporters say could help close persistent wage gaps. virginiamercury.com/2026/03/26/a...

NEW: Virginia Dems are brushing off early voting concerns in the April 21 redistricting referendum, even as GOP-leaning areas show stronger turnout. House Speaker Don Scott, joined by veterans in Norfolk, says the numbers track past cycles — and predicts a win. virginiamercury.com/2026/03/25/v...

Gov. Abigail Spanberger signed an executive order Wednesday creating the cabinet position of chief energy officer and has appointed Josephus Allmond, a Charlottesville-based staff attorney for the Southern Environmental Law Center, to the new role. virginiamercury.com/briefs/spanb...

Commentary: The Trump administration is ignoring decades of history in confronting Iran, warning that Tehran’s resilience — seen in its brutal 1980s war with Iraq — makes any quick victory unlikely, Roger Chesley argues. virginiamercury.com/briefs/admin...

Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind project now sending surges of power to the grid, after its first commercial turbine was switched on Monday. Via @virginiamercury.com rhodeislandcurrent.com/2026/03/24/r...

Dominion Energy says its Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind project has generated its first power, marking a major milestone for what’s set to become the nation’s largest offshore wind farm once completed. virginiamercury.com/briefs/domin...

On the 16th anniversary of the Affordable Care Act, Virginia lawmakers and health leaders warn thousands could lose coverage as subsidies expire and Medicaid cuts loom — with hospitals bracing for financial strain. virginiamercury.com/2026/03/24/o...

Four weeks out from Virginia’s April 21 redistricting referendum, early voting data shows stronger turnout so far in GOP-leaning areas — even as Democrats dominate the money race. The question is now: can Democrats close the enthusiasm gap before Election Day? virginiamercury.com/2026/03/24/f...

Airport security workers missed work Monday at the highest rate since a partial government shutdown began in February, the Department of Homeland Security said, and the Trump administration sent immigration officials to some airports to try and keep lines moving. virginiamercury.com/2026/03/23/r...

COMMENTARY: The political motivation behind Democrats' redistricting push is clear. But with disparities in education, health, criminal justice and wealth building at play, a key question still stands for Black Virginians: "How does the new map benefit us?" virginiamercury.com/2026/03/23/t...

After federal authorities charged a Smithfield woman with illegally selling a firearm used in the deadly Old Dominion University shooting earlier this month, Virginia’s stalled law requiring background checks for most private gun sales is prompting fresh scrutiny. virginiamercury.com/2026/03/23/o...

NEW: The cost estimate for Norfolk’s delayed coastal storm risk management plan has more than doubled to $6.1 billion from $2.66 billion, making the city’s required contribution more than $2 billion and clouding the beleaguered project’s future. virginiamercury.com/2026/03/20/c...

Adult crabs caused 97% of juvenile crab deaths in a Chesapeake Bay tributary, scientists at the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center found. The new research sheds light on the extent of crab cannibalism and helps identify areas of refuge for young crabs. virginiamercury.com/2026/03/20/a...

As lawmakers work to finalize the state budget, they've earmarked $134 million to help the state meet new Medicaid requirements, $5 million to buoy free clinics, up to $200 million to help people enroll in ACA health care and millions to boost SNAP funding. virginiamercury.com/2026/03/20/h...

Virginia lawmakers adjourned again without a budget — and as another no-budget adjournment commentary argues, it’s starting to feel routine. Bob Lewis questions whether dysfunction at the Capitol has simply become the norm. virginiamercury.com/2026/03/19/a...

PJM has approved a massive 115-mile transmission line from Lynchburg to Culpeper, led by Dominion and partners — but local pushback is building. Louisa County leaders say they weren’t consulted and see “no benefit.” virginiamercury.com/2026/03/19/l...

NEW: Virginia AG Jay Jones joins national effort urging Congress to refund billions in tariffs after the Supreme Court struck down President Donald Trump’s use of emergency powers — saying Virginians shouldn’t be left footing the bill. virginiamercury.com/2026/03/18/v...

Gov. Spanberger is reviewing Virginia’s latest “Momnibus” bills aimed at improving maternal health, while U.S. Sens. Tim Kaine and Cory Booker are renewing efforts to pass a similar package at the federal level. virginiamercury.com/briefs/as-sp...

Virginia is making progress on clean energy — but not fast enough to meet its long-term goals, writes Ivy Main. The state has expanded renewable projects and policies, yet rising energy demand and lingering reliance on fossil fuels are slowing the transition. virginiamercury.com/2026/03/18/v...

Virginia lawmakers approved a long-awaited recreational cannabis market, sending a bill to Gov. Spanberger that would allow legal sales in 2027. The move comes five years after possession was legalized — and after repeated vetoes under former Gov. Youngkin. virginiamercury.com/2026/03/18/v...

Electricity rates “increased significantly” in nearly every U.S. state in 2025, with residents in a dozen states seeing at least a 10% jump, according to a congressional report released by Democrats Tuesday. virginiamercury.com/2026/03/17/r...

Whether in court briefings or before state policymakers, plenty of talking points about abortion medication are repeated that aren't based on scientific fact or evidence, according to experts. Here are some of the most common misconceptions, paired with the facts: virginiamercury.com/2026/03/17/r...

Legislators passed bills to address housing affordability and supply, bolster renter protections, and paved the way for state input on certain local zoning decisions. The 2026 legislative session marked significant strides in housing policy at the state level. virginiamercury.com/2026/03/17/h...

The rapid growth of Virginia’s data center industry was a key point of focus during the 2026 legislative session. via @virginiamercury.com

Bills to shift more power costs to data centers, require reports on how much water the tech facilities use, and mandate community impact assessments are heading to the governor's desk. But a plan to cut data centers' tax exemption has stalled budget negotiations. virginiamercury.com/2026/03/17/d...

NEW: Sen. Mark Warner has formally kicked off his campaign for a fourth term, filing more than 18,000 signatures to appear on Virginia’s 2026 U.S. Senate ballot. The longtime Democrat faces primary challengers for the first time in his Senate career. #VASen virginiamercury.com/2026/03/16/w...

Virginia entrepreneurs say Donald Trump’s tariffs are disrupting small businesses and driving up costs. New commentary by Jim Spencer: virginiamercury.com/2026/03/16/v...

Virginia lawmakers are considering whether the state should scale back the number of studies and commissions created each year, with some arguing the process slows policy decisions and piles up reports that rarely lead to action. virginiamercury.com/2026/03/16/i...

Virginia’s 2026 legislative session brought sweeping changes under a new Democratic trifecta — from gun control and redistricting to a $15 minimum wage and cannabis retail. But a dispute over data center tax breaks left lawmakers without a budget deal. virginiamercury.com/2026/03/14/t...

Five years after Virginia legalized adult-use cannabis, the General Assembly has approved legislation to finally create a retail market. The Senate passed the bill 21–18 on Friday, the House just approved it by 64-32. If enacted, retail sales would begin Jan. 1, 2027. #valeg

Republican Del. Terry Austin and Democrat Del. Luke Torian — both heavyweights on House Appropriations — sharing a quick, bipartisan huddle on the House floor. #valeg

Virginia Attorney General Jay Jones joined his counterparts in 20 other states to challenge regulations President Donald Trump put forth in his first term that expanded exemptions allowing employers to exclude no-cost birth control from insurance plans. virginiamercury.com/2026/03/13/v...

A bill that would have required recreational crabbers to add terrapin by-catch devices onto their pots to prevent accidental drownings of the reptiles failed to pass out of the Virginia Senate, stalling the measure for the year. virginiamercury.com/2026/03/13/v...

Several bills that center maternal health, childcare programs and assistance for Virginia's working parents are heading to Gov. Abigail Spanberger's desk. The governor will have until April 13 to sign, amend or veto them. virginiamercury.com/2026/03/13/a...

Workers and lawmakers rallied in Richmond urging the General Assembly to expand collective bargaining rights to all public employees, arguing the effort is about fairness and equity as competing bills move through the legislature. virginiamercury.com/2026/03/12/t...

Commentary: A political mailer opposing Virginia’s redistricting referendum that used civil-rights imagery is drawing backlash, with the author arguing those responsible “deserve ongoing harsh blowback, Roger Chesley writes virginiamercury.com/2026/03/12/p...

After five years of attempts, Virginia lawmakers are on track to create a Prescription Drug Affordability Board aimed at examining drug prices and ensuring federal price caps apply to state-regulated health plans. The measure now heads to Gov. Spanberger. virginiamercury.com/2026/03/12/a...

NEW: Virginia lawmakers are racing to finalize the state budget before Saturday’s adjournment, but talks are stalled over data center tax break. Gov. Spanberger says data centers should “pay their fair share,” but the state must honor existing agreements. virginiamercury.com/2026/03/11/c...

Virginia lawmakers are studying how autonomous technology could improve transportation safety, including pilot programs aimed at protecting highway work crews in construction zones and preparing the state for more advanced vehicle systems. virginiamercury.com/2026/03/11/v...

Dorothy McAuliffe, former Virginia first lady and State Department official, announced she’s running for Congress in Virginia’s anticipated #VA7 — joining a growing Democratic primary field as voters weigh a redistricting amendment that could reshape the seat. virginiamercury.com/2026/03/11/d...

A federal judge has upheld a ruling that Virginia cannot automatically strip voting rights from certain people with felony convictions — a decision that could restore the vote to thousands of Virginians. virginiamercury.com/2026/03/11/f...

“Grow up!” Former Del. A.C. Cordoza defends controversial civil-rights-themed mailers opposing Virginia’s redistricting referendum Tuesday as Black conservatives joined the fight. Democrats blasted the tactic as misleading and “stupid.” #valeg virginiamercury.com/2026/03/10/g...

Virginia’s congressional Republicans are urging the Trump administration to review Virginia legislation that would tighten state oversight of the Virginia Military Institute, warning the changes could affect the military college’s governance. virginiamercury.com/2026/03/10/v...

Virginia is one step closer to probation reform. Bipartisan bills headed to Gov. Abigail Spanberger would allow some people on probation to earn reductions in their supervision if they meet certain requirements and milestones. virginiamercury.com/briefs/virgi...

A controversial mailer campaign opposing Virginia’s redistricting referendum is drawing backlash for using civil rights imagery and references to Jim Crow. Critics say the materials mislead voters, while the PAC behind them has little public footprint. virginiamercury.com/2026/03/09/c...