The upcoming Virginia gubernatorial election will make history, with the state’s first female governor poised to take office in January, but it is not generating as much money as some past races. Reporter Tyler Blake takes a look at some campaign finance facts. www.pilotonline.com/2025/09/29/c...

Virginia’s overdose rate has been on a decline, and now recovery advocates are worried the president’s proposed budget plans may reverse this. www.pilotonline.com/2025/09/29/a...

Chesterfield and Fairfax County Public Schools are two recent school districts to introduce weapon detectors to their middle and high school buildings, following a trend of other state school districts introducing the detectors on campuses in the past few years. royalexaminer.com/weapon-detec...

Budget cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and food banks will put more strain on Virginia organizations already struggling to meet increased need and costs, food bank representatives say. www.rappnews.com/news/politic...

Read about the 5 proposed projects in former Southwest Virginia coal mining spots are being vetted to receive federal funding.The funds are available for economically-distressed counties in Appalachian coal fields, places where there was coal mining before 1977. www.pilotonline.com/2025/09/18/5...

The Rural Health Transformation Program earmarks $50 billion for rural health care, but is divided in such a way that leaves advocates concerned about spending gaps left by incoming Medicaid cuts and red tape with the new funding process. www.pilotonline.com/2025/09/22/f...

The number of identified human trafficking cases last year in Virginia was its highest since 2018, although officials believe this could be attributed to better reporting channels. State Police received 1,209 trafficking tips as of 9/12. virginiamercury.com/2025/09/19/v...

Have you heard about the Working Families Party? Reporter Lelia Contee talked to party members about Virginia’s ‘very pivotal’ election. The party declined to endorse Spanberger over her stance on the state's 'right to work' law. Read more here: www.princewilliamtimes.com/news/working...

Will you be early voting in-person, or by mail? Or holding out for the traditional Election Day in-person voting? CNS reporter Emily Grinstead has info about early voting, which started Sept. 19. www.smithmountaineagle.com/news/nation-...

Read more: www.whro.org/health/2025-... Gov. Glenn Youngkin approves a bill that aims to lower licensing requirements for physicians to serve ringside at certain sporting events. By @mekhiwilsondpro.bsky.social

Read more: swvatoday.com/article_f5d7... A bill passed both chambers unanimously that aims to educate the public on perinatal and postpartum depression through a statewide public awareness campaign. Read more about how lawmakers are tackling maternal health disparities.By @coraperkinss.bsky.social

Read more: www.virginiascope.com/va-lawmakers... Three men wrongfully convicted, some who spent decades in prison, will receive millions in financial compensation from the state. Reporting by @stacycns.bsky.social

“Protecting this legacy is always on my mind” “This program does not belong to me…this program belongs to all of you.” -Phill Martelli @vcucns.bsky.social

Phil Martelli Jr. has been named VCU Men’s Basketball head coach. A press conference is currently being held at the Siegel Center. Updates to follow. @vcucns.bsky.social

The governor’s office posted saying they hit the deadline for actions on legislation. LIS hasn’t updated as of 12:07 am. Atill ahowing 11 vetoes but the governor says he vetoed 157. www.governor.virginia.gov/newsroom/new...

BREAKING: VCU just became the latest Virginia school to dismantle their DEI Office (Office of Inclusive Excellence) in a 12-4 Board of Visitors vote, following President Trump’s orders. The Board will reconvene in May to discuss further action.

Read more: www.virginiascope.com/invasive-spe... Twin bills that require signage for invasive species passed the General Assembly. Gov. Glenn Youngkin vetoed similar bills last year. By bsky.app/profile/sara...

Read more: www.henricocitizen.com/proposal-to-... A bill that would provide luggage to children in foster care systems failed to advance in the General Assembly. By bsky.app/profile/jail...

(1/2) States across the country are pushing to provide "breakthrough" treatments for veterans with PTSD or brain injuries - like breathing 100% oxygen in a hyperbaric chamber, or using psilocybin, the psychedelic compound in "shrooms."

Virginia previosuly rejected legislation requiring costly maintenance for air quality in public schools. Now lawmakers want to at least require schools conduct regular testing, as well as make their findings public. @vcucns.bsky.social www.princewilliamtimes.com/news/virgini...

Bluesky: Legislators passed two bills unanimously to give teachers and students better access to mental health resources to meet a growing need after the pandemic. By @marlinada.bsky.social Read more: www.rappnews.com/news/schools...

A bill to change Virginia’s minimum wage law and increase it each year until 2027 cleared the General Assembly but may be vetoed by the governor. By @mparlopiano.bsky.social Read more: www.rappnews.com/news/governm...

Virginia lawmakers advanced a bipartisan prison education reform bill, but Senate revisions altered its original scope. A compromise was eventually reached in a conference committee. By @stacycns.bsky.social Read more: www.pilotonline.com/2025/02/25/v...

Owners of Airbnb, Vrbo and other short-term rental properties will not be required to complete awareness training to recognize and report suspected human trafficking after two bills failed in the General Assembly. By @jailahendricks.bsky.social Read more: virginiabusiness.com/virginia-law...

House Bill 1828, a bill to stop health care providers from imposing cost-sharing on diagnostic and supplemental breast examinations, passed unanimously in the House and Senate. It will go into effect on Jan. 1, 2026. By @brookelindberg.bsky.social Read more: www.henricocitizen.com/bill-elimina...

A bill to create a firearm violence prevention and intervention center passed the General Assembly on near party lines after two failures in previous sessions. By @sarah-hagen.bsky.social Read more: royalexaminer.com/firearm-viol...

Two bills to create food pantries on college campuses cleared the General Assembly with bipartisan support and now head to the governor. By @andrewkerley.bsky.social Read more: www.virginiascope.com/legislators-...

The Virginia 50501’s movement March 4th for democracy began at Monroe Park and marched to the Virginia State Capitol Square. As they marched, chants like, “where is congress, do your job” and “fight for our rights” were heard throughout the crowd. @vcucns.bsky.social

Twin bills seeking to limit the use of cellphones and smart devices in schools cleared the General Assembly and head to governor, although some teachers wish the bills had more consequences. Reporting by @sarah-hagen.bsky.social www.princewilliamtimes.com/news/bills-t...

Soon, more info will flow from the Health Dept., to educate and train hospital staff and health care providers on menstrual health disorders. The patron said it's a critical step forward to improving conditions that impact countless Virginians. www.princewilliamtimes.com/news/bill-to...

HB 2158 to improve prison education requires a functional literacy program for inmates testing below 12th-grade level to include evidence-based literacy instruction, Pell grant support, competitive teacher salaries, annual public reporting on enrollment and waitlists for prison education programs.

Democratic lawmakers passed a bill to increase the state’s minimum wage, although the effort might be thwarted again by Gov. Glenn Youngkin, who previously said the bump stifles economic competitiveness. Reporting by @mparlopiano.bsky.social www.rappnews.com/news/governm...

if a top-down approach to building the kind of world you want to live in isn't producing results, then go from the bottom up. build the community you're looking for, then work to expand those circles. local journalism is all about strengthening local communities through information.

Check out Capsters @sarah-hagen.bsky.social and @andrewkerley.bsky.social on the @vpm.org podcast “RVA’s Got Issues” — talking about why journalism matters to them and what type of work they do in the VCUCNS program. open.spotify.com/episode/5prF...

HB1736 update Introduced by Del. Cia Price, D-Newport News, it passed the Senate last week on a 20-15 vote. The bill would create a center for firearm violence intervention and prevention. It failed twice in previous years but now awaits action from the governor. @vcucns.bsky.social

The majority of the UVA board voted to approve the resolution following a two-hour closed session. virginiabusiness.com/uva-board-vo...

In the House, Del. Sullivan honors a group participating in the first-ever Parkinson’s awareness Lobby Day.

For the first time in 9 years, the Virginia Senate beats the House of Delegates in a charity basketball game.

Senate beats House 25-21. This concludes the 17th Annual Capitol Square Basketball Classic. @vcucns.bsky.social

$50,000 has been raised for the VCU Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center per Gov. Glen Youngkin @vcucns.bsky.social

The 2025 Capitol Square Basketball Classic is LIVE. This charity game is raising funds for VCU Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center. The Lobbyists are currently facing the Governor’s Office. The main event later features the Senate of VA taking on the VAHouse of Delegates. @vcucns.bsky.social

Del. Alfonso Lopez, D-Arlington, spoke at the movement and ended his speech by telling people to not be silent. @vcucns.bsky.social

Sen. Rouse is hoping to rally the Senate team ahead of the Capitol Square Classic tonight. The VCU Massey Cancer Center fundraiser will be at 8 p.m. at the Siegel Center. The governor’s office will also take on lobbyists in another game.

Big, growing crowd just west of the U.S. Capitol protesting Trump, Musk and DOGE on President’s Day. “Hey Congress, grow a spine,” they shout, gathering for a rally around the reflecting pool.

Happening now, the 50-50 one protest in Richmond, Va. Capitol Square. Hundreds of people are in attendance in what looks to be a bigger turnout from the last one. @vcucns.bsky.social

One of three protests in Richmond today — roughly 70 VCU students have walked out following President Trump announcing his intentions to displace Palestinians take ownership of the Gaza Strip. @vcucns.bsky.social

With the book removals in schools over the past few years, Legislation looks to have a study done on what was removed and why. @vcucns.bsky.social www.whro.org/education-ne...

Happening now on this rainy day at Richmond Capitol Spare, NAACP empowerment rally @vcucns.bsky.social

Legislation to help offset the increasing costs of drought insurance didn't survive this session. There was a 27% increase in farmers’ use of this type of insurance from 2023-2024, says patron Sen. Timmy French, R-Shenandoah. Reporting by @coraperkinss.bsky.social⤵️ www.rappnews.com/news/agricul...

The costs of diagnostic and supplemental screenings for abnormal mammograms are often passed to the consumer. But a bill that cleared the General Assembly today aims to eliminate these charges. Reporting by @brookelindberg.bsky.social ⤵️ www.henricocitizen.com/bill-elimina...