🚨A high-school assistant principal in Va. Beach and his brother were arrested after allegedly plotting to “kill police officers and ICE agents.”  According to DHS, one brother planned to fly to Las Vegas to meet like-minded individuals and buy weapons. virginiamercury.com/briefs/va-as...

After years of vetoes, Virginia is finally on track to launch legal adult-use cannabis. Lawmakers say a retail market could open as soon as fall 2026 — aiming to shift sales from the underground economy to a regulated one. 🌿 virginiamercury.com/2025/11/17/a...

A federal judge has ordered ICE to release three young immigrants held in Virginia after finding they were unlawfully denied bond hearings despite qualifying for Special Immigrant Juvenile Status. virginiamercury.com/2025/11/13/t...

In a NYT op-ed, Sen. Tim Kaine fires back at critics who say he “sold out” by voting to reopen the government: “I have close knowledge of key actors, and I do not believe Republicans would have conceded on health care during the shutdown.” www.nytimes.com/2025/11/12/o...

Sen. Tim Kaine breaks ranks with most Senate Democrats to back a bipartisan deal reopening the federal gov’t — securing job protections + back pay for federal workers and a future Senate vote on ACA tax credits. He calls it “a tough call, but the right one.” virginiamercury.com/2025/11/10/k...

“This is a great country, and as a constitutional republic, the people elect their leaders,” Gov. Youngkin says as he congratulates Abigail Spanberger and reflects on his own victory four years ago. Youngkin also vows to support Spanberger during the transition phase. #VAGov

🔴 Gov. Youngkin is about to hold a media briefing following last night’s sweeping Democratic victory in Virginia — as Abigail Spanberger, Ghazala Hashmi and Jay Jones secured the state’s top offices and Democrats picked up 13 seats in the Va. House #VAGov

#breaking Democrats sweep Virginia’s statewide races, reclaiming full control of the executive branch as the Abigail Spanberger, Ghazala Hashmi and Jay Jones victories wrap a year defined by federal layoffs, reproductive-rights battles and scandal. #VAGov virginiamercury.com/2025/11/04/d...

Catch @mschmidtrva.bsky.social break down the latest on the Virginia gubernatorial race as voters cast their ballots. www.wnyc.org/story/virgin...

Tonight I’ll be joining @12OnYourSide’s live panel from 8–10 p.m. to break down the Va. returns coming in. On set w/ @RachelDePompa, @JasmineTurnerTV & UR’s @ErnestMcGowen — should be a fun, nerdy, fast-moving night of vote math and hot takes. Watch ⬇️ www.12onyourside.com/2025/11/04/d...

Today: - All 3 mayoral candidates, Mamdani, Cuomo & Sliwa, will join during the 10 o'clock hour, & we'll take your election day exit polls on the air; - @nancysolomon2.bsky.social on NJ's elections; - @mschmidtrva.bsky.social on Virginia's governor's race Live at 10 on 93.9 FM, AM820 or @wnyc.org

On the eve of the state election, President Trump held a GOP tele-rally for Virginia that included outgoing Gov. Youngkin — but notably left out the party’s three statewide nominees. #VAGov virginiamercury.com/2025/11/04/v...

🗳️ It’s Election Day in Virginia — and control of the entire state government is on the line. Governor, LG, AG, and all 100 House seats. The stakes: abortion rights, voting laws, taxes, climate policy & more. Polls are open. Vote. ✅ virginiamercury.com/2025/11/04/o...

NAACP and Advancement Project sue Virginia, saying election officials are rejecting student voter registrations over missing dorm-room info that isn’t required by law.  They argue it violates the CRA and could disenfranchise thousands of campus voters. virginiamercury.com/2025/11/03/c...

In a 21–16 party-line vote, the Va. Senate backs constitutional amendment letting lawmakers redraw the state’s congressional map mid-decade. Democrats say it’s a defense against GOP-led map changes in other states; Republicans call it a power grab. virginiamercury.com/2025/10/31/v...

🚨New Roanoke College poll: • Spanberger (D) leads Earle-Sears (R) for governor 51–41% • Hashmi (D) and Reid (R) are neck-and-neck 42–40% • Miyares (R) holds an 8-point edge over Jones (D) for AG virginiamercury.com/2025/10/30/p...

#breaking By a 12-9 vote, the Democratic-led House P&E Committee advances a constitutional amendment letting lawmakers redraw Va.’s congressional map if another state changes its own mid-decade. The measure applies only to 2025-2030 and is now headed to the House floor. #valeg

📄 Va. House Democrats unveil constitutional amendment to let lawmakers redraw congressional maps mid-decade if other states do so for partisan gain. AG Jason Miyares says it’s unconstitutional; Spanberger backs keeping the option open. virginiamercury.com/2025/10/28/v...

NEW: Partisan sparks flew in the VA Senate on Day 2 of the redistricting special session:  Dems blocked Youngkin’s letter as “too political,” Reps warned that a still-unseen constitutional amendment is being rushed through days before Election Day. ⬇️ virginiamercury.com/2025/10/28/d...

NEW: At Monday’s special session of the Virginia General Assembly, Democrats used a procedural move to open the door for a mid-decade redistricting amendment, just a week before Election Day. GOP calls the effort a “power grab.” #valeg virginiamercury.com/2025/10/27/d...

📊 New Wason Center poll lands as lawmakers return to Richmond for a redistricting fight one week before the election: Spanberger (D) 50% – Earle-Sears (R) 43% Hashmi (D) 47% – Reid (R) 45% Miyares (R) 46% – Jones (D) 45% virginiamercury.com/2025/10/27/p...

Happening now: Members of the GOP’s congressional delegation are pushing back against a last-minute effort by Democrats to redraw district lines. Republicans are framing this as “election interference” and as undermining the will of voters. #VALeg

🧨 Speaker Don Scott has called Virginia lawmakers back to Richmond for a surprise special session Monday — just days before Election Day. Democrats may be eyeing redistricting; Republicans call it a “pathetic, political stunt.” #VAleg virginiamercury.com/2025/10/23/h...

The Virginia General Assembly has launched a redesigned website — vga.virginia.gov — with faster navigation, improved search tools and a cleaner design. Officials say it’s the first of several efforts this year to boost public access and engagement with the Capitol.

JUST IN from our D.C. Bureau: State officials in Monday’s brief to the Supreme Court say the use of military forces to respond to routine crime is a gross violation of the U.S. Constitution’s balance of powers. via @fischler.bsky.social

A Stafford judge has dismissed a GOP-backed lawsuit seeking to remove Democrat Stacey Carroll from the ballot, rejecting claims she doesn’t live in #HD64. Carroll called the allegations “false and insulting” and said her campaign is moving forward. virginiamercury.com/2025/10/21/j...

🚨 Six Democrats are jumping into Virginia’s 2nd District race as Rep. Jen Kiggans faces growing headwinds. A coastal swing seat hit by a shutdown and Medicaid cuts could give Dems their best opening yet. #VA02 virginiamercury.com/2025/10/21/d...

NYT reports that Gilbert was pushed out as U.S. attorney for resisting political pressure. DOJ prosecutors reportedly refused to advance new charges related to the 2016 Russia inquiry, leading to his forced resignation just one month after he took office www.nytimes.com/2025/10/14/u...

🗳️ Del. Carrie Coyner and Democrat Lindsey Dougherty are facing off again in one of Virginia’s most competitive House races. Education, health care and housing dominate the rematch in #HD75 — a district Kamala Harris flipped blue in 2024. virginiamercury.com/2025/10/13/f...

After months of polarized campaigning, Abigail Spanberger and Winsome Earle-Sears clash in their only 2025 Va. governor’s debate at Norfolk State. The tone of political speech — and the Jay Jones scandal — took center stage. #VAGov virginiamercury.com/2025/10/09/s...

🧨 GOP gubernatorial nominee Winsome Earle-Sears failed to disclose a $12,000 “gift” and multiple donor-funded trips on her ethics forms. The omissions are part of a years-long pattern now raising questions about her transparency and trust in government virginiamercury.com/2025/10/08/f...

Virginia’s joint cannabis commission heard starkly different visions for launching retail sales — from fixing medical labeling gaps to tackling illicit products and preventing corporate capture. virginiamercury.com/2025/10/07/v...

Rematch in Virginia’s #HD71: Anderson vs. Batten again after 2023’s 667‐vote margin. New lines mix Williamsburg, James City & booming New Kent. Key battleground on housing, tourism, traffic & wages — where turnout & money may decide it. #VAleg virginiamercury.com/2025/10/06/g...

🚨Virginia AG race rocked by scandal: Democrat Jay Jones admits sending 2022 texts fantasizing about shooting ex-House Speaker Todd Gilbert and apologizes for his “grave mistake.” Republicans — from Trump to Youngkin — call for him to drop out. virginiamercury.com/2025/10/05/b...

The ACLU of Virginia has filed a class-action lawsuit accusing ICE of unlawfully jailing immigrant minors who’ve already won legal protections. The suit says kids with Special Immigrant Juvenile Status are being “warehoused” in VA detention centers. virginiamercury.com/2025/10/02/a...

🚨New Emerson poll: Abigail Spanberger 52%, Winsome Earle-Sears 42% in Virginia governor’s race. The Democrat surges with independents, men & voters under 50 — groups that fueled her double-digit lead. Top issue for voters: the economy.  virginiamercury.com/2025/10/02/s...

NEW: LG nominee John Reid was a registered foreign agent during his 2011–14 Qorvis years, filing under FARA when considered for a Fiji contract. He says it was PR-only and he never worked on Saudi or Fiji; Qorvis says it complies fully with DOJ rules. virginiamercury.com/2025/10/02/r...

🚨 A spokesman for the U.S. Dept. of Veterans Affairs blames “radical liberals in Congress” for any shutdown fallout, warning some services could pause while core health care & benefits continue.

Big money, tiny margins define the rematch in #HD41 in Southwest Virginia. Incumbent Chris Obenshain won by just 183 votes in 2023 — now Democrat Lily Franklin is back with more funds, fresh momentum, and a promise of change. #valeg virginiamercury.com/2025/09/29/b...

Dinwiddie deputies have arrested a suspect accused of sending a politically motivated death threat to Del. Kim Taylor, R-Petersburg. Taylor’s campaign says she is safe and “remains focused on serving her constituents.” Full story: virginiamercury.com/briefs/dinwi...

🚨Va. GOP Sen. Bryce Reeves is running for U.S. Senate in 2026, challenging Democrat Mark Warner.  Reeves cites his Army + law enforcement background; Dems call him a “perennial candidate” tied to Trump. virginiamercury.com/2025/09/24/g...

Voters in Stafford have filed suit to remove Democrat Stacey Carroll from the ballot, alleging she doesn’t reside in House District 64. Carroll pushes back, calling the charges “false and insulting,” especially for military families who relocate. virginiamercury.com/2025/09/24/s...

Sen. Hashmi responds to former Sen. Joe Morrissey’s endorsement of her Republican opponent ⬇️

🚨Virginia twist: Former state Sen. Joe Morrissey, long a maverick Dem, is backing GOP LG nominee John Reid over Ghazala Hashmi. Morrissey says Hashmi is “strictly partisan” & touts Reid’s “common sense” — but he’s still with Spanberger & Jones on the ticket. virginiamercury.com/2025/09/23/m...

NEW: GOP-leaning House of Delegates districts are outpacing Democratic ones in Virginia’s first week of early voting. Of the 20 districts with the highest turnout, 11 are strongly or lean Republican, 5 strongly Democratic, 4 are competitive. #VALeg virginiamercury.com/2025/09/23/g...

🚨 Republicans rip Spanberger after she vows to repeal Youngkin’s immigration order. Youngkin calls it a “sanctuary state” move, Earle-Sears says Spanberger “puts criminals over Virginians.“ virginiamercury.com/2025/08/27/r...

NEW: Spanberger vows to rescind Gov. Youngkin’s Feb executive order that forces VA law enforcement to help carry out immigration crackdowns. She calls it a misuse of local resources and a threat to community trust #VAGov virginiamercury.com/2025/08/27/s...

Va.’s cannabis market is still in limbo: legal to possess, illegal to buy. A new bipartisan commission met for the 2nd time Wed., weighing taxation, equity & small biz rules ahead of a 2026 retail launch. Spanberger backs legalization — Youngkin vetoed it. virginiamercury.com/2025/08/21/j...

NEW: Spanberger’s lead shrinks: Roanoke poll shows her up 46–39% on Earle-Sears, with LG & AG races neck-and-neck. #VAGov virginiamercury.com/2025/08/19/n...

Dozens rallied outside Richmond City Hall Monday, denouncing recent ICE detentions in Virginia and urging the city to ban local cooperation with federal immigration authorities. Advocates say most detainees had no criminal record. virginiamercury.com/2025/08/11/p...