Between federal changes to Medicaid and SNAP along with expired ACA subsidies, here's how Virginia lawmakers propose handling matters in the state budget. virginiamercury.com/2026/03/20/h...

2026 marks a significant legislative session for housing bills in Virginia. The local v. state authority debate is ever-present, but quite a few ideas are on their way to @abigailspanberger.com desk. See my roundup here: virginiamercury.com/2026/03/17/h...

A 5 year journey to set up a Prescription Drug Affordability Board in Virginia reached a new milestone this week, as the proposal cleared the legislature with near-unanimous votes and strong bipartisan support. It took some turns though. Learn more here: virginiamercury.com/2026/03/12/a...

At the core of a lawsuit challenging Virginia's reproductive rights constitutional amendment is an allegation the House Clerk didn't follow procedure. But a new law might invalidate that charge. Courts can test it and you can learn more here: virginiamercury.com/2026/03/06/l...

A lawsuit has been filed to try to stop Virginia's proposed reproductive rights constitutional amendment from making it to statewide ballots later this year. virginiamercury.com/2026/03/04/b...

People with periods have “no choice” but to use menstrual health products to manage their bleeding, @hollyseiboldva.bsky.social said. Her label requirement bill is on its way to the governor for further consideration. virginiamercury.com/2026/03/03/b...

Meet two of Virginia's new public health leaders. As Secretary of Health & Human Resources and Commissioner of VDH, Marvin Figueroa and Cameron Webb discuss being Black men in leadership and navigating federal funding changes to state health care. virginiamercury.com/2026/03/02/v...

ATTN: Va. political people, mark your calendars for Feb. 19 for the Virginia Capitol Correspondents gala! Come celebrate the midpoint of the 2026 legislative session and mingle with the journalists who chronicle it! Tickets here: www.eventbrite.com/e/virginia-c...

The agreement — which stems from Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s administration — had effectively placed state law enforcement under federal control and supervision. virginiamercury.com/2026/02/04/s...

NEW: Democrat Abigail Spanberger was sworn in Saturday as Virginia’s 75th governor — and the first woman to hold the office — invoking unity, warning of “recklessness” coming out of Washington and moving quickly to define her agenda. virginiamercury.com/2026/01/17/s...

Gov. Abigail Spanberger, Virginia’s first woman governor.

Follow @charlottewords.bsky.social and @mschmidtrva.bsky.social's #SpanbergerInauguration coverage here: virginiamercury.com/2026/01/17/s...

I'm helping with inauguration coverage today for @virginiamercury.com as @abigailspanberger.com is sworn in as Virginia’s next governor.

It's the 1st day of Virginia's 2026 legislative session. I caught @kimadamsforva.bsky.social having a moment after she was sworn in to the Virginia House of Delegates.

I FOIAed records to see what Virginia has been doing to reduce its SNAP error rate -- a task the state must complete to comply with Congress' July 2025 reconciliation bill. Learn more here: virginiamercury.com/2026/01/05/h...

With applicants to the Rural Health Transformation Fund set to be notified within the next few days, here's a look at what Virginia has proposed: virginiamercury.com/2025/12/29/v...

I know there are some other UVA-related things making news today, but a qualitative research study that just dropped reveals some gun violence prevention strategies. People living in "hotspots" around the state were also interviewed for their insights. virginiamercury.com/2025/11/14/n...

Virginia’s South Side maternal health care desert is about to get a little drier as a Farmville hospital is closing its labor & delivery unit. Longstanding challenges paired with federal funding changes in health care were among the reasons. virginiamercury.com/2025/11/07/c...

🚨Transition in motion: Gov.-elect Abigail Spanberger and outgoing Gov. Glenn Youngkin meet at the Executive Mansion to focus on food security, health care and living costs as Virginia gears up for "Day One" of the new administration. virginiamercury.com/2025/11/06/y...

BREAKING: Democrat Jay Jones defeated Republican incumbent Jason Miyares in the attorney general race, completing the party's full sweep of statewide office elections in Virginia. virginiamercury.com/2025/11/04/d...

“It's a big deal that the girls and the young women I have met along the campaign trail now know with certainty that they can achieve anything,” Democrat Abigail Spanberger said after defeating Republican nominee Winsome Earle-Sears in the Virginia governor race. virginiamercury.com/2025/11/04/b...

Updates for now on SNAP and Virginia's state-level temporary version of it: virginiamercury.com/2025/11/04/y...

Scenes from Saturday in Norfolk, Virginia as former president Barack Obama campaigned for Abigail Spanberger.

Check out @charlottewords.bsky.social's dispatch from today's Spanberger rally: 👇🏾 #VaGOV

Some SNAP recipients walked me through how they stretch their dollars to feed themselves and their families. But worry grows amid the federal shutdown and new restrictions. A Gov. Youngkin order could provide temporary relief if the shutdown lasts past October. virginiamercury.com/2025/10/27/i...

New story from @virginiamercury.com @charlottewords.bsky.social discusses how Virginia registrars secure our votes, build trust & handle challenges on the frontlines of democracy. These insights come from our new video series Behind the Ballot Read here: virginiamercury.com/2025/10/27/v...

I traveled the state this summer exploring how federal funding changes affect Virginia's hospitals, clinics, nonprofits, and the state health department. The three-part series launched this week. 🧵 1/4 virginiamercury.com/category/pul...

Allegations that Centreville High School staff coerced minors into getting abortions and helped them get the procedure without their parents’ knowledge are “likely untrue,” per the Virginia school district's legal probe, by @charlottewords.bsky.social www.newsfromthestates.com/article/fair...

Democratic attorneys general remain one of a few checks on power against Republican majorities in Congress and the White House. Meanwhile, Jones' text scandal also looms over his race against Miyares. Voters can glean more from both men in tonight's debate. virginiamercury.com/2025/10/15/j...

Under plans the Trump administration posted this weekend, hundreds of thousands of federal workers will be furloughed during a government shutdown, while others will keep working without being paid. virginiamercury.com/2025/09/29/r...

Federal funding for research that helps prevent maternal deaths nationwide is set to expire Sep. 30. virginiamercury.com/2025/09/29/f...

Democrats (and some Republicans) want to extend special tax credits people use to buy ACA marketplace health insurance. The proposals come as a potential government shutdown looms. virginiamercury.com/2025/09/23/v...

I spoke with three medical experts to better understand the basics about autism, including how it's diagnosed, what the research shows and the biggest misconceptions. www.newsfromthestates.com/article/trum...

Ex-felons that earned an early release through a state program told me how they're not wasting their 2nd chance. With 19% of people released last year being re-convicted, AG Jason Miyares has ignited fresh opposition to the program in his reelection campaign. virginiamercury.com/2025/09/17/s...

Breaking: Virginia Department of Health issues order to ease COVID-19 vaccine access as federal guidance shifts. (I asked VDH and the governor about this yesterday, as other states have done so in the interim) virginiamercury.com/briefs/virgi...

To get a COVID vaccine in Virginia, you now need a prescription or must be 65 or older. The change, triggered by shifting federal guidelines, is posing challenges for COVID shot seekers statewide. virginiamercury.com/2025/09/10/f...

Part two of our On the Record series: a deep dive into Democratic governor candidate Abigail Spanberger's stances on immigration, education, energy and environment, health care, housing, criminal justice and policing, voting rights and elections. virginiamercury.com/2025/09/09/o...

Part one of our On the Record series examines Republican governor candidate Winsome Earle-Sears’ positions on key Virginia issues: immigration, education, energy, environment, health care, housing, criminal justice and policing, voting rights and elections.

U.S. Sen. Warner, Va. House Speaker Scott say hospital systems should speak out about possible closures, staff reductions and health care coverage gaps spurred by federal reconciliation bill. 🧵1/3 virginiamercury.com/2025/09/03/f...

This is getting weird. The COA issued yet another unpublished opinion in a FOIA case today. This one involves the Attorney General. And it's potentially kind of important. The court holds that the reference to the AG in the working papers exemption includes the entire OFFICE,...

"Dreamers" are now excluded from ACA marketplace, per new HHS rule. A legal challenge in federal court has some other changes "up in the air" for now. virginiamercury.com/2025/08/29/d...

Survey shows Virginia gubernatorial candidate Winsome Earle-Sears' opposition to LGBTQ+ workplace protections, same-sex marriages and those couples' ability to adopt children. 🧵1/3 virginiamercury.com/2025/08/28/s...

Republican gubernatorial nominee Winsome Earle-Sears echoed some pitches and sentiments from Gov. Glenn Youngkin's 2021 campaign at an event yesterday while protesters outside challenged their support of looming changes to Medicaid. virginiamercury.com/2025/08/15/i...

Special tax credits that help people buy health insurance through the Affordable Care Act have not yet been renewed by Congress. Virginia state lawmakers and health officials are trying to map the best course forward. virginiamercury.com/2025/07/25/c...

Happy 7th birthday @virginiamercury.com! We're free for those who can't afford newspaper subscriptions, but donors help us keep doing the work for everyone. A donation, however big or small, would be a great birthday gift for the organization! virginiamercury.com/donate/?emci...

Virginia Corrections Ombudsman says 269 of the over 500 statewide complaints her office has received stem from Red Onion State Prison. virginiamercury.com/2025/07/16/a...

Three of y’all have asked me about this since July 1, so here’s a news story from @charlottewords.bsky.social of the @virginiamercury.com explaining that pop-up: virginiamercury.com/briefs/new-v...

White House budget requests call for cuts to federal housing funding. Though Trump admin's goal in federal cuts is to lower taxes, @mcclellan.house.gov cautions that cuts like this could force states/localities to raise them. Learn more here: virginiamercury.com/2025/06/04/a...

So this happened recently. I'm grateful and excited to be among this group!

1. Abortion med challenges are back in federal courts. @sofiaresnick.bsky.social and I have more details here for @statesnewsroom.com @virginiamercury.com 2. Thank you to my old local library for being our temporary workspace when back in Charlottesville yesterday virginiamercury.com/2025/05/19/a...