My latest for Virginia Scope: Democrats drop out, jump districts and re-strategize after courts rule their six month and $66 million effort to redistrict void.

“The reality is that we expected the Supreme Court of Virginia to respect the constitution and the will of the people,” Del. Dan Helmer said. “They did not.” Helmer continued: “We will make sure that Justice Kelsey does not serve anymore come this January."

Talking redistricting, public salary data and @GovernorVA’s bill actions on the Virginia Press Room with Michael Pope, @fordmccracken and Cat Pizzarello! www.vpm.org/vapressroom

Last night The Commonwealth Times picked up 23 awards at the 2025 VPA News & Advertising Contest — including the News Sweepstakes award in our category!! 🤯 So proud of our team that has been tirelessly dedicated to creating comprehensive, understandable news for all eyes and ears.

The Commonwealth Times is at the 2026 @va_press_assoc conference!

Here’s the complete lore on why Richmond had two “No Kings” protests.

Five years ago today, Adam Oakes was hazed to death at VCU. Here’s what’s changed in the wake: commonwealthtimes.org/2026/02/25/f...

Lately I’ve been spending a lot of time flipping through archives commonwealthtimes.org/2026/02/25/a...

HAPPENING NOW: About 50 people are in Monroe Park protesting the shooting and killing of Minneapolis woman Renee Nicole Good by an ICE officer.

My latest for CBS 6 with Melissa Hipolit: People across the state have been complaining about poor water quality from Aqua Virginia, a private company, for decades. Now Aqua wants to raise their prices, and they’re merging with their biggest competitor. www.wtvr.com/news/local-n...

I’m here at Diversity Thrift with @bilanreports.bsky.social for the Virginia gubernatorial election where voters are starting to pour in. Stay tuned for more live reports. @vcucns.bsky.social #vavotes #election2025

Good morning from Thomas Dale High School in House District 75! The chief officers of election estimate over 110 people have voted as of 7 a.m.. @vcucns.bsky.social

I’m a bit late on this — but my internship with Virginia Scope ended back in September. Incredibly thankful to Brandon Jarvis for the opportunity ✍️📰 I doubt I’m done with Scope, but for now, catch my reporting on WTVR CBS 6! Same work, different medium.

After recognizing members the largest high school Turning Point USA Chapter visiting the Capitol — Del. Nick Freitas asks the House to honor Charlie Kirk. “Many of us felt that something fundamental had changed around our entire political discourse in this country”

Students at the VCUarts Qatar campus took shelter on Tuesday after Israeli forces struck a building in Doha — the nation’s capital — serving as a headquarters for Hamas political leaders. commonwealthtimes.org/2025/09/10/v...

Senate Democrats vote to block 14 more of Gov. Youngkin’s university board appointments to UVA, GMU and VMI — bringing the total to 22. virginiapoliticalnewsletter.substack.com/p/senate-dem...

I was shamed by our entire staff after rejecting the original headline idea for this story, which was “‘meow meow meow;’ Richmond welcomes new cat cafe.” Executive Editor is proving to be a hard job. t.co/GbAd3gZ7XX

Miyares filed with the Virginia Supreme Court to appeal a July court decision that affirmed Senate Democrats’ rejection of some of Youngkin’s university board appointees. Miyares is citing multiple reasons for filing the appeal. @andrewkerley.bsky.social open.substack.com/pub/virginia...

“In Honduras, I am not coming out of the house,” wrote deported asylum seeker Martinez-Cantero in a letter read to the crowd. “I am scared.” Story by: @hazelissimo.bsky.social commonwealthtimes.org/2025/08/12/p...

BREAKING: A Fairfax Judge has sided with Virginia Senate Democrats in a legal battle over their rejection of some of Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s university board appointees, reaffirming the GA’s power over the governing bodies. Background: www.virginiascope.com/senate-democ... Sen. Rouse’s statement ⬇️

VCU finally gives Sereen Haddad her degree.

The Virginia Senate Republican Caucus released a statement condemning Democrats for calling another Privilages and Elections committee meeting for Monday — where they are likely to vote on more of Gov. Youngkin’s university board appointments.

Virginia House Democrats are holding their lead in the money race ahead of November elections, though Republicans are catching up compared to the last report. substack.com/@virginiasco...

Thanks Michael Pope for having me on the Virginia Press Room podcast this week! Listen to our discussion on your favorite platform ⬇️ www.vpm.org/vapressroom

George Mason seems to be the Trump DOJ’s next target in their crusade on DEI. “They [GMU] have a board appointed by Youngkin, so they’re not going to be resistant in any way," political analyst Bob Holsworth said. t.co/Nqp3joYWfi

My latest for Virginia Scope: Senate Democrats are weighing blocking more of Gov. Youngkin’s appointees to university boards as he gains full control of Virginia’s institutes — fearing he may exert unprecedented influence before his term’s end. ⬇️ open.substack.com/pub/virginia...

Supervisor James Walkinshaw is the Democratic nominee for Virginia’s 11th Congressional District. www.virginiascope.com/walkinshaw-w...

Stewart Whitson is the Republican nominee for the Va-11 special congressional election - party chair Katie Gorka tells me. The Democratic nominee is expected to be announced later tonight.

10 Democrats are in the race to succeed the late Rep. Gerry Connolly — but his chosen successor’s front runner status has brought about concerns by some other candidates over fairness. www.virginiascope.com/walkinshaws-...

James Walkinshaw is the favorite in the crowded Democratic primary for VA-11's special election. His opponents are expressing concerns that the nomination process favors establishment candidates and also limits voter access. By: @andrewkerley.bsky.social open.substack.com/pub/virginia...

Oh yeah so I’m interning with Virginia Scope and the Virginia Political Newsletter this summer to cover state elections and politics! I’m super stoked. Here’s my first byline: Hashmi wins. www.virginiascope.com/state-sen-gh...

Sen. Ghazala Hashmi just declared herself Democratic nominee for lieutenant governor of Virginia. “Here in Virginia we’re choosing something different," Hashmi said. "We’re choosing courage, we’re choosing progress and we’re choosing to lead.”

HAPPENING NOW: An unbelievable crowd of thousands is covering Richmond’s Capitol Square in protest of Trump. Goes all the way from the bell tower to the General Assembly building. Stay tuned.

HAPPENING NOW at Abner Clay Park: Roughly 50 people are braving a thunderstorm for an anti-ICE protest in solidarity with Los Angeles. Stay tuned.

UPDATE: Three graduating seniors — leaders of the VCU SJP chapter — are having their degrees temporarily withheld over pending investigations for breaking VCU’s interim campus expression and space utilization policy.

A conservative movement wants to remake higher education - to scrap traditional university shared governance in way of more powerful boards and executives. They say it’ll foster intellectual diversity. Educators warn academic freedom is at stake. www.pilotonline.com/2025/04/29/v...

HAPPENING NOW: A look at the massive crowd marching down W. Franklin St. in an anti-Trump “May Day” protest.

Students were peacefully gathered on the anniversary of VCU's violent April 2024 Gaza solidarity encampment until police shut down the event and asked them to move to the "designated area for free speech." commonwealthtimes.org/2025/04/30/v...

HAPPENING NOW: VCU Students are holding an encampment anniversary event on the Cabell Library lawn. They say it’s a casual event, not an encampment. Student affairs asked them to leave via this leaflet. They gave them a 15 minute warning but police haven’t shown up. Stay tuned

The number of student visas revoked has breached the 1,000 mark, and doesn’t seem to be stopping any time soon. commonwealthtimes.org

VCU — and other schools — are dissolving their DEI programs. From hiring, to scholarships, to cultural graduation ceremonies; the changes are sweeping. Read about it: t.co/R7n1Vb1JVY

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.

(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."

Lawmakers unanimously approved soon-to-come leadership changes at VCU Health. They ask for more real estate experts on their Board, less overlap between VCU (the university) and President Rao will no longer serve as Chair or have voting privileges. commonwealthtimes.org/2025/03/06/l...

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...

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

Been taking a back seat from state politics to cover the next VCU MainStage play about a fascist takeover in which the perpetrators are Rhinoceroses. commonwealthtimes.org/2025/02/26/v...

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...

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