Recent News
Youngkin as a scapegoat for voters’ approval of redistricting is Trump’s aversion to reality
Blaming the former governor for the referendum’s passage may salve the president’s ego, but Virginians know the real fault lies with Trump alone, columnist Bob Lewis writes. Bob Lewis |...
New state law mandates review of Dominion’s load forecasting, as data centers raise concerns
By: Shannon Heckt | Virginia Mercury Dominion Energy’s annual rate case in September prompted concerns from data centers about how fast the utility connects their industry to the grid. The...
US Supreme Court limits use of race in congressional district remaps, diluting Voting Rights Act
By: Jonathan Shorman | Virginia Mercury Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis’ office on Monday invoked an upcoming landmark U.S. Supreme Court decision on the role of race in drawing congressional districts...
Here’s what House lawmakers want to require of data centers to keep their sales tax break
Legislators are still hammering out differences in the Senate and House versions of the state spending plan, with proposed new standards tied to the industry’s tax exemption. By: Shannon Heck...
Virginians gave input on congressional maps; most voters couldn’t
Virginians gave input on congressional maps; most voters couldn’t Roger Chesley | Virginia Mercury Amid all the Sturm und Drang over the mid-decade redistricting in Virginia and elsewhere – court...
Spanberger marks first 100 days with focus on healthcare, housing and energy affordability
State budget progress uncertain as governor awaits lawmakers’ spending plan By: Charlotte Rene Woods - April 28, 2026 5:25 am Gov. Abigail Spanberger celebrated her first 100 days in office...
Cerina and Justin Fairfax tragedy underscores new Va. laws that could help prevent similar violence
ANNANDALE, VIRGINIA - APRIL 16: Law enforcement secure a crime scene outside the home of former Virginia Lt Gov Justin Fairfax on April 16, 2026 in Annandale, Virginia. According to...
Guv’s emphatic veto on Fairfax casino won’t be the last word – bet on it
USA, Nevada, Las Vegas Scott Surovell – the Senate majority leader, Fairfax County Democrat, and persistent supporter of a casino-entertainment complex – has indicated this saga isn’t over, columnist Roger...
Data center tax exemption changes still holding up Virginia budget
A Democratic senator wants to end the $1.9 billion handout. The industry doesn’t want to cede that much. By: Charles Paullin | Virginia Mercury This article originally appeared on Inside...
Virginia cannabis retail plan in limbo after lawmakers reject Spanberger changes
Governor must decide whether to sign or veto long-debated proposal as disputes over regulation, enforcement and timelines persist. By: Markus Schmidt | Virginia Mercury Five years after Virginia legalized simple...
Local governments race to attract data centers, often in spite of concerns from their constituents
As more information about the operation of data centers becomes publicly available, communities are sounding the alarm on an industry that stands to have a far greater impact beyond the...
Stopping overdoses is only the first step: Virginia must build what comes next
The commonwealth can become a national model for what sustained recovery can look like when policy, funding and community are aligned to build what comes next, writes guest columnist Sarah...
Virginia lawmakers recess special session without a budget deal
Democratic divide over data center incentives and skill games veto leaves $212B spending plan unresolved. By: Markus Schmidt, Shannon Heckt and Charlotte Rene Woods - Virginia Mercury The Virginia General...
GOP’s hope to undo Virginia’s new redistricting power grows after judge halts maps
New Tazewell court ruling puts new districts on hold as Republicans press case and state vows appeal. By: Markus Schmidt - Virginia Mercury After losing Tuesday’s closely watched redistricting referendum,...
Va. lawmakers OK governor’s tweaks to major energy bills, reject health and labor bill amendments
Paid Family and Medical Leave is a step closer to becoming law, while rejected amendments on other bills mean Spanberger must now choose to sign or veto. By: Charlotte Rene...
Recent News
Board to discuss solar ordinance at Monday meeting – The Enterprise
By Taylor Boyd The Patrick County Board of Supervisors will consider a draft solar ordinance proposed by the Planning Commission at its Monday, Feb. 9 meeting. The meeting is scheduled to begin at 6 p.m. in the third-floor courtroom of the Patrick County Administration Building. The ordinance was sent to the board more than four months ago, on Sept. 16. Kurt Bozenmayer, then chairman of the commission, asked the board to take action on the proposed solar ordinance at the...
Read moreDetailsLocal volunteers go above and beyond for Fincastle shelter animals – Fincastle Herald
By Matt de Simone When a winter storm threatened the League for Animal Protection in late January, the shelter’s safety depended not on equipment, but on people willing to step in at a moment’s notice. As freezing temperatures and icy conditions approached, shelter officials learned that the facility’s backup generator had failed — a discovery that raised immediate concerns for the dogs and cats in their care. “We realized the generator wasn’t working the very day the storm was...
Read moreDetailsSupervisors approve confidential retail deal, elect new leadership at January meeting – Fincastle Herald
By Matt de Simone In a surprise move during its January meeting, the Botetourt County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a performance agreement tied to a proposed major retail development, an item added to the agenda as a walk-on without advance public notice. County Administrator Gary Larrowe presented the agreement, describing it as a preliminary step to allow a developer to seek financing for a “confidential” national destination retailer proposed for the Gateway Crossing area near the Interstate 81...
Read moreDetailsBuchanan Theatre to close for long-awaited renovations – Fincastle Herald
The Buchanan Theatre will close following this Saturday’s final screenings as the historic venue begins a long-anticipated renovation project aimed at improving accessibility, comfort and long-term efficiency while preserving the theater’s beloved character. The project is being funded largely through grants from the Virginia Department of Historic Resources, awarded two years ago. Theater officials said the timeline was extended as architects, engineers and contractors were secured and detailed plans finalized for the complex renovation of the aging building. Once construction...
Read moreDetailsCommunity invited to shape future of Greenfield Recreation Park – Fincastle Herald
Botetourt County Parks and Recreation has unveiled the first two conceptual designs for the Greenfield Recreation Park Master Plan, marking an important early step in a long-term vision for one of the county’s most beloved outdoor spaces. The concepts, released last week, are the result of community survey feedback gathered over recent months. According to Parks and Recreation officials, resident input played a central role in shaping the preliminary layouts, amenities, and overall direction of the proposed park improvements. “We’ve...
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