The Virginia Mercury

Following a fair housing lawsuit, former landlord David Merryman settled for $2.5 million, which will provide financial compensation to several former tenants. The settlement requires that eviction filings against the residents be scrubbed and mandates that Merryman sell all his Virginia properties. Tenants reported suffering displacement due to alleged harassment and retaliation from him.

Recent headlines detail multiple events across Virginia. Included are an incident where an ICE agent reportedly pulled a gun on a woman in a parking lot, zero sanitizer discovery at a McLean-area restaurant, and three people charged after reptile theft occurred across Virginia and Maryland. Furthermore, the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation adopted a master plan for Mayo River State Park.

Headlines cover voters determining reproductive rights four years after Roe, according to VPM News. Other local stories include Eric Bieniemy returning to practice following his wife's shooting in their Virginia home, and discussions about a proposed 1% sales tax for school construction in Virginia communities. Furthermore, unemployment ticked up across three Virginia metro areas.

Virginia voters participated in primary elections on August 4, 2026, focusing on races including a GOP challenge to U.S. Sen. Mark Warner and key congressional districts. Polls operated from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m., with resources available through the Virginia Department of Elections for voter registration and polling place checks.

Virginia lawmakers are urged to address gaps in domestic violence protections, particularly for victims of coercive control, which involves psychological manipulation and gaslighting. Current legal frameworks focus on physical violence, leaving many victims without timely or effective remedies during divorce proceedings.