Virginia

A heat wave in Virginia caused a data center to emit dark smoke as diesel generators were activated to manage power grid stress. PJM's demand-response program incentivized reduced grid usage, with data centers like Digital Realty participating to prevent outages. Environmental concerns arose over fossil fuel use for backup power during the July 2026 event.

Measles is spreading rapidly in Virginia, and state health officials are sharing data on the locations of individuals who have become sick. The article highlights a historic surge in cases and provides a map of affected areas.

A statewide ban on Styrofoam has taken effect in Virginia, removing it from restaurant menus. A Richmond restaurant supports the new regulation as part of phase two implementation.

Four Democratic senators from Maryland and Virginia have sent a letter to the Department of the Interior, expressing concerns over the Trump administration's plan to redevelop the East Potomac Golf Links. The senators allege the administration prematurely canceled a lease held by the National Links Trust and seek transparency regarding the project's impact on affordability, accessibility, and environmental compliance.

Virginia rose to third place in CNBC’s annual ‘Top States for Business’ rankings, attributed to improvements in cost of living, housing, healthcare, and infrastructure. Governor Abigail Spanberger highlighted new laws and investments, including a $50 million boost to the Virginia Business Ready Sites Program and initiatives like InternshipsVA.

Virginia nonprofit RFK Outreach has launched a STEM Cybersecurity Mobile Bus to educate underserved students in the Hampton Roads region, funded by a $200,000 state appropriation. The initiative, led by founders Kimberly and Ricardo Frost, aims to expand access to cybersecurity and technology training for students who cannot attend their existing Cyber Academy.

The Washington Post attributes Virginia's business ranking decline to Trump. Additional headlines include planning for a special election in Arlington County, Virginia Beach restaurant owners seeking to reduce high meal taxes, water conservation measures in Western Virginia, and a 12-cent gas price increase.

Donald Trump’s proposed 250ft arch in Washington received preliminary approval from the National Capital Planning Commission despite public opposition. The commission deferred a decision on applying a federal height-limit law to the project.

Donald Trump’s proposed 250ft arch in Washington received preliminary approval from the National Capital Planning Commission despite public opposition. The commission deferred a decision on applying height-limiting federal laws to the project, which would be built on a traffic circle at the Virginia end of the Memorial Bridge.

President Trump’s proposal to build a 250-foot triumphal arch in Virginia across the Potomac River from Washington, D.C. received preliminary site approval from the National Capital Planning Commission with an 8-1 vote, despite opposition from historic and architectural preservationists.

The U.S. Coast Guard announced the relocation of the Reliance-class medium endurance cutter USCGC Venturous (WMEC 625) to Portsmouth on July 10. This marks the first of two medium endurance cutters transitioning to Virginia this month, with the USCGC Resolute (WMEC 620) scheduled to rehome to Base.

Virginia officials clarified that existing marijuana laws remain in effect after budget language caused confusion about the timing of retail cannabis sales and enforcement of criminal penalties. The budget revived legal cannabis sales through a spending plan rather than standalone legislation, leading to differing interpretations among prosecutors, lawmakers, and law enforcement.

The beach beetles, a threatened species, are disappearing from Virginia's shorelines due to habitat loss caused by beach erosion around the Chesapeake Bay.

Virginia moved up one position to third place in CNBC's annual 'Top States for Business' ranking. The state secured third place in the latest assessment of America's best states for business.

Gas prices in Virginia increased by 12 cents overnight, with the average price now at $3.74 per gallon, according to AAA.

Several states, including Georgia, Maryland, Tennessee, and Virginia, have enacted laws to expand or protect access to contraception. These measures include allowing pharmacists to prescribe birth control, requiring health plans to cover contraception, and establishing legal rights to contraception access.

Virginia lawmakers allocated $15 million over two years to expand Medicaid coverage for gene therapy treatments for sickle cell disease. The funding enables Virginia to separately pay for gene therapy drugs and associated care, improving access for Medicaid patients. Sentara-EVMS Comprehensive Sickle Cell Program serves over 200 adults in Hampton Roads, referring eligible patients to VCU Health for gene therapy, which involves a complex, months-long process including chemotherapy and cell infusion.

Multiple states, including Republican-led ones like Georgia and Tennessee, and Democratic-led states like Maryland and Virginia, have enacted laws to expand or protect access to contraception. Examples include allowing pharmacists to prescribe birth control, mandating insurance coverage for contraception, and requiring educational institutions to report on contraception access.

The Virginia Center for Investigative Journalism at WHRO compiled salary data for 170,000 state employees in 2025. The data is available for public search through their database.

A VCIJ at WHRO analysis of Virginia's public salaries data reveals the highest earners and those with lower salaries.

Virginia's budget has expanded Medicaid access to include sickle cell gene therapy. However, providers note that the treatment remains a long, expensive, and difficult process to access.

Columbia Gas of Virginia is promoting energy efficiency programs, urging customers to apply in July ahead of the fall heating season. The company serves approximately 293,000 customers across 98 communities in Virginia.

Virginia's new assault weapons ban faces legal uncertainty due to overlapping state and federal court challenges and conflicting injunctions. Attorney General Jay Jones has pledged to defend the law despite the legal disputes complicating its enforcement.

Several states, including Republican-led Georgia and Tennessee, and Democratic-led Maryland and Virginia, have passed laws to expand or protect access to contraception. Measures include allowing pharmacists to prescribe birth control without a doctor’s signature, requiring health plans to cover contraceptives, and establishing legal rights to contraception.

The article discusses the growing influence of former CIA officers in Democratic politics, highlighting Elissa Slotkin and Abigail Spanberger's political advancements and criticizing their actions, such as Spanberger vetoing Democratic legislative priorities. It argues that CIA operatives in elected office pose risks to democracy and human rights due to their training in deception.

The Justice Department's Civil Rights Division has sued California and Virginia over gun laws, marking an unprecedented effort to enforce Second Amendment rights. The lawsuits target specific firearm restrictions in these states and aim to establish broader constitutional precedent through coordinated legal challenges.

The Justice Department's Civil Rights Division is suing California and Virginia over gun laws, marking an unprecedented effort to expand Second Amendment protections. The department has filed over a dozen lawsuits challenging firearm restrictions in multiple jurisdictions, aiming to establish constitutional precedent rather than targeting every restriction.

Several states, including Georgia, Maryland, Tennessee, and Virginia, have enacted laws to expand or protect access to contraception. Republican and Democratic governors signed measures allowing pharmacists to prescribe birth control, requiring health insurance coverage for contraceptives, and establishing legal rights to contraception access.

Virginia’s new assault weapons ban faces legal challenges in multiple counties, stalling enforcement. Attorney General Jay Jones and Governor Abigail Spanberger defend the law, while lawsuits create a patchwork of temporary injunctions in Washington and Lancaster counties.

Virginia is offering a state-level insurance subsidy starting November to help residents offset rising Affordable Care Act (ACA) premiums, with $150 million allocated to cover up to 70% of monthly premiums for about 200,000 eligible Virginians. The program targets households earning 138% to 250% of the federal poverty level, addressing coverage losses due to federal funding shifts and premium increases.

Virginia ranks 10th in the U.S. for highway safety and mobility benefits, generating $1.95 billion in safety and reliability value through fewer crashes and improved travel. However, challenges like urban congestion, aging infrastructure, and deteriorating pavement remain, with 49% of urban interstates experiencing peak-period congestion.

A stomach parasite causing severe diarrhea has been reported in Virginia, as highlighted in a WJLA headline. Other headlines mention Virginia Task Force One returning from Venezuela, a data center analysis involving Utah and Loudoun County, proposed wildlife regulations, and a competition for Virginia State Police's cruiser design.

Virginia is ranked first in the U.S. for customized workforce training for the fourth consecutive year in the Business Facilities rankings report. Gov. Abigail Spanberger announced the recognition, which highlights the Virginia Talent Accelerator Program's success.

Several states, including Republican-led Georgia, Tennessee, and Virginia, have passed laws to expand or protect access to contraception. These measures include allowing pharmacists to prescribe birth control, requiring health insurance coverage for contraceptives, and establishing legal rights to contraception.

Several U.S. states, including Republican-led Georgia and Tennessee, as well as Democratic-led Maryland and Virginia, have enacted laws to expand or protect access to contraception. Measures include allowing pharmacists to prescribe birth control, mandating insurance coverage, and requiring educational institutions to report on contraception access.

Emergency room visits for heat-related illness in Virginia surged fivefold during this Fourth of July weekend compared to 2025. The spike highlights a significant increase in heat-related health concerns during the holiday period.

Measles is spreading in Virginia, with nearly 170 cases reported statewide as of Tuesday. The outbreak highlights ongoing public health concerns in the region.

Charles Dean Pace, a 27-year-old from Glen Allen, Virginia, was arraigned on four counts of second-degree murder and four counts of operating while intoxicated causing death after a July 1 crash on I-75 near Springfield Township. Investigators reported he was driving over 90 miles per hour in a Ford F-250.

A new law in Virginia aims to improve accessibility at movie theaters. New options are now available at theaters across the state.

A new Virginia fund aims to lower insurance marketplace premiums for some residents. Marketplace enrollment in Virginia has decreased by approximately 20% this year due to rising premiums and expired federal tax credits.