Author: Shannon Heckt

Spanberger administration seeks public input on new energy plan
Every four years, Virginia law requires the governor’s administration to develop a new energy plan outlining the commonwealth’s energy needs and how the state intends to meet its power generation goals. Chief Energy Officer Josephus Allmond, Secretary of Commerce and Trade Carrie Chenery and Department of Energy representatives have been

Northern Virginia Republicans vie to take on US Sen. Mark Warner and more headlines
• “Northern Virginia Republicans vie to take on US Sen. Mark Warner.” — WTOP • “New study lists Virginia Beach as America’s safest large city.” — WAVY • “Crops and solar power? Virginia farms are ripe for the combo.” — WHRO • “Danville’s Black history center is ‘without walls’ for

Dulles overhaul grows to $20B-plus project
(The Center Square) – Plans to remake Washington Dulles International Airport expanded into a more than $20 billion project Wednesday as federal officials, the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority and United Airlines unveiled an expanded redevelopment plan. The proposal increases planned investment from about $7 billion, building on Dulles’ long-term master plan. Construction would take place…

Botetourt approves Google review panel
(The Center Square) – Botetourt County supervisors in Virginia voted Tuesday to create an independent commission to review the proposed Google data center after hours of public comment over who should lead the study and what questions it should answer. The measure passed 3-1, with Supervisors Walter Michael, Brandon Nicely and Tim Snyder voting in…

String of outbreaks tests US public health system amid funding cuts, vaccine resistance
WASHINGTON — Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. pledged during his confirmation hearing to do everything in his “power to put the health of America back on track.” Kennedy testified that when he worked as a lawyer he “learned that human health and environmental health are intertwined

Virginia launches new unit targeting illegal vapes and intoxicants
Virginia is creating an enforcement unit to oversee the rapidly expanding market for vaping products, hemp-derived intoxicants, THC and kratom, consolidating several regulatory responsibilities within the attorney general’s office. Attorney General Jay Jones announced the Regulated Products Enforcement Unit on Thursday, saying it will handle civil enforcement, retail compliance, product

How 8th Congressional District Democratic primary reflects party’s shifting identity and priorities
As U.S. Rep. Don Beyer, D-Alexandria, seeks his seventh term, the prominent Democrat is facing four primary opponents who say it’s time for their Northern Virginia district to have fresh representation in Congress. The 8th Congressional District’s Democratic primary represents a fissure between the party’s candidates and voters, who are

Va. education department seeks new student assessment vendor
The Virginia Department of Education took the next step toward replacing its student assessment system, a move estimated to cost the commonwealth at least $30 million a year, after criticism over delayed results, technology access concerns and frequent changes. State and federal laws require all students to take state assessments,

Virginia voters could gain a bigger voice in choosing the 2028 presidential nominees
Virginia is on track to become the sixth and final early-voting state in the 2028 Democratic presidential nominating calendar under a proposal unveiled last week, a move that could bring presidential candidates, campaign spending and national attention to the commonwealth in the weeks before Super Tuesday. The Democratic National Committee’s

Richmond leads Virginia in 2026 home sales growth and more state headlines
• “Richmond leads Virginia in 2026 home sales growth.” — Axios • “Virginia study on groundwater, data centers calls for tighter water regulations.” — VPM • “Spanberger taps career regulator to lead Virginia energy department.” — E&E News by Politico • “Federal funding for SNAP at risk in Virginia due









