Author: Nathaniel Cline

Virginia doubles ‘distinguished’ schools as state accountability results show major gains
Forty-four percent of Virginia schools earned the “distinguished” rating for exceeding state expectations in growth, achievement and readiness, a 21% performance leap from last year, as the state continues efforts to support more than 1,000 schools that fell short. On Wednesday, the Virginia Department of Education released its accountability results,

Kratom, 7-OH laws diverge amid the spread of potent synthetic products
For years, the psychoactive compound kratom has been sold across much of the United States as an herbal supplement, available in powders, capsules and extracts with few of the restrictions applied to controlled substances. But the market is changing. Products containing a potentially dangerous kratom derivative known as concentrated 7-hydroxymitragynine,

After statewide tour, Virginia Lt. Gov. Hashmi officially opposes Dominion-NextEra merger
The debate over whether Florida-based NextEra Energy should be allowed to acquire Dominion Energy and create the largest regulated utility in the country heated up Tuesday, with Virginia Lt. Gov. Ghazala Hashmi pledging her opposition to the $67 billion merger. She is the first elected official at the statewide level

Constitutional: The amendment that could restore formerly incarcerated Virginians’ voting rights
Quadaire Patterson will vote for the first time this fall, a fact that brought a smile to his face on a recent afternoon as his 1-year-old daughter Trinity frolicked around the living room of the Henrico County home he shares with his wife. He said he has been thinking about

Virginia Republicans seek 90-day fuel tax suspension
(The Center Square) – Virginia Republicans renewed their call for a 90-day suspension of gasoline and diesel taxes, asking Gov. Abigail Spanberger to bring lawmakers back for a special session. Lawmakers outlined the request Tuesday at Owens Market Deli and Truck Plaza in Forest, saying the temporary break would reduce fuel costs for drivers, farmers…

Poll: Virginia voters broadly support increased investment in public schools and more headlines
• “Virginia voters broadly support increased investment in public schools, poll finds.” — Cardinal News • “Virginia felony voting errors collide with Question 3.” — Axios • “Virginia’s ‘Rap Back’ program tops 56,000 enrollments in first year.” — 13newsnow • “Virginia Beach makes progress on flood prevention 10 years after

Virginia Republicans urge Spanberger to call special session for fuel-tax holiday
Virginia Republican leaders on Tuesday called for Gov. Abigail Spanberger to summon lawmakers to Richmond and suspend the state’s gasoline and diesel taxes for 90 days, arguing that the temporary break would help families, farmers and trucking companies cope with high fuel prices. Diesel prices have climbed sharply amid disruptions

Virginia lawmakers question Dominion, NextEra acquisition
(The Center Square) – Virginia lawmakers questioned Dominion Energy and NextEra Energy executives Tuesday about employee protections, financial safeguards and clean energy requirements under the proposed acquisition. Dominion Energy Virginia President Ed Baine and NextEra Vice Chairman Armando Pimentel briefed the Energy Commission of Virginia. Members also asked about records involving alleged political misconduct in…

Virginia Board of Education reinstates adult education advisory committee after 3 years
The Virginia Board of Education recently reestablished its adult education advisory committee after a three-year hiatus to guide how the state uses resources to improve its adult education and literacy program. The programs combine education and job training that can help enrollees earn recognized industry credentials and provide academic and

Workforce training program earns another No.1 ranking for Virginia
Virginia’s workforce training program has earned another No. 1 national ranking as the commonwealth competes for companies looking for workers trained for specialized jobs. Area Development, a major national trade publication, ranked Virginia first for workforce training programs in its 2026 Top States for Doing Business report. The recognition highlights










