Category: Virginia Mercury

Christina Rivera kept her health insurance this year because she needed major back surgery. But maintaining coverage meant absorbing a monthly premium that rose from $235 in 2025 to $1,336 in 2026 — with a higher deductible.  “That’s just not reasonable for anybody who is relying on the ACA for

WASHINGTON — The three news organizations that President Donald Trump barred from entering the White House grounds earlier this month have asked a federal judge to ensure their reporters continue to have access after a temporary restraining order expires in early October.  Attorneys for CNN, MS Now and Politico filed

The Virginia Board of Education has approved new rules for assessing student learning in subjects without statewide Standards of Learning tests, giving schools another way to measure whether students have mastered the required material. Last year, state lawmakers overhauled the state’s testing system to improve how SOL tests are administered

• “Homebuilders say ICE enforcement is slowing Virginia construction.” — Axios • “Virginia gas prices sit above $4.20 amid rising crude oil costs.” — WAVY • “What Virginia’s data-center backlash shows about how Americans feel right now — and it’s not just anger.” — Fortune • “Two years after Hurricane

The State Corporation Commission will hold three in-person hearings to collect public testimony on the proposed $67 billion merger between Dominion Energy and NextEra Energy, in addition to three anticipated days of testimony by phone. If approved by multiple state and federal agencies, the merger would create the largest regulated

WE BUY HOUSES. CASH 4 HOMES. FA$T CA$H. The signs, text messages and mailers promise cash, quick sales and a seamless means of unloading unwanted homes.  But advocates say the business of buying homes for cash can confuse vulnerable homeowners and rob them of home equity. And now, many states

WASHINGTON — The Trump administration has, once again, infuriated lawmakers from both political parties by using a controversial maneuver to cancel funding previously approved by Congress.  The $810 million in the “pocket rescission” would have gone to refugee assistance programs at the Department of Health and Human Services, a Treasury

Motor vehicle office wait times in the commonwealth fell to 8.3 minutes in 2026 from about 37 minutes in 2019, according to the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles, making access to essential government services faster and more convenient for drivers. Virginia lawmakers previously directed analysts from the Joint Legislative Audit

The day after the Aug. 4 Democratic primary to choose a congressional candidate in Virginia’s 1st Congressional District, the Williamsburg area chapter of the Virginia League of Women Voters invited Republican incumbent U.S. Rep. Rob Wittman and Democratic challenger Shannon Taylor to a joint appearance at a candidate forum. Taylor’s

• “Virginia Beach comes together to honor lives lost to suicide.” — WAVY • “Virginia’s energy mix may include fusion, but will require natural gas.” — The Daily Signal • “Identical twin doctors who grew up in poverty returned to their Virginia hometown to co-run an ER.” — CBS News