Category: Virginia Mercury

Emily Harrison, a mother of two in the city of Roanoke, said federal lawmakers have not updated the country’s law to protect children’s online privacy in nearly 30 years, even as technology has changed dramatically.  “We’re just looking, as parents, for the same level of protections in the digital world

A federal judge ruled Thursday evening that the Shenandoah County School Board broke federal civil rights laws when it brought back Confederate school names two years ago, and ordered the monikers be removed promptly. The Virginia State Conference of the NAACP and families of six students had challenged the school

One of the less noticed features of the Virginia Way is the long-running tendency of the commonwealth’s leaders to conduct their decision-making behind closed doors. While the Virginia Freedom of Information Act presumes all government business is by default public and requires officials to justify why exceptions should be made,

• “High? Relaxxxxx. Virginia launches playful push against cannabis-impaired driving.” — WTOP • “As student loan repayments restart, Virginia sees increase in borrower defaults.” — VPM • “A Democratic civil war? Not according to Virginia’s governor.” — Financial Times • “Virginia leaders launch effort to help residents keep SNAP and

Gov. Abigail Spanberger is stepping directly into the regulatory fight over the proposed $67 billion sale of Dominion Energy to Florida-based NextEra Energy, becoming the first Virginia governor to formally intervene in a case before the State Corporation Commission. Spanberger announced Thursday that she will seek intervenor status in the

The regional board overseeing menhaden management along the Atlantic coast on Wednesday  advanced a measure to implement new restrictions on Virginia’s only reduction fishery that harvests the oily forage fish within the Chesapeake Bay.  The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission’s draft addendum would reduce the Bay-specific menhaden catch limits for

• “Former Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin launches new conservative policy group.” — CBS News • “Virginia primary sets stage for competitive midterm elections.” — WTOP • “Virginia banned phones for every K-12 student, all day long: here’s what changed and why it matters.” — WSLS • “‘No drama’ in Northern

WASHINGTON — The stopgap spending bill supported by an overwhelming majority of U.S. senators does not address tens of billions in expiring transportation funding, leaving states facing a massive effective budget cut starting Oct. 1. The 2021 bipartisan infrastructure law, which authorized highway and transit programs for five years, expires

After years of bipartisan deliberation, U.S. Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va., has introduced legislation to strengthen and protect a federal drug pricing program.  Known as 340B, the program has helped Virginia hospitals and clinics and others nationwide care for underserved patients by requiring pharmaceutical companies offer prescription discounts to qualifying providers. 

WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump is urging Republican senators to “release their holds” and pass a measure making daylight saving time permanent nationwide.   A bipartisan bill passed the House in July but faces hurdles in the Senate, where members from both parties have pushed back against ending the semiannual clock changes.  “People