Virginia Mercury

“We don’t want it.” Voter backlash against data centers is putting candidates from both parties on the defensive as the AI building boom becomes a midterm election flashpoint. virginiamercury.com/2026/10/27/r...

A step toward changing how Virginia funds public schools: Lawmakers approved a plan to advance a new K-12 funding formula. virginiamercury.com/2026/10/27/v...

Rising living costs are making abortion harder to afford. Virginia’s Blue Ridge Abortion Fund reports more patients seeking financial help as abortion bans add to barriers to care. virginiamercury.com/2026/10/27/a...

COMMENTARY: “It’s either going to be a sizable blue wave, or it’s going to be a tsunami,” Larry Sabato, founder and director of the University of Virginia's Center for Politics and head of Sabato’s Crystal Ball, said of the congressional races. virginiamercury.com/2026/10/26/v...

Cumberland County has promised Dominion Energy two million gallons of water a day from Cobbs Creek Reservoir for its proposed three gigawatt natural gas plant. But technically, the water is not yet theirs to give away. virginiamercury.com/2026/10/26/i...

Virginia-based health system Sentara is using AI to assist with patient monitoring and discharges. More than 150 hospitals nationwide are using a tech tool called Regard, as state lawmakers consider how to regulate AI’s growing presence in healthcare. virginiamercury.com/2026/10/26/s...

A Virginia prosecutor’s recent decision not to charge a police officer for sharing license plate reader data with federal authorities sans authorization could spur reform efforts in the commonwealth. The technology has sparked major privacy concerns statewide. virginiamercury.com/2026/10/26/l...

More than 350 of our reader survey respondents shared concerns about healthcare, affordability and democracy, with some questioning whether either party can deliver relief. With Election Day looming, analysts say voters are feeling squeezed on several sides. virginiamercury.com/2026/10/26/v...

The price health insurance companies charge for employer-sponsored plans jumped again this year, as did deductible costs, according to a new survey released by nonpartisan health organization KFF. virginiamercury.com/2026/10/22/r...

COMMENTARY: Citing their sacred ties to Virginia's waterways, the Chickahominy Indian Tribe urges state officials to reject a stormwater permit for Richmond International Airport that allows PFAS pollution to continue without enforceable limits. virginiamercury.com/2026/10/23/v...

Lawmakers will weigh a bill in the next legislative session that would provide additional guidance for landlords and tenants dealing with mold abatement. The measure would allow residents to recover financial losses if they can prove damages due to mold. virginiamercury.com/2026/10/23/i...

The Supreme Court rejected the Trump administration’s emergency bid to end gender-affirming care in federal prisons, leaving a lower court’s block in place for now. Justices Alito and Thomas would have allowed the policy to take effect. virginiamercury.com/2026/10/21/r...

Two Virginia lawmakers want building code changes they say could boost housing supply and lower costs, including allowing one stairwell in some apartment buildings and expanding third-party inspections. Fire unions have raised safety concerns. virginiamercury.com/2026/10/22/l...

College costs and financial aid can be tough to navigate. A new Virginia report calls for better scholarship and cost guidance to help families compare college, job training and other paths after high school. virginiamercury.com/2026/10/22/v...

Sen. Louise Lucas, one of Virginia’s most powerful Democrats, was indicted on federal racketeering, marijuana distribution and money laundering conspiracy charges tied to her cannabis business. Her attorney called the case a “circus.” virginiamercury.com/2026/10/22/v...

Virginia is ready for the midterms — and potential federal interference, elections chief Steve Koski says. He outlines ballot safeguards, says mail voting remains unchanged and stresses that officials are legally required to certify results. virginiamercury.com/2026/10/22/e...

Democrats need just three seats to flip the U.S. House. With two weeks until Election Day, Cook Political Report projects a gain of 10 to 20, while control of the Senate remains a toss-up. virginiamercury.com/2026/10/20/r...

A new federal law could make manufactured homes cheaper and easier to build. But outdated state laws and zoning barriers could stall their expansion — including in Virginia. virginiamercury.com/2026/10/21/r...

NEW: The $67B Dominion-NextEra merger faces growing resistance. Gov. Spanberger demands a six-year freeze on base-rate hikes and bigger bill credits, while SCC staff urge rejection of the deal as proposed. virginiamercury.com/2026/10/20/d...

President Trump signed an executive order creating a women’s health research initiative at NIH and a White House task force, replacing a Biden-era effort amid federal healthcare cuts. virginiamercury.com/2026/10/19/r...

Two weeks before Election Day, Democrats rally to flip Virginia’s 1st, 2nd and 5th Districts. Pete Buttigieg joined Shannon Taylor, Elaine Luria and Tom Perriello, saying the road to a House majority runs through Virginia. virginiamercury.com/2026/10/20/d...

With about 300,000 Virginians at risk of losing Medicaid coverage under new federal rules, a statewide coalition of healthcare and workforce organizations is joining forces to help people keep their insurance. virginiamercury.com/2026/10/20/n...

Closing Virginia’s child care affordability gap could cost up to $4.5 billion a year, according to a new state estimate. With at least 140,000 child care slots needed, the challenge is enormous for working families. virginiamercury.com/2026/10/20/c...

COMMENTARY: Backlash against data centers and AI is putting candidates in both parties on notice ahead of the midterms. Bob Lewis writes that voters want more than campaign promises to curb the industry’s growth. virginiamercury.com/2026/10/19/d...

Dominion’s latest energy roadmap calls for more solar, wind and nuclear power — and continued reliance on natural gas. The utility says gas remains critical as electricity demand grows, with residential bills projected to rise. virginiamercury.com/2026/10/19/d...

Virginia lawmakers called off their Oct. 26 meeting to elect appeals court judges because of scheduling conflicts. The cancellation also sidelines one GOP senator’s push to debate a data center moratorium ahead of January’s regular session. virginiamercury.com/2026/10/19/g...

About 400 people gathered in Richmond for Saturday’s No Kings protest, where organizers urged voters to oust Republicans and support constitutional amendments on abortion rights, same-sex marriage and voting rights. virginiamercury.com/2026/10/17/r...

Hampton Roads Ventures has backed millions in projects elsewhere, but Norfolk is still waiting — more than four years after City Council directed the housing authority subsidiary to seek projects in the city. virginiamercury.com/2026/10/19/n...

U.S. inflation jumped to 3.7% in September, up from 3.4% in August, as soaring gasoline and energy prices drove up costs for Americans. The latest figures come just weeks before the midterm elections. virginiamercury.com/2026/10/16/r...

COMMENTARY: Gov. Abigail Spanberger’s energy plan offers an impressive roadmap for clean energy but fails to confront the costs of unchecked data center growth, columnist Ivy Main writes. virginiamercury.com/2026/10/16/s...

More than a year after President Donald Trump ordered restrictions on gender-affirming care for minors, three major Virginia children's hospitals continue to suspend those services for patients under 19, leaving families with limited options. virginiamercury.com/2026/10/16/t...

Virginia lawmakers from both parties are pushing to temporarily halt new data center development, citing rising electricity costs, water use and growing infrastructure demands. The proposals face opposition from industry groups and unions. virginiamercury.com/2026/10/16/d...

President Trump says Fort Hood shooter Nidal Hasan’s execution will not be livestreamed, reversing plans that drew bipartisan backlash. Hasan’s execution by firing squad remains scheduled for Dec. 3. virginiamercury.com/2026/10/15/r...

A federal judge extended an order blocking President Trump’s ban on White House press passes for CNN, Politico and MS NOW, allowing access while their lawsuit proceeds. The judge said the outlets were likely to prevail on First Amendment claims. virginiamercury.com/2026/10/14/r...

Kindergarten readiness in Virginia rose from 51% to 57% over the past year, a new report finds. But gaps persist for underserved students, and 43% of children fell short of the overall benchmark. virginiamercury.com/2026/10/15/v...

A new federal rule cuts Medicaid and CHIP funding for certain gender-affirming care for transgender youth. Virginia lawmakers are weighing whether state dollars could fill the gap as advocates push for coverage. virginiamercury.com/2026/10/15/v...

A new CNU poll puts Elaine Luria ahead of Rep. Jen Kiggans, 46% to 43%, in Virginia’s 2nd District — within the margin of error. With 10% of likely voters undecided, cost of living tops their concerns ahead of the Nov. 3 election. virginiamercury.com/2026/10/14/n...

Loudoun schools Superintendent Aaron Spence is pushing back after GOP Del. Tim Griffin called the district’s LGBTQ+ History Month proclamation “despicable” and “disgusting.” In a sharply worded letter, Spence condemned the lawmaker’s unsubstantiated claims. virginiamercury.com/2026/10/14/l...

The Chesapeake Bay earned a C+ for its overall health, its highest score in decades. But water quality problems persist in several Virginia rivers, and state leaders say continued cleanup efforts and funding remain critical. virginiamercury.com/2026/10/14/c...

Three weeks before Election Day, Sen. Mark Warner says he wants one final term to push back against Trump’s policies. Republican challenger Bert Mizusawa argues Virginia needs a senator the president will listen to. Both spoke with The Mercury. virginiamercury.com/2026/10/14/w...

U.S. senators from both parties are challenging President Donald Trump’s order to import Russian diesel, calling the move illegal as the administration seeks to ease soaring fuel prices amid the war in Iran. virginiamercury.com/2026/10/12/r...

With three weeks until Election Day, AG Jay Jones has launched a new unit to protect voting rights in Virginia. It will investigate voter intimidation, improper removals from voter rolls and other barriers to casting a ballot, Jones said. virginiamercury.com/2026/10/13/v...

COMMENTARY: A new study offers a solution to coal dust pollution in Newport News. But getting terminal operators to pay for it may be another matter, Roger Chesley writes. virginiamercury.com/2026/10/13/s...

U.S. Rep. Suhas Subramanyam is questioning how routes for a controversial Loudoun County transmission line were selected and proposing alternatives for state regulators to consider amid residents’ concerns. virginiamercury.com/2026/10/13/s...

Christa Pike's botched execution and the possibility the government will live-stream a prisoner put to death by firing squad illuminate the persistent danger and injustice of capital punishment in America, guest columnist Dale M. Brumfield writes. virginiamercury.com/2026/10/12/i...

The amendment to enshrine reproductive rights into Virginia’s constitution has prompted doctors to wade into the increasingly-heated political discourse, especially over abortion. virginiamercury.com/2026/10/12/h...

Mounting economic pressures, federal employment shifts, lack of affordable housing and infrastructure needs are top concerns for voters in Virginia's 7th Congressional District, where five challengers are trying to unseat incumbent U.S. Rep. Eugene Vindman. virginiamercury.com/2026/10/12/v...

Rebecca Myers, a Suffolk resident in Virginia's 2nd Congressional District, is among a growing number of voters taking their anger about affordability to the polls this midterm election and blaming President Donald Trump’s tariffs as a culprit for rising expenses. virginiamercury.com/2026/10/08/r...

Virginia Head Start providers don't support proposed changes for the federal program that would cut reserved admission spots for homeless and foster care students. Requirements for serving kids with disabilities and multilingual learners would also be slashed. virginiamercury.com/2026/10/09/p...

If voters approve, a pending constitutional amendment will remove Virginia's three-physician threshold for late-term abortions. Beyond abortion, the measure would also protect contraception access and fertility treatments like in vitro fertilization (IVF). virginiamercury.com/2026/10/09/c...