Virginia governor worried about part of traffic stop bill

RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam declined to sign into law a measure designed to discourage racial profiling of motorists by police, concerned that some language could prevent authorities from pulling over vehicles for serious safety concerns. Northam supports nearly all of language in the...

No immediate ruling from judge after Lee statue trial

RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — A judge heard hours of arguments and witness testimony Monday but did not immediately issue a ruling in a lawsuit seeking to prevent Virginia's governor from removing an enormous statue of Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee in Richmond. “It's a very difficult case. It's a difficult...

Virginia lawmakers pass new budget amid coronavirus pandemic

RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — Virginia lawmakers all but wrapped up a special legislative session Friday by approving a new state budget that gives bonuses to police, pays for a host of new criminal justice reforms, and extends moratoriums on evictions and utility shutoffs during the coronavirus pandemic. The...

Correction: Virginia Legislature-Special Session story

RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — In a story Oct. 15, 2020, about the Virginia General Assembly, The Associated Press erroneously reported the amount of federal COVID-19 relief funds appropriated to help home health care workers in the state. It is $73 million, not $73,000.

Judge finds cases against 5 in Whitmer plot can move forward

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (AP) — Prosecutors provided enough evidence to move toward trial for five Michigan men accused of plotting to kidnap the state’s governor because of her measures to control spread of the coronavirus and they will all remain held without bond, a federal judge ruled Friday. A...

Another suspect charged in alleged Michigan kidnap plot

LANSING, Mich. (AP) — Michigan's attorney general charged an eighth person Thursday in what authorities have described as a foiled scheme to storm the state Capitol building and kidnap officials, including Gov. Gretchen Whitmer. Brian Higgins, 51, of Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin, was charged with material...

Agent: Michigan, Virginia governors mentioned in kidnap plot

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (AP) — Members of anti-government paramilitary groups implicated in an alleged plot to kidnap Michigan’s governor ahead of the November election because of her measures to slow the coronavirus also discussed abducting Virginia’s governor, an FBI agent testified Tuesday....

Virginia delegate plans to reintroduce quarantine pay bill

RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — Del. Elizabeth Guzmán, D-Woodbridge, said she is no stranger to the struggles of low-paying jobs. Guzmán said she immigrated to the United States from Peru as a single mother and worked multiple minimum wage jobs just to be able to pay rent and care for her daughter....

Northam announces additional federal money for schools

RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam announced Thursday he's putting an additional $220 million in federal COVID-19 relief funds towards the state's public schools. The extra money will be used to help schools pay for testing supplies, personal protective equipment and technology needed for...

California governor's staff member positive for COVID-19

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — A member of California Gov. Gavin Newsom's office staff tested positive for COVID-19 and contact tracing has begun, the office said Wednesday. The staff member had not interacted with Newsom or with staff who routinely interact with the governor, the statement said. Separately, a...