Proposal bans holding cellphones while driving in Virginia

Karen Giles was proud of her 30 years as a volunteer firefighter and emergency medical technician, her daughter said, until she was killed last February when a dump truck driver looked down at his phone to text a friend about a Valentine’s Day gift. Giles’ daughter, Meredith Spies, said she now...

Bills to make voting easier advance in Virginia legislature

RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — Virginia lawmakers have advanced Senate bills that make voting easier, including not requiring an excuse to vote absentee and recognizing Election Day as a state holiday. Other legislation that would extend citizen access to voting -- part of the 11-point “Virginia 2020...

Virginia Senate panel OKs offshore drilling, fracking bans

RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — A Virginia Senate committee on Tuesday advanced measures that would ban offshore drilling as well as hydraulic fracturing in much of eastern Virginia. Similar versions of both measures have been proposed in previous years but died in what was then a Republican-controlled General...

West Virginia invites NRA as Virginia plans for gun-control

CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) — A West Virginia senator is inviting the National Rifle Association to move to his state as lawmakers pursue gun-control measures in neighboring Virginia, where the group now has its headquarters. The invitation came in a Monday letter from Republican Sen. Randy Smith to NRA...

Virginia Senate advances 'red flag' gun law, despite rally

RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — The day after a massive gathering of gun-rights activists at the Virginia Capitol, the state Senate on Tuesday advanced legislation that would allow authorities to take guns away from people deemed dangerous to themselves or others. The Democratic-led Senate gave preliminary approval...

Virginia Senate advances bill to scrap Lee-Jackson holiday

RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — The Virginia Senate on Tuesday advanced legislation to scrap the state’s Lee-Jackson holiday celebrating two Confederate generals. The Democratic-led Senate voted largely along party lines to pass legislation that would make Election Day a state holiday instead of Lee-Jackson...

NC Republicans write backing Virginia gun "sanctuary" effort

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — Dozens of North Carolina Republican state legislators are expressing solidarity with local governments in Virginia that have spoken out formally in recent months for gun rights. About 50 members of the state House Republican Caucus -- including Speaker Tim Moore — signed a...

Virginia moves to brink of becoming 38th state to ratify ERA

RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — Virginia on Wednesday moved to the brink of becoming the crucial 38th state to ratify the Equal Rights Amendment in what was seen as a momentous victory for the women's rights movement even though it is far from certain the measure will ever be added to the U.S. Constitution. The state...

Virginia House panel advances ERA for full floor vote

RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — Virginia moved a step closer to ratifying the Equal Rights Amendment on Tuesday, even as the measure's future nationally remains in doubt. A House committee approved a resolution to ratify the gender equality measure, which advocates hope will become the next amendment to the U.S....

Virginia House votes to ratify ERA; Senate expected to follow later Wednesday