Latest Virginia state government News
West Virginia transgender athlete bill heads to governor
CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) — Transgender athletes in West Virginia would be banned from competing in female sports in middle and high schools and colleges under a bill that won approval from the legislature Friday. The bill heads to the desk of Republican Gov. Jim Justice,...
West Virginia transgender athlete bill wins Senate approval
CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) — Transgender females in West Virginia would be banned from competing in female sports in middle and high schools and colleges under a bill that narrowly won state Senate approval Thursday. After 90 minutes of passionate debate, the Senate passed...
Northam endorses predecessor McAuliffe for Virginia governor
RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — Democratic Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam announced Thursday that he is backing Terry McAuliffe in the race to succeed him, handing his predecessor one of the contest's most coveted endorsements. Speaking at an event at the Norfolk waterfront, Northam...
Virginia becomes first Southern state to legalize marijuana
RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — Virginia became the first Southern state to legalize marijuana Wednesday, as lawmakers voted to approve Gov. Ralph Northam’s proposed changes to a bill that will allow adults to possess and cultivate small amounts of the drug starting in July. ...
McAuliffe takes jabs from fellow Democrats in debate
ETTRICK, Va. (AP) — Former Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe touted his record Tuesday evening while his opponents made their case that the Commonwealth needs new leadership during the first televised debate among Democrats in this year's governor's race. McAuliffe, former...
Herring urges businesses to look out for fake vaccine cards
RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — Virginia Attorney General Mark Herring says he wants businesses to help put a stop to sales of fake coronavirus vaccination cards from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. WAVY-TV reported Tuesday that the Herring is one of 45 state...
Virginia lawmakers establish more LGBTQ protections
RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — The Democratic-controlled Virginia General Assembly worked in its second year to establish more protections for LGBTQ people. Lawmakers tackled LGBTQ inequity in criminal justice and health care, reforming laws that advocates said were rooted in...
Virginia Asian communities, lawmakers react to violence
RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — White signs reading “End Violence Against Asians” and “Stop Asian Hate” illuminated against candle flames outside the Richmond Korean Presbyterian Church. More than 60 people gathered recently in Southside Richmond for the candlelight vigil...
'Election integrity' becomes key buzzword in VA GOP race
FALLS CHURCH, Va. (AP) — It's an issue the top GOP contenders for governor in Virginia say is a high priority: election integrity. Whether it's tightening voter ID laws, making the Department of Elections politically independent, or cleaning up voter rolls, the...
Judge weighing motion to dismiss Chase lawsuit over censure
RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — A federal judge heard hours of arguments Thursday but did not immediately rule on whether to dismiss a lawsuit over the Virginia Senate's decision to censure firebrand conservative Amanda Chase. Chase, who is a Republican candidate for governor,...
