Latest Virginia state government News

Youngkin vetoes Virginia bills mandating minimum wage increase, establishing marijuana retail sales

Mar. 28, 2024 19:29 PM EDT

RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — Republican Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin vetoed two top Democratic legislative priorities on Thursday: bills that would have allowed the recreational retail sales of marijuana to begin next year and measures mandating a minimum wage increase. The development,...

Rain helps contain still-burning wildfires in Virginia's Shenandoah Valley; state sending more aid

Mar. 23, 2024 16:38 PM EDT

RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — Crews who have been battling still-burning wildfires in Virginia's Shenandoah Valley this week have gotten an assist from rain and from the state government, which has deployed new resources to the area, officials said Saturday. “Without a doubt the rain is...

DC attorney general argues NHL's Capitals, NBA's Wizards must play in Washington through 2047

Mar. 22, 2024 21:20 PM EDT

WASHINGTON (AP) — The attorney general for the District of Columbia contends that the NBA’s Washington Wizards and NHL’s Washington Capitals are obligated to play their games in the downtown arena through 2047, the city's latest salvo to keep them from leaving and one that the teams'...

Virginia lawmakers defeat 'second look' bill to allow inmates to ask court for reduced sentences

Feb. 28, 2024 18:56 PM EST

RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — A bill that would have allowed people with lengthy prison terms to petition a court to consider reducing their sentences after serving a minimum of 15 years was defeated in the Virginia General Assembly on Wednesday. This is the third consecutive year that a...

The Supreme Court leaves in place the admissions plan at an elite Virginia public high school

Feb. 20, 2024 12:29 PM EST

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court on Tuesday left in place the admissions policy at an elite public high school in Virginia that some parents claimed discriminates against highly qualified Asian Americans. The court's order, over the dissent of Justices Samuel Alito and Clarence...

Virginia lawmakers advancing bills that aim to protect access to contraception

Feb. 15, 2024 11:35 AM EST

RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — Virginia Democrats who control the state Legislature are advancing legislation that aims to protect access to a wide range of contraception, something they say should not be taken for granted after the U.S. Supreme Court's decision overturning Roe v. Wade. ...

Bill to help relocate Washington Capitals, Wizards sails through 1st Virginia legislative hearing

Feb. 09, 2024 19:29 PM EST

RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — Legislation underpinning a plan to relocate the NBA’s Washington Wizards and NHL’s Washington Capitals across the Potomac River to northern Virginia easily cleared an early hurdle in the state legislature Friday. Lawmakers on the Virginia House...

Virginia Senate Democrats decline to adopt proportional party representation on committees

Jan. 10, 2024 16:23 PM EST

RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — Democrats who control the Virginia Senate made clear Wednesday they plan to continue the practice of stacking General Assembly committees with their own members in a proportion greater than their razor-thin 21-19 majority. The move disappointed some...