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Virginia Mercury

@virginiamercury.com

An independent, nonprofit and nonpartisan news source covering Virginia government and policy.

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Virginia Mercury@virginiamercury.com · 1h ago

Virginia regulators have ordered Dominion Energy to develop a new rate structure that would shift more electric transmission costs to data centers, a move aimed at better aligning infrastructure costs with the customers driving much of the demand growth. virginiamercury.com/2026/08/05/s...

SCC orders Dominion to develop tariff to assign more transmission costs to data centers • Virginia Mercury

More of the cost to build the high-voltage transmission lines that serve as power highways across the state could soon be covered by data centers, after a recent decision by state regulators. The…

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States Newsroom@statesnewsroom.com · 2h ago

More of the cost to build the high-voltage transmission lines that serve as power highways across the state could soon be covered by data centers, after a recent decision by state regulators. via @virginiamercury.com www.newsfromthestates.com/article/scc-...

SCC orders Dominion to develop tariff to assign more transmission costs to data centers

More of the cost to build the high-voltage transmission lines that serve as power highways across the state could soon be covered by data centers, after a recent decision by state regulators.

newsfromthestates.com

Virginia Mercury@virginiamercury.com · 3h ago

Virginia is moving closer to regulating self-driving vehicles. A state advisory group is recommending a legal framework for autonomous vehicles, including rules on testing, safety standards and crash reporting as the technology becomes more common. virginiamercury.com/2026/08/05/v...

Virginia moves toward regulating self-driving vehicles amid safety and liability concerns • Virginia Mercury

Virginia is closer to regulating self-driving vehicles, which have steadily increased nationwide despite continued concerns over safety.

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Markus Schmidt@mschmidtrva.bsky.social · 16h ago

NEW: Ret. Army Maj. Gen. Bert Mizusawa wins GOP nomination to challenge U.S. Sen. Mark Warner, while Elaine Luria’s #VA02 victory secures a rematch with Republican Rep. Jen Kiggans in #VA02 in unusually timed Virginia primary contest.  Full story:  virginiamercury.com/2026/08/04/v...

Virginia primary voters pick Mizusawa to face Warner, finalize key US House races • Virginia Mercury

Virginians cast their ballots Tuesday in an unusually-timed primary that settled a statewide Republican contest for the U.S. Senate and determined several of Virginia’s most closely watched congressio...

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Virginia Mercury@virginiamercury.com · 23h ago

COMMENTARY: A new DEQ groundwater study raises fresh questions about whether data center growth east of I-95 is sustainable. Ivy Main argues the findings should prompt Virginia to rethink expansion plans in water-stressed regions before approving more projects. virginiamercury.com/2026/08/04/d...

DEQ study throws cold water on data center development east of I-95 • Virginia Mercury

Among the many environmental, energy and economic concerns about the unconstrained spread of data centers in Virginia, the impact on drinking water supplies has ranked fairly low. That changed…

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Virginia Mercury@virginiamercury.com · yesterday

Despite tripling spending on cardiovascular care over the past two decades, several of Hampton Roads' largest cities are seeing heart disease death rates move in the wrong direction, according to a new study. virginiamercury.com/2026/08/04/c...

Cardiovascular health spending has tripled, but death rates are rising in major Hampton Roads cities • Virginia Mercury

By Yiqing Wang/WHRO Cardiovascular care has become more advanced over the past two decades, giving doctors new ways to prevent deaths from heart attacks, strokes and other conditions. But a new…

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Virginia Mercury@virginiamercury.com · yesterday

Virginia's annual sales tax holiday is back this weekend! From Friday through Sunday, shoppers can save on qualifying school supplies, clothing, footwear, hurricane preparedness items and certain Energy Star and WaterSense products. virginiamercury.com/briefs/virgi...

Virginia shoppers set to save as sales tax holiday returns this weekend • Virginia Mercury

Virginia’s sales tax holiday begins on Friday and runs through Sunday, offering deals on qualifying school supplies, clothing and footwear sales tax. Certain emergency preparedness items also qualify.

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Virginia Mercury@virginiamercury.com · 2d ago

Virginia and other states will have to meet a Jan. 1 deadline to implement new Medicaid work requirements, after a federal judge denied 25 Democratic-led states’ request to pause implementation of the rule. virginiamercury.com/2026/08/03/r...

Judge rejects bid from Virginia, other states to block Medicaid work rules • Virginia Mercury

States will have to meet a Jan. 1 deadline to implement new Medicaid work requirements, after a federal judge denied 25 Democratic-led states’ request to pause implementation of the rule. The broad…

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Virginia Mercury@virginiamercury.com · 2d ago

Nationwide, social media campaigns targeting educators have been on the rise, including in Virginia, amid contentious school board politics that test the legal boundaries of free speech and defamation. Virginia’s anti-SLAPP law was central to one recent case. virginiamercury.com/2026/08/03/a...

Anti-Slapp law plays role in backing Va. teacher and parent targeted by false online accusations • Virginia Mercury

A Northern Virginia court in June rejected social media efforts to damage the reputation of a teacher and parent, awarding them more than $1 million in combined damages.

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Virginia Mercury@virginiamercury.com · 2d ago

More than 30 candidates are competing in a statewide Republican U.S. Senate primary and congressional races across seven of Virginia’s 11 districts. If you haven't already voted, our primer will help you prepare to cast your ballot tomorrow. virginiamercury.com/2026/08/03/v...

Virginia votes Tuesday: Everything you need to know about the 2026 primary elections • Virginia Mercury

Virginia votes Tuesday: Everything you need to know about the 2026 primary elections

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Virginia Mercury@virginiamercury.com · 5d ago

COMMENTARY: State Sen. Louise Lucas, a Democrat, used $300,000 in campaign funds to contribute to her legal defense fund and hire a law firm following an FBI raid in May on her businesses in Portsmouth. It was entirely legal, columnist Roger Chesley writes. virginiamercury.com/2026/07/31/v...

Virginia legislator was allowed to use campaign funds for her defense. So she did. • Virginia Mercury

State Sen. Louise Lucas, the powerful Portsmouth Democrat, used $300,000 in campaign funds to contribute to her legal defense fund and hire a law firm following an FBI raid in May on her businesses…

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Virginia Mercury@virginiamercury.com · 5d ago

The Virginia Department of Environmental Quality's report on groundwater supply east of I-95 revealed significant strain on the eastern aquifers that could put clean drinking water at risk. Two state senators want to take legislative action in a special session. virginiamercury.com/briefs/virgi...

Virginia senators request special session to act on ’deeply alarming’ groundwater report • Virginia Mercury

State senators ask governor to convene a special session to consider and pass policies to rein in water use in the Virginia Coastal Plain aquifer system.

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Markus Schmidt@mschmidtrva.bsky.social · 5d ago

Gov. Abigail Spanberger has restored voting rights to more than 66,000 Virginians since taking office. Voters will decide in November whether to make restoration automatic after incarceration. virginiamercury.com/2026/07/31/s...

Spanberger restores voting rights to more than 60,000 Virginians • Virginia Mercury

Gov. Abigail Spanberger has restored voting and other civil rights to more than 60,000 Virginians since taking office in January, reversing the more restrictive restoration process adopted by her pred...

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Virginia Mercury@virginiamercury.com · 5d ago

What should be included in Virginia's next energy plan? The governor's administration is seeking public input on a new outline of the commonwealth’s energy needs and how the state intends to address high energy costs while meeting its power generation goals. virginiamercury.com/briefs/spanb...

Spanberger administration seeks public input on new energy plan • Virginia Mercury

Every four years, Virginia law requires the governor’s administration to develop a new energy plan outlining the commonwealth’s energy needs and how the state intends to meet its power generation…

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Virginia Mercury@virginiamercury.com · 6d ago

Washington Dulles Airport could get a $22.5 billion makeover under a plan announced by President Trump. The proposal would replace the airport's "people movers" with expanded rail service and walking tunnels, add a parking garage, and modernize terminals. virginiamercury.com/2026/07/29/r...

‘People movers’ out, more parking in: Trump announces $22.5B Washington Dulles makeover • Virginia Mercury

The sprawling renovation would preserve the iconic, concave sweeping roof of the Virginia airport’s main terminal but would update its interior and rebuild its A, B, C and D concourses.

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Virginia Mercury@virginiamercury.com · 6d ago

Virginia localities are increasingly pumping the brakes on data center growth. Loudoun County is considering a pause on new applications, while Suffolk, Front Royal and Chesapeake are also weighing restrictions or temporary moratoriums. virginiamercury.com/2026/07/30/l...

Loudoun County, other Virginia localities consider hitting the brakes on data center development • Virginia Mercury

Supervisor presses board to pause review of data center applications amid comprehensive plan review

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Markus Schmidt@mschmidtrva.bsky.social · 6d ago

Virginia is stepping up oversight of vapes, hemp-derived intoxicants, THC and kratom. AG Jay Jones announced a new enforcement unit to handle retail compliance, inspections, product directories and enforcement against businesses that violate state law. virginiamercury.com/2026/07/30/v...

Virginia launches new unit targeting illegal vapes and intoxicants • Virginia Mercury

Virginia is creating an enforcement unit to oversee the rapidly expanding market for vaping products, hemp-derived intoxicants, THC and kratom, consolidating several regulatory responsibilities within...

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Virginia Mercury@virginiamercury.com · 6d ago

Virginia has added thousands of Medicaid waiver slots for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, but advocates say many young adults still face a "services cliff" when they age out of school, leaving families waiting for the support they need. virginiamercury.com/2026/07/30/v...

Virginia’s disability services gap persists despite progress, leaves young adults vulnerable • Virginia Mercury

Medicaid waiver slots have increased in Virginia, expanding services for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities who have lost school-based special education services. Even so,…

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Virginia Mercury@virginiamercury.com · 6d ago

Virginia’s deep-blue #VA-08 has become a test of where the Democratic Party is heading. Four challengers say six-term Rep. Don Beyer represents an establishment that has been too passive against Trump. Tuesday’s primary could show whether voters agree. virginiamercury.com/2026/07/30/h...

How 8th Congressional District Democratic primary reflects party’s shifting identity and priorities • Virginia Mercury

Four Democrats are vying to unseat six-term U.S. Rep. Don Beyer in a primary contest that analysts say could foreshadow how voters will react in this fall’s midterm election and future races.

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Virginia Mercury@virginiamercury.com · 7d ago

A network of pro-data center advocacy groups backed by the Data Center Coalition is running nearly identical ad campaigns in Virginia and six other states as lawmakers and local communities debate the industry's impact on energy, water use and tax incentives. virginiamercury.com/2026/07/28/r...

Pro-data center industry group behind ad campaign in Oregon, Virginia, five other states • Virginia Mercury

Oregon Connects is one of several new nonprofits registered by the Data Center Coalition, an industry group backed by major tech companies.

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Virginia Mercury@virginiamercury.com · last wk.

Virginia is looking for a new company to develop and administer the state's SOL tests, launching the first competitive bidding process since 2005. The move is part of a broader effort to modernize student assessments after years of criticism over delays. virginiamercury.com/2026/07/29/v...

Va. education department seeks new student assessment vendor • Virginia Mercury

The Virginia Department of Education took the next step toward replacing its student assessment system, a move estimated to cost the commonwealth at least $30 million a year, after criticism over dela...

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Markus Schmidt@mschmidtrva.bsky.social · last wk.

Virginia voters could play a bigger role in choosing the 2028 presidential nominees under a proposal to move the commonwealth into the early primary window. If approved, candidates would spend more time & money campaigning in Virginia ahead of Super Tuesday. virginiamercury.com/2026/07/29/v...

Virginia voters could gain a bigger voice in choosing the 2028 presidential nominees • Virginia Mercury

Virginia is on track to become the sixth and final early-voting state in the 2028 Democratic presidential nominating calendar under a proposal unveiled last week, a move that could bring presidential ...

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Virginia Mercury@virginiamercury.com · last wk.

COMMENTARY: Virginia has strengthened protections for domestic violence survivors, but more needs to be done, Maria Riegger argues. She calls on lawmakers to address coercive control and study how other states have expanded legal protections for victims. virginiamercury.com/2026/07/28/i...

It’s time for Virginia lawmakers to expand protections for domestic violence victims • Virginia Mercury

Massachusetts, New Jersey and other states have enacted legislation recognizing coercive control in family-law proceedings, offering Virginia legislators examples to study, writes guest columnist…

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Virginia Mercury@virginiamercury.com · last wk.

An independent review of the fatal shooting at Old Dominion University is calling for sweeping changes to campus safety, including stronger threat assessment, emergency response, communications and post-admission risk assessment. virginiamercury.com/briefs/indep...

Independent report calls for campus safety overhaul at Old Dominion University after fatal shooting • Virginia Mercury

An independent firm recommended Old Dominion University improve campus safety, threat assessment, emergency response, communications, and institutional processes in a report released Tuesday, after a ...

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