US Senate again rejects attempt to limit Trump action in Iran • Virginia Mercury U.S. Sen. Tim Kain, D-Va., was one of the War Powers Resolution's sponsors.

The U.S. Senate again rejected an effort to limit President Donald Trump’s war powers in Iran.

Sen. Tim Kaine, who led the push, says Congress must authorize military action, but the resolution failed as Republicans blocked it.

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Spanberger acts on immigration bills, seeks changes to ICE-related measures • Virginia Mercury Gov. Abigail Spanberger this week signed several immigration-related bills into law and proposed changes to others, clarifying how Virginia agencies can work with federal immigration authorities and s...

NEW: Gov. Spanberger signs immigration-related bills into law and proposes changes to others, setting up a clash with lawmakers over limits on ICE cooperation.

She rejects claims Virginia is a “sanctuary state,” saying coordination with feds continues.

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Immigration enforcement to be funded for 3 years under US Senate GOP plan • Virginia Mercury WASHINGTON — U.S. Senate Majority Leader John Thune said Tuesday he plans to use the complex reconciliation process to fund immigration enforcement for the next three years, though it wasn’t immediately clear if House Republicans were on the exact same page. The plan to fund Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the Border Patrol with only […]

Senate Republicans are pushing a plan to fund immigration enforcement — including ICE and Border Patrol — for the next three years, potentially topping $50B and bypassing Democratic opposition through budget reconciliation.

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Uptick in continued Va. General Assembly legislation reflects varied motivations • Virginia Mercury By Kacy Lee/VCU Capital News Service RICHMOND, Va. — Hundreds of bills were continued to 2027 following the recent Virginia General Assembly session that concluded in mid-March, a method political exp...

Virginia lawmakers are increasingly opting to “continue” bills into the next session instead of killing them outright.

The uptick reflects a mix of strategy, unfinished negotiations and political caution.

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Growing pains: Rising diesel, fertilizer costs spurred by Iran war impact Va. farmers Virginia farms are feeling the ripple effects from the uncertainty over the Iran War and the status of the Strait of Hormuz, a major international shipping artery. As local farmers plant corn and…

Virginia farms are feeling the ripple effects from the uncertainty over the Iran War and the status of the Strait of Hormuz, a major international shipping artery.

via @virginiamercury.com

Spanberger amends, signs sweeping gun legislation reshaping Virginia’s firearm laws • Virginia Mercury Just hours before a midnight deadline, Gov. Abigail Spanberger on Monday submitted a series of amendments to high-profile gun legislation passed by the General Assembly last month, while also signing ...

NEW: Gov. Spanberger amends key gun bills and signs others into law, advancing a sweeping overhaul of Va. firearms rules.

The package clarifies assault weapons ban, restores background checks on private sales and expands limits on where guns can be carried.

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Virginia and other states are loosening restrictions on physician assistants, allowing experienced providers to practice with fewer supervision requirements — a move supporters say could expand access to care, especially in underserved areas.

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Governor pitches amendments to Prescription Drug Affordability Board bill that some say 'nullify’ it • Virginia Mercury Should they be signed into law, the bills would establish an advisory panel to examine data and ensure federal drug pricing caps are applied to state-regulated health insurance plans.

Advocates and some lawmakers aren't happy with Gov. Spanberger's amendments to a bill that would create an advisory panel to ensure federal drug pricing caps are applied to state health insurance plans. They say a major tweak reduces the bill's cost-saving power. virginiamercury.com/briefs/gover...

Growing pains: Rising diesel, fertilizer costs spurred by Iran war impact Va. farmers • Virginia Mercury Virginia farms are feeling the ripple effects from the uncertainty over the Iran War and the status of the Strait of Hormuz, a major international shipping artery.

Rising diesel and fertilizer costs tied to the Iran war are squeezing Virginia farmers, with some reporting price hikes of $100–$300 per ton as global supply disruptions hit during planting season.

virginiamercury.com/2026/04/14/g...

Supreme Court ruling revives debate over conversion therapy bans, including in Virginia • Virginia Mercury Though the case has been sent back down to state court for further deliberation, the decision could have implications for several states that have enacted similar bans.

A U.S. Supreme Court ruling striking down a Colorado ban on conversion therapy for minors is reigniting debate nationwide — including in Virginia — over whether states can regulate what licensed therapists say to patients.

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Trump picks fight with Pope Leo as Iran peace talks dissolve • Virginia Mercury WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump lashed out at Pope Leo XIV Sunday night following the pontiff’s sharp criticism of the U.S.-Israeli war in Iran and wider Middle East conflict. In a lengthy post,…

Pope Leo XIV told reporters he has “no fear of the Trump administration or of speaking out loudly of the message of the Gospel," after Trump accused the first U.S.-born pope of being “WEAK on crime” and of supporting Iran having a nuclear weapon on Sunday. virginiamercury.com/2026/04/13/r...

‘We have to do something’: Former U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder supports Virginia redistricting • Virginia Mercury “It's a temporary measure for an extraordinary moment,” he said of Virginia’s proposal to redraw its map.

Former U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder approves Virginia's mid-decade redistricting push, calling it "a temporary measure for an extraordinary moment" that's necessary to counter Republican-led gerrymandering in other states. “The voters get to decide,” he said. virginiamercury.com/2026/04/10/w...

Cannabis testing challenges persist as Virginia retail market nears • Virginia Mercury By Stef Anderson/VCU Capital News Service RICHMOND, Va. –THC breathalyzers are often discussed as a way to detect drivers under the influence, especially as Virginia closes in on a retail cannabis…

There's no standardized, widely-approved THC breathalyzer test, so questions remain about their effectiveness, especially as Virginia closes in on a retail weed market. Alcohol and THC metabolize differently, making a test for THC intoxication tricky, experts say. virginiamercury.com/2026/04/13/c...

Spanberger joins other governors in push for PJM to prioritize ratepayer protections • Virginia Mercury Gov. Abigail Spanberger joined other governors to push the regional grid operator to adopt policies and regulations that help shield ratepayers.

Gov. Spanberger and seven of her peers pressed regional grid manager PJM to adopt policies to shield ratepayers from shouldering the cost of skyrocketing power demand driven by data centers. The governors said data centers should pay for backstop capacity costs. virginiamercury.com/briefs/spanb...

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Virginia Mercury wins multiple Virginia Press Association awards • Virginia Mercury The Virginia Press Association recognized the outstanding work of dozens of news publications across the state on April 11 in Lynchburg, with The Virginia Mercury receiving first and second place…

The Virginia Mercury's 2025 headline writing, feature stories, breaking news reporting and commentary won multiple honors at the Virginia Press Association awards banquet Saturday night in Lynchburg. Our winning stories and columns: virginiamercury.com/2026/04/12/v...

NEW: Former Gov. Glenn Youngkin is back on the campaign trail for the first time since leaving office, urging the Virginia Supreme Court to invalidate the state’s redistricting referendum at a “Vote No Rally” in Lynchburg.

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New public safety laws focus on gun violence prevention and support for law enforcement • Virginia Mercury Fate of bills to ban assault-style weapons still pending; governor's action deadline is April 13.

New laws to ban hard-to-trace "ghost guns,' block domestic violence offenders from owning firearms and expand protections for law enforcement officers and first responders will take effect in July. The fate of bills to ban assault-style weapons is still pending. virginiamercury.com/2026/04/10/n...

SCC approves Loudoun transmission line, nixes undergrounding; final route to be determined • Virginia Mercury The Golden-Mars high-voltage transmission line was approved by the SCC, but the final route depends on if the Loudoun County School Board will grant easements

The State Corporation Commission on Thursday approved the above-ground construction of the Golden-Mars high-voltage transmission line in Loudoun County. Residents wanted the line buried but that would be too expensive and time-consuming, commissioners said. virginiamercury.com/2026/04/10/s...

US House Democrats call for Congress to come back into session for Iran war debate • Virginia Mercury WASHINGTON — House Democrats on Capitol Hill Thursday slammed President Donald Trump’s rhetoric on Iran as “beyond the pale” and urged House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., to reconvene Congress and…

House Democrats on Capitol Hill Thursday slammed President Donald Trump’s rhetoric on Iran as “beyond the pale” and urged House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., to reconvene Congress and rein in the president’s war powers. virginiamercury.com/2026/04/09/r...

Slate of new Virginia laws address health care and housing affordability • Virginia Mercury Addressing health care and housing affordability were prominent pillars of Gov. Abigail Spanberger’s successful campaign and Virginia Democrats’ legislative agenda this year. Cost-conscious…

New laws that fortify the right to obtain or prescribe birth control, expand health care access, establish state standards of neonatal care, increase housing supply and bolster renter protections will take effect July 1. virginiamercury.com/2026/04/10/s...

NEW: Gov. Abigail Spanberger signs legislation raising Virginia’s minimum wage to $15/hour by 2028, with automatic inflation adjustments starting in 2029.

Democrats call it long overdue; Republicans warn of rising costs as budget talks continue.

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Spanberger signs bills to aid low-income utility customers, manage power demand • Virginia Mercury Gov. Abigail Spanberger on Wednesday announced she signed another slate of bipartisan bills as part of her affordability agenda.

Gov. Spanberger signed bills into law designed to boost electric grid reliability on high energy demand days, strengthen protections for utility ratepayers and fund solar panel installation on schools and other public buildings. virginiamercury.com/2026/04/09/s...

Virginia AG joins fight against president’s hypocrisy on mail-in voting • Virginia Mercury Thoughts from Mister Roger’s neighborhood: quick hits by your intrepid Virginia Mercury columnist, Roger Chesley.

COMMENTARY: When it comes to voting, hypocrisy and deceitfulness are key tools utilized by President Trump. That’s why Va. Attorney General Jay Jones is challenging Trump’s legally dubious executive order to curb mail-in voting, writes columnist Roger Chesley. virginiamercury.com/2026/04/09/v...

As referendum nears, Spanberger balances governing and campaigning • Virginia Mercury Gov. Abigail Spanberger on Wednesday pushed back against criticism from some fellow Democrats who say she has not done enough publicly to rally support for Virginia’s April 21 redistricting…

Political analyst Bob Holsworth said that governing demands — including stalled budget negotiations — have likely limited Spanberger's ability to campaign more aggressively for redistricting, even as Democrats work to turn out voters. The referendum is April 21. virginiamercury.com/2026/04/08/a...

As referendum nears, Spanberger balances governing and campaigning • Virginia Mercury Gov. Abigail Spanberger on Wednesday pushed back against criticism from some fellow Democrats who say she has not done enough publicly to rally support for Virginia’s April 21 redistricting referendum...

NEW: @GovernorVA tells me she supports a “yes” vote on Virginia’s redistricting referendum — but her priority right now is governing, not campaigning.

As early voting continues, she’s pushing back on Democrats who want a more visible public presence.

virginiamercury.com/2026/04/08/a...

Drive for more housing sparks rare bipartisanship in statehouses, including in Virginia • Virginia Mercury In contrast to highly partisan debates over many other issues, state lawmakers of all political stripes are joining forces to pass legislation to increase the supply of housing.

This year, lawmakers in Virginia and two other states passed bills mandating localities allow manufactured homes anywhere single-family or other housing is permitted. virginiamercury.com/2026/04/08/r...

New Virginia laws take aim at 'forever chemicals' • Virginia Mercury Virginia’s new legislation won’t stop these chemicals from being produced and used in consumer products, or from getting into waterways but could reduce how much PFAS gets into the food produced on Vi...

Commentary: New Virginia laws are taking aim at “forever chemicals,” but more action is still needed to fully protect communities from PFAS exposure, argues Ivy Main.

virginiamercury.com/2026/04/08/n...

Va. Court of Appeals stops major data center development in Prince William County • Virginia Mercury A court ruling has once again halted a massive rezoning effort in Prince William County that would have allowed dozens of data centers to be built near Manassas National Battlefield Park.

Virginia’s Court of Appeals has halted a major data center project in Prince William County, siding with opponents who challenged the development.

The ruling stops the project from moving forward for now.

virginiamercury.com/briefs/va-co...

New Virginia laws target school construction and classroom cellphone use • Virginia Mercury Framing education as a cornerstone of her administration, Gov. Abigail Spanberger on Tuesday signed a sweeping package of legislation aimed at strengthening K-12 schools, expanding career pathways and...

NEW: Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger has signed a sweeping package of education bills into law, targeting school construction, classroom cellphone use, career training and student safety.

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