Virginia

Several U.S. states, including Republican-led Georgia and Tennessee, as well as Democratic-led Maryland and Virginia, have enacted laws to expand or protect access to contraception. Measures include allowing pharmacists to prescribe birth control, mandating insurance coverage, and requiring educational institutions to report on contraception access.

Emergency room visits for heat-related illness in Virginia surged fivefold during this Fourth of July weekend compared to 2025. The spike highlights a significant increase in heat-related health concerns during the holiday period.

Measles is spreading in Virginia, with nearly 170 cases reported statewide as of Tuesday. The outbreak highlights ongoing public health concerns in the region.

Charles Dean Pace, a 27-year-old from Glen Allen, Virginia, was arraigned on four counts of second-degree murder and four counts of operating while intoxicated causing death after a July 1 crash on I-75 near Springfield Township. Investigators reported he was driving over 90 miles per hour in a Ford F-250.

A new law in Virginia aims to improve accessibility at movie theaters. New options are now available at theaters across the state.

A new Virginia fund aims to lower insurance marketplace premiums for some residents. Marketplace enrollment in Virginia has decreased by approximately 20% this year due to rising premiums and expired federal tax credits.

Virginia is defending its policy allowing immigrant students to qualify for in-state tuition assistance in federal court. The Justice Department argues federal law preempts the Virginia Dream Act, which bases eligibility on high school attendance and tax payments rather than residency, while Virginia claims the law complies with federal regulations. A federal judge requested data on how many students qualify under the program.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has recalled frozen GreenWise Organic Blueberries due to possible E. coli contamination. The product was sold at Publix stores in eight states, and consumers are advised not to consume it due to 12 confirmed cases of illness linked to the contamination.

A Virginia man was denied bond after being charged with four counts of second-degree murder and four counts of operating while intoxicated causing death following a fatal I-75 crash that killed four people.

Charles Dean Pace, 27, was denied bond after being charged with four counts of second-degree murder and four counts of operating while intoxicated causing death in a July 1 Oakland County crash that killed a family of four. Pace allegedly drove a Ford F-250 at over 90 mph with a blood alcohol level three times the legal limit, striking a disabled Chrysler 300. The victims were Zakeria Sharon Dodson, 23, Tieree Powell, 24, Nalani Powell, 3, and Karter Powell, 2. Pace has a prior alcohol-related offense in Virginia and was in Michigan for work.

Virginia funds gun violence prevention programs emphasizing direct outreach. National studies suggest firearm safety courses may also help reduce gun violence, though the article does not confirm their effectiveness in Hampton Roads.

Virginia has joined a multistate effort challenging the Trump administration's policy change that rolls back ICE requirements for reporting detainee deaths. Attorneys general argue the change undermines federal accountability amid increased scrutiny of detention conditions.

Severe storms and flooding are causing destruction, with approximately 60 million people in Ohio, Virginia, and Massachusetts under flood threat.

Virginia has joined a 22-state coalition challenging a new federal policy that ends ICE investigations into deaths of detainees released from custody. The coalition, led by New York Attorney General Letitia James, argues the policy weakens oversight and hides dangerous detention conditions. Virginia's ICE facilities include the Caroline and Farmville Detention Centers.

Educational Testing Services (ETS) acquired ACT to enhance tools for student success in Virginia and nationwide, aligning with the state's focus on workforce credentialing and skills-based assessments. Virginia is expanding internship programs and funding workforce development, including apprenticeships and career training initiatives.

The article discusses the rapid expansion of data centers in Virginia and Pennsylvania, highlighting concerns about their impact on energy prices, water consumption, and public health. While studies on direct health effects are limited, a recent analysis by Neha Gour and colleagues identifies noise pollution and climate change as key challenges, while advocating for sustainable design to mitigate risks.

The Virginia Supreme Court panel denied a request to combine cases related to an assault weapons ban. Additional headlines include Virginia CCA seeking feedback on cannabis regulations, a spike in police decertifications, Governor Spanberger discussing AI data centers, and a rare corpse flower blooming at Norfolk Botanical Garden.

Large-scale datacentre projects globally face challenges including energy supply issues, high construction costs, and environmental concerns. A proposed 2,000-acre datacentre in Virginia was opposed due to its proximity to a Civil War battlefield, with critics arguing it would disrupt the historic site's solemnity.

Virginia has become the world’s data center capital due to decades of infrastructure development and strategic growth, starting with AOL’s 1997 move to Ashburn. The region’s economic benefits are offset by community concerns over water and energy demands, while lawmakers address new regulatory challenges.

Data centers are expanding rapidly, particularly in Virginia, but research on their health impacts remains limited. A study by Neha Gour and colleagues highlights potential health and environmental challenges, emphasizing the need for sustainable design and operation to mitigate risks.

Newport News Waterworks urges voluntary water conservation as Virginia remains under a drought warning despite recent rain. The utility reports reservoirs at 75% capacity, 6% lower than last year, with Director Yann Le Gouellec explaining the situation.

Most Iowa school districts have agreed to exclude undocumented high school students from federally funded career and technical education programs, following the Trump administration's interpretation of the 1982 Plyler v. Doe Supreme Court decision. The policy limits access to dual enrollment and career training, citing a distinction between 'basic public education' and postsecondary opportunities.

Publix is recalling frozen GreenWise Organic IQF Blueberries linked to 12 E. coli cases. The recall affects products with lot code 60401 and best-by date Feb. 9, 2028, sold in Alabama, Kentucky, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia. Customers are urged to return or discard the product.

Publix recalled frozen GreenWise Organic IQF Blueberries linked to 12 confirmed E. coli cases. The recall, initiated by Chilean company Frutas y Hortalizas del Sur S.A., affects products with lot code 60401 and best-by date Feb. 9, 2028, sold in eight U.S. states.

Publix recalled frozen GreenWise Organic IQF Blueberries after they were linked to 12 confirmed E. coli cases. The affected product, with lot code 60401 and a best-by date of Feb. 9, 2028, was sold in eight U.S. states between May 11 and June 5.

Afternoon storms are expected to bring heavy rain and flooding risks to the D.C. region Monday, with the National Weather Service issuing a Flood Watch from 4 p.m. to midnight. The storm system could deliver up to 3 inches of rain per hour, affecting areas from Cecil County, Maryland, to Morgan County, West Virginia, and beyond. High humidity and temperatures in the 80s-90s persist, with additional storms possible through Wednesday.

Virginia has become the world’s largest data center hub due to infrastructure development starting in the late 20th century, driven by companies like AOL and fiber connectivity. While the industry brings economic benefits, it faces challenges related to water and energy demands, prompting new regulations and unresolved tax incentive debates.

The article discusses the limited research on health impacts of data centers, highlighting Virginia's high concentration of facilities and a study by Neha Gour and colleagues that identifies environmental and health challenges. It notes recommendations for sustainable design and operations to mitigate risks, while emphasizing the essential role of data centers in modern services.

42 giant statues of presidents’ heads are crumbling on private property in rural Virginia. The article highlights this issue alongside other Virginia-related headlines, including cannabis legalization, heat-related health concerns, and a data center dispute.

Annin Flagmakers is described as the oldest and largest flagmaker in the U.S. Jericka Duncan visited the company's factory in South Boston, Virginia.

Chesterfield County opened the Meadowdale Library to provide residents a cooling space during an extreme heat wave in Virginia over the Fourth of July weekend. The initiative aims to address the challenges posed by the extreme weather.

A Fourth of July house fire in Ashburn, Virginia, caused by improperly discarded fireworks, spread to two neighboring homes and resulted in $1.2 million in damage. Three people were hospitalized, two dogs were displaced, and fire officials emphasized the importance of soaking used fireworks in water before disposal. The National Fire Protection Association reported fireworks caused over 34,000 fires in 2024, including 3,246 structural fires.

Firefighters are battling a blaze at Colonial Point Apartment Homes in Gloucester County, Virginia. The fire is located in the 7700 block of Colonial Point Lane, and crews arrived to find smoke coming from the building.

Virginia health officials report 737 emergency department visits due to heat-related illnesses over a four-day period during the Independence Day holiday weekend. The Virginia Department of Health linked the surge in cases to extreme, record-breaking temperatures impacting the Commonwealth.

Rising airfares and gas prices are prompting Americans to prioritize domestic vacations over international travel, with small business owners reporting increased local tourism through road trips, day trips, and budget-conscious spending. AAA projects a 0.5% increase in summer travelers compared to 2023, driven by cruise, bus, and train trips, while economic factors and events like the FIFA World Cup and U.S. 250th anniversary celebrations encourage closer-to-home travel.

Venezuela's twin earthquakes killed nearly 3,000 people as of Saturday, with 50,000 estimated missing, primarily impacting the La Guaira area. International rescue teams are ending operations after the critical 72-hour window, while families continue recovering bodies. The UN reported $6.7 billion in damages, and public anger grows over the government's delayed response.

On July 4, 36 individuals became United States citizens at Monticello in Charlottesville, Va. The event highlighted themes of civic participation and community, with a notable mention of pizza as a cultural element.

WalletHub's survey ranks Virginia as the most patriotic state due to high military engagement, veterans per capita, and voter turnout. Montana follows as the second-most patriotic state with strong civic participation. The least patriotic states include Arkansas, New York, Louisiana, and Alabama, with blue states voting for Kamala Harris in 2024 averaging higher patriotism than red states.

Rising seas and coastal erosion threaten historic sites like Jamestown, Virginia, as the U.S. approaches its 250th anniversary. Archaeologists are working urgently to uncover and preserve historical artifacts before they are lost to climate change impacts.

Virginia has established a regulated cannabis marketplace through House Bill 30, authorizing recreational marijuana sales. The state budget signed into law provides a roadmap for legal sales, with the Cannabis Control Agency (CCA) developing the framework.