Charlotte Rene Woods

Hundreds of thousands of federal employees face furloughs under Trump shutdown plans • Virginia Mercury WASHINGTON — The Trump administration began posting plans over the weekend that detail how hundreds of thousands of federal workers will be furloughed during a government shutdown, while others will…

Under plans the Trump administration posted this weekend, hundreds of thousands of federal workers will be furloughed during a government shutdown, while others will keep working without being paid. virginiamercury.com/2025/09/29/r...

Federal funding for research to prevent maternal deaths in Va., nationwide set to expire Sept. 30 • Virginia Mercury Seven years ago, Congress’ Preventing Maternal Deaths Act was signed into law by President Donald Trump — but the funding it provides to states to address maternal health disparities is set to expire ...

Federal funding for research that helps prevent maternal deaths nationwide is set to expire Sep. 30. virginiamercury.com/2025/09/29/f...

Democrats (and some Republicans) want to extend special tax credits people use to buy ACA marketplace health insurance. The proposals come as a potential government shutdown looms.

virginiamercury.com/2025/09/23/v...

Trump and RFK Jr. are making claims about autism. What do medical experts say? WASHINGTON — Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. stirred up major concerns and considerable speculation earlier this year when he announced the administration would release a rep...

I spoke with three medical experts to better understand the basics about autism, including how it's diagnosed, what the research shows and the biggest misconceptions.

www.newsfromthestates.com/article/trum...

Sentence-trimming program inmates can earn under fresh scrutiny amid Va. attorney general race • Virginia Mercury Beneficiaries watch with worry as Republican incumbent Miyares ignites fresh push to change it and challenges Democrat nominee Jones over support when the law passed

Ex-felons that earned an early release through a state program told me how they're not wasting their 2nd chance. With 19% of people released last year being re-convicted, AG Jason Miyares has ignited fresh opposition to the program in his reelection campaign.

virginiamercury.com/2025/09/17/s...

Story update: VDH told me today that people without underlying conditions should consult with their healthcare providers. It's not much, but at least without prescription requirements there might be less bottlenecking at PCPs. I also spoke with a pharmacist today.

This was a breaking story to note the order had dropped but I too have plenty of questions and they're still pending with VDH by the time I'm responding to you. I plan to update the story when more details emerge.

Va. Department of Health issues order to ease COVID-19 vaccine access, as federal guidance shifts • Virginia Mercury An order the Virginia Department of Health issued Wednesday now makes it easier for eligible Virginians to get vaccines in the weeks ahead.

Breaking: Virginia Department of Health issues order to ease COVID-19 vaccine access as federal guidance shifts. (I asked VDH and the governor about this yesterday, as other states have done so in the interim)
virginiamercury.com/briefs/virgi...

Federal COVID vaccine access shifts reverberate statewide, Va. advocates, health care workers say • Virginia Mercury The U.S. Food and Drug Administration ended broad emergency authorizations for COVID vaccines in recent weeks, which had allowed people to be able to walk into pharmacies without prescriptions to get…

To get a COVID vaccine in Virginia, you now need a prescription or must be 65 or older. The change, triggered by shifting federal guidelines, is posing challenges for COVID shot seekers statewide. virginiamercury.com/2025/09/10/f...

On the record: Abigail Spanberger • Virginia Mercury Part two of The Virginia Mercury’s On the Record series examines Democratic gubernatorial candidate Abigail Spanberger’s positions on some of the state’s most pressing issues: immigration, education,…

Part two of our On the Record series: a deep dive into Democratic governor candidate Abigail Spanberger's stances on immigration, education, energy and environment, health care, housing, criminal justice and policing, voting rights and elections. virginiamercury.com/2025/09/09/o...

On the record: Winsome Earle-Sears • Virginia Mercury Part one of The Virginia Mercury’s On the Record series examines Republican gubernatorial candidate Winsome Earle-Sears’ positions on some of the state’s most pressing issues: immigration, education,…

Part one of our On the Record series examines Republican governor candidate Winsome Earle-Sears’ positions on key Virginia issues: immigration, education, energy, environment, health care, housing, criminal justice and policing, voting rights and elections.

Federal, state lawmakers call on Va. hospitals to ‘be transparent’ about federal funding changes • Virginia Mercury Alongside local health care workers and government leaders, Democrat Mark Warner, who represents Virginia in the U.S. Senate,and Virginia House of Delegates Speaker Don Scott, D-Portsmouth, delivered ...

Because politics never stops, hospitals' concerns can support Dem arguments against the "Big Beautiful Bill" Meanwhile, GOP majorities in congress kicked the controversial changes until after next year's midterms -- providing cover to incumbents 🧵3/3 virginiamercury.com/2025/09/03/f...

Federal, state lawmakers call on Va. hospitals to ‘be transparent’ about federal funding changes • Virginia Mercury Alongside local health care workers and government leaders, Democrat Mark Warner, who represents Virginia in the U.S. Senate,and Virginia House of Delegates Speaker Don Scott, D-Portsmouth, delivered ...

While some systems are more tight-lipped, others like Ballad have been vocal online or spoken with me throughout the summer. Warner and Scott say hospitals need to "be transparent" with their communities.🧵2/3 virginiamercury.com/2025/09/03/f...

Federal, state lawmakers call on Va. hospitals to ‘be transparent’ about federal funding changes • Virginia Mercury Alongside local health care workers and government leaders, Democrat Mark Warner, who represents Virginia in the U.S. Senate,and Virginia House of Delegates Speaker Don Scott, D-Portsmouth, delivered ...

U.S. Sen. Warner, Va. House Speaker Scott say hospital systems should speak out about possible closures, staff reductions and health care coverage gaps spurred by federal reconciliation bill. 🧵1/3 virginiamercury.com/2025/09/03/f...

This is getting weird.

The COA issued yet another unpublished opinion in a FOIA case today. This one involves the Attorney General. And it's potentially kind of important. The court holds that the reference to the AG in the working papers exemption includes the entire OFFICE,...

‘Dreamers’ now excluded from enrolling in ACA Marketplace, other changes ‘up in the air’ • Virginia Mercury DACA populations, the children of undocumented immigrants popularly known as “Dreamers,” are now excluded from enrolling in the Affordable Care Act Marketplace, following the effects of a new U.S. Hea...

"Dreamers" are now excluded from ACA marketplace, per new HHS rule. A legal challenge in federal court has some other changes "up in the air" for now.
virginiamercury.com/2025/08/29/d...

Survey shows Earle-Sears’ opposition to LGBTQ+ workplace protections, adoptions, marriages • Virginia Mercury Republican gubernatorial nominee Winsome Earle-Sears expressed strong opposition to a series of LGBTQ+ rights in a candidate questionnaire completed when she unsuccessfully ran for Congress in 2004. S...

Her running-mate, John Reid, is the first openly gay statewide candidate in Virginia. I asked if he or his campaign wanted to talk, but they did not follow through. 🧵3/3 virginiamercury.com/2025/08/28/s...

Survey shows Earle-Sears’ opposition to LGBTQ+ workplace protections, adoptions, marriages • Virginia Mercury Republican gubernatorial nominee Winsome Earle-Sears expressed strong opposition to a series of LGBTQ+ rights in a candidate questionnaire completed when she unsuccessfully ran for Congress in 2004. S...

The survey was from a past congressional campaign, so I asked if anything has evolved or if she wants to elaborate. They did not respond. 🧵2/3 virginiamercury.com/2025/08/28/s...

Survey shows Earle-Sears’ opposition to LGBTQ+ workplace protections, adoptions, marriages • Virginia Mercury Republican gubernatorial nominee Winsome Earle-Sears expressed strong opposition to a series of LGBTQ+ rights in a candidate questionnaire completed when she unsuccessfully ran for Congress in 2004. S...

Survey shows Virginia gubernatorial candidate Winsome Earle-Sears' opposition to LGBTQ+ workplace protections, same-sex marriages and those couples' ability to adopt children. 🧵1/3
virginiamercury.com/2025/08/28/s...

In Chesterfield, Earle-Sears slams Spanberger, revives Youngkin’s winning campaign slogans • Virginia Mercury Republican governor hopeful joined by Virginia Congressman Rob Wittman, who urged voters in his party to cast ballots early

Republican gubernatorial nominee Winsome Earle-Sears echoed some pitches and sentiments from Gov. Glenn Youngkin's 2021 campaign at an event yesterday while protesters outside challenged their support of looming changes to Medicaid.
virginiamercury.com/2025/08/15/i...

Could uncertainty over ACA tax credits spur a special legislative session? • Virginia Mercury Special tax credits that help low income people purchase health insurance are set to expire later this year if Congress doesn’t renew them. Virginia lawmakers are planning ahead should the credits lap...

Special tax credits that help people buy health insurance through the Affordable Care Act have not yet been renewed by Congress. Virginia state lawmakers and health officials are trying to map the best course forward. virginiamercury.com/2025/07/25/c...

Donate • Virginia Mercury

Happy 7th birthday @virginiamercury.com! We're free for those who can't afford newspaper subscriptions, but donors help us keep doing the work for everyone. A donation, however big or small, would be a great birthday gift for the organization!

virginiamercury.com/donate/?emci...

One year in, Va. corrections ombudsman office on track to investigate misconduct allegations • Virginia Mercury Buildout of staff and filing process has occurred in tandem with allegations of abuse or neglect from within state prisons

Virginia Corrections Ombudsman says 269 of the over 500 statewide complaints her office has received stem from Red Onion State Prison.

virginiamercury.com/2025/07/16/a...

New Va. law protecting reproductive health data prompts Walmart’s online data collection pop-ups • Virginia Mercury “I don't think a lot of people realize the information that private industry buys and sells about them,” Sen. Scott Surovell, D-Fairfax said in a recent call.

Three of y’all have asked me about this since July 1, so here’s a news story from @charlottewords.bsky.social of the @virginiamercury.com explaining that pop-up:
virginiamercury.com/briefs/new-v...

‘A smack in the face:’ Vouchers holders fear federal housing cuts • Virginia Mercury Nearly 200,000 homes in Virginia receive some form of support from HUD, according to an analysis from the Virginia Housing Alliance. About 50,000 of those residents use vouchers

White House budget requests call for cuts to federal housing funding. Though Trump admin's goal in federal cuts is to lower taxes, @mcclellan.house.gov cautions that cuts like this could force states/localities to raise them. Learn more here:
virginiamercury.com/2025/06/04/a...

So this happened recently. I'm grateful and excited to be among this group!

Abortion providers challenge FDA’s remaining mifepristone restrictions in federal court • Virginia Mercury “It’s really important that we protect ... safe access to medication abortion no matter where people live — Virginia is playing a key role in the South right now," Whole Woman’s Health Alliance founde...

1. Abortion med challenges are back in federal courts. @sofiaresnick.bsky.social and I have more details here for @statesnewsroom.com @virginiamercury.com
2. Thank you to my old local library for being our temporary workspace when back in Charlottesville yesterday
virginiamercury.com/2025/05/19/a...

Virginia House clerk rejects three of Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s vetoes • Virginia Mercury The clerk of Virginia’s House of Delegates on Wednesday night rejected three of Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s recent vetoes in the state’s revised two-year budget.  Acting within the clerk’s purview as Keeper...

Virginia's House Clerk rejected three vetoes Gov. Glenn Youngkin made to the state budget earlier this month. Learn more about the healthcare-related items and what that means here: virginiamercury.com/2025/05/15/v...

Earle-Sears ‘morally opposed’ to Virginia’s reproductive rights amendment, note shows • Virginia Mercury Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears signed Virginia’s in-progress reproductive rights constitutional amendment, but noted her personal objection to it in a handwritten note on the bill.  As president of the ...

When she signed bills that passed the legislature this year, Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears added a note about being "morally opposed" to Virginia's in-progress reproductive rights constitutional amendment. More details here: virginiamercury.com/2025/05/08/e...