VCU Capital News Service

Website that mimics local news spends thousands on political ads A website that mimics local news sites is spending thousands of dollars on social media political advertisements.

A website that mimics local news sites started putting thousands behind partisan messaging on social media. There is no contact info or bylines on the site. It follows the trend of pink-slime content multiplying in wake of decimated news industry.

open.substack.com/pub/virginia...

Campaign financial facts ahead of historic Virginia election The upcoming Virginia gubernatorial election will make history, with the state’s first female governor poised to take office in January, but it is not generating as much money as some past races.

The upcoming Virginia gubernatorial election will make history, with the state’s first female governor poised to take office in January, but it is not generating as much money as some past races. Reporter Tyler Blake takes a look at some campaign finance facts.

www.pilotonline.com/2025/09/29/c...

Advocates worry budget cuts may reverse Virginia’s declining overdose rate The Trump Administration’s proposed budget for fiscal year 2026, which starts in October, includes a $33.3 billion cut to the Department of Health and Human Services, according to the American Addi…

Virginia’s overdose rate has been on a decline, and now recovery advocates are worried the president’s proposed budget plans may reverse this.

www.pilotonline.com/2025/09/29/a...

Weapon Detectors in Virginia Schools: Why Now and How Do They Work? RICHMOND, Va. — Chesterfield and Fairfax County Public Schools are two of the latest school districts to introduce weapon detectors to their middle and high school buildings.. This follows a […]

Chesterfield and Fairfax County Public Schools are two recent school districts to introduce weapon detectors to their middle and high school buildings, following a trend of other state school districts introducing the detectors on campuses in the past few years. royalexaminer.com/weapon-detec...

Cuts to food banks and SNAP: What does this mean for Virginians? Budget cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and food banks will put more strain on Virginia organizations already struggling to meet increased need and costs, food bank representative...

Budget cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and food banks will put more strain on Virginia organizations already struggling to meet increased need and costs, food bank representatives say.

www.rappnews.com/news/politic...

5 former Virginia coal mining sites vetted for federal funding Five proposed projects in former Southwest Virginia coal mining spots are being vetted to receive federal funding.

Read about the 5 proposed projects in former Southwest Virginia coal mining spots are being vetted to receive federal funding.The funds are available for economically-distressed counties in Appalachian coal fields, places where there was coal mining before 1977. www.pilotonline.com/2025/09/18/5...

Federal funding changes mean about 350,000 Virginians could lose health care coverage The state of health care in Virginia, especially in rural areas, is uncertain after changes in federal funding.

The Rural Health Transformation Program earmarks $50 billion for rural health care, but is divided in such a way that leaves advocates concerned about spending gaps left by incoming Medicaid cuts and red tape with the new funding process.

www.pilotonline.com/2025/09/22/f...

Virginia human trafficking cases increased last year • Virginia Mercury The Virginia State Police received 1,209 trafficking tips as of Sept. 12, according to an agency release.

The number of identified human trafficking cases last year in Virginia was its highest since 2018, although officials believe this could be attributed to better reporting channels. State Police received 1,209 trafficking tips as of 9/12.

virginiamercury.com/2025/09/19/v...

Working Families Party weighs in on Virginia’s ‘very pivotal’ election Idris O’Connor, current president of the Young Democrats of Prince William and Manassas, helped expand the Working Families Party into Virginia.

Have you heard about the Working Families Party? Reporter Lelia Contee talked to party members about Virginia’s ‘very pivotal’ election.

The party declined to endorse Spanberger over her stance on the state's 'right to work' law.

Read more here: www.princewilliamtimes.com/news/working...

Nation looks to the Virginia governor's contest as early voting opens Sept. 19 Voters can cast their ballot for the upcoming gubernatorial race starting Friday, Sept. 19.

Will you be early voting in-person, or by mail? Or holding out for the traditional Election Day in-person voting?

CNS reporter Emily Grinstead has info about early voting, which started Sept. 19.
www.smithmountaineagle.com/news/nation-...

Read more: www.whro.org/health/2025-...

Gov. Glenn Youngkin approves a bill that aims to lower licensing requirements for physicians to serve ringside at certain sporting events. By @mekhiwilsondpro.bsky.social

Lawmakers fund bill to create postpartum awareness materials A new legislative effort seeks to ensure Virginian mothers do not navigate the postpartum period by themselves.

Read more: swvatoday.com/article_f5d7...

A bill passed both chambers unanimously that aims to educate the public on perinatal and postpartum depression through a statewide public awareness campaign. Read more about how lawmakers are tackling maternal health disparities.By @coraperkinss.bsky.social

Va. lawmakers approve $5.8 million relief for wrongfully convicted man Virginia lawmakers unanimously approved bills to financially compensate three men wrongfully convicted of crimes, some who spent decades in prison.

Read more: www.virginiascope.com/va-lawmakers...

Three men wrongfully convicted, some who spent decades in prison, will receive millions in financial compensation from the state. Reporting by @stacycns.bsky.social

“Protecting this legacy is always on my mind”

“This program does not belong to me…this program belongs to all of you.”
-Phill Martelli
@vcucns.bsky.social

Phil Martelli Jr. has been named VCU Men’s Basketball head coach. A press conference is currently being held at the Siegel Center. Updates to follow.
@vcucns.bsky.social

Definitely was refreshing in vain.

*Still showing 11 vetoes not atill.

Governor Glenn Youngkin Completes Action on Legislation from the 2025 General Assembly Session Governor Glenn Youngkin today completed action on 916 bills sent to him during the 2025 General Assembly session.

The governor’s office posted saying they hit the deadline for actions on legislation. LIS hasn’t updated as of 12:07 am. Atill ahowing 11 vetoes but the governor says he vetoed 157. www.governor.virginia.gov/newsroom/new...

BREAKING: VCU just became the latest Virginia school to dismantle their DEI Office (Office of Inclusive Excellence) in a 12-4 Board of Visitors vote, following President Trump’s orders.

The Board will reconvene in May to discuss further action.

Invasive species bills aim to close retail gap, educate consumers - Virginia Scope By Sarah Hagen, VCU Capital News Service RICHMOND, Va. — Lawmakers recently sent the governor twin bills that he vetoed last year, which aim to protect the state’s native wildlife by educating consume...

Read more: www.virginiascope.com/invasive-spe...

Twin bills that require signage for invasive species passed the General Assembly. Gov. Glenn Youngkin vetoed similar bills last year.

By bsky.app/profile/sara...

Proposal to provide luggage for foster care children fails over funding The award-winning, independent, nonpartisan local news source of Henrico County, Virginia since 2001.

Read more: www.henricocitizen.com/proposal-to-...

A bill that would provide luggage to children in foster care systems failed to advance in the General Assembly.

By bsky.app/profile/jail...

(1/2) States across the country are pushing to provide "breakthrough" treatments for veterans with PTSD or brain injuries - like breathing 100% oxygen in a hyperbaric chamber, or using psilocybin, the psychedelic compound in "shrooms."

Virginia lawmakers want schools to test air quality for radon, mold, fungi every 2 years Public schools in Virginia may soon be required to conduct routine air-quality inspections for things such as radon, mold and fungi.

Virginia previosuly rejected legislation requiring costly maintenance for air quality in public schools. Now lawmakers want to at least require schools conduct regular testing, as well as make their findings public. @vcucns.bsky.social

www.princewilliamtimes.com/news/virgini...

Lawmakers approve expanded mental health training for Virginia schools Two companion bills passed the General Assembly with unanimous support that aim to increase participation in the state Mental Health First Aid Training Program. Sen. Ghazala Hashmi, D-Richmond, introd...

Bluesky: Legislators passed two bills unanimously to give teachers and students better access to mental health resources to meet a growing need after the pandemic. By @marlinada.bsky.social

Read more: www.rappnews.com/news/schools...

Democratic lawmakers send Youngkin minimum wage bill — again Democratic lawmakers passed a bill to increase the state’s minimum wage, although the effort might be thwarted again by Gov. Glenn Youngkin, who previously said the bump stifles economic freedom.

A bill to change Virginia’s minimum wage law and increase it each year until 2027 cleared the General Assembly but may be vetoed by the governor. By @mparlopiano.bsky.social

Read more: www.rappnews.com/news/governm...

Virginia lawmakers aim to improve prison education, reduce recidivism Del. Betsy B. Carr, D-Richmond, introduced House Bill 2158, which mandated the Department of Corrections to implement a consistent education system across its facilities, according to the bill.

Virginia lawmakers advanced a bipartisan prison education reform bill, but Senate revisions altered its original scope. A compromise was eventually reached in a conference committee. By @stacycns.bsky.social

Read more: www.pilotonline.com/2025/02/25/v...

Virginia lawmakers delay human trafficking training for short-term rentals - Virginia Business Listen to this article Lawmakers did not advance measures to implement human trafficking awareness training for short-term rental properties, with one patron saying they need to get the language right...

Owners of Airbnb, Vrbo and other short-term rental properties will not be required to complete awareness training to recognize and report suspected human trafficking after two bills failed in the General Assembly. By @jailahendricks.bsky.social

Read more: virginiabusiness.com/virginia-law...

Bill eliminating supplementary breast exam costs clears Virginia legislature on third push The award-winning, independent, nonpartisan local news source of Henrico County, Virginia since 2001.

House Bill 1828, a bill to stop health care providers from imposing cost-sharing on diagnostic and supplemental breast examinations, passed unanimously in the House and Senate. It will go into effect on Jan. 1, 2026. By @brookelindberg.bsky.social
Read more: www.henricocitizen.com/bill-elimina...

Firearm Violence Prevention Bill Passes House After Previous Failures RICHMOND, Va. — A gun violence prevention bill that recently cleared the House hopes to resolve what advocates call a public health crisis, but opponents say the bill is just another attack on Second ...

A bill to create a firearm violence prevention and intervention center passed the General Assembly on near party lines after two failures in previous sessions. By @sarah-hagen.bsky.social

Read more: royalexaminer.com/firearm-viol...

Legislators hope to fund college food pantries with new grant program Before leaving Hampton Roads for college, Anje Mixon received SNAP benefits and free or reduced-priced lunch through school.

Two bills to create food pantries on college campuses cleared the General Assembly with bipartisan support and now head to the governor. By @andrewkerley.bsky.social

Read more: www.virginiascope.com/legislators-...