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‘Extremely distressing’ Chesapeake Bay blue crab populations call for curtailing harvest, experts say
Blue crab populations in the Chesapeake Bay have taken a sizable hit in 2025, marking a need for more cautious harvest regulations, some environmentalists say. Each winter, the Maryland Department of Natural Resources and the Virginia Institute of Marine Science at William & Mary cooperate on a dredge survey to record the population of blue crabs.
Osprey population ‘near complete collapse’ on the Eastern Shore, scientists report
The osprey population on the Eastern Shore has dropped to just 18 birds, and scientists at Williams & Mary’s Center for Conservation Biology say it’s a sign of an “early complete collapse” of the species. In 1975, one of the first aerial surveys for ospreys, there were 68 breeding pairs on the Eastern Shore. In 1987, when the area was surveyed again, the population was about 83 pairs. Now, researchers have found only nine pairs from Fisherman Island to the Chincoteague Causeway.
Virginia hits record-low uninsured rate
Uninsured rates hit record lows in Virginia and all U.S. states by 2023, driven by coverage expansions under the Affordable Care Act and related policy changes, per a new report. Virginia's drop in uninsured residents boosted its overall health score, leading to one of the biggest year-over-year ranking jumps in the country. The uninsured rate for working-age Virginia adults dropped from 17.3% in 2013 to 8.7% in 2023, according to an analysis of census data from the Commonwealth Fund, a health care foundation. Nationwide, the uninsured rate for U.S. adults dropped from 20.4% in 2013 to 11% in 2023.
New York City’s mayoral election is going like it’s supposed to. Virginia shows why.
Virginia state Sen. Ghazala F. Hashmi won Tuesday’s six-way Democratic primary for lieutenant governor with 27.4 percent of the vote, barely edging out former Richmond mayor Levar Stoney, who received 26.6 percent, and state Sen. Aaron Rouse, who garnered 26.3 percent. The bunch-up — along with the three other candidates each pulling more than five percent — means a supermajority of Virginia Democrats preferred someone besides the winner. In contrast, the Democratic primary for attorney general offered just two choices: Jerrauld C. “Jay” Jones beat Shannon Taylor 51 percent to 49 percent, narrowly but cleanly.
Suffolk approves new rules for solar farms
New solar farm regulations are a “good start” for a Suffolk farmer whose family and neighborhood became a case study for future solar development in the city. “With all the frustration that we’ve experienced and my neighbors have experienced, it’s good to see that anyone going forward may not have to go through this frustration,” Shane Alexander said during the Wednesday, June 18 city council meeting. The Alexanders have been at the forefront of advocacy about the sonic impact of large solar farms on surrounding communities since the 99-acre Stratford Solar farm went up across the street from their White Marsh Road property in 2022.
Rush to finish work on Capital Beltway expansion in Virginia is underway
The final phase of the $660 million, 2.5-mile Capital Beltway expansion in Virginia is in the home stretch after nearly four years. Crews plan to mark another milestone on June 27 when they are scheduled to shift the Outer Loop southbound lanes to begin completion on a key phase of the project.
Chesley: Despite tough challenge, don’t underestimate Earle-Sears
Many signs suggest a comfortable victory this fall for Democrat Abigail Spanberger against Republican Winsome Earle-Sears in Virginia’s gubernatorial contest. Spanberger had $14.3 million in cash on hand this month compared to just $3 million for Earle-Sears, the current lieutenant governor. Spanberger, a former congresswoman, has led in early polls, including a whopping 17-point advantage in a Roanoke College survey in May. (Yeah, I know, many Virginians aren’t tuned in yet, so that barometer is shaky.) Earle-Sears, meanwhile, is the standard-bearer for Donald Trump’s party in a state that’s voted against him three times in presidential contests. He’s tried to recklessly chop the federal workforce; some 341,000 federal workers lived here in 2023. Also, Black candidates have struggled to win statewide contests in Virginia – Earle-Sears’ own victory in 2021 notwithstanding.
Electoral college reform group eyes Virginia’s elections with hope
Could Virginia become part of a growing national movement to elect presidents based on securing the popular vote? Though America is in its 47th presidency (with many presidents serving multiple terms), just five times has a candidate won the popular vote but lost the election. Although the majority of Americans voted for the losing candidate in those contests, the winners garnered enough Electoral College votes to ascend to the White House. ... National Popular Vote, a bipartisan network of advocates nationwide, is examining whether the outcome of Virginia’s gubernatorial and House of Delegates elections could influence the state to join a growing coalition of states to support the popular vote.
Petersburg mayor among prominent names chosen for new Richard Bland College Board of Visitors
Petersburg’s mayor and the general manager of one of the city’s pharmaceutical manufacturers will be among the charter members of Richard Bland College’s Board of Visitors. The list, released June 20 by Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s office, also includes a former state education official and a longtime area business professional. The Board of Visitors creation is the crown jewel in RBC’s yearlong effort to establish its independence from the College of William & Mary ...
Democrats' statewide ticket boasts unity at first joint meeting in Richmond
The statewide Democratic ticket appeared together for the first time on Saturday afternoon in Richmond, four days after voters picked the party’s nominees for lieutenant governor and attorney general. The GOP ticket, which was finalized in April, still has not appeared together. The Democratic trio includes former Rep. Abigail Spanberger, D-7th, the party’s nominee for governor; state Sen. Ghazala Hashmi, D-Chesterfield, the Democratic lieutenant governor nominee; and former Del. Jay Jones, D-Norfolk, the party’s nominee for attorney general.