Javascript is required to run this page
VaNews

Search


Senator Warner warns that House Republican tax bill will harm Virginia families, hospitals

By RYAN BELMORE, Alx Now

U.S. Sen. Mark Warner (D-VA) issued a stark warning about the impacts of the recently passed House Republican tax bill, saying it will devastate Virginia families and healthcare systems while primarily benefiting the ultra-wealthy. During a media availability from the Capitol, Warner criticized the legislation that passed “in the dead of night,” saying it will cause approximately 248,000 Virginians to lose healthcare coverage. “This bill is just devastating to Virginia,” Warner said. “About 248,000 Virginians will lose health care, whether they are on Medicaid… or if they buy their health insurance through the marketplace.”

VaNews May 23, 2025


Personnel and details of Fort Eustis’ TRADOC merger to be decided in summer

By DEVLIN EPDING, Virginian-Pilot (Metered Paywall - 2 articles a month)

The Army Training and Doctrine Command headquarters, along with the Center for Initial Military Training, at Fort Eustis are both up for a potential relocation as part of a merger with the Army Futures Command in Austin, Texas. However, Army officials said Thursday they will have to wait until June 15 to receive orders from the Army on how that merger will occur before the new command is formed in October. The two branches of Fort Eustis under the proposed merger include nearly 1,000 people, roughly 650 are civilians and the rest are military positions, said Army spokesperson Col. Jennifer Walkawicz in a Thursday press briefing.

VaNews May 23, 2025


Langley: Virginia took an important step to regulate license plate readers

By GARRETT LANGLEY, published in Virginian-Pilot (Metered Paywall - 2 articles a month)

License plate reader (LPR) cameras, which capture images of license plates and other vehicle characteristics to solve crime, have been a longstanding tool for Virginia law enforcement agencies — helping police solve murder cases, locate and rescue missing persons and apprehend violent suspects attacking government workers. Virginia law enforcement have used best practices to implement these tools in a responsible way; however, LPR use remained unregulated. As the founder and CEO of a company that has deployed LPRs in communities across the commonwealth, I have supported codifying legislation that would ensure LPRs can be used for the substantial benefits they provide, while establishing guardrails so the technology is used responsibly.

Langley of Atlanta is the founder and CEO of Flock Safety.

VaNews May 23, 2025


Virginia leaders on Trump’s ‘Big, Beautiful Bill’: Wittman says Medicaid protected, Dems raise concerns

By HANNAH EASON AMADO, WVEC-TV

Two members of Congress from Hampton Roads voted in favor of President Donald Trump's "One, Big, Beautiful Bill," while some Democratic legislators raised concerns about the legislation. Congressman Rob Wittman, R-Va., said the bill will "strengthen Medicaid for Americans who need it most" while delivering tax relief. “Throughout the reconciliation process, I’ve fought to protect and preserve Medicaid for Virginia’s most vulnerable, and this bill does just that," Wittman wrote in a statement. "It secures protection for pregnant women, single mothers, children, seniors and individuals with disabilities." ... Congresswoman Jen Kiggans, R-Va., said she voted for the bill because it reduces the size of government, cuts wasteful spending, and protects tax relief for working families.

VaNews May 23, 2025


Cobb and Peace: Cuts to anti-tobacco programs will cost lives

By CAROLINE COBB AND MICHELLE PEACE, published in Richmond Times-Dispatch (Subscription Required)

Virginia’s Tobacco Control Program, funded by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), has been effectively defunded and dismantled as a result of recent federal action to reduce government programs and workforce. A conglomerate of nicotine and tobacco research scientists and physicians in Virginia have grave concerns about the impact of these closures and are urging Congress and Virginia’s congressional delegation to continue supporting programs that eliminate and prevent tobacco use.

Cobb is an associate professor and director of the Health Psychology Program at Virginia Commonwealth University. Peace is an internationally recognized forensic toxicologist and a professor in the Department of Forensic Science at VCU.

VaNews May 23, 2025


Reps. Kiggans and Wittman sold out their constituents

Virginian-Pilot Editorial (Metered Paywall - 2 articles a month)

As the sweeping Republican spending bill lurched its way through the U.S. House in recent weeks, members of Virginia’s congressional delegation promised they would oppose those sections that made life more difficult for commonwealth residents or which imperiled our economic future. Yet when push came to shove — when residents of Hampton Roads really needed the elected representatives to defend their interests — U.S. Reps. Jen Kiggans and Rob Wittman folded. On Thursday morning, they voted with their party and with the president instead of with the people they swore to serve.

VaNews May 23, 2025


Protesters Line Up at Trump National as President Meets Crypto Buyers

By HANNA PAMPALONI AND PATRICK LEWIS, Loudoun Now

The sidewalks and lawn at the entrance to Trump National Golf Course were filled with protesters Thursday night as the president attended a private dinner at the venue with buyers of his $TRUMP meme coin. Lawmakers and citizens booed gala attendees as they entered the golf course and while chanting “our democracy is not for sale” and “Trump must go.” The protesters specifically referenced the gift this week of plane from Qatar to President Donald J. Trump and the recently passed Guiding and Establishing National Innovation for U.S. Stablecoins or GENIUS Act, which establishes a regulatory framework for payment stablecoins.

VaNews May 23, 2025


Eddie Radden Jr., Richmond activist and longtime Capitol doorkeeper, dies at 96

By GEORGE COPELAND JR., Richmond Free Press

From city streets to church sanctuaries to the corridors of the Virginia State Capitol, Eddie L. Radden Jr. spent his life serving and uplifting the Richmond community. A lifelong advocate for civil rights and community progress, he died peacefully last Wednesday, May 14, 2025, at 96, leaving behind a lasting impact on Richmond. “Through every trial, he remained a pillar of strength, faith, and unwavering love,” Radden’s family said in a statement. “His legacy of faith, kindness, and devotion will forever guide us.”

VaNews May 23, 2025


Protesters gather outside Kiggans’ Town Center office to voice concerns about Trump’s spending bill

By KURT WILLIAMS, WTKR-TV

It was a soggy Wednesday, but that didn't keep protesters from gathering in the Town Center section of Virginia Beach with a message regarding President Trump's proposed spending bill, which he is dubbing a "big, beautiful" bill. About two dozen protesters carrying signs and umbrellas were sounding off in the rain. Amanda Pittman from the group Affordable Virginia organized this protest right outside Congresswoman Jen Kiggans' (R-Virginia) Town Center office.

VaNews May 22, 2025


Gerald Connolly, 75, Top Democrat on House Oversight Committee, Is Dead

By TRIP GABRIEL, New York Times (Metered Paywall - 1 to 2 articles a month)

Representative Gerald E. Connolly of Virginia, a feisty Democrat who prided himself on getting things done, and who defeated Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York to become his party’s top member of the powerful House Oversight Committee, died on Wednesday at his home in Fairfax County, Va. He was 75. His family announced the death. Mr. Connolly said late last year that he had esophageal cancer and would fight the disease. But in April, he told his constituents that the treatments had been unsuccessful and that he would not seek re-election in 2026.

VaNews May 22, 2025