Search
Youngkin and Pillion: United to stop fentanyl deaths
Since its inception in 2023, National Naloxone Awareness Day is a time to acknowledge the danger of the synthetic opioid, fentanyl, as well as the importance of the opioid overdose reversal drug, naloxone. On this day, Virginians are reminded that on average three Virginians lose their life to fentanyl every day. However, it is also a moment to celebrate Virginia’s recently achieved, 44% year-over-year drop in fentanyl-related overdose deaths — among the most significant declines nationally — and a 46% decrease from its peak in 2021.
Youngkin: Virginia is turning the tide on fentanyl deaths
Virginia is seeing real progress in reducing overdose deaths. For the first time in years, data shows overdose deaths are declining nationwide — and here in the commonwealth, we’re helping drive that trend. Virginia reported a 44% decrease in overdose deaths over the past year and a 46% drop from its peak in 2021. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Virginia’s year-over-year decline in overdose deaths between November 2023 and November 2024 was among the largest in the country.
Old Dominion Job Corps to lay off 130 in Amherst
Amherst County-based Old Dominion Job Corps Center will lay off 130 workers by June 30, due to President Donald Trump‘s administration ordering the closures of contractor-run Job Corps centers across the nation. Old Dominion, in compliance with the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) Act, notified the state Tuesday of plans to lay off the employees due to the closure of the Job Corps site.
Va. lawmakers press for details on Fort Eustis layoffs
A bipartisan group of Virginia congressional officials sent a letter to Secretary of the Army Daniel Driscoll and Army Chief of Staff Gen. Randy George Tuesday seeking more transparency regarding plans to move the U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC) headquarters from Fort Eustis in Newport News to Austin, Texas. Last month, George told the House Appropriations Defense Subcommittee that TRADOC would be merged with the Army Futures Command (AFC) in Austin to form a new command — the Army Transformation and Training Command. However, the announcement raised questions about how many military and civilian staff would be impacted ...
Small child diagnosed with measles confirmed as Virginia’s third case in 2025
A small child who spent several hours in Charlottesville across multiple days has been diagnosed with measles, creating an exposure risk for those in the area. This marks the third confirmed case of measles in Virginia this year. On Thursday, June 4, the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) announced that a child 4 years old or younger was diagnosed with measles. This illness came after they were exposed to Virginia’s second measles case of the year, which involved a teenager. Both were in Charlottesville in late May.
Chesterfield Clerk launches bid for Wittman’s 1st Congressional District seat
Amanda Pohl, clerk of the Chesterfield Circuit Court, announced Thursday she is running for Congress in Virginia’s 1st Congressional District. Republican Rep. Rob Wittman currently holds the seat. ... Wittman, who has served in Congress since 2007, won reelection in 2023 by a 13-point margin. Still, Democrats are optimistic about their chances in the district, pointing to historical trends that show the party in the White House often struggles in midterm elections.
Virginia Republican plans to spend $2 million on special election bid for Connolly’s seat
Nathan Headrick is prepared to spend up to $2 million of his money to finance a congressional campaign to succeed the late Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-VA) in Virginia, a source familiar with the topic confirmed to the Washington Examiner. Headrick, a banking executive and Republican, will begin his campaign on Monday for the solidly Democratic seat in deep-blue northern Virginia.
Shannon Taylor touts her experience in run for Virginia attorney general
Henrico County Commonwealth’s Attorney Shannon Taylor says Virginia voters should choose her to take on Republican incumbent Attorney General Jason Miyares in the fall. She’s running for the Democratic nomination against former Norfolk Del. Jay Jones. Jahd Khalil of VPM News recently spoke to Taylor about her campaign. ... Like Jones, Taylor said that she was concerned that Miyares was not challenging executive actions coming from Washington — but she thinks nearly 15 years of experience as Henrico's top prosecutor make her the ideal candidate to replace him.
Earle-Sears’ record on social issues complicates bid to follow Youngkin’s path in Virginia governor’s race
Winsome Earle-Sears, the all-but-certain Republican nominee in the Virginia governor’s race this fall, has built the early stages of her campaign around being Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s partner. Earle-Sears, the state’s lieutenant governor, has largely attempted to frame her candidacy as an extension of the current administration, an attempt to replicate the term-limited governor’s path to victory in the blue-leaning state four years ago. ... But there has been notable daylight between Earle-Sears and Youngkin on several fronts, particularly on social issues, complicating her strategy to follow in the footsteps of her more popular governing partner.
Trump chooses former Youngkin chief of staff for trade post
President Donald Trump has nominated Jeff Goettman, Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s former chief of staff, to serve as a deputy U.S. trade representative. In the post, which requires U.S. Senate confirmation, Goettman’s areas of responsibility would include Africa, the Western Hemisphere, Europe, the Middle East, environment, labor and industrial competitiveness.