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Earle-Sears focuses on message in tough race to keep swing-state ‘red’

By CHARLES CREITZ, Fox News

Virginia Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears was officially named the Republican Party’s gubernatorial nominee on Tuesday evening, and during an exclusive interview with Fox News Digital, she described herself as "not a very conventional candidate." She said her goal is to reach voters across the political spectrum while working to keep Virginia’s historic state capitol – America’s oldest – under Republican leadership.

VaNews June 19, 2025


In Virginia and New Jersey governor’s races, Democrats reprise a 2018 roadmap for opposing Trump 2.0

By BILL BARROW, OLIVIA DIAZ AND MIKE CATALINI, Associated Press

Abigail Spanberger opened her general election bid for Virginia governor Wednesday using her high school alma mater near Richmond. “I grew up walking the halls of Tucker High School,” the former congresswoman says as she walks past a bank of lockers in her first ad since securing the Democratic nomination. Later, she notes her experience as a CIA case officer, then in the halls of Congress as a tough-minded, get-things-done lawmaker. The same kind of message is echoing in New Jersey from Rep. Mikie Sherrill, as she also makes a bid for governor. Both women are selling themselves as Democrats who can rise above the rancor of Donald Trump’s Washington.

VaNews June 19, 2025


Democrats hoping for anti-Trump backlash in Virginia’s race to elect first female governor

By SETH MCLAUGHLIN, Washington Times

Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears, a Republican, faces an uphill climb against former Rep. Abigail Spanberger in Virginia’s gubernatorial race, according to analysts and party insiders who say the state’s political landscape favors Democrats. Republicans, though, insist Democrats face a serious challenge convincing voters who have been relatively happy with Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s leadership that it is time for an ideological shake-up. “The Democrats will represent a dramatic change from the direction the state has been in for the last four years,” said Jeff Ryer, chairman of the 1st Congressional District Republican Party. “I am not sure Virginians are ready for a change that would align this state with California, Illinois and New York.”

VaNews June 19, 2025


Sparks fly and Trump talk heats up after Virginia primary

By HEATHER HUNTER, Washington Examiner

Political fireworks erupted across the state after Virginia’s high-stakes Tuesday primaries, with top candidates wasting no time going on offense slamming their opponents, invoking President Donald Trump, and setting the tone for what’s expected to be a bruising general election. Democratic nominee for Attorney General Jay Jones lit the match Tuesday night, telling supporters that Trump is still pulling strings in Virginia politics.

VaNews June 19, 2025


Youngkin advocates ‘commonsense’ in November following Virginia primaries

By ASHER NOTHEIS, Washington Examiner

Gov. Glenn Youngkin (R-VA) highlighted the impending elections across Virginia, urging voters to support “our Commonsense Team” this November. Virginia’s primary election day on Tuesday saw the Democratic Party select its candidates for lieutenant governor and attorney general. Following the Republican Party’s surprise victory in the 2021 elections, Youngkin said that “the teams are now set” before Election Day on Nov. 4, stressing that “the future of Virginia is on the line.”

VaNews June 19, 2025


Early findings from state studies reveal growing pharmacy and transportation challenges in Virginia

By EMILY SCHABACKER, Cardinal News

Pharmacy closures and transportation barriers are making it harder for Virginians, especially those in rural communities, to access health care. On Wednesday, staff with the Joint Commission on Health Care presented preliminary findings from two studies that could shape policy discussions in next year’s General Assembly session. The studies focused on pharmacy deserts and the challenges Virginians face getting to medical appointments. Researchers drew on state data as well as on insights from interviews with pharmacists and community leaders.

VaNews June 19, 2025


Lynchburg City School Board lifts ban on outspoken advocate

By RACHEL TILLAPAUGH, WSET-TV

The Lynchburg School Board has reversed its decision to ban Danny McCain from speaking at its meetings, following an incident on June 3 where McCain continued speaking past his allotted time, prompting board members to consider calling the police. The board had initially banned McCain for violating their rules, but a recent unanimous vote, on Tuesday, has overturned that decision. During Tuesday's meeting, McCain apologized for his actions, saying, "I'm sorry I stayed over the 5 minutes."

VaNews June 19, 2025


On Juneteenth, Williamsburg Schoolhouse to Find New Life

By AUDRA D. S. BURCH, New York Times (Metered Paywall - 1 to 2 articles a month)

The building with a forgotten past sat on the campus of William & Mary for nearly a century. It served as the home of the military science department at the college in Williamsburg, Va., and before that, a women’s dormitory. But its story is even older. In 2020, researchers discovered that it was not just a facet of the historic campus, but a rare artifact in the history of Black life in colonial America. About 250 years ago, the unassuming structure housed the Williamsburg Bray School, making it the oldest known building where enslaved and free Black children were formally educated. Since the discovery, the Bray School has been fully restored. It will open to the public on Thursday — Juneteenth — in Colonial Williamsburg ...

VaNews June 19, 2025


Haro-Perez: Abortion access in Virginia depends on the coming months

By KHENIA HARO-PEREZ, published in Virginian-Pilot (Metered Paywall - 2 articles a month)

Virginia may feel like a safe haven for abortion access — but let’s be clear: Safe doesn’t mean secure. In the almost three years since Roe v. Wade was overturned, Virginia has become a critical access point for people across the South seeking abortion care. We’ve seen the largest increase in abortions of any state post-Dobbs, not because people are suddenly having more abortions, but because we’re one of the last states in the region where it remains legal. But that reality is hanging by a thread.

Haro-Perez of Norfolk is the Virginia state manager for the National Latina Institute for Reproductive Justice and a member of Virginians for Reproductive Freedom.

VaNews June 19, 2025


Ohio-based hospital chain with facilities in Virginia said to profiteer from massive charity-care program

By MARTY SCHLADEN, Virginia Mercury

Cincinnati-based Bon Secours Mercy Health describes itself as a “ministry” that seeks to serve “the poor, dying and underserved.” However, it’s one of two Ohio “nonprofit” hospital systems to face scrutiny from Congress over the huge amounts it’s raking in from a federal program meant to subsidize care for the poor.

VaNews June 19, 2025