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Federal agency used Richmond license plate readers for immigration enforcement without permission
A federal agency used the Richmond Police’s license plate reader program to conduct unauthorized immigration enforcement activities, according to the department. On Tuesday, July 8, the Richmond Police Department (RPD) issued a press release regarding the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives’ (ATF) use of its license plate reader program to investigate immigration enforcement-related cases. . . . This sort of use violates the department’s operational standards, per the release. The ATF also did not explicitly disclose that it would be using this technology for immigration enforcement when it requested access to the license plate reader system.
VPAP Visual Local Election Turnout: June 2025 Primaries
Turnout for local primaries in June ranged widely across the state, from a high of more than 21% to a low of less than 5%. See which other primaries were on the ballot in these areas and may have contributed to motivating voters.
McCreash: State lawmakers took away my second chance
In 2020, the Virginia General Assembly passed a historic record sealing law set to take effect July 1. When I joined the Virginia Expungement Council in 2022, I was ecstatic to learn of this law, which gave me hope for a second chance. It was a promise to millions of Virginians such as me — an opportunity to wipe the slate clean after years of hardship and setbacks. After a decade of struggle, I believed that, at last, I could provide for my family, volunteer at my kids’ school, work towards my dream of becoming a math/statistics teacher, and move forward from a traumatic chapter in our lives. But in March, lawmakers shattered that hope.
No fooling the public about federal spending bill’s ugly effects
For years, Republican officials such as U.S. Reps. Rob Wittman and Jen Kiggans shouted themselves hoarse about the mounting national debt, worrying it would saddle future generations with the decisions of today. Elect us, they said, and we’ll get it under control. More recently, Wittman and Kiggans were among those GOP lawmakers who stood against legislation that made cuts to Medicaid. Kiggans was also among a handful who argued against the folly of ending clean energy tax credits that would directly affect jobs and opportunity here in Hampton Roads. Now the public knows better. Last week, both Wittman and Kiggans joined with all but two Republicans to pass the embarrassingly named One Big Beautiful Bill Act ...
Richmond police cut off federal access to license plate readers
The Richmond Police Department cut off access to federal agencies seeking to use their license plate readers, the department announced Tuesday. “Moving forward, no federal agencies will have access to our license plate reader program,” said Richmond Police Chief Rick Edwards. “This tool is vital to solving serious crimes in our city, and we will ensure it is used lawfully, responsibly, and in alignment with Richmond’s values.”
Fisher: Trump wins the ritual sacrifice of U-Va.’s president. So now what?
When University of Virginia students return to campus this fall, everything will be different. Their school president will be gone, sacrificed on the altar of the MAGA movement’s campaign against the bogeyman of diversity, equity and inclusion. The school’s DEI programs will be history. The selection process for the next president will be underway, as Trumpian forces transform one of America’s premier universities into a place where students are no longer inculcated with identity politics, no longer infected with anti-Americanism, no longer submersed in leftist values. It will be a MAGA super-paradise come to life on, of all places, a college campus. Or maybe not.
National Republican group with ties to Trump is attacking Jay Jones
A PAC based in Texas with ties to a top Donald Trump donor is attacking Democratic attorney general nominee Jay Jones with over $100,000 in radio ads in Norfolk and Richmond. America’s PAC describes itself as a group that “specializes in expanding the free market conservative coalition by spreading the message to demographics that rarely vote conservative, including Hispanics and African-Americans.” Tom Donelson, a Texas Republican, runs the PAC. The ad attacking Jones focuses on illegal immigrants and accuses Democrats of supporting criminals, not victims.
Town Council votes to ban data centers from Warrenton
Warrenton's leaders have officially pushed the reset button on data centers. Just seven months after the citizens of Warrenton elected new council members opposed to the controversial developments, the Warrenton Town Council voted unanimously in favor of a zoning change that essentially erases data centers from the town code. . . . The move is just the latest attempt to turn the page on the special use permit the town council approved in February 2023 for the Amazon data center slated for Blackwell Road in Warrenton —a move which pulled the town into several lawsuits and cost some council members their seats.
White: Ranked choice voting improves democracy. Will Va. embrace it?
This year, Virginia voters have been going to the polls for critical elections across the commonwealth, and in many cases, they've seen a lot of names on their ballots. From the recent Democratic lieutenant governor primary to the 11th Congressional District special election primaries, Virginia has two real-time examples of how ranked choice voting (RCV) could benefit voters in crowded races. Both demonstrate why it's time for Virginia's political parties to further embrace RCV.
Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin says his family escaped Texas floods
Virginia first lady Suzanne Youngkin and other members of Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s family were stranded at property they own on the Guadalupe River in Texas on Friday, but they were unharmed by the devastating flash floods that have killed more than 100 people. The governor was in Virginia at the time. . . . Youngkin detailed how his family was in touch with him during the flood as he attended July 4 events in Virginia. He said Texas officials offered to airlift them out, but when it was clear they were no longer in danger he told authorities to see to other nearby life-threatening situations first.