Virginia News & Current Events | Public News Service

Putting forward laws that limit reproductive health access puts business environments at unnecessary risk and limits women's economic potential, a new report finds. (Adobe Stock)<br /> — Putting forward laws that limit reproductive health access puts business environments at unnecessary risk and limits women's economic potential, a new report finds. (Adobe Stock)

Monday, September 20, 2021

Report: Limiting Abortion Access Costs Nation Billions

RICHMOND, Va. -- Curbing access to reproductive health-care services, including abortion, can have disastrous effects on economic well-being…

A panel of House Democrats proposes raising $2.9 trillion in new taxes to pay for President Joe Biden's "Build Back Better" plan through higher tax rates for wealthy Americans. (Adobe Stock)

Friday, September 17, 2021

Wealthy Americans, Virginians Press Congress to Hike Their Taxes

RICHMOND, Va. - As U.S. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., takes heat this week for attending a posh fundraiser in a dress that said "Tax the …

Richmond is among the top 10 on Eviction Lab's list of cities with the highest rates of people being evicted from their homes. (Adobe Stock)

VA Leads Nation in Federal Rental-Assistance Distribution

RICHMOND, Va. - Virginia has distributed a larger share of the rental funds it received than any other state in the country, and housing advocates …

Black farmland ownership peaked in 1910 at 16 to 19 million acres, according to the USDA's Census of Agriculture. A century later, 90% of that land had been lost. (Adobe Stock)<br /> — Black farmland ownership peaked in 1910 at 16 to 19 million acres, according to the USDA's Census of Agriculture. A century later, 90% of that land had been lost. (Adobe Stock)

Virginia's Black Farmers Push Lawmakers to Provide Debt Relief

RICHMOND, Va. -- Farmers of color are urging Congress to end a slew of lawsuits delaying a loan-forgiveness program designed to make amends for years …

A new law in Virginia gives local municipalities the authority to pass ordinances allowing public sector employees like teachers to form unions and collectively bargain. (Adobe Stock)

Report: VA Moves Up from 'Worst Place to Work,' Thanks to Policy Changes

RICHMOND, Va. - Virginia's made big strides over the last two years to improve employee protections, and a new report shows it moved from dead last …

A new report that examines racial gaps between Black and white Virginians shows 60% of majority-Black neighborhoods in the state have eviction rates greater than 10%, quadruple the national average. (Adobe Stock)<br /> — A new report that examines racial gaps between Black and white Virginians shows 60% of majority-Black neighborhoods in the state have eviction rates greater than 10%, quadruple the national average. (Adobe Stock)

Report: Universities Offer New Cures for Closing Virginia’s Racial Gaps

RICHMOND, Va. - In response to last year's protests against racial injustice across the country, a new report shows cities such as Richmond are …

A death is reported at one out of 62 demonstrations where guns are identified as part of the event, compared with one in 2,963 protests where no gun possession is identified. (Flickr)<br /> — A death is reported at one out of 62 demonstrations where guns are identified as part of the event, compared with one in 2,963 protests where no gun possession is identified. (Flickr)

Report: Armed Protests, as Seen in VA, More Likely to Spark Violence

RICHMOND, Va. - Armed protests in the United States are six times more likely to turn violent as unarmed protests, according to a new report…

Analyzing body camera footage from more than 100 police officers and 250 audio clips, a new study finds officers spoke to Black men with less warmth, respect and ease compared to white men. (Adobe stock)<br /> — Analyzing body camera footage from more than 100 police officers and 250 audio clips, a new study finds officers spoke to Black men with less warmth, respect and ease compared to white men. (Adobe stock)

New Virginia Research Center to Connect Police, People of Color

PETERSBURG, Va. - As Virginia law enforcement agencies adjust to a number of new policing laws this year, a new state think tank represents the first …

The American Heart Association recommends schools avoid overly harsh discipline as kids and families readjust to the in-person school schedule during the pandemic. (Adobe Stock)<br /> — The American Heart Association recommends schools avoid overly harsh discipline as kids and families readjust to the in-person school schedule during the pandemic. (Adobe Stock)

Protecting Kids' Mental Health Top Priority as VA Schools Reopen

HAMPTON ROADS, Va. -- With many Virginia schools starting up next week, experts say parents and teachers need to take extra steps to protect …

The Senate just passed President Joe Biden's infrastructure package to rebuild roads and bridges, a major part of his Build Back Better plan, which Virginians overwhelming support, according to a new poll. (Adobe stock)

Poll: Majority of Virginians Back Taxing Wealthy to Pay for Biden Relief Plan

RICHMOND, Va. -- With the House now set to debate President Joe Biden's infrastructure bill, part of his Build Back Better plan to help working …

Some tenants' advocates would like Virginia's new budget proposal for American Rescue Plan funding to include money for low-income renters to hire lawyers for eviction cases. (Adobe stock)<br /><br /> — Some tenants' advocates would like Virginia's new budget proposal for American Rescue Plan funding to include money for low-income renters to hire lawyers for eviction cases. (Adobe stock)

Virginia Lawmakers Urged to Direct COVID Funds to Working Families

RICHMOND, Va. - Virginia's General Assembly Special Session begins today to budget more than $4 billion in federal COVID relief funds, and advocates …

Men accounted for two-thirds of the enrollment last year in Virginia's workforce grant program, which helps folks get jobs in construction and other industries. (Adobe stock)

Virginia Workforce Grants Help Boost Employment During COVID

FREDERICKSBURG, Va. -- With many Virginians still experiencing pandemic-related unemployment, students at a state community college were able to get …

The expanded Child Tax Credit gives families $250 to $300 every month per child and can be used for anything the family needs, such as groceries, rent or utilities. (Adobe stock)

Child Tax Credit Expansion Seen as Major Boost for Virginia Families

LOUDOUN COUNTY, Va. -- Beginning last week, thousands of Virginia families with children saw more money in their bank accounts as the federal …

As people look to take off the weight they gained during the pandemic, research confirms walking may also help ward off depression and heart disease. (Adobe Stock)

Experts: Love Your Body While Healing from Pandemic Eating Issues

RICHMOND, Va. - COVID-19 turned daily life upside down and, for many, the stress led to troublesome eating habits and body-image problems. An …

Virginia's new Coastal Adaptation and Resilience Master Plan is expected to use nature-based solutions, like wetlands restoration, to help absorb the impact of severe storms and flooding. (Adobe Stock)

Virginia Welcomes Public Input on Coastal Flooding Plan

RICHMOND, Va. -- As floods grow worse from sea-level rise and more frequent storms along Virginia's Atlantic coast, the state is encouraging …

It's estimated that sea levels could rise another 18 inches by mid-century in Virginia. (Sarah/Adobe Stock)

Infrastructure Package Must Include Coastal Restoration, Groups Say

RICHMOND, Va. -- Conservation groups are asking Congress to include $10 billion for coastal restoration projects in its infrastructure package…

About 16% of Latino families with children in Virginia were uninsured in March 2021, compared with 8% of all households in the state, according to the Census Bureau's Household Pulse Survey. (Adobe Stock)

Report: Virginia Must Improve Child Health Coverage for Latino Families

RICHMOND, Va. -- Children in Virginia are better off than in most states, but a new report said the Commonwealth needs to improve health outcomes…

A new Gallup survey shows more than 60% of Americans say they know "a little bit" or "nothing at all" about Juneteenth, the date that celebrates the end of slavery in the United States. (DoDEA.edu)

Juneteenth Declared National Holiday, Amidst Progress, Upheaval

RICHMOND, Va. -- Juneteenth National Independence Day is now an official holiday, after President Joe Biden signed a bill Thursday, approved by both …

Switching to electric vehicles would save consumers, governments and businesses $19 billion each year, according to a new report by Advanced Energy Economy. (Adobe Stock)

Report: Shift to Electric Vehicles an Economic Boon for Virginia

RICHMOND, Va. - As negotiations in Congress continue on a federal infrastructure package, a report out today predicts the American Jobs Plan's …

Black student-parents borrow an average of $18,100 for college, compared with an average of $13,500 among all students, according to the Institute for Women's Policy Research. (Adobe Stock)

Report: Parents in College Face Mental-Health Stressors

RICHMOND, Va. - Many of the more than 4 million student-parents in the United States struggle with mental-health issues in college, and a new report …

New College Institute in Martinsville, Va., just started offering wind-turbine safety certification training to meet the need for clean-energy job openings. (Adobe stock)

A Year After Clean Economy Act, VA Sees Renewable Jobs Expand

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. -- One year after Virginia adopted its Clean Economy Act, workforce development and new jobs in clean energy are booming in the …

National CPR and AED Awareness Week is June 1-7, spotlighting how lives can be saved if more Americans learn CPR and how to use an AED. (Adobe stock)

Virginia Lawyer Saved by CPR Shares Story to Raise Awareness

FAIRFAX, Va. - A lawyer in Fairfax had a sudden heart attack and was saved by a friend's knowledge of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). Next week …

Some schools don't have access to STEM classes for underrepresented students, which can lead to an equity gap in STEM careers later in life. (Adobe stock)

New Grant to Boost Diversity for Virginia Tech STEM Program

ALEXANDRIA, Va. - With Black and Hispanic workers still underrepresented in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics careers, Virginia Tech …

Four Southeastern states and the District of Columbia reported more than half of their gas stations were out of fuel this week due to the cyberattack that targeted Colonial Pipeline. (Adobe Stock)<br /><br /> — Four Southeastern states and the District of Columbia reported more than half of their gas stations were out of fuel this week due to the cyberattack that targeted Colonial Pipeline. (Adobe Stock)

To Some, VA Gas Shortage Spotlights Need for Electric Vehicles

RICHMOND, Va. - As gas stations in Virginia wait for refueling after the Colonial Pipeline shutdown, advocates of electric vehicles say the gas …

A proposal to expand Pell Grants by $400 would help pay for one extra three-credit course at a public, two-year community college. (Adobe stock)

Pell Grant Overhaul Would Expand to DACA Students, Certificate Programs

RICHMOND, Va. -- As more workers need training to enter the post-pandemic economy, Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va., and President Joe Biden are proposing …

Dominion Energy plans a wind farm off of Virginia's east coast that experts say would provide 10,000 jobs during six years of construction. (Adobe stock)

Biden’s Climate Plans Could Bolster Virginia Clean-Energy Jobs

RICHMOND, Va. -- With President Joe Biden's virtual climate summit over, Virginia environmentalists say the president's clean-energy actions and …

Virginia ranks 10th in the nation in the number of clean-energy jobs, according to the Virginia Conservation Network. (Adobe stock)

Virginia Officials Embrace Biden's Climate-Change Initiatives

RICHMOND, Va. - With President Joe Biden pledging to cut U.S. greenhouse gas pollution in half by 2030 at the close of his global climate summit…

Research shows more Americans are turning to laptops and smartphones for virtual visits with doctors. (Adobe Stock)

Tips to Help Virginians Get Back to Doctors During the Pandemic

RICHMOND, Va. - One major outcome of the pandemic has been a sharp decline in doctor's visits, which can lead to serious health consequences. Dr…

Virginia's new G3 program lets eligible low-income students who qualify for Pell Grants receive support grants to boost their job skills. (Adobe Stock)

Virginia Community College Students Get Tuition-Free Boost

RICHMOND, Va. -- With college enrollment falling during the pandemic, a new, little-known law in Virginia could bring community college students back …

Enrollment in Virginia's child-care assistance program declined 27% during the pandemic. (Adobe stock)

New Virginia Law Helps More Families Get Child Care

RICHMOND, Va. - To assist more parents looking for or returning to jobs as the pandemic begins to ease, Virginia Governor Ralph Northam has signed …

The THC content of marijuana has shot up dramatically since the 1960s, from 2% to 10%, according to health-care advocates. (Adobe stock)

Virginia Health Experts: High-Potency Pot Could Harm Youths

RICHMOND, Va. -- As Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam proposes fast tracking marijuana legalization to July 1, health-care advocates are concerned high-…

Lack of paid leave has hurt many families during the pandemic, when child-care facilities closed. (Adobe stock)

Biden Infrastructure Plan to Include Family Leave

RICHMOND, Va. - President Joe Biden today is expected to announce his infrastructure stimulus plan to boost the pandemic recovery. In the coming …

Food-distribution programs are eligible for the American Heart Association's Faith-Based Accelerator grants for worship groups on the East Coast. (Adobe stock)

Faith-Based Grants Aim to Close Equity Gaps in At-Risk Communities

FAIRFAX, Va. - More and more people are turning to faith-based groups for help during the pandemic. In Virginia and other East Coast states, one …

Almost 18% of women working full-time have jobs in service-related occupations, like housekeeping, where wages are often poverty-level. (Adobe Stock)

Report: On National Equal Pay Day, Women Still Earn Less

RICHMOND, Va. -- Today is national Equal Pay Day. A new report shows women still earn significantly less than men in nearly all occupations…

Data from the AARP COVID-19 Dashboard shows that one year into the pandemic, Virginia nursing homes still suffer from shortages of staff and PPE. (Creative Home/Adobestock)

Report: VA Nursing Homes Have U.S.' 2nd Highest Death Rate

RICHMOND, Va. -- New COVID-19 infections and deaths are falling in Virginia nursing homes, but they're still twice as high as they were last summer …

Some Virginia grandparents raising grandchildren have had difficulties helping them navigate computers for online learning during the pandemic. (Adobe Stock)<br /><br /> — Some Virginia grandparents raising grandchildren have had difficulties helping them navigate computers for online learning during the pandemic. (Adobe Stock)

VA Officials Support Multigenerational Families in School Reopening

RICHMOND, Va. - As Virginia schools plan to reopen their doors again on Monday, changes from virtual learning during the pandemic have raised …

Requiring employers to track employee hours to see if they're eligible for Virginia's new retirement savings plan places an unnecessary burden on employers, according to the state's AARP chapter. (Adobe stock)

Groups Urge Virginia Lawmakers to Widen Scale of IRA Savings Bill

RICHMOND, Va. -- Virginia's General Assembly has approved an amended bill that gives working residents a way to save for retirement, but advocates …

About 12% of Virginia's households with children have fallen behind on their rent during the pandemic, which could lead to an eviction crisis. (Adobe stock)

Biden Stimulus Bill Called Key to Preventing Virginia Eviction Crisis

RICHMOND, Va. -- With the economy stalling and millions of Americans still out of work because of the pandemic, Virginia housing advocates are urging …

For the second time in two years, Virginia has been awarded grant money by a national foundation to help college students of color achieve higher levels of success. (Adobe Stock)

VA Schools Awarded Grants to Boost Equity in Higher Ed

RICHMOND, Va. -- Several Virginia colleges and universities will share a large grant to help more students of color receive their degrees and have …

Susan Bro started the Heather Heyer Foundation to fight for social justice in honor of her daughter, who died during a 2017 protest against white supremacists. (Ben Rekhi)

Documentary Highlights Hope in Healing Nation’s Divides

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. -- With former President Donald Trump's impeachment trial demonstrating deep divisions in the nation, a new documentary released …

A bill which passed Virginia's House and is now being debated in the Senate would expand the state's electric-vehicle charging stations. (Adobe stock)

Four Pivotal Electric-Vehicle Bills Advance to Virginia Senate

RICHMOND, Va. -- Following Virginia's landmark passage of the Clean Economy Act last year, four bills advancing to the state Senate would help make …

Signs of a heart attack in women include chest pain, shortness of breath, nausea and back or jaw pain, which is different from men. (Adobe stock)

Campaign Spotlights Women's Top Killer: Heart Disease

ARLINGTON, Va. -- Heart disease is women's number one health threat, and the American Heart Association is raising awareness of the alarming fact …

With U.S. cannabis sales hitting $20 billion last year, Virginia joined four other states considering bills to legalize marijuana. (Adobe Stock)

Virginia Lawmakers to Include Racial Equity in Marijuana Bill

RICHMOND, Va. -- As Virginia's General Assembly debates legalizing marijuana, a House panel met this weekend to fine-tune the bill and include racial-…

Nearly 75% of domestic workers did not receive any compensation when their jobs were canceled during the pandemic, according to research. (Adobe Stock)

Virginia Groups Push Passage of Domestic Workers’ Bill of Rights

RICHMOND, Va. - As the pandemic reinforces the value of caregivers, groups in Virginia are urging state lawmakers to pass a trio of bills they're …

The number of adults in Virginia who avoided health care because of cost decreased 22% between 2013 and 2019, according to a new report. (Adobe stock)

Report: Virginia Mental Distress Soars Even Before Pandemic

RICHMOND, Va. -- An annual report examining social, economic and environmental impacts on the nation's health shows the number of Virginians …

New federal legislation will increase investigations of unscrupulous colleges that may take advantage of GI Bill beneficiaries. (Adobe Stock)

Sweeping Legislation Boosts Protections for Student Veterans

RICHMOND, Va. -- Thousands of veterans in Virginia and across the nation now have additional educational support with the signing of landmark …

Officials are expecting violence today when pro-Trump protesters rally at the U.S. Capitol as Congress meets to certify the 2020 election results. (Wikimedia Commons)

Experts Clarify Pence's Role in Vote Certification

WASHINGTON - Pro-Trump protesters have converged on Capitol Hill today as Congress gets set to certify states' electoral votes. The mostly ceremonial …

Availability of electric vehicles at new-car dealerships were up-to 54% lower in Virginia cities than in neighboring Maryland, according to a new report. (Adobe stock)

Report Urges Virginia to Boost Electric-Car Use to Meet Climate Goals

RICHMOND, Va. -- After passing the Clean Economy Act this year, Virginia is in the vanguard of states moving toward 100% clean electricity. But a new …

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