Gov. Abigail Spanberger is responding to recent criticism and says she remains committed to delivering results for Virginians and strengthening the Commonwealth, according to NBC affiliate WWBT.

HB1287 was unanimously passed in the Virginia General Assembly, and was supported heavily by the Best Friends Animal Society.

The Roanoke City Commonwealth’s Attorney’s office announced Friday that Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney Jason D. Morgan had been selected by the Virginia General Assembly as General District Judge for the 23rd Judicial District.

You may have heard about plans to build a ferris wheel on the roof of Center in the Square. While the idea has hit a bit of a hurdle, leaders say the project isn’t going anywhere anytime soon.

A new Virginia law banning certain assault weapons and high-capacity magazines has passed the General Assembly and is now heading to Governor Spanberger for her signature.

Del. Rasoul’s $600K downtown Roanoke study - which would have explored a Ferris wheel, the Berglund Center and the Science Museum - is not included in the state budget bill.

This year’s Virginia General Assembly session is in full swing, and with hundreds of bills moving through the House and Senate, it can be tough to know what matters most. Many of these bills impact your daily life - from how much you earn to housing, energy costs, and even gun laws.

The Virginia Supreme Court has again ruled that voters will get to cast ballots on a congressional redistricting plan that could help Democrats in this year’s midterm elections.

Legislation to create a regulatory framework for cryptocurrency kiosks, sometimes known as “crypto ATMs,” passed in the Virginia Senate unanimously Wednesday, AAARP announced.

A Virginia court is temporarily blocking Democrats from preparing for an April voter referendum to redraw the state’s congressional maps.

Virginia lawmakers are considering several gun control bills that could significantly impact firearm purchases and ownership in the Commonwealth, including an assault weapons ban and new licensing requirements.

The Virginia General Assembly passed legislation Friday that will give all Virginians the same discounts on durg prices now available to people on medicare.

Virginia voters will get to cast ballots on a congressional redistricting plan that could help Democrats in this year's midterm elections.

Democrats placed a voter referendum on the ballot in April that could pave the way for a new congressional. But a final ruling on the effort will likely come after the special election.

Two bills advancing through the Virginia General Assembly aim to regulate controversial breeding practices at unaccredited zoos, following ongoing legal issues at Natural Bridge Zoo.

Lawmakers in Virginia are considering legislation that could change the future of fantasy sports in the Commonwealth.

On Friday, Gov. Abigail Spanberger signed multiple bills that will result in ballot measures being sent to Virginians in 2026, regarding abortion, voting rights, same-sex marriage, and redistricting.

Virginia Democrats have unveiled a new U.S. House map that aims to give the party four more seats in Congress. The boundaries were revealed even as an ongoing legal challenge makes use of that map for the midterm elections far from certain. The map released Thursday would dilute Republicans’ hold in Virginia’s conservative areas while giving Democrats a better footing in the districts they would like to flip. And it could give Democrats nationwide an edge in the redistricting battle with President Donald Trump that began when he pushed to redraw districts in Republican-controlled states such as Texas.

A Virginia judge has ruled that a proposed constitutional amendment allowing Democrats to redraw their Congressional maps is illegal. Tazewell Circuit Court Judge Jack Hurley Jr. says Virginia lawmakers’ proposed constitutional amendment was not valid under a technicality under state laws that such proposals must be passed and published by the clerk’s office at least three months before a general election. In October, lawmakers advanced their mid-decade redistricting resolution less than a week before their statewide races. The order potentially foils Democrats’ efforts to pick up seats in the U.S. House this November.

Virginia’s Democratic-led General Assembly is advancing a constitutional amendment to allow redistricting ahead of the midterm elections. This means Virginia voters will now be tasked with deciding whether lawmakers should redraw the state's congressional map ahead of the midterm elections. Officials say the legislature's proposed congressional map will be made public by the end of January, ahead of the referendum in April. The redistricting resolution has sparked raucous debate among lawmakers on the merits of gerrymandering a battleground state known to have moderate and independent voters. The state currently is represented in the U.S. House by six Democrats and five Republicans.

The Virginia General Assembly convenes Wednesday and a proposed bill would allow for the legal sale of marijuana in the Commonwealth starting Nov. 1.

Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS) announced new regulations effective Jan. 1, 2026, requiring manufacturers to provide accessible information on heavy metals testing in baby food.

Rocky Mount Mayor Holland Perdue is working to achieve a milestone never before reached in Virginia.

Federal judges have allowed North Carolina to use a redrawn congressional map designed to give Republicans an additional U.S. House seat.

Governor Glenn Youngkin announced Thursday that Modine will invest $19.6 million through 2029 in planned capital expenditures to expand its presence in Buena Vista.

Governor Glenn Youngkin announced Wednesday that Elbit Systems of America will expand its Roanoke County manufacturing facility. The facility, which produces low-light night vision devices for the defense industry, will undergo a historic $30 million expansion that will add 288 new jobs

Governor Glenn Youngkin announced Monday $15.5 million in Virginia Land Conservation Funding to conserve 8,606 acres across the Commonwealth.

Governor Glenn Youngkin announced Wednesday that eligible taxpayers will receive tax rebates up to $200 this fall if they filed individually and up to $400 if they filed jointly.

It all starts with the Kroger in Fairlawn, which was previously located on the Radford side of the bridge.

Virginia Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin says Virginia’s economy is thriving after ending its fiscal year with high revenues. He says the state netted a $572 million surplus and a $4.7 billion rainy-day fund. It's a characterization Democrats are criticizing as rose-colored in light of budgetary decisions neighboring Washington, D.C. They are particularly concerned about Medicaid after Congress passed a reconciliation bill making federal cuts to the program. Senate Majority Leader Scott Surovell cites an analysis from the Congressional Budget Office this year estimating that roughly 11 million Americans will lose access to Medicaid.

Governor Glenn Youngkin announced Wednesday that MerryGoRound Inc, a fulfillment company, would establish operations in Pittsylvania County.

On Friday, Gov. Glenn Youngkin declared Aug. 9, 2025, as Commonwealth Day of Play. The day is meant to bring recognition to active and “screen-free” play to children and families.

Governor Glenn Youngkin announced Tuesday that Virginia’s tourism industry generated a record high $35.1 billion in visitor spending in 2024, marking a 5.4% increase from 2023.

If you’re looking for a way to save big, Virginia’s Sales Tax Holiday is almost here.

Governor Glenn Youngkin announced that Fiscal Year 2025 general fund revenues exceeded the official forecast assumed in the 2025 Appropriation Act by $572 million.

Governor Glenn Youngkin announced Friday that he had issued an executive order launching a first of its kind agentic artificial intelligence (AI) regulatory reduction pilot to ensure that the Commonwealth captures the benefits of the latest AI technology in reducing regulatory burdens and keeping regulation and guidance documents streamlined and up to date.

Gov. Glenn Youngkin issued Executive Order 50 on Friday.

Gpv. Youngkin announced on Thursday that he has recommended 13 projects for funding by the Appalachian Regional Commission, which would amount to $5.356 million in grants. The approval of the awards would be finalized later in the year.

Gov. Glenn Youngkin issued a statement regarding the “No Kings” protests that are set to take place statewide on Saturday.

Gov. Glenn Youngkin is set to be Liberty University’s keynote speaker for their 52nd commencement ceremony at 7 p.m. on Friday.

Gov. Glenn Youngkin announced that the Virginia Homeland Security Task Force passed 500 arrests this week. The VHSTF is a “federal-state partnership established by the U.S. Department of Justice to combat transnational organized crime, gang violence, and immigration violations across the Commonwealth.”

Governor Glenn Youngkin along with Congressman Morgan Griffith announced Thursday that $11 million in federal funding is now available to drive economic development in Southwest Virginia’s coalfield communities.

A committee of House of Delegates members are gathering more information on the impact federal budget cuts will have on the commonwealth.

Governor Glenn Youngkin has announced the recipients of the 2024 Governor’s Fire Service Awards, recognizing outstanding contributions to Virginia’s fire service. Among the honorees are the Salem Fire Marshal’s Office and Trevor Baldwin, Pamplin Volunteer Fire Dept. Company 18 from Campbell County, who have demonstrated exceptional dedication to community safety and emergency response.

Virginia Democrats argue direct tax relief is better use of state surplus

Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin issued a statement regarding the mysterious drone sightings that have been reported in the Commonwealth.

Gov. Glenn Youngkin and other Republican governors are slated to host a press conference at 4 p.m. on their plan to ‘unleash American energy.’

Leaders of the Democratic-controlled Virginia General Assembly have reached a last-minute deal with Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin to extend negotiations over the state budget into a special session, in an attempt to avert gridlock.

The proposed move of the Capitals and Wizards sports teams to nearby Virginia has stoked concern in a pair of fragile Washington neighborhoods.

The House of Delegates and Senate have presented their proposed amendments to Governor Youngkin's budget.

Several bills focused on gun safety and regulation are advancing through the Virginia General Assembly.

As the 2024 Virginia General Assembly session continues, educators are supporting bills that could improve classrooms.

Halfway through his governance, Youngkin wants to keep building on the progress already made.

Over 180 House bills and almost 80 Senate bills have been filed ahead of the 2024 General Assembly session.

Skill games in the Hill City will soon be a thing of the past, with city officials set to reinforce the ban on such devices at the start of 2024.

The General Assembly will convene in a special session Sept. 6 to approve amendments to the current two-year budget.

Soon, Virginia drivers may have an extra layer of protection on the roads.

A series of abortion bills in the General Assembly went to subcommittee in the House Monday.

The Virginia General Assembly kicked off its annual legislative session Wednesday with a hefty agenda that includes taxes, abortion and energy policy, but there are low expectations for how much work will actually get done during an election year.

Governor Youngkin said he wants to continue expanding investments into education, law enforcement and tax cuts.

The Virginia General Assembly on Wednesday passed a watered-down version of legislation that bans racial discrimination in in admissions policies at Virginia's highly regarded Governor's Schools.

Fresh off his inauguration, Gov. Glenn Youngkin will be addressing the Joint Assembly on Monday afternoon.

Fresh off his inauguration, Gov. Glenn Youngkin addressed members of both the Senate of Virginia and the House of Delegates on Monday afternoon.

A Republican bill targeting diversity efforts at Virginia’s Governor’s Schools would ban them from using race and other factors in admissions.

The Virginia General Assembly is set to convene in person next week amid a surge in cases of COVID-19, and when it does, members in at least one chamber will not be facing mask, testing or vaccine mandates.

Efforts to divvy up billions of dollars in COVID-19 relief continued Tuesday at the state capitol.

The Virginia General Assembly is all aboard a plan to build a new Amtrak station in the New River Valley. On Monday, a bill to establish the NRV Passenger Rail Authority passed. The project has been years in the making and members of the local New River Valley Passenger Rail Initiative hope to locate the station on a parcel of land near the Christiansburg Aquatic Center. This project is just a small part of a statewide push to expand passenger rail service in Virginia. State transportation leaders are in negotiations with Norfolk Southern now, hoping to get $100 million to make a deal.

RICHMOND, Va. – The Virginia General Assembly passed two bills that repeal the ban keeping some health insurance plans sold in the state from covering abortionsHouse Bill 1896, introduced by Del. Sally L. Hudson, D-Charlottesville, and Senate Bill 1276, introduced by Sen. Jennifer L. McClellan, D-Richmond, loosen restrictions through Virginia’s health insurance exchange. The current restriction on abortion coverage through Virginia’s health insurance exchange was put in place in 2011 during Republican Gov. Legislators have pushed for the abortion services rollback for years. He expects the law to have limited impact since only a small fraction of health insurance marketplace users have abortions in a year.

The Virginia General Assembly will meet in Special Session starting today. Governor Northam is calling lawmakers back to lengthen this year’s session to 46 days, after Republic lawmakers tried to cut it short. GOP leaders said 30 days should have been enough time after last year’s lengthy special session. The project involved replacing some older equipment and installing additional equipment to increase electric reliability in the region. The Danville-Pittsylvania County Chamber of Commerce holds its annual membership meeting today.

VIRGINIA – The Virginia General Assembly convened on Friday and passed multiple bills that could impact Virginians across the Commonwealth, including a bill legalizing marijuana. Similar bills passed both the House and Senate after some debate. Both chambers also passed bills to abolish the death penalty. A Senate bill that would have prohibited someone convicted of domestic assault from buying, owning or transporting a firearm failed a vote. All bills passed by both chambers then hit Gov.

Criminal justice reform efforts are moving forward in the Virginia General Assembly. Some legislation is focused on making the highly-criticized parole board more transparent. On Monday, the Senate of Virginia approved Senate Bill 1103 to make the board’s votes on whether to release someone public. Sen. David Suetterlein, a Republican who represents District 19, led the charge for that bill, getting bipartisan support. Other legislation in the works would require the parole board to contact prosecutors, victims and families about the process.

BLACKSBURG, Va. – Blacksburg Town Council unanimously approved a gun ban on town-owned property, including town hall, public parks, and rec centers Tuesday night. Cole Harden of Blacksburg was one of a few who spoke against the ban. Although they added the “super majority” of emails received against the ban were from those out of town. “I just wanted to express my appreciation for the courage of our Blacksburg Town Council for taking this on after so long,” Gillespie said. It was also prepared for any possible confrontation, with about a dozen police officers, including Blacksburg Police Chief Anthony Wilson, standing by in chambers and in the hallway.

– A former Virginia House of Delegates candidate police say is a well-known advocate for pedophilia was arrested Monday on a misdemeanor charge of harboring a minor after allegedly kidnapping a 12-year-old Fresno, California girl earlier in the day. In mid-October, according to the Fresno County Sheriff’s Office, Larson met the young girl through social media. Their investigation uncovered a possible cross-country trip by the young girl from Fresno to Virginia to be with the man. Larson was allegedly seen boarding a flight bound for Washington, D.C. with the young girl. According to the Fresno County Sheriff’s Office, Larson is a white supremacist and a well-known advocate for pedophilia.

A new law would limit what offenses police officers could pull people over for. Law enforcement agencies and race and inequality experts have mixed reactions. The bill passed by the Virginia General Assembly stops law enforcement officers from stopping or searching anyone solely based upon the odor of marijuana. Law enforcement has no interest in doing something like that," said Ramsey. The governor has to sign the bill by Wednesday night or he can recommend changes and send it back to the General Assembly.

Juneteenth has officially become a state holiday after lawmakers unanimously approved legislation during the Virginia General Assembly special session. Juneteenth marks the day news of the Emancipation Proclamation reached Texas, which was the last state to abolish slavery. Ralph Northam signed the legislation on Oct. 13. Northam proposed making Juneteenth a state holiday in June during a press conference that included musician and Virginia native Pharrell Williams. Northam signed an executive order that gave executive branch employees and state colleges the day off.

Story has been updated after talking with Delegate Patrick HopeLaw enforcement officers may soon be making fewer traffic stops in Virginia. The Virginia General Assembly passed a bill earlier this month that limits the reasons why authorities can pull over a driver. House Bill 5058 is titled “Marijuana and certain traffic offenses; issuing citations, etc," and alters the current law in a variety of ways. The bill stops law enforcement officers from lawfully stopping or searching anyone based upon the odor of marijuana. Hope said that he has talked with different attorneys who tell him that someone driving without headlights can still be pulled over for reckless driving or suspicion of driving impaired.

“Where we saw that we needed to close the gap further was for law enforcement officers who are detaining individuals pre-arrest,” Delaney said. The Prison Rape Elimination Act was the first federal law to deter sexual assault of inmates. Central Virginia Regional Jail in Orange County has a system in place to train officers and inmates as an attempt to prevent sexual assault. Bachert said that although the act was put in place to protect sexual assault victims, inmates may sometimes take advantage of the measure. Ralph Northam must next sign the bill for it to become law.

RICHMOND, Va. A controversial bill is moving forward during the current Virginia General Assembly special session. On Wednesday, the Virginia Senate voted 21-15, completely along party lines, to pass Senate Bill 5032, which would allow an assault against a law enforcement officer to a misdemeanor if the person attacked is not hurt. Summary of Senate Bill 5032[Defund police? Passionate debate marks start of Virginia General Assembly special session]The bill also removes mandatory minimum 6-month jail sentence for assaulting a police officer. NAYS-- Chafin, Chase, Cosgrove, DeSteph, Dunnavant, Hanger, Kiggans, McDougle, Newman, Norment, Peake, Pillion, Ruff, Stanley, Suetterlein--15.

ROANOKE, Va. – The Virginia General Assembly will convene in special session today. The General Assembly will need finalize the state budget. If the commission’s plans are not approved by the General Assembly, the State Supreme Court would take over. The Department of Health will open a free COVID-19 testing site today in Buena Vista. If you have a child in Lynchburg City Schools, you can pick up a Chromebook for your child today.

RICHMOND, Va. A special session of the Virginia General Assembly got underway in Richmond on Tuesday, with hot button issues up for debate surrounding the budget, the coronavirus pandemic and police reform. The House of Delegates met in the Siegel Center on Virginia Commonwealth Universitys campus, while the Senate met across town in The Science Museum of Virginia. The General Assembly tackled several controversial issues, bringing out dozens of protesters Tuesday morning who wanted to make their voices heard. Kathy Byron (R), representing Virginias 22nd District, which includes parts of Bedford, Campbell and Franklin Counties and the city of Lynchburg. Wendell Walker (R), representing Virginias 23rd District, which includes parts of Amherst and Bedford Counties and the city of Lynchburg.

ROANOKE COUNTY, Va. – Ahead of a special Virginia General Assembly session in August on police reform, the first of three joint House committee meetings were held Wednesday. During the Joint Meeting of Courts of Justice and Public Safety Committees on Wednesday morning, lawmakers pushed for transparency and accountability when it comes to citizen complaints and misconduct investigations. Law enforcement talked about the importance of accreditation, training and body-worn cameras. As lawmakers put lead law enforcement officials in the hot seat looking to make change, Hall said that those changes have to be specific and actionable. “I think we have to be very careful in trying to understand what we’re trying to accomplish,” said Hall.

Those taxes go into effect on July 1. Here’s a look at some of the new taxes:Cigarette and Tobacco Products Tax Increase: The tax rate will double for cigarettes and other tobacco products currently subject to the tax. Halifax County Local Tax Increase: Beginning July 1, a new 1% retail sales and use tax raises the tax rate in Halifax County to 6.3%. This includes the 4.3% state tax, the 1% local option tax and the 1% Halifax additional tax. You can see the a complete list of the new 2020 state and local tax laws here.

Looking to protect people with diabetes from being overwhelmed by high drug costs, the Virginia General Assembly passed a bill that will cap monthly out-of-pocket costs for insulin at $50. House Bill 66, sponsored by Del. The Senate increased it by $20 with an amendment and on Friday, the House of Delegates approved the change. The amended HB66 prohibits insurers from setting a patient's payment higher than $50 per 30-day supply, including deductibles and co-pays. The bill now heads to Governor Ralph Northam’s desk for his signature.

ROANOKE, Va. – Two separate bills proposed in the Virginia General Assembly would raise the minimum wage for workers to $15 per hour over the next three to five years starting July 1. That’s more than double the current hourly wage, $7.25, which is the federal minimum. However, the implications on businesses in southwest or central parts of the Commonwealth could be significant. The bills -- House Bill 395 and Senate Bill 7 -- would not apply to small or family-owned businesses with less than four employees, teenagers, and several other exceptions. “If employers are paying minimum wage, that’s going to be a very hard pill to swallow," Kassens said.

ROANOKE, Va. - A big change-up could be coming to the Virginia General Assembly for the first time in 20 years after Tuesday's elections. 10 News political analyst Ed Lynch said he expects after voters cast their ballots, Democrats will take back control. "It's very significant and I think we will see major changes in policy coming out of a new legislature if indeed there is a Democratic majority," Lynch said. Lynch expects Virginians will see laws that push for fewer restrictions on abortion, tighter laws on gun control and property rights. He added that it's likely there will be a smaller turnout for local elections, like sheriffs and school boards, despite the fact those smaller positions can have a big impact.

RICHMOND, Va. - The Virginia General Assembly has voted to adjourn until November, as Republicans rejected Democrats' request to vote on a series of gun control measures. With Virginia's General Assembly now adjourned until Nov. 18, Gov. I called legislators back to Richmond for this special session so we could take immediate action to address the gun violence emergency that takes more than a thousand Virginians lives each year. It is shameful and disappointing that Republicans in the General Assembly refuse to do their jobs, and take immediate action to save lives. I expected better of them.

Here's a look at some of the stories we'll be following today as they make headlines across the country and Southwest Virginia. The Virginia General Assembly will meet in special session today. The Averett University School of Nursing will unveil its new Masters Level programs today. Part of 12th Street in Lynchburg will be closed today. The eastbound lane between Federal Street and Harrison Street will be closed as crews remove gas service there.