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Three interesting bills: declawing cats, sewage regulations and on-duty...
A view of the Virginia House of Delegates Chamber in Richmond. (Nathaniel Cline/Virginia Mercury)Hundreds of bills are filed for General Assembly consideration each year. In this weekly series, the...
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Amendments establishing single Va. Medicaid pharmacy benefits manager die in...
Stock via Getty ImagesA pair of Virginia budget amendments that would have required the state to contract with a sole prescription management vendor to administer the commonwealth’s Medicaid...
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Virginia dementia registry project poised to become state law
Residents of an Ontario nursing home participate in the Java Music Club (Java at the Village of Erin Meadows: Photography by Dan Abramovici)A Virginia Commonwealth University-led project cataloging...
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Virginia ABC official alleges further retaliation in whistleblower suit
Virginia ABC headquarters. (Meghan McIntyre for the Virginia Mercury) A high level employee of Virginia’s Alcoholic Beverage Control Authority said in a new court filing that a retaliation campaign...
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Flavored vape products could be pulled from Virginia shelves
(Mechelle Hankerson/The Virginia Mercury)Flavored vape products lacking Food and Drug Administration approval could be pulled from Virginia shelves, as a pair of identical bills head to Gov. Glenn...
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Lawmakers and advocates urge governor to sign prescription drug affordability...
Behind the counter of Walnut Hill Pharmacy, an independent business located in Petersburg. (Meghan McIntyre/Virginia Mercury)Virginia lawmakers and community advocates are urging Gov. Glenn Youngkin to...
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State forestry program purges hundreds of Virginia Callery pear trees
Native trees given to residents from the Department of Forestry in exchange for chopping down a Callery pear tree. (Meghan McIntyre/Virginia Mercury)Both residents and Virginia Department of Forestry...
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Study: Opioid use disorders are undertreated among formerly incarcerated...
(Getty Images)A new Virginia Commonwealth University study shows that opioid use disorders are underdiagnosed and undertreated among formerly incarcerated Virginians enrolled in Medicaid. Among the...
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Virginia ABC ousts CIO responsible for modernizing systems
Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Authority has lost its fourth executive officer in nearly 10 months. (Ned Oliver/Virginia Mercury)The Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Authority has lost its...
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Virginia nonprofit celebrates 20 years of expanding medication access
Del. Rodney Willett, D-Henrico, speaks at Main St. Station in Richmond for Rx Partnership's 20th anniversary event.As the cost of living rises, many low-income Virginians often have to choose between...
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Virginians weigh in on new telehealth proposal for controlled substances
(Getty Images)In Virginia, most provisions from the now-expired federal public health emergency granting expanded access to health care services through telehealth remain active under state law. This...
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As Medicaid review continues, many Virginians have lost coverage for...
(Getty)Since the start of April, nearly 140,000 Virginians have lost Medicaid coverage as part of the state’s return to normal enrollment processes following the end of the COVID-19 federal public...
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Virginia increases training requirements for students in tattoo schools
A tattooist in Park City, Utah. (Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for Best Events)Starting Sept. 1, Virginia students seeking a tattooing license through a school will have to undergo more...
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Many pornography websites aren’t complying with new Va. age verification law
(Matt Cardy / Getty Images)Since a new law went into effect this July, pornography websites in Virginia have been required to more rigorously verify whether a person is 18 or over before allowing them...
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92% of Virginia babies born out of wedlock have fathers IDed on their birth...
(Getty Images)Each year, Virginia must make sure at least 90% of children born out of wedlock have fathers identified on their birth certificates in order to receive maximum federal funding for...
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Virginians can soon go nuts for state acorn collection program
Augusta Forestry Center manager Josh McLaughlin talks about tree seedlings. (Sarah Vogelsong/Virginia Mercury)As the fall season approaches, Mike Ortmeier is preparing to break out his broom, dustpan...
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Invasive plants have spread all over Virginia. Some groups say that needs to...
Invasive beefstake plant (Perilla frutescens) in Pony Pasture Park of the James River Park System in Richmond. (Meghan McIntyre/Virginia Mercury)Bradford pear trees’ delicate white petals and odor of...
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Virginia Medicaid programs poised to receive more funding under budget deal
(Getty Images)Greater funding and changes to several of Virginia’s Medicaid programs may be on their way after the General Assembly adopted long-delayed amendments to the state’s two-year budget last...
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As opioid deaths rise, Roanoke substance use program expands to other...
(Courtesy of Virginia Association of Free and Charitable Clinics)Virginians grappling with substance use disorder will soon have greater access to help through an expansion of a peer recovery program...
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Virginia ABC insisted it would phase out counter stores. A new one is opening...
A display of Virginia-made liquors at a Richmond ABC store. (Ned Oliver/Virginia Mercury)A closed Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Authority store in Portsmouth with a history of “high level theft”...
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A Richmond program to reduce gun violence has had rare success. Now it’s...
(Getty Images)With over 20 years of emergency care experience, Dr. Michel Aboutanos, a surgeon and medical director of Virginia Commonwealth University Medical Center’s Level I trauma center, is all...
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Virginia ABC head steps down
Virginia ABC CEO Travis Hill speaks during an ABC Board of directors meeting on March 20, 2023. (Meghan McIntyre/Virginia Mercury)Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Authority CEO Travis Hill is...
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House District 58 race: Republican Shaia vs. incumbent Democrat Willett
Republican challenger Riley Shaia and Democratic incumbent Rodney Willett. (Courtesy of Shaia and Willett campaigns) With all 140 seats in the Virginia House of Delegates and Senate up for election...
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Feds crack down on Virginia realtor insurance law
(Getty Images)Virginia lawmakers were warned for years that a bill setting up a health insurance system for realtors conflicts with federal law. Regardless, the General Assembly passed the legislation...
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Halfway through unwinding, 15% of Virginia Medicaid enrollees have lost coverage
(Getty Images) Halfway through Virginia’s review of whether millions of Medicaid enrollees are still eligible for coverage after the pandemic, nearly 160,000 Virginians have lost coverage — roughly 15%...
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Report: Nearly two-thirds of Virginians were overweight or obese in 2021
A doctor's manual weight scale. (Catherine McQueen/Getty Images) Nearly two-thirds of Virginians were overweight or obese in 2021, according to a new report by the Joint Commission on Health Care. The...
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Va. joins 32 states suing Meta over allegations its social media platforms...
Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares announced that the state would join 32 others in suing Meta and alleged that the company's social media sites knowingly harm youth. (Meghan McIntyre/The Virginia...
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Virginia furthers efforts to combat illegal turtle trade
The wood turtle is listed by the Commonwealth of Virginia as threatened. (Photo by I. T. Wilson/ Department of Conservation and Recreation’s Natural Heritage Program) Virginia is furthering efforts...
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Some Va. lawmakers say it’s time to eliminate daylight saving time
The Rotunda Clock by John Flanagan, Library of Congress Thomas Jefferson Building, Washington, D.C. (Photo courtesy of the Architect of the Capitol.)The sense of dread that so often accompanies Mondays...
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State marketplace ‘in good shape’ a week after launch
(Getty Images)A new state insurance marketplace Virginia launched Nov. 1 saw large numbers of applicants in the first week of the open enrollment period. For Virginians seeking health insurance that...
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Va. pharmacies say low reimbursement rates keep them struggling to stay afloat
Elkton Family Pharmacy, located about 30 minutes east of Harrisonburg, Va. The independent establishment is owned and operated by longtime pharmacist John Seymour. (Courtesy of John Seymour)“I’m crying...
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Report: As Northern Virginia prospers, some neighborhood conditions worsen
Pedestrians in Old Town Alexandria. (Sarah Vogelsong/Virginia Mercury)In between the sprawling lawns of Loudoun County and the riverside lofts of Alexandria lie clusters of struggling, predominantly...
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Va. ABC official files whistleblower suit, alleging retaliation for reporting...
A display of Virginia-made liquors at a Richmond ABC store. (Ned Oliver/Virginia Mercury)A high-level official with the Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Authority has filed a lawsuit claiming she...
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Youngkin budget calls for income tax cuts, sales tax increases
Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin being greeted before presenting his proposed budget recommendations for the 2024-26 biennial on Dec. 20 at the General Assembly Building in Richmond. (Nathaniel...
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How Virginia’s Dept. of Forestry and Christmas tree growers spruce up the...
Sweet Providence Farm in Floyd County. (Courtesy of John Houston)The annual holiday tradition of chopping down a Christmas tree from a local farm doesn’t just come with fond memories and green needles...
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State group says Virginia should budget more for invasive species management
An area in Pony Pasture Park of the James River Park System showing native plant vegetation, including Virginia Creeper, Common Moonseed, Mockernut Hickory seedlings and Virginia Wild Rye. (Meghan...
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13 things to watch in the 2024 Virginia General Assembly session
The Virginia state Capitol in Richmond. (Sarah Vogelsong/Virginia Mercury)There’s a new building. A new tunnel. And lots of new politicians. The Virginia General Assembly will convene in Richmond today...
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Three interesting bills of the week: animal cruelty offenders, age of...
Gov. Glenn Youngkin recognized speakers at the 2024 State of the Commonwealth Address at the State Capitol in Richmond. Pictured behind him, from top left, are Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears, House...
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Three interesting bills of the week: lab meat, child labor penalties and...
Gov. Glenn Youngkin recognized speakers at the 2024 State of the Commonwealth Address at the State Capitol in Richmond. Pictured behind him, from top left, are Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears, House...
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Three interesting bills: medical debt, mobile home park tenant rights and...
A view of the Virginia House of Delegates Chamber in Richmond. (Nathaniel Cline/Virginia Mercury)Hundreds of bills are filed for General Assembly consideration each year. In this weekly series, the...
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Three interesting bills: English ivy sales, decriminalizing suicide and juror...
A view of the Virginia House of Delegates Chamber in Richmond. (Nathaniel Cline/Virginia Mercury)Hundreds of bills are filed for General Assembly consideration each year. In this weekly series, the...
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Va. commission to review mandatory insurance coverage for “devastating”...
(Getty Images)A bill that would require insurers in Virginia to cover treatment for a neuropsychiatric disorder that primarily affects children will be studied by the state Health Insurance Reform...
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Three interesting bills: claiming roadkill, food-to-beverage ratio and honey...
A view of the Virginia House of Delegates Chamber in Richmond. (Nathaniel Cline/Virginia Mercury)Hundreds of bills are filed for General Assembly consideration each year. In this weekly series, the...
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Bills to ease strain on state mental hospitals advance without ‘bed of last...
Eastern State Hospital in Williamsburg is the largest of nine state-run psychiatric hospitals. (Photo courtesy of DBHDS)As Virginia’s General Assembly clears the midpoint of its legislative session,...
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Three interesting bills: labor trafficking, city council salary caps and...
A view of the Virginia House of Delegates Chamber in Richmond. (Nathaniel Cline/Virginia Mercury)Hundreds of bills are filed for General Assembly consideration each year. In this weekly series, the...
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Second Virginia ABC employee files whistleblower lawsuit against authority
A liquor store in downtown Richmond. (Ned Oliver/Virginia Mercury)A second employee of the Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Authority has filed a lawsuit against ABC, alleging he was wrongfully put...
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Va. ABC store hours back to normal after flirtation with early closures
A Virginia ABC store. (NBC12)A plan to reduce the operating hours of 155 Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Authority stores was quietly rolled back within weeks of being implemented in late summer...
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Three interesting bills: Regulating public pools, five needle acupunture and...
A view of the Virginia House of Delegates Chamber in Richmond. (Nathaniel Cline/Virginia Mercury)Hundreds of bills are filed for General Assembly consideration each year. In this weekly series, the...
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Three interesting bills: xylazine penalties, custodial death reports and...
A view of the Virginia House of Delegates Chamber in Richmond. (Nathaniel Cline/Virginia Mercury)Hundreds of bills are filed for General Assembly consideration each year. In this weekly series, the...
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Contraception coverage bills sent to Youngkin’s desk
(Getty Images)Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin is reviewing legislation sent to him by the Democratic-controlled General Assembly that would require health insurers to fully cover contraceptives in...
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