3 days ago · Nonprofit. Nonpartisan. No paywalls. Fair and tough reporting on the policy and politics that affect all of us is more important than ever. The Mercury brings you coverage of the commonwealth's biggest issues from a team of veteran Virginia journalists.

5 days ago · No survivors found in crash between military helicopter and jet over Potomac River near DC BY: Ariana Figueroa - January 30, 2025 WASHINGTON — An American Airlines regional jet carrying 64 people collided with a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter late Wednesday on approach to Reagan National Airport in Virginia just across from the District of Columbia, plunging both aircraft into the Potomac ...

Jan 24, 2025 · With a narrow Republican majority governorships nationwide, elections in Virginia and New Jersey could shift the balance of power. Virginia, in particular, features two high-profile contenders: Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears, a Republican, and former U.S. Rep Abigail Spanberger, a Democrat. Both are seasoned officials, and their candidacies could make history as the state’s first woman governor.

Jan 14, 2025 · Abortion Policy; Government + Politics; Health; Labor; Historic push for constitutional protections in Virginia gains momentum Amendments on reproductive rights, voting rights, and marriage equality clear the House; Republicans back “right-to-work” safeguard.

Jan 3, 2025 · With Republicans poised to take control of Congress and the White House, Tuesday’s special elections in Virginia’s General Assembly mark the first test of sentiment since the Nov. 5 general election. The contests could either reinforce Democratic majorities in the state legislature or signal a ...

Dec 24, 2024 · Moreover, the new generation and transmission will have to overcome local opposition. On the gas side, Dominion Energy’s plans for a new plant in Chesterfield County face fierce resistance from the local community, which argues it has been burdened by fossil fuel pollution for too many years already.. Clean energy also struggles at the local level.

Dec 27, 2024 · Number 1: Documenting and preserving Virginia’s largest, most revered trees By freelance contributor Evan Visconti, published May 20 (Courtesy of Eric Wiseman and the Virginia Big Tree Program) From the story: Virginia is home to nearly 80 national champion big trees, consistently placing the commonwealth in the top five states with the most documented champion trees, or trees that have ...

Nov 15, 2024 · A Virginia Housing and Community Development study from 2022 noted how the state’s fastest growing regions over the previous decade were Northern Virginia, the Northern Shenandoah Valley and central Virginia’s Richmond. Conversely, rural areas of the state saw job losses. Those numbers could change in future census data as economic developments in rural areas attract or retain populations.

The Virginia Mercury is an independent, nonprofit online news organization covering state government and policy. The Mercury launched in 2018 to bring a fresh perspective to coverage of the state’s biggest political and policy issues and fill the gaps in statehouse reporting created by a shrinking media industry. The Mercury is an affiliate of States […]

Sep 6, 2024 · Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears on Thursday evening officially announced her candidacy for governor of Virginia in the upcoming 2025 election, aiming to become the nation’s first Black female governor.