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Virginia Mercury @virginiamercury.com · 4h

Commentary: Trump’s ‘Excellence’ compact isn’t about academic standards — it’s about control. It kills free speech and self-rule at UVA, Jim Spencer writes

virginiamercury.com/2025/10/16/t...

Trump’s 'excellence' compact kills UVA’s free speech and self-rule • Virginia Mercury

The proposed compact is one more example of how Donald Trump wants to impose his personal political will and philosophy on a country where democracy dies without free speech, writes guest columnist Ji...

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Virginia Mercury @virginiamercury.com · 5h

In House District 82, incumbent Republican Del. Kim Taylor is facing challenger Kimberly Pope Adams again in a rematch of their razor-thin 2023 contest that was decided by just 53 votes.

virginiamercury.com/2025/10/16/h...

House District 82 rematch could help decide control of Virginia’s legislature • Virginia Mercury

The “Kim versus Kim” contest was the closest House race in 2023, when Adams lost to Taylor by just 53 votes. With all 100 House of Delegates seats on the ballot this year, the district is once again a...

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States Newsroom @statesnewsroom.com · 7h

Familiar rivals face off again in House District 82, where Del. Kim Taylor, R-Petersburg, hopes to fend off Democratic challenger Kimberly Pope Adams in a high-stakes rematch.

via @virginiamercury.com

House District 82 rematch could help decide control of Virginia’s legislature

Familiar rivals face off again in House District 82, where Del. Kim Taylor, R-Petersburg, hopes to fend off Democratic challenger Kimberly Pope Adams in a high-stakes rematch. The “Kim versus Kim”…

www.newsfromthestates.com

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Virginia Mercury @virginiamercury.com · 8h

Regional leaders in the D.C. metro area have unanimously removed the proposed I-495 express lanes from the region’s long-range plan, citing environmental risks, community concerns, and the lack of regional consensus.

virginiamercury.com/2025/10/16/d...

DC metro region leaders exclude I-495 express lanes project from long-term plan • Virginia Mercury

Washington, D.C. metropolitan region leaders on Wednesday voted unanimously to exclude the I-495 Southside Express Lanes construction project from its long-range strategic plan, which had been propose...

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Virginia Mercury @virginiamercury.com · 1d

In Virginia’s House District 22, GOP Del. Ian Lovejoy and Democrat Elizabeth Guzman are clashing over data centers, rising costs, and reproductive rights — issues that could help decide control of the legislature this fall. #VAleg #HD22

virginiamercury.com/2025/10/15/i...

In House District 22, candidates tackle data centers, rising costs in race for legislature's future • Virginia Mercury

Republican state Del. Ian Lovejoy wants to continue his work in the Virginia House of Delegates representing voters in part of Prince William County, and is facing a challenge from Democrat and former...

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Virginia Mercury @virginiamercury.com · 1d

At the Virginia Education & Workforce Conference, gubernatorial hopefuls Abigail Spanberger and Winsome Earle-Sears made their pitches on how to rebuild Virginia’s workforce.

virginiamercury.com/2025/10/15/v...

Va. gubernatorial candidates make case to build workforce at Chamber conference • Virginia Mercury

As Virginia seeks to strengthen communities statewide and support economic growth, gubernatorial candidates Abigail Spanberger and Winsome Earle-Sears presented their cases for why they should be elec...

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Virginia Mercury @virginiamercury.com · 1d

The leaked text scandal involving Democrat Jay Jones — in which he referenced shooting former House Speaker Gilbert — looms large over Thursday's attorney general debate.

Will Jones be able to shake the fallout — or will this controversy define the contest?

virginiamercury.com/2025/10/15/j...

Jones text scandal reshapes Virginia’s attorney general race — and tests Spanberger’s ticket • Virginia Mercury

Thursday’s attorney general debate will likely offer voters their clearest look yet at how both men defend their records — and how they define the office in a sharply divided Virginia.

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Virginia Mercury @virginiamercury.com · 2d

Gov. Youngkin is spotlighting a Henrico firm, Hyper, for powering Virginia’s data center boom — designing high-efficiency cooling and power systems to meet surging demand.

virginiamercury.com/2025/10/14/y...

Youngkin touts Henrico firm powering Virginia’s data center boom • Virginia Mercury

Governor highlights Hyper’s role in meeting surging demand for energy-efficient equipment as lawmakers weigh grid capacity and policy changes.

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Virginia Mercury @virginiamercury.com · 2d

Sens. Warner and Kaine are backing the Federal Employee Civil Relief Act to shield federal workers and contractors from evictions, foreclosures, repossessions, and credit defaults during shutdowns.

virginiamercury.com/2025/10/14/w...

Warner, Kaine push bill to shield federal workers from evictions, defaults amid shutdown • Virginia Mercury

As the federal government shutdown stretches into its third week, Virginia’s U.S. senators are backing a bid to shield federal workers and contractors from the fallout. Last week, Sens. Mark Warner an...

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Virginia Mercury @virginiamercury.com · 3d

Virginia is now one of just three states to pass new license-plate reader laws this year — joining Arkansas and Idaho.

The law sets rules for how law enforcement collects, stores and shares vehicle data amid rising privacy concerns.

virginiamercury.com/2025/10/13/r...

Virginia is 1 of just 3 states that passed license plate reader laws this year, despite widespread interest • Virginia Mercury

Lawmakers in at least 16 states this year introduced bills to regulate the use of automated license plate readers responsible for collecting large amounts of data on drivers across the country. But ju...

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Virginia Mercury @virginiamercury.com · 3d

🚀 Virginia just launched the Aerospace Academy of the Eastern Shore Lab School — a bold new initiative to prepare high schoolers for careers in aerospace through hands-on learning, college credit paths, and real industry exposure.

virginiamercury.com/2025/10/13/v...

Virginia launches Aerospace Academy of Eastern Shore Lab School • Virginia Mercury

New lab school prepares students for aerospace industry

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Markus Schmidt @mschmidtrva.bsky.social · 3d

🗳️ Del. Carrie Coyner and Democrat Lindsey Dougherty are facing off again in one of Virginia’s most competitive House races.

Education, health care and housing dominate the rematch in #HD75 — a district Kamala Harris flipped blue in 2024.

virginiamercury.com/2025/10/13/f...

Familiar foes, new stakes: Coyner–Dougherty rematch tests Va.’s suburban swing in House District 75 • Virginia Mercury

The Republican incumbent’s education record and the Democrat’s health care message collide in one of the most competitive House races of 2025.

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Virginia Mercury @virginiamercury.com · 6d

The Trump administration announced Friday it had begun mass layoffs of federal employees, a step not taken during previous government shutdowns and one that could significantly reshape the size and scope of the government. virginiamercury.com/2025/10/10/r...

‘Substantial’ layoffs of federal workers launched by Trump administration amid shutdown • Virginia Mercury

WASHINGTON — The Trump administration announced Friday it had begun mass layoffs of federal employees, a step not taken during previous government shutdowns and one that could significantly reshape…

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Virginia Mercury @virginiamercury.com · 6d

Democrat Leslie Mehta wants to unseat Republican Del. Mark Earley in the HD-73 race, running as a "pragmatist" ready to help the state navigate federal fallout and protect reproductive rights. Early's focus is expanding health care access and "empowering parents." virginiamercury.com/2025/10/10/d...

Democrat Mehta aims to unseat Republican Earley in Chesterfield-based House District 73 race • Virginia Mercury

The race to represent House District 73 represents a litmus test for shifting demographics and partisan tides, and may show which issues may motivate Virginia voters beyond party affiliation.

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States Newsroom @statesnewsroom.com · 6d

Conservationists have been sounding the alarm for years over the lackluster breeding seasons for osprey along the Chesapeake Bay, and debate continues about why.

via @virginiamercury.com

Study shows osprey chicks are starving; conservationists question connection to menhaden fishing

Conservationists have been sounding the alarm for years over the lackluster breeding seasons for osprey along the Chesapeake Bay, and debate continues about why.

www.newsfromthestates.com

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Virginia Mercury @virginiamercury.com · 6d

A new study from the Center for Conservation Biology at the College of William & Mary shows osprey broods that nest in areas of the Bay that rely mostly on Atlantic menhaden are more likely to starve to death just weeks after hatching. virginiamercury.com/2025/10/10/s...

Study shows osprey chicks are starving; conservationists question connection to menhaden fishing • Virginia Mercury

Osprey song the Chesapeake Bay are struggling to keep hatchlings alive. Some groups blame over-fishing, while fisheries blame environmental reasons.

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Virginia Mercury @virginiamercury.com · 6d

Spanberger didn't answer "yes" or "no" when asked if she still supported Jay Jones's AG race, while Earle-Sears dodged policy questions and didn't spell out how she would follow through on her pledge to eliminate the car tax. virginiamercury.com/2025/10/09/s...

Spanberger, Earle-Sears clash over violence, abortion, and taxes in lone Va. governor’s debate • Virginia Mercury

After months of polarized campaigning, the two women faced off at Norfolk State University, sparring over the Jay Jones controversy, political rhetoric, and abortion as moderators pushed hard to keep…

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Markus Schmidt @mschmidtrva.bsky.social · 6d

After months of polarized campaigning, Abigail Spanberger and Winsome Earle-Sears clash in their only 2025 Va. governor’s debate at Norfolk State.

The tone of political speech — and the Jay Jones scandal — took center stage. #VAGov

virginiamercury.com/2025/10/09/s...

Spanberger, Earle-Sears clash over violence, abortion, and taxes in lone Va. governor’s debate • Virginia Mercury

After months of deeply polarized campaigning, the tone of political speech and the fallout from the recent controversy over Democratic attorney general nominee Jay Jones dominated Virginia’s only gube...

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States Newsroom @statesnewsroom.com · 7d

Virginia Senate Democrats warned there would be significant consequences in future budget cycles for the University of Virginia if the school’s leadership accepts a proposed funding agreement with President Trump’s administration.

via @virginiamercury.com

Va. Senate Dems call Trump admin’s UVA funding proposal ‘political extortion’

Virginia Senate Democrats warned there would be significant consequences in future budget cycles for the University of Virginia if the school’s leadership accepts a proposed funding agreement with…

www.newsfromthestates.com

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Virginia Mercury @virginiamercury.com · 7d

AstraZeneca will invest $4.5B to build two manufacturing facilities in Albemarle County, creating 600 high-paying jobs and marking the largest manufacturing investment in the company’s history.

The plants will produce therapies for chronic disease and cancer.

virginiamercury.com/2025/10/09/a...

AstraZeneca to build $4.5 billion manufacturing hub in Albemarle County • Virginia Mercury

Global medicine and research corporation AstraZeneca plans to invest $4.5 billion to build two major manufacturing facilities in Albemarle County, establishing a new cornerstone of the company’s U.S. ...

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Virginia Mercury @virginiamercury.com · 7d

Virginia ranks #4 in the U.S. for total student loan debt — with Virginians holding nearly $45 billion in federal student loans against an average of $40,000+ per borrower. 📚

virginiamercury.com/2025/10/09/v...

Virginia is No. 4 in student loan debt • Virginia Mercury

Debt-burdened Virginians in limbo with new payment plans, government shutdown

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Pennsylvania Capital-Star @penncapital-star.com · 7d

Nine institutions were asked to join the compact, including the University of Pennsylvania.

From @virginiamercury.com

Va. Senate Dems call Trump's UVA funding proposal 'political extortion.' One Pa. school is on the administration's list • Pennsylvania Capital-Star

Virginia Senate Democrats warned there would be significant consequences in future budget cycles for the University of Virginia if the school’s leadership accepts a proposed funding agreement with Pre...

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Virginia Mercury @virginiamercury.com · 7d

Virginia Senate Democrats blasted the Trump administration’s proposal to tie UVA funding to its handling of campus protests, calling it “political extortion.”

virginiamercury.com/2025/10/09/v...

Va. Senate Dems call Trump admin's UVA funding proposal 'political extortion' • Virginia Mercury

Virginia Senate Democrats warned there would be significant consequences in future budget cycles for the University of Virginia if the school’s leadership accepts a proposed funding agreement with Pre...

virginiamercury.com

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Virginia Mercury @virginiamercury.com · 7d

Control of Virginia’s House of Delegates could hinge on #HD97 — a Virginia Beach swing district where Del. Michael Feggans, the Democratic incumbent, faces Republican Tim Anderson in one of 2025’s most competitive races. 🗳️

virginiamercury.com/2025/10/09/h...

House District 97, anchored in Virginia Beach, could determine party majority in House of Delegates • Virginia Mercury

Democratic incumbent Michael Feggens is facing off against Republican former Del. Tim Anderson in the highly competitive contest.

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Virginia Mercury @virginiamercury.com · 8d

Congress has a week to break the stalemate and fund the government before active duty military members miss their first paycheck of the shutdown. On Wednesday, the Senate failed to pass Republicans’ short-term government funding bill for the sixth time. virginiamercury.com/2025/10/08/r...

Shutdown day eight: Congress standoff unchanged as first missed federal payday nears • Virginia Mercury

WASHINGTON — Congress has just one week to break the stalemate and fund the government before active duty military members miss their first paycheck of the shutdown. That would be followed later in…

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