Samantha Willis
@wordsbywillis.bsky.social
Editor-in-chief, The Virginia Mercury | Writer | Working Mom | Elder Millennial ✍🏾 [email protected]
Reposted by Samantha Willis
Teddi Fishman, a Democratic poll greeter at a precinct in reliably red Hanover County, said several voters expressed support for Democratic governor nominee Abigail Spanberger this morning, which “surprised and encouraged” her. More on #ElectionDay in Virginia: virginiamercury.com/2025/11/04/e...
November 4, 2025 at 6:38 PM
Teddi Fishman, a Democratic poll greeter at a precinct in reliably red Hanover County, said several voters expressed support for Democratic governor nominee Abigail Spanberger this morning, which “surprised and encouraged” her. More on #ElectionDay in Virginia: virginiamercury.com/2025/11/04/e...
Reposted by Samantha Willis
Under the new Virginia Cares Initiative, people can sign up to donate food and money to the state’s regional food banks. Participants will then receive a list of high-demand food items, drop off locations and hours of operation for the banks. virginiamercury.com/2025/11/04/y...
Va. launches statewide food drive to counter federal government shutdown, delayed SNAP benefits • Virginia Mercury
Building on a temporary state-level version of the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) announced last week, state agencies are collaborating on a food drive effort to further…
virginiamercury.com
November 4, 2025 at 7:23 PM
Under the new Virginia Cares Initiative, people can sign up to donate food and money to the state’s regional food banks. Participants will then receive a list of high-demand food items, drop off locations and hours of operation for the banks. virginiamercury.com/2025/11/04/y...
Reposted by Samantha Willis
BREAKING: The Associated Press has called the Virginia governor’s race in Democrat Abigail Spanberger’s favor, as of 8:00 p.m.
More updates from Spanberger’s victory party coming soon. virginiamercury.com/2025/11/04/e...
More updates from Spanberger’s victory party coming soon. virginiamercury.com/2025/11/04/e...
November 5, 2025 at 1:06 AM
BREAKING: The Associated Press has called the Virginia governor’s race in Democrat Abigail Spanberger’s favor, as of 8:00 p.m.
More updates from Spanberger’s victory party coming soon. virginiamercury.com/2025/11/04/e...
More updates from Spanberger’s victory party coming soon. virginiamercury.com/2025/11/04/e...
Reposted by Samantha Willis
BREAKING: State Sen. Ghazala Hashmi has won the Virginia lieutenant governor's race, the Associated Press reports. More updates: virginiamercury.com/2025/11/04/e...
November 5, 2025 at 1:39 AM
BREAKING: State Sen. Ghazala Hashmi has won the Virginia lieutenant governor's race, the Associated Press reports. More updates: virginiamercury.com/2025/11/04/e...
Reposted by Samantha Willis
BREAKING: Democrat Jay Jones defeated Republican incumbent Jason Miyares in the attorney general race, completing the party's full sweep of statewide office elections in Virginia. virginiamercury.com/2025/11/04/d...
Democrats sweep Virginia’s statewide races, reclaiming full control of executive branch • Virginia Mercury
Democrats completed a clean statewide sweep in Virginia on Tuesday night, as former U.S. Rep. Abigail Spanberger defeated Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears for governor, Sen. Ghazala Hashmi, D-Richmond,…
virginiamercury.com
November 5, 2025 at 3:13 AM
BREAKING: Democrat Jay Jones defeated Republican incumbent Jason Miyares in the attorney general race, completing the party's full sweep of statewide office elections in Virginia. virginiamercury.com/2025/11/04/d...
Reposted by Samantha Willis
“It's a big deal that the girls and the young women I have met along the campaign trail now know with certainty that they can achieve anything,” Democrat Abigail Spanberger said after defeating Republican nominee Winsome Earle-Sears in the Virginia governor race. virginiamercury.com/2025/11/04/b...
BREAKING: Democrat Abigail Spanberger wins Virginia governor's race • Virginia Mercury
The Associated Press has called the Virginia governor’s race in Democrat Abigail Spanberger’s favor, as of 8:00 p.m. Spanberger clenched a victory over Republican opponent Winsome Earle-Sears,…
virginiamercury.com
November 5, 2025 at 2:49 AM
“It's a big deal that the girls and the young women I have met along the campaign trail now know with certainty that they can achieve anything,” Democrat Abigail Spanberger said after defeating Republican nominee Winsome Earle-Sears in the Virginia governor race. virginiamercury.com/2025/11/04/b...
“Abigail does not just say the right thing,” former President Barack Obama said Saturday at a Norfolk Arena as Democratic gubernatorial nominee Abigail Spanberger looked on and a crowd of 7,000 cheered. “As your governor, she will do the right thing.” virginiamercury.com/2025/11/01/s...
‘She will do the right thing’: Obama boosts Spanberger at Norfolk rally • Virginia Mercury
Saturday in Norfolk, former President Barack Obama lent a familiar and energizing presence to a campaign rally for Abigail Spanberger, the Democratic nominee for Virginia governor.
virginiamercury.com
November 1, 2025 at 11:37 PM
Reposted by Samantha Willis
Virginia launches its own food-assistance fallback amid federal halt.
Virginia Emergency Nutrition Assistance will distribute $37.5 M/week beginning Nov. 3 to about 850,000 SNAP-eligible Virginians — payments go out Monday, Wednesday & Friday through Nov.
virginiamercury.com/2025/10/28/v...
Virginia Emergency Nutrition Assistance will distribute $37.5 M/week beginning Nov. 3 to about 850,000 SNAP-eligible Virginians — payments go out Monday, Wednesday & Friday through Nov.
virginiamercury.com/2025/10/28/v...
Virginia SNAP substitute to roll out weekly through November • Virginia Mercury
Dubbed Virginia Emergency Nutrition Assistance, or VENA, the newly-created program is expected to send money to SNAP beneficiaries’ Electronic Benefit Transfer cards starting on Nov. 3.
virginiamercury.com
October 28, 2025 at 7:32 PM
Virginia launches its own food-assistance fallback amid federal halt.
Virginia Emergency Nutrition Assistance will distribute $37.5 M/week beginning Nov. 3 to about 850,000 SNAP-eligible Virginians — payments go out Monday, Wednesday & Friday through Nov.
virginiamercury.com/2025/10/28/v...
Virginia Emergency Nutrition Assistance will distribute $37.5 M/week beginning Nov. 3 to about 850,000 SNAP-eligible Virginians — payments go out Monday, Wednesday & Friday through Nov.
virginiamercury.com/2025/10/28/v...
Reposted by Samantha Willis
In an new column, @virginiamercury.com's Ivy Main shares how serving in elections deepened her trust in the process—and why secure elections also require informed, engaged citizens.
Read the full story here: virginiamercury.com/2025/10/29/y...
Read the full story here: virginiamercury.com/2025/10/29/y...
Yes, Virginia, our elections are secure • Virginia Mercury
Secure elections and voting rights protections are both critical to our confidence in Election Day outcomes. Just as important, though, is that citizens take their own responsibility to vote seriously...
virginiamercury.com
October 29, 2025 at 12:26 PM
In an new column, @virginiamercury.com's Ivy Main shares how serving in elections deepened her trust in the process—and why secure elections also require informed, engaged citizens.
Read the full story here: virginiamercury.com/2025/10/29/y...
Read the full story here: virginiamercury.com/2025/10/29/y...
Reposted by Samantha Willis
Commentary: “Yes, Virginia, our elections are secure,” argues columnist Ivy Main — but she emphasizes that electoral integrity depends just as much on citizens taking responsibility and showing up to vote.
virginiamercury.com/2025/10/29/y...
virginiamercury.com/2025/10/29/y...
Yes, Virginia, our elections are secure • Virginia Mercury
Secure elections and voting rights protections are both critical to our confidence in Election Day outcomes. Just as important, though, is that citizens take their own responsibility to vote seriously...
virginiamercury.com
October 29, 2025 at 3:38 PM
Commentary: “Yes, Virginia, our elections are secure,” argues columnist Ivy Main — but she emphasizes that electoral integrity depends just as much on citizens taking responsibility and showing up to vote.
virginiamercury.com/2025/10/29/y...
virginiamercury.com/2025/10/29/y...
Reposted by Samantha Willis
Orange County supervisors and community members want the state to test for "forever chemicals" in biosolids used as farmland fertilizer before they approve permits. They're concerned that PFAS leeching into crops can cause "significant harm to human health." virginiamercury.com/briefs/orang...
Orange County board asks state regulators to test biosolids for forever chemicals • Virginia Mercury
Farmers nationwide often use biosolids — human waste that has been treated by wastewater facilities — as a cheaper, readily available fertilizer option for their soils. But there is a rising concern…
virginiamercury.com
October 31, 2025 at 1:35 PM
Orange County supervisors and community members want the state to test for "forever chemicals" in biosolids used as farmland fertilizer before they approve permits. They're concerned that PFAS leeching into crops can cause "significant harm to human health." virginiamercury.com/briefs/orang...
Reposted by Samantha Willis
Democrats presented a measure that would allow legislators to consider a proposed constitutional amendment giving them authority to redraw Virginia’s congressional districts mid-decade. Republicans said it runs counter to voters' wishes and the law. virginiamercury.com/2025/10/27/d...
Democrats push redistricting amendment as special session jolts Virginia ahead of election • Virginia Mercury
With just one week before Election Day, Virginia lawmakers returned to the state Capitol Monday for a surprise special session that swiftly turned into a partisan clash over the future of the state’s…
virginiamercury.com
October 28, 2025 at 12:02 AM
Democrats presented a measure that would allow legislators to consider a proposed constitutional amendment giving them authority to redraw Virginia’s congressional districts mid-decade. Republicans said it runs counter to voters' wishes and the law. virginiamercury.com/2025/10/27/d...
Reposted by Samantha Willis
At Richmond's No Kings rally, thousands marched from the state Capitol and speakers from pro-democracy and civil rights organizations shared messages of resistance to the federal government upheaval that has come to define President Donald Trump’s second term. virginiamercury.com/2025/10/18/t...
Thousands flood Richmond streets for No Kings rally in protest of Trump administration • Virginia Mercury
Thousands of Virginians gathered at Capitol Square in Richmond for the No Kings protest against the Trump administration.
virginiamercury.com
October 18, 2025 at 8:44 PM
At Richmond's No Kings rally, thousands marched from the state Capitol and speakers from pro-democracy and civil rights organizations shared messages of resistance to the federal government upheaval that has come to define President Donald Trump’s second term. virginiamercury.com/2025/10/18/t...
Reposted by Samantha Willis
Hurricane Helene washed away homes, battered businesses and nearly wiped popular hiking and biking trails off the map in the tiny Southwest Virginia town of Damascus. A year on, the community is primed for a major comeback. virginiamercury.com/2025/09/22/i...
In Damascus, business is down but hopes are high one year after Hurricane Helene • Virginia Mercury
A year after Hurricane Helene battered southwest Virginia, the town of Damascus is coming back strong.
virginiamercury.com
September 22, 2025 at 1:26 PM
Hurricane Helene washed away homes, battered businesses and nearly wiped popular hiking and biking trails off the map in the tiny Southwest Virginia town of Damascus. A year on, the community is primed for a major comeback. virginiamercury.com/2025/09/22/i...
Reposted by Samantha Willis
Siding with the students, Judge Urbanski wrote that Jackson’s name “is expressive as a symbol of racial exclusion in public schools.”
He granted the students’ summary judgement, denied the school board’s counter motion and deferred a final ruling until December. virginiamercury.com/2025/09/10/f...
He granted the students’ summary judgement, denied the school board’s counter motion and deferred a final ruling until December. virginiamercury.com/2025/09/10/f...
Federal judge says restoring Stonewall Jackson name at Shenandoah school violates students’ rights • Virginia Mercury
A federal judge in the U.S. Western District Court opined on Tuesday that Shenandoah County School Board’s decision to restore the moniker of Stonewall Jackson High School violated a group of…
virginiamercury.com
September 11, 2025 at 3:18 PM
Siding with the students, Judge Urbanski wrote that Jackson’s name “is expressive as a symbol of racial exclusion in public schools.”
He granted the students’ summary judgement, denied the school board’s counter motion and deferred a final ruling until December. virginiamercury.com/2025/09/10/f...
He granted the students’ summary judgement, denied the school board’s counter motion and deferred a final ruling until December. virginiamercury.com/2025/09/10/f...
Reposted by Samantha Willis
Virginia Superintendent of Public Instruction Emily Anne Gullickson said K-12 educators who suggest conservative activist Charlie Kirk's killing was acceptable should have their teaching licenses revoked. virginiamercury.com/2025/09/15/v...
Va.’s chief schools superintendent advises leaders to investigate teachers for Kirk comments • Virginia Mercury
Citing “multiple reports of deeply troubling” comments made by teachers and school personnel concerning the shooting death of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, Virginia Superintendent of Public…
virginiamercury.com
September 15, 2025 at 6:45 PM
Virginia Superintendent of Public Instruction Emily Anne Gullickson said K-12 educators who suggest conservative activist Charlie Kirk's killing was acceptable should have their teaching licenses revoked. virginiamercury.com/2025/09/15/v...
Reposted by Samantha Willis
JUST IN from @virginiamercury.com: Virginia Superintendent of Public Instruction Emily Anne Gullickson on Friday advised school districts to investigate educators making comments concerning the death of Charlie Kirk.
www.newsfromthestates.com/article/vas-...
www.newsfromthestates.com/article/vas-...
Va.’s chief schools superintendent advises leaders to investigate teachers for Kirk comments
Citing “multiple reports of deeply troubling” comments made by teachers and school personnel concerning the shooting death of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, Virginia Superintendent of Public Inst...
www.newsfromthestates.com
September 15, 2025 at 6:39 PM
JUST IN from @virginiamercury.com: Virginia Superintendent of Public Instruction Emily Anne Gullickson on Friday advised school districts to investigate educators making comments concerning the death of Charlie Kirk.
www.newsfromthestates.com/article/vas-...
www.newsfromthestates.com/article/vas-...
Reposted by Samantha Willis
Breaking: Virginia Department of Health issues order to ease COVID-19 vaccine access as federal guidance shifts. (I asked VDH and the governor about this yesterday, as other states have done so in the interim)
virginiamercury.com/briefs/virgi...
virginiamercury.com/briefs/virgi...
Va. Department of Health issues order to ease COVID-19 vaccine access, as federal guidance shifts • Virginia Mercury
An order the Virginia Department of Health issued Wednesday now makes it easier for eligible Virginians to get vaccines in the weeks ahead.
virginiamercury.com
September 11, 2025 at 12:44 AM
Breaking: Virginia Department of Health issues order to ease COVID-19 vaccine access as federal guidance shifts. (I asked VDH and the governor about this yesterday, as other states have done so in the interim)
virginiamercury.com/briefs/virgi...
virginiamercury.com/briefs/virgi...
Reposted by Samantha Willis
Part one of our On the Record series examines Republican governor candidate Winsome Earle-Sears’ positions on key Virginia issues: immigration, education, energy, environment, health care, housing, criminal justice and policing, voting rights and elections.
On the record: Winsome Earle-Sears • Virginia Mercury
Part one of The Virginia Mercury’s On the Record series examines Republican gubernatorial candidate Winsome Earle-Sears’ positions on some of the state’s most pressing issues: immigration, education,…
virginiamercury.com
September 8, 2025 at 1:15 PM
Part one of our On the Record series examines Republican governor candidate Winsome Earle-Sears’ positions on key Virginia issues: immigration, education, energy, environment, health care, housing, criminal justice and policing, voting rights and elections.
Reposted by Samantha Willis
Henrico County Commonwealth’s Attorney Shannon Taylor launched her bid for Congress on Monday, joining nine other Dems want to unseat longtime 1st District U.S. Rep. Rob Wittman, a vulnerable Republican. virginiamercury.com/2025/09/08/s...
Shannon Taylor launches bid to represent Virginia’s 1st Congressional District • Virginia Mercury
Henrico County Commonwealth’s Attorney Shannon Taylor launched her bid for Congress Monday morning, less than three months after losing the Democratic nomination for Virginia attorney general to Jay…
virginiamercury.com
September 8, 2025 at 4:00 PM
Henrico County Commonwealth’s Attorney Shannon Taylor launched her bid for Congress on Monday, joining nine other Dems want to unseat longtime 1st District U.S. Rep. Rob Wittman, a vulnerable Republican. virginiamercury.com/2025/09/08/s...
Reposted by Samantha Willis
NEW: Spanberger vows to rescind Gov. Youngkin’s Feb executive order that forces VA law enforcement to help carry out immigration crackdowns.
She calls it a misuse of local resources and a threat to community trust #VAGov
virginiamercury.com/2025/08/27/s...
She calls it a misuse of local resources and a threat to community trust #VAGov
virginiamercury.com/2025/08/27/s...
Spanberger vows to scrap Youngkin’s immigration order if elected governor • Virginia Mercury
Democratic nominee for governor Abigail Spanberger says one of her first acts if elected would be to undo Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s February directive requiring Virginia law enforcement to help carry out ...
virginiamercury.com
August 27, 2025 at 10:58 AM
NEW: Spanberger vows to rescind Gov. Youngkin’s Feb executive order that forces VA law enforcement to help carry out immigration crackdowns.
She calls it a misuse of local resources and a threat to community trust #VAGov
virginiamercury.com/2025/08/27/s...
She calls it a misuse of local resources and a threat to community trust #VAGov
virginiamercury.com/2025/08/27/s...
Reposted by Samantha Willis
In some of his first public comments since being shot in an attempted assassination, Minnesota state Sen. John Hoffman urged fellow lawmakers to refocus on the true purpose of public service.
via @stateline.org
via @stateline.org
State lawmakers reconsider costs, purpose of serving after Minnesota assassination
BOSTON — In some of his first public comments since being shot in an attempted assassination, Minnesota state Sen. John Hoffman urged fellow lawmakers to refocus on the true purpose of public…
www.newsfromthestates.com
August 26, 2025 at 4:05 PM
In some of his first public comments since being shot in an attempted assassination, Minnesota state Sen. John Hoffman urged fellow lawmakers to refocus on the true purpose of public service.
via @stateline.org
via @stateline.org
Reposted by Samantha Willis
#breaking The Virginia Court of Appeals has ruled that the NAACP’s FOIA lawsuit challenging Gov. Youngkin’s voting‑rights restoration process isn't over.
A lower court never addressed attorney‑fees, so the appellate court sent it back to be resolved.
virginiamercury.com/2025/08/06/v...
A lower court never addressed attorney‑fees, so the appellate court sent it back to be resolved.
virginiamercury.com/2025/08/06/v...
Virginia Court of Appeals rules NAACP’s voting rights FOIA lawsuit against Youngkin isn’t over • Virginia Mercury
The Virginia Conference of the NAACP had originally filed a Freedom of Information Act request to the governor’s office seeking further details about how it handles restoration of voting rights to peo...
virginiamercury.com
August 6, 2025 at 9:08 PM
#breaking The Virginia Court of Appeals has ruled that the NAACP’s FOIA lawsuit challenging Gov. Youngkin’s voting‑rights restoration process isn't over.
A lower court never addressed attorney‑fees, so the appellate court sent it back to be resolved.
virginiamercury.com/2025/08/06/v...
A lower court never addressed attorney‑fees, so the appellate court sent it back to be resolved.
virginiamercury.com/2025/08/06/v...
Reposted by Samantha Willis
After intense pushback, Amazon withdrew its proposed 7.2 million square foot data center in Louisa last week, which would have been the third data center in the county.
A revised approval process now gives residents more say in future data center development. virginiamercury.com/2025/07/28/a...
A revised approval process now gives residents more say in future data center development. virginiamercury.com/2025/07/28/a...
Amazon pulls Louisa County data center proposal after strong resistance • Virginia Mercury
Members of the Louisa community railed against a now-halted fourth proposed data center but concerns remain over the three to come
virginiamercury.com
July 28, 2025 at 2:04 PM
After intense pushback, Amazon withdrew its proposed 7.2 million square foot data center in Louisa last week, which would have been the third data center in the county.
A revised approval process now gives residents more say in future data center development. virginiamercury.com/2025/07/28/a...
A revised approval process now gives residents more say in future data center development. virginiamercury.com/2025/07/28/a...
Reposted by Samantha Willis
BREAKING: A Fairfax County Circuit Court judge temporarily blocked eight of Gov. Glenn Youngkin's appointees from serving on governing boards at UVA, GMU and VMI, the latest development to rock Virginia’s higher education landscape. virginiamercury.com/2025/07/29/j...
Judge temporarily suspends appointees senators rejected from serving on Va. college governing boards • Virginia Mercury
A Fairfax County Circuit Court judge on Tuesday granted a temporary injunction suspending eight gubernatorial appointees from serving on governing boards at the University of Virginia, Virginia…
virginiamercury.com
July 29, 2025 at 4:20 PM
BREAKING: A Fairfax County Circuit Court judge temporarily blocked eight of Gov. Glenn Youngkin's appointees from serving on governing boards at UVA, GMU and VMI, the latest development to rock Virginia’s higher education landscape. virginiamercury.com/2025/07/29/j...