Posted: Jan 7, 2021 / 12:48 PM ESTUpdated: Jan 13, 2021 / 08:16 AM ESTWASHINGTON (WRIC/WAVY) — U.S. Sen. Tim Kaine (D-Va.) is joining calls to invoke the 25th Amendment to force the removal of President Donald Trump after his supporters attacked the United States Capitol on Wednesday.“So that we don’t have a commander-in-chief who is completely deranged,” Kaine said during a virtual briefing with reporters on Thursday morning. He called the events a “riot, insurrection, domestic terrorism.”In a separate news briefing, U.S. Sen. Mark Warner (D-Va.) said he also thought the 25th Amendment...…Posted: Jan 7, 2021 / 12:48 PM ESTUpdated: Jan 13, 2021 / 08:16 AM ESTWASHINGTON (WRIC/WAVY) — U.S. Sen. Tim Kaine (D-Va.) is joining calls to invoke the 25th Amendment to force the removal of President Donald Trump after his supporters attacked the United States Capitol on Wednesday.“So that we don’t have a commander-in-chief who is completely deranged,” Kaine said during a virtual briefing with reporters on Thursday morning. He called the events a “riot, insurrection, domestic terrorism.”In a separate news briefing, U.S. Sen. Mark Warner (D-Va.) said he also thought the 25th Amendment...WW…

RICHMOND, Va. (WAVY) — Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam ceremonially signed “Breonna’s Law” on Monday. This will make Virginia the third state to ban no-knock search warrants in response to Breonna Taylor’s death.Virginia will be the third state in the country to ban this practice—and the first state to do so since the tragic death of Breonna Taylor, 26, who was killed in March during the execution of a no-knock search warrant in her Louisville, Kentucky home.It prohibits police from going into a home without first announcing themselves.Two other states, Oregon and Florida, already had similar...…RICHMOND, Va. (WAVY) — Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam ceremonially signed “Breonna’s Law” on Monday. This will make Virginia the third state to ban no-knock search warrants in response to Breonna Taylor’s death.Virginia will be the third state in the country to ban this practice—and the first state to do so since the tragic death of Breonna Taylor, 26, who was killed in March during the execution of a no-knock search warrant in her Louisville, Kentucky home.It prohibits police from going into a home without first announcing themselves.Two other states, Oregon and Florida, already had similar...WW…

Posted: Nov 18, 2020 / 07:34 AM ESTUpdated: Nov 18, 2020 / 08:30 PM ESTRICHMOND, Va. (WAVY) — Gov. Ralph Northam didn’t announce extra coronavirus restrictions for Virginia in a press conference on Wednesday, saying controlling the virus is in the hands of Virginians.However, he did reemphasize new restrictions that started on Sunday.He says he hopes those restrictions will be enough at the moment to help curb the spread of the virus, but stressed that all options are on the table as he and his team continue to watch the data.The most recent restrictions include:Instead, Northam again asked...…Posted: Nov 18, 2020 / 07:34 AM ESTUpdated: Nov 18, 2020 / 08:30 PM ESTRICHMOND, Va. (WAVY) — Gov. Ralph Northam didn’t announce extra coronavirus restrictions for Virginia in a press conference on Wednesday, saying controlling the virus is in the hands of Virginians.However, he did reemphasize new restrictions that started on Sunday.He says he hopes those restrictions will be enough at the moment to help curb the spread of the virus, but stressed that all options are on the table as he and his team continue to watch the data.The most recent restrictions include:Instead, Northam again asked...WW…

Posted: Apr 22, 2021 / 05:47 PM EDTUpdated: Apr 23, 2021 / 09:50 AM EDTRICHMOND, Va. () — Virginia will ease restrictions on crowd-size limits for sporting events, entertainment venues and gatherings starting on May 15, Gov. Ralph Northam . Starting then, restaurants will also be allowed to stay open and sell alcohol past midnight again.“Sales are going to go sky high as soon as the restrictions ease to 2 a.m.,” said Kevin Sheffield, a bartender at Lady N’awlins in Richmond.Crediting the growing vaccination rate in Virginia, Northam signaled it was time to ease some of the measures imposed...…Posted: Apr 22, 2021 / 05:47 PM EDTUpdated: Apr 23, 2021 / 09:50 AM EDTRICHMOND, Va. () — Virginia will ease restrictions on crowd-size limits for sporting events, entertainment venues and gatherings starting on May 15, Gov. Ralph Northam . Starting then, restaurants will also be allowed to stay open and sell alcohol past midnight again.“Sales are going to go sky high as soon as the restrictions ease to 2 a.m.,” said Kevin Sheffield, a bartender at Lady N’awlins in Richmond.Crediting the growing vaccination rate in Virginia, Northam signaled it was time to ease some of the measures imposed...WW…

Posted: Apr 7, 2021 / 07:39 AM EDTUpdated: Apr 8, 2021 / 07:16 AM EDTRICHMOND, Va. (/WAVY) — The Virginia General Assembly gave final approval to a bill to legalize simple possession of marijuana and limited home growth beginning July 1, 2021, three years sooner than initially planned. The accelerated timeline won a majority in the House and Lt. Gov. Justin Fairfax (D) broke a 20-20 tie in the Senate on Wednesday during a session dedicated to the consideration of Gov. Ralph Northam’s budget and bill amendments.The vote makes Virginia the first state in the South to green-light...…Posted: Apr 7, 2021 / 07:39 AM EDTUpdated: Apr 8, 2021 / 07:16 AM EDTRICHMOND, Va. (/WAVY) — The Virginia General Assembly gave final approval to a bill to legalize simple possession of marijuana and limited home growth beginning July 1, 2021, three years sooner than initially planned. The accelerated timeline won a majority in the House and Lt. Gov. Justin Fairfax (D) broke a 20-20 tie in the Senate on Wednesday during a session dedicated to the consideration of Gov. Ralph Northam’s budget and bill amendments.The vote makes Virginia the first state in the South to green-light...WW…

Posted: Mar 15, 2021 / 12:06 PM EDTUpdated: Mar 16, 2021 / 10:55 AM EDTRICHMOND, Va. (WRIC)–After nearly six months of waiting, more help is on the way for 650,000 students whose families have struggled to pay for meals during virtual or hybrid learning, according to the Virginia Department of Social Services.The program was launched under the CARES Act last spring when schools initially closed. The most recent of two total payments went out in September 2020.Virginia Social Services Commissioner Duke Storen said Congress re-authorized the P-EBT program in a subsequent spending package. He...…Posted: Mar 15, 2021 / 12:06 PM EDTUpdated: Mar 16, 2021 / 10:55 AM EDTRICHMOND, Va. (WRIC)–After nearly six months of waiting, more help is on the way for 650,000 students whose families have struggled to pay for meals during virtual or hybrid learning, according to the Virginia Department of Social Services.The program was launched under the CARES Act last spring when schools initially closed. The most recent of two total payments went out in September 2020.Virginia Social Services Commissioner Duke Storen said Congress re-authorized the P-EBT program in a subsequent spending package. He...WW…

Posted: Feb 10, 2021 / 08:02 PM ESTUpdated: Feb 11, 2021 / 11:11 AM ESTRICHMOND, Va. (WRIC)- Advocates say a law that bars Virginia courts from fully considering a person’s disability or mental illness is causing defendants with autism to fall through the cracks.A recently passed bill would require judges to take these conditions into consideration in more stages of the criminal justice system. Some prosecutors fear there could be unintended consequences.Matthew Rushin, a Black male with autism from Virginia Beach, is expected to be released this spring after originally being sentenced to...…Posted: Feb 10, 2021 / 08:02 PM ESTUpdated: Feb 11, 2021 / 11:11 AM ESTRICHMOND, Va. (WRIC)- Advocates say a law that bars Virginia courts from fully considering a person’s disability or mental illness is causing defendants with autism to fall through the cracks.A recently passed bill would require judges to take these conditions into consideration in more stages of the criminal justice system. Some prosecutors fear there could be unintended consequences.Matthew Rushin, a Black male with autism from Virginia Beach, is expected to be released this spring after originally being sentenced to...WW…

Posted: Feb 5, 2021 / 08:08 PM ESTUpdated: Feb 5, 2021 / 08:08 PM ESTRICHMOND, Va. (WRIC)- It was a historic day in Virginia politics as bills to legalize marijuana, abolish the death penalty and eliminate several mandatory minimum sentences passed in the General Assembly. These votes are a big step forward but it’s not the end of the road. Friday was the midpoint in the session after which no new legislation can be introduced. It was also the last day for the House and Senate to pass bills originating in their chamber before they cross over to the other body for...…Posted: Feb 5, 2021 / 08:08 PM ESTUpdated: Feb 5, 2021 / 08:08 PM ESTRICHMOND, Va. (WRIC)- It was a historic day in Virginia politics as bills to legalize marijuana, abolish the death penalty and eliminate several mandatory minimum sentences passed in the General Assembly. These votes are a big step forward but it’s not the end of the road. Friday was the midpoint in the session after which no new legislation can be introduced. It was also the last day for the House and Senate to pass bills originating in their chamber before they cross over to the other body for...WW…

Posted: Jan 20, 2021 / 06:18 PM ESTUpdated: Jan 21, 2021 / 07:05 AM ESTRICHMOND, Va. (WRIC)– A bill to ban guns at polling locations in Virginia advanced in the General Assembly, as the Inauguration of now-President Joe Biden marked the end of a contentious election season.would prohibit firearms within 40 feet of polling sites, electoral board meetings and places where ballots are being counted. It includes exemptions for certain groups, including law enforcement and those whose homes fall within the gun-free zone.Violators could be charged with a Class 1 misdemeanor.Del. Mark Levine...…Posted: Jan 20, 2021 / 06:18 PM ESTUpdated: Jan 21, 2021 / 07:05 AM ESTRICHMOND, Va. (WRIC)– A bill to ban guns at polling locations in Virginia advanced in the General Assembly, as the Inauguration of now-President Joe Biden marked the end of a contentious election season.would prohibit firearms within 40 feet of polling sites, electoral board meetings and places where ballots are being counted. It includes exemptions for certain groups, including law enforcement and those whose homes fall within the gun-free zone.Violators could be charged with a Class 1 misdemeanor.Del. Mark Levine...WW…

Posted: Dec 22, 2020 / 09:06 PM ESTUpdated: Dec 23, 2020 / 06:17 AM ESTRICHMOND, Va. (WRIC)- Virginia Democrats appear to be backing off a ban on the new sale of assault weapons–at least for now–but that won’t stop Second Amendment supporters from rallying in Richmond come January.At the beginning of 2020, a slew of gun control bills , drawing national attention and criticism from President Donald Trump. The ban was arguably the most controversial in a package of eight proposals pushed by Gov. Ralph Northam in response to a mass shooting in Virginia Beach in 2019.Ultimately, after it passed...…Posted: Dec 22, 2020 / 09:06 PM ESTUpdated: Dec 23, 2020 / 06:17 AM ESTRICHMOND, Va. (WRIC)- Virginia Democrats appear to be backing off a ban on the new sale of assault weapons–at least for now–but that won’t stop Second Amendment supporters from rallying in Richmond come January.At the beginning of 2020, a slew of gun control bills , drawing national attention and criticism from President Donald Trump. The ban was arguably the most controversial in a package of eight proposals pushed by Gov. Ralph Northam in response to a mass shooting in Virginia Beach in 2019.Ultimately, after it passed...WW…