This article was published more than 2 years agoCommentGift ShareVoters stood in line for up to four hours in the Northern Virginia suburbs on Friday to cast ballots in a bitterly contested presidential election, turning out in force on the first day of early voting to take advantage of a new state law making it easier to cast absentee ballots.In heavily Democratic Fairfax County, the state’s largest jurisdiction, the wait had stretched to four hours — and hundreds of voters — by midday, officials said.Although early voting will continue thorough Oct. 31, with additional locations...…This article was published more than 2 years agoCommentGift ShareVoters stood in line for up to four hours in the Northern Virginia suburbs on Friday to cast ballots in a bitterly contested presidential election, turning out in force on the first day of early voting to take advantage of a new state law making it easier to cast absentee ballots.In heavily Democratic Fairfax County, the state’s largest jurisdiction, the wait had stretched to four hours — and hundreds of voters — by midday, officials said.Although early voting will continue thorough Oct. 31, with additional locations...WW…

ADPlease NoteThe Washington Post is providing this important information about the coronavirus for free. A new wave of -related restrictions was introduced in the Washington region Thursday, with more Maryland jurisdictions eliminating indoor dining and Virginia imposing a statewide curfew to keep residents home late at night.The from Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam (D) also includes an expanded mask mandate and lowers the number of people allowed in social gatherings. The measures, which will take effect at 12:01 a.m. Monday, do not change rules for restaurants, stores or houses of worship.The...…ADPlease NoteThe Washington Post is providing this important information about the coronavirus for free. A new wave of -related restrictions was introduced in the Washington region Thursday, with more Maryland jurisdictions eliminating indoor dining and Virginia imposing a statewide curfew to keep residents home late at night.The from Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam (D) also includes an expanded mask mandate and lowers the number of people allowed in social gatherings. The measures, which will take effect at 12:01 a.m. Monday, do not change rules for restaurants, stores or houses of worship.The...WW…

This article was published more than 2 years agoCommentGift ShareWhen he heard a fellow Democrat was working against his bill to change Virginia’s sentencing laws, state Sen. Joseph D. Morrissey of Richmond sent a text message invoking his high school wrestling career.Morrissey told Michael Mullin, a prosecutor from Hampton, Va., and chairman of a powerful House panel on criminal justice, that in 1974 he had won a state wrestling championship with a torn anterior cruciate ligament, participating against the advice of his physician father.“You have badly underestimated me,” he concluded...…This article was published more than 2 years agoCommentGift ShareWhen he heard a fellow Democrat was working against his bill to change Virginia’s sentencing laws, state Sen. Joseph D. Morrissey of Richmond sent a text message invoking his high school wrestling career.Morrissey told Michael Mullin, a prosecutor from Hampton, Va., and chairman of a powerful House panel on criminal justice, that in 1974 he had won a state wrestling championship with a torn anterior cruciate ligament, participating against the advice of his physician father.“You have badly underestimated me,” he concluded...WW…

This article was published more than 2 years agoCommentGift ShareGRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — An FBI agent said Tuesday that some of those charged in a plot to kidnap Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer also discussed "taking" Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam, who reacted to the news by accusing President Trump of fueling extremism with reckless rhetoric.The disturbing allegations about politically motivated violence surfaced during a day-long court hearing over what law enforcement officials say was a plan to abduct Michigan's highest elected official and either leave her on a boat in the middle of a...…This article was published more than 2 years agoCommentGift ShareGRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — An FBI agent said Tuesday that some of those charged in a plot to kidnap Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer also discussed "taking" Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam, who reacted to the news by accusing President Trump of fueling extremism with reckless rhetoric.The disturbing allegations about politically motivated violence surfaced during a day-long court hearing over what law enforcement officials say was a plan to abduct Michigan's highest elected official and either leave her on a boat in the middle of a...WW…

This article was published more than 1 year agoCommentGift ShareRICHMOND — A prominent Republican candidate for Virginia governor said that the guilty verdict against former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin this week made her "sick" and that jurors didn't acquit because they feared a violent backlash.“Friends, today’s verdict makes me sick,” state (Chesterfield) told a gathering in King William County on Tuesday shortly after a jury found Chauvin guilty of murder and manslaughter in the killing of George Floyd. “I am so concerned about our law enforcement right now quitting....…This article was published more than 1 year agoCommentGift ShareRICHMOND — A prominent Republican candidate for Virginia governor said that the guilty verdict against former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin this week made her "sick" and that jurors didn't acquit because they feared a violent backlash.“Friends, today’s verdict makes me sick,” state (Chesterfield) told a gathering in King William County on Tuesday shortly after a jury found Chauvin guilty of murder and manslaughter in the killing of George Floyd. “I am so concerned about our law enforcement right now quitting....WW…

This article was published more than 2 years agoCommentGift ShareRICHMOND — Virginia, a state that has executed more prisoners than any other in the country, appears poised to eliminate the death penalty — a seismic shift for the state legislature, which just five years ago looked to the electric chair and secret pharmaceutical deals to keep the ultimate punishment alive.The former capital of the Confederacy would become the first Southern state to abolish capital punishment if a bill on track to pass the Senate gets out of the House and over to the desk of Gov. Ralph Northam (D), who...…This article was published more than 2 years agoCommentGift ShareRICHMOND — Virginia, a state that has executed more prisoners than any other in the country, appears poised to eliminate the death penalty — a seismic shift for the state legislature, which just five years ago looked to the electric chair and secret pharmaceutical deals to keep the ultimate punishment alive.The former capital of the Confederacy would become the first Southern state to abolish capital punishment if a bill on track to pass the Senate gets out of the House and over to the desk of Gov. Ralph Northam (D), who...WW…

Democrat Terry McAuliffe announced Monday that he has raised more than $6 million for his comeback bid for Virginia governor, far surpassing what previous gubernatorial hopefuls have raised at similar points in their campaigns. It was not immediately clear how McAuliffe’s fundraising compares with that of his Democratic and Republican rivals, with the filing deadline for campaign finance reports about two weeks away. But in earlier contests for the Executive Mansion, no one has ever raised so much so early — five months from the June 8 Democratic primary and 10 months from...…Democrat Terry McAuliffe announced Monday that he has raised more than $6 million for his comeback bid for Virginia governor, far surpassing what previous gubernatorial hopefuls have raised at similar points in their campaigns. It was not immediately clear how McAuliffe’s fundraising compares with that of his Democratic and Republican rivals, with the filing deadline for campaign finance reports about two weeks away. But in earlier contests for the Executive Mansion, no one has ever raised so much so early — five months from the June 8 Democratic primary and 10 months from...WW…

This article was published more than 2 years agoCommentGift ShareRICHMOND — More than 300,000 undocumented immigrants are eligible to seek "driver privilege cards" after Jan. 1, when a new law will make Virginia the first Southern state to give that population a way to legally drive.The change could exacerbate backlogs at the Department of Motor Vehicles, which because of the pandemic has sharply limited the number of people it lets through its doors.It can take several months to get an appointment for in-person services, and new drivers need at least two appointments — one to...…This article was published more than 2 years agoCommentGift ShareRICHMOND — More than 300,000 undocumented immigrants are eligible to seek "driver privilege cards" after Jan. 1, when a new law will make Virginia the first Southern state to give that population a way to legally drive.The change could exacerbate backlogs at the Department of Motor Vehicles, which because of the pandemic has sharply limited the number of people it lets through its doors.It can take several months to get an appointment for in-person services, and new drivers need at least two appointments — one to...WW…

This article was published more than 2 years agoCommentGift ShareRICHMOND — When the General Assembly reconvenes next month, lawmakers will resume their battle over whether to require employers to offer paid sick leave — a debate colored by both the coronavirus pandemic and the 2021 governor's race.About 1.2 million Virginians have no paid sick time or family leave, according to a November study by , which tracks data from hourly service workers. Some Democrats in the state legislature have pushed for years to make most employers provide the benefit, which the .Advocates point to...…This article was published more than 2 years agoCommentGift ShareRICHMOND — When the General Assembly reconvenes next month, lawmakers will resume their battle over whether to require employers to offer paid sick leave — a debate colored by both the coronavirus pandemic and the 2021 governor's race.About 1.2 million Virginians have no paid sick time or family leave, according to a November study by , which tracks data from hourly service workers. Some Democrats in the state legislature have pushed for years to make most employers provide the benefit, which the .Advocates point to...WW…

This article was published more than 2 years agoCommentGift ShareRICHMOND — Democrat Terry McAuliffe launched his long-teased comeback bid for governor Wednesday, casting himself as a "bold" but tested leader who can address stubborn social inequities as he rebuilds a post-pandemic Virginia.“I am running for governor again to think big, and to be bold, and to take the commonwealth of Virginia to the next level — and to lift up all Virginians,” he said at a Richmond elementary school, a location meant to signal a commitment to education.McAuliffe, 63, made a wide-ranging pitch,...…This article was published more than 2 years agoCommentGift ShareRICHMOND — Democrat Terry McAuliffe launched his long-teased comeback bid for governor Wednesday, casting himself as a "bold" but tested leader who can address stubborn social inequities as he rebuilds a post-pandemic Virginia.“I am running for governor again to think big, and to be bold, and to take the commonwealth of Virginia to the next level — and to lift up all Virginians,” he said at a Richmond elementary school, a location meant to signal a commitment to education.McAuliffe, 63, made a wide-ranging pitch,...WW…