Virginia
Government Employees Got $872 Million in Bonuses Out of COVID Aid Cash
The federal bailout of state and local governments padded the paychecks of many public employees.
This Is the School Choice Moment. Will the GOP Screw It Up?
Republicans are in danger of squandering a promising opportunity for education reform on culture war squabbles.
Business Tax on Freelance Writers Heads to Virginia Supreme Court
Plus: The roots of the housing crisis, the U.S. Supreme Court reconsiders Miranda warnings, a judge halts Kentucky's abortion law, and more...
Fairfax County School Board To Appeal Ruling Against Racial Balancing Efforts
The school board is fighting a federal judge’s ruling against a new admissions policy at Virginia's elite Thomas Jefferson High School.
Federal Court Strikes Down Racial Balancing Policy Resulting in Discrimination Against Asian Applicants at Prominent Virginia Public School
The new admissions policy at Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology did not explicitly discriminate based on race. But the court found it was intended to reduce the number of Asian students admitted, in order to increase the percentage of students from other groups.
The Super Bowl Will Be Played in the Most Expensive Stadium Ever Built. Taxpayers Didn't Pay a Dime.
Meanwhile, Virginia and Washington, D.C., are in a bidding war to decide which taxpayers will have the chance to pay for the Washington Commanders' new stadium. It shouldn't be this way.
The CDC Stands Firm on 'Universal Masking' in Schools as Blue States Abandon That Policy
Rochelle Walensky says "now is not the moment" to stop forcing masks on children. Democratic politicians increasingly disagree.
Virginia Republicans Vote Down Bill To Ban Police Use of Forged Evidence Documents During Interrogations
The bill was introduced in response to a state investigation that found police used fake forensic evidence during interrogations.
New Virginia Attorney General Fires Entire Conviction Integrity Unit
Miyares' office says the conviction integrity unit is being expanded. Time will tell if it will have the independence and resources to succeed.
Virginia Republicans Plan To Expand Gun Rights
After sweeping last November's elections, Virginia Republicans look to roll back Democratic gun laws.
Good Riddance to Ralph Northam and Terry McAuliffe
Virginia is moving on without the Democratic duo.
The Year's Highlights in Blame Shifting
Politicians and cops found creative ways to dodge responsibility in 2021.
Police Tase Man in His Home After Relative Calls Fire and Rescue for a Drug-Related Emergency
The victim denied police permission to search his home. Cop shouted, "I don't need your permission!"
Against the Education Status Quo
After doing the jobs of teacher, coach, and cafeteria monitor for more than a year, many parents resented being told to sit down and shut up.
Prisoners Sue Virginia Department of Corrections Over Canine Attacks
If police dogs assault innocent people at their handlers’ direction, it’s usually treated as the victim’s fault.
FBI Raid of James O'Keefe's House Is a Blow to Press Freedom
Plus: Consumer prices surge, a Virginia school district talks openly about burning books, and more...
The Virginia Governor's Race Was an Advertisement for School Choice
Children are too important to be entrusted to unions or government monopolies.
Voters Are Done With COVID-19 and Pandemic-Powered Officials
Panicked Americans surrendered a lot of authority during the pandemic. Now they want their country back.
Mad, Trump-Averse Parents Finally Had Someone To Vote Against
Politicians continue to ignore—or insult—independents at their peril.
It's Still the Economy, Stupid (Not Critical Race Theory or Trans Bathrooms)
One of the hardest political lessons to learn is that pocketbook issues are the main driving force of electoral successes and failures.
In Gangbuster Night for Republicans, Glenn Youngkin Wins Virginia Governor's Race
Plus: The Twin cities both say yes to rent control, Eric Adams will be the next mayor of New York City, and more...
Glenn Youngkin Defeated Terry McAuliffe Because Democrats Betrayed Parents
From COVID-19 closures to critical race theory, Republicans can fix schools by giving families more choice.
If Glenn Youngkin Has to Answer for Trump, Terry McAuliffe Really Has to Answer for Randi Weingarten
Parents are at their wits' end and that might cost the Democrats the governor's race.
Joe Biden Presses Ahead With Vaccine Mandates, Inviting Legal Challenges
Plus: The Twin Cities will both vote on rent control ballot initiatives, New Jersey and Virginia voters will pick a new governor, and more...
Virginia Governor Race Is an Education Policy Wake-Up Call That Democrats (and the Media) Won't Heed
Calling voters racist is an odd closing argument, let alone an effective response to concerns over schools.
The Spending Bill Got Smaller, but It's Still Full of Bad Ideas
Plus, speculation around Virginia's heated gubernatorial race
McAuliffe vs. Youngkin Is a Glimpse at Education Battles To Come
The governor’s race could be an opening for the culture war, or an opportunity for school choice policies that offer just about everybody what they want.
Journalist Butchery of School Board Protests Upending Politics in Virginia and Elsewhere
"It's really important to remember why we are talking about school boards at all: because it's about white supremacy," says Jeffrey Toobin. That's how Youngkin wins.
Virginia's Gubernatorial Election Has Become a Referendum on Public Schools
Plus: The Facebook revelations that weren't, plans for the world's first commercial space station, and more....
Virginia Says You Can Gamble On This, But Not That
Casinos, sports betting, and even online lottery sales are okay. Electronic skill games have no such luck.
A Victory for Trans Teens as Supreme Court Declines To Hear Appeal in Bathroom Case
The refusal leaves in place a federal court decision favoring trans students' right to insist on accommodation.
College Soccer Player Suing Coach Who Benched Her After She Refused to Kneel During Protest
Punishing players for kneeling, or not kneeling, is a First Amendment violation at public universities.
The Cops Trashed Her House. She Says She Was Targeted for Retaliation.
A Virginia lawyer successfully defended her stepson in court. Three days later, police raided her house using a flimsy search warrant.
The Return of Reefer Madness in the GOP
Certain politicians and pundits are living in a 1930s fantasy world.
New Mexico Joins New York and 15 Other States in Legalizing Marijuana
Joe Biden, meanwhile, supports continued national prohibition, maintaining an untenable conflict between state and federal laws.
'Ghost Gun' Bans Are Doomed from the Start
The DIY firearms movement specifically evolved to put personal armaments beyond the reach of the government.
Civil Commitment of Sex Offenders Pretends Prisoners Are Patients
The practice evades constitutional constraints by casting punishment and preventive detention as treatment.
Virginia Poised To Become 23rd State To End Death Penalty
The state that has executed the most prisoners may soon end the practice entirely.
Virginia's on the Verge of Legalizing Marijuana
If passed, the bill would allow for legal possession by July 1.
Therapist Elizabeth Brokamp Fights for the Right To See Patients Virtually
"I hope my case can start removing senseless boundaries to teletherapy," said Brokamp, who is suing in federal court on First Amendment grounds.
Virginia Voters Approve Redistricting Reforms
Virginia's upcoming redistricting will be handled by a bipartisan commission.
Virginia Passes Bill To Make it Harder for Problem Cops To Jump to New Departments
A local news investigation found three dozen cops who committed crimes but never were decertified.
Virginia Democrats Declined To End Qualified Immunity. Police Unions Are Alive and Well.
Another example of how powerful the law enforcement lobby is