Under a proposed constitutional amendment, Virginia’s disabled veterans and spouses of those killed in combat could retain their property tax break after moving to new homes.
(Credit U.S. Department of Defense)

In addition to choosing a U.S. Senator and a member of Congress on November 6, Virginia voters will decide on two proposed constitutional amendments.

One of those seems like a no-brainer, but as Sandy Hausman reports, it’s complicated.

When voters head to the polls November 6, they’ll be confronted with a constitutional amendment that would authorize tax breaks to people who own waterfront property.

Michael Pope has the story.

(Credit: Rog Cogswell/CC via flickr.com)

Government watchdog groups say some lawmakers are using taxpayer dollars to boost their own reelection campaigns.

But, as Matt Laslo reports from the Capitol, many Virginia lawmakers say they’re merely communicating with their constituents back home.

Money borrowed and spent for an industry that never came has put Patrick County in a deep financial hole.

And a zoning change in Arlington County may accomplish the rare feat of making some housing  more affordable.

Those have been among the most read stories over the past week at the Virginia Public Access Project’s Va. News link.

More now from Fred Echols.

American oystercatchers thrive on a barrier island off Virginia’s Eastern Shore.
(Credit: The Nature Conservancy)

The fall migration for many birds is well underway, and scientists are excited about a new method for tracking them – a technology that provides detailed information without disturbing our feathered friends.

Sandy Hausman has that story.

Credit: Coalition for Integrity

A new assessment of the potential for corruption in state government is out.  And only eight states rank lower than Virginia.

Michael Pope explains the SWAMP Index.

Election Day is still a few weeks away, but more than 95,000 voters have already cast their ballots.

Michael Pope has this look at early voting.

Virginia law seems to have no clear answers about how to handle the case of a Portsmouth city councilman. And lawyers for a man accused of murder want his trial moved out of a courtroom where a portrait of Robert E. Lee is prominently displayed.

Those have been among the most read stories over the past week at the Virginia Public Access Project’s Va. News link.

More now from Fred Echols.

  Ted Lewis, Executive Director of Side by Side, speaks at a panel for the Virginia Education Association. He’s joined by Zephyr Acosta-Lewis and Mary Jane Frances, two former participants in Side by Side’s youth programming.
(Credit of Side by Side)

According to national studies, lesbian, gay and bisexual kids are three to five times more likely to attempt suicide. And the picture is even more dire for transgender youth — as many as half will attempt suicide before their twentieth birthday.

As Mallory Noe-Payne reports one organization in Virginia is trying to keep kids alive, by providing free training to schools across the state.

  Credit Jeff Eaton/Ink Stained Wretches via CC/flickr.com

The last decade has seen a dramatic reduction in local newspapers across Virginia, a decline that’s documented in a new report outlining news deserts.

Michael Pope has the story.

The Trump administration is considering a change to immigration policy that could have a significant impact here in Virginia.

Michael Pope has the story.

A Tidewater river once given up for dead now has a thriving ecosystem. And UVA researchers have found thousands of Virginia residents that the 2020 census might have overlooked.

Those have been among the most read stories over the past week at the Virginia Public Access Project’s Va. News link.

More now from Fred Echols.

Credit: Creative Commons, Flickr

Schools across Virginia are finding themselves in a crunch.

And, as Michael Pope reports, they’re being asked to do more with less according to a new analysis.

U.S. Senate candidate Matt Waters speaks to the Republican Club at Hayfield High School in Fairfax County. (Credit: Michael Pope)

Voters are about to choose a candidate for United States Senate.

But the ballot has a name that you might not have heard before.

Michael Pope has this story about the third-party candidate on your ballot.

Republicans in Richmond are hoping to make Virginia’s Electoral Board less partisan.

A suite of proposed changes comes after a recent legislative report highlighted past complaints about political bias in the Department of Elections.

Mallory Noe-Payne reports.

Local governments across Virginia have been getting tougher on people who don’t pay their car tax. And a nationwide shortage of school counselors has -not- spared Virginia.

Those have been among the most read stories over the past week at the Virginia Public Access Project’s Va. News link.

Fred Echols reports.

(Credit: ZaldyImg/CC via flickr.com)

It’s been over a year since needle exchange programs became legal for more than 50 localities in Virginia. The hope is to also get people in the door for education, counseling, and testing.

But according to a report released this week, the state has only approved two sites so far: One in Wise County and one in Richmond.

Mallory Noe-Payne has this update.

Across Virginia, local taxpayers are paying for federal immigration enforcement.

Michael Pope takes a closer look at the numbers.

  Every major wireless carrier is participating in Wednesday’s presidential alert, which will happen at 2:18 p.m.
(Credit FEMA)

In recent years, you may have noticed that mobile phones are increasingly giving alerts about missing children or severe weather.

As Michael Pope reports, October 3rd will mark the first-ever national wireless alert.

Republican Corey Stewart and Democrat Tim Kaine met in Richmond Tuesday night for their final debate before Virginia voters choose who to represent them in the Senate.

Mallory Noe-Payne has more.

  Gov. Ralph Northam (left) and Ryan Hall talk to students at the Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine Tuesday.
(Credit David Seidel)

The opioid crisis has touched every corner and demographic of Virginia.

Ralph Northam has been using his roles both as governor and as a pediatric neurologist to talk about it.

David Seidel reports.

(Credit: Virginia Educators United)

Education advocates have an ask for parents, community members, and teachers across the state this school year.  And that’s to wear RED for ED.

Mallory Noe-Payne has more.

Women in Virginia do not make as much as their male counterparts.

In fact, they’re falling below the national average.

Michael Pope has this look at the gender gap.

When Norfolk needed to make room for thousands evacuees ahead of Hurricane Florence a city regulation threatened to slow down the process.

And when a Commonwealth’s Attorney wanted to reduce his own salary he also found the law standing in his way.

Those have been among the most read stories over the past week at the Virginia Public Access Project’s Va. News link.

Fred Echols reports.

Credit: Demographics Research Group and Va. Dept. of Education

Schools in Virginia’s urban areas are bursting at the seams, growing faster than they have the capacity to handle.

But, as Michael Pope reports, some of those students might be heading to the suburbs soon.