Activate Virginia
@activateva.bsky.social
activatevirginia.org
activateva.substack.com
activateva.substack.com
Virginia House committee kills bill to decriminalize homelessness
Virginia House committee kills bill to decriminalize homelessness
More than a dozen localities across Virginia currently criminalize loitering or homeless-adjacent activity.
www.wvtf.org
February 10, 2026 at 1:01 AM
Virginia House committee kills bill to decriminalize homelessness
"This is Virginia, this is the state Barbara Johns came from. We just put a statue of her in the Capital building because she walked out...How can I as a Virginia educator not look at that and see it as a positive and see it as a Virginia tradition?”
Defying administrators’ orders, Chesterfield students and employees walked out Friday to protest immigration enforcement
The Richmonder reached out to a Chesterfield County Public Schools spokesperson for comment, but has not heard back.
www.richmonder.org
February 10, 2026 at 1:00 AM
"This is Virginia, this is the state Barbara Johns came from. We just put a statue of her in the Capital building because she walked out...How can I as a Virginia educator not look at that and see it as a positive and see it as a Virginia tradition?”
Reposted by Activate Virginia
So in 2024 the fund gave out one single "reward" for the purpose fund was created 30+ years ago, but now is a backdoor way for police agencies to surveil Virginians & make us pay for it, too. Call your state electeds, folks.
February 9, 2026 at 1:36 PM
So in 2024 the fund gave out one single "reward" for the purpose fund was created 30+ years ago, but now is a backdoor way for police agencies to surveil Virginians & make us pay for it, too. Call your state electeds, folks.
"State police later issued warrants for 44-year-old Charles A. Stokes, an officer with Kenbridge Police. He is wanted on charges of aggravated malicious wounding and use of a firearm in the commission of a felony."
Troopers: 'Armed and dangerous' off-duty Virginia officer wanted for shooting woman multiple times
An off-duty Kenbridge police officer is wanted on felony charges after allegedly shooting a woman multiple times in Lunenburg County Sunday.
www.wtvr.com
February 10, 2026 at 12:56 AM
"State police later issued warrants for 44-year-old Charles A. Stokes, an officer with Kenbridge Police. He is wanted on charges of aggravated malicious wounding and use of a firearm in the commission of a felony."
Grants funded by your car insurance pay for surveillance tech in Virginia
Grants funded by your car insurance pay for surveillance tech in Virginia
A fund created in the 1990s to reward car theft tips now provides over $1 million a year for surveillance tech for police.
cardinalnews.org
February 9, 2026 at 11:45 AM
Grants funded by your car insurance pay for surveillance tech in Virginia
"Federal prosecutors have alleged Chesapeake Sheriff David Rosado of abusing his authority to coerce employees into supporting his 2025 campaign."
Federal prosecutors file ethics complaint against outgoing Chesapeake sheriff • Virginia Mercury
The federal Hatch Act limits how certain elected officials can participate in political campaigns.
virginiamercury.com
February 9, 2026 at 11:45 AM
"Federal prosecutors have alleged Chesapeake Sheriff David Rosado of abusing his authority to coerce employees into supporting his 2025 campaign."
"A rail journey years in the making will pull away from Dominion Energy’s North Anna nuclear plant in Virginia in the fall of 2027...
Aboard a specially designed railcar will be a 180-ton lead and steel cask containing spent nuclear fuel."
Aboard a specially designed railcar will be a 180-ton lead and steel cask containing spent nuclear fuel."
DOE prepares to send nuclear waste cross-country
A 180-ton lead and steel cask containing spent nuclear fuel will cross 13 states and travel more than 2,500 miles.
www.eenews.net
February 9, 2026 at 2:15 AM
"A rail journey years in the making will pull away from Dominion Energy’s North Anna nuclear plant in Virginia in the fall of 2027...
Aboard a specially designed railcar will be a 180-ton lead and steel cask containing spent nuclear fuel."
Aboard a specially designed railcar will be a 180-ton lead and steel cask containing spent nuclear fuel."
“We are concerned that this will cut off an avenue the public and press currently have, and have had for a long time, to learn about crimes and criminal activity in their communities,” said Megan Rhyne...
General Assembly considers bill to seal criminal complaints from public view
A bill would allow prosecutors to ask judges to seal criminal complaint affidavits, which provide the basis for arrests, on a temporary basis for “good cause shown.”
www.pilotonline.com
February 9, 2026 at 2:07 AM
“We are concerned that this will cut off an avenue the public and press currently have, and have had for a long time, to learn about crimes and criminal activity in their communities,” said Megan Rhyne...
"Garba and his co-conspirators received at least $619,442 in funds to which they were not entitled. Electronic payment cards were mailed to Garba which he withdrew from Richmond-area ATMs."
Richmond man to serve 42 months for $619K COVID-19 scheme
A Richmond man involved in a $619K multi-state scheme for COVID-19 pandemic benefits will serve three years and six months in prison.
augustafreepress.com
February 9, 2026 at 1:33 AM
"Garba and his co-conspirators received at least $619,442 in funds to which they were not entitled. Electronic payment cards were mailed to Garba which he withdrew from Richmond-area ATMs."
"Where she will come down on diesel generators isn’t clear. For now, a Spanberger spokesperson declined to comment."
Virginia regulators weigh expanded use of data centers' polluting generators • Virginia Mercury
The state’s Department of Environmental Quality would expand permissible uses during emergencies to include “planned outages” by grid operators, presumably for power line upgrades.
virginiamercury.com
February 9, 2026 at 1:33 AM
"Where she will come down on diesel generators isn’t clear. For now, a Spanberger spokesperson declined to comment."
"U.S. District Judge David Novak of Richmond issued a three-page order demanding to know why Halligan is still serving in the post."
Judge orders Lindsey Halligan to explain why she's still serving as U.S. attorney after previous ruling against her
A separate judge had ruled that Halligan, who brought cases against former FBI Director James Comey and New York Attorney General Letitia James, was unlawfully appointed.
www.nbcnews.com
February 9, 2026 at 1:32 AM
"U.S. District Judge David Novak of Richmond issued a three-page order demanding to know why Halligan is still serving in the post."
Reposted by Activate Virginia
"And here’s Montgomery County Democrat Lily Franklin after voting against an assault weapons ban.
“I just voted along with what my constituents sent me here to do," Franklin told Radio IQ."
“I just voted along with what my constituents sent me here to do," Franklin told Radio IQ."
Virginia House Democrats pass new gun laws, but not all Democrats voted for them
University of Mary Washington political science professor Stephen Farnsworth said such a big majority can cut both ways.
www.wvtf.org
February 7, 2026 at 11:22 PM
"And here’s Montgomery County Democrat Lily Franklin after voting against an assault weapons ban.
“I just voted along with what my constituents sent me here to do," Franklin told Radio IQ."
“I just voted along with what my constituents sent me here to do," Franklin told Radio IQ."
"Hopewell Sheriff’s Office and Richmond County Sheriff’s Office are still working with U.S. Customs and Immigration Enforcement (ICE) after Gov. Spanberger’s (D) recent directive ordering state law enforcement agencies to terminate their ICE agreements."
www.wric.com
February 8, 2026 at 4:23 PM
"Hopewell Sheriff’s Office and Richmond County Sheriff’s Office are still working with U.S. Customs and Immigration Enforcement (ICE) after Gov. Spanberger’s (D) recent directive ordering state law enforcement agencies to terminate their ICE agreements."
Reposted by Activate Virginia
Trying to understand all of the ins and outs of digital security can be overwhelming, but our team at EFF is here to help. With our security starter pack, you can take a few simple steps to improve your digital privacy. ssd.eff.org/playlist/wa...
Want a security starter pack?
Start from the beginning with a selection of simple steps.
Surveillance impacts all of us, no matter where we live or what we do. While some of us might be directly affected, others may simply want to know what measures they can take to protect their communications and data from...
ssd.eff.org
February 8, 2026 at 2:59 PM
Trying to understand all of the ins and outs of digital security can be overwhelming, but our team at EFF is here to help. With our security starter pack, you can take a few simple steps to improve your digital privacy. ssd.eff.org/playlist/wa...
"At this time, 209 votes are on board with the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact and the addition of Virginia's 13 electoral votes would bring the total to within 48 votes of the number necessary to enact."
The National Popular Vote Interstate Compact deserves our support | Guest column
At this time, 209 votes are on board with the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact, and the addition of Virginia's 13 electoral votes would bring the total to within 48 votes of the number necessa...
richmond.com
February 8, 2026 at 2:57 PM
"At this time, 209 votes are on board with the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact and the addition of Virginia's 13 electoral votes would bring the total to within 48 votes of the number necessary to enact."
"Legislators asked to strike, without any discussion, one proposal to keep lenders from bypassing state laws limiting interest charges by framing loans as lease-back or rebate deals..."
Lawmakers, political scientists say death of progressive bills shows how far Va. Dems willing to go
While some long-hoped for bills – minimum wage increases, and paid family medical leave are speeding through the General Assembly, other measures pushed by Democratic progressives are dying.
richmond.com
February 8, 2026 at 2:56 PM
"Legislators asked to strike, without any discussion, one proposal to keep lenders from bypassing state laws limiting interest charges by framing loans as lease-back or rebate deals..."
"Once again, legislation, Senate Bill 355, giving local governments the power to enact limits on rent increases, failed to make it past legislative gatekeepers."
General Assembly balks at rent caps
Legislators turned their attention toward some of the pressures on some of Virginia’s lowest income families in recent days, but balked at a move to slow recent double-digit percent increases in rents...
richmond.com
February 8, 2026 at 2:10 PM
"Once again, legislation, Senate Bill 355, giving local governments the power to enact limits on rent increases, failed to make it past legislative gatekeepers."
"ICE agents wearing masks is unprecedented and un-American. Banning masks for ICE agents is a key demand for those negotiating ICE reforms in the current DHS funding standoff."
History shows that ICE’s use of masks to shield their identities is un-American | Guest column
ICE agents wearing masks is unprecedented and un-American. Banning masks for ICE agents is a key demand in negotiations over ICE reforms amid the current DHS funding standoff. But I imagine that, give...
richmond.com
February 7, 2026 at 11:51 PM
"ICE agents wearing masks is unprecedented and un-American. Banning masks for ICE agents is a key demand for those negotiating ICE reforms in the current DHS funding standoff."
"On May 29, 2020, Bynum-Coleman transferred $10,000 of fraudulently obtained PPP funds into a bank account in the name of “Friends of Sheila for Delegate,” an account which the DOJ said is for Bynum-Coleman’s political campaign..."
www.wric.com
February 7, 2026 at 11:46 PM
"On May 29, 2020, Bynum-Coleman transferred $10,000 of fraudulently obtained PPP funds into a bank account in the name of “Friends of Sheila for Delegate,” an account which the DOJ said is for Bynum-Coleman’s political campaign..."
"Spanberger pulls the plug"
As ICE seeks to expand footprint in Va., Youngkin’s final-day prison sale directive draws scrutiny • Virginia Mercury
On his last full day in office, outgoing Gov. Glenn Youngkin instructed state officials to move forward with selling the shuttered Augusta Correctional Center to a Florida-based asset management compa...
virginiamercury.com
February 7, 2026 at 11:40 PM
"Spanberger pulls the plug"
"I am aware, for example, with chemicals used for Black women and other women, there are chemicals in there that can cause cancer, that can cause other health problems and it’s treated as though it’s a cost of business,” Keys-Gamarra said.
Virginia lawmakers seek ban on toxic chemicals used in cosmetics • Virginia Mercury
House Bill 122 seeks to bolster consumer protections by banning toxic ingredients used in the beauty industry.
virginiamercury.com
February 7, 2026 at 11:38 PM
"I am aware, for example, with chemicals used for Black women and other women, there are chemicals in there that can cause cancer, that can cause other health problems and it’s treated as though it’s a cost of business,” Keys-Gamarra said.
"A proposed state budget amendment will discontinue localities’ using money from Help Eliminate Auto Theft grants to fund automated license plate readers."
Tech briefs: Budget amendment would discontinue auto theft grants funding license plate readers
A proposed state budget amendment will discontinue localities’ using money from Help Eliminate Auto Theft grants to fund automated license plate readers. The amendment, which Del. Irene Shin, D-Fai…
cardinalnews.org
February 7, 2026 at 11:33 PM
"A proposed state budget amendment will discontinue localities’ using money from Help Eliminate Auto Theft grants to fund automated license plate readers."
“This bill is responsive to ICE enforcement activities that are happening in courthouses,” Callsen told the subcommittee.
House panel advances bills limiting ICE activity in Virginia • Virginia Mercury
A Democratic House subcommittee early Friday morning advanced a broad slate of bills aimed at tightening how U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement can operate in Virginia. Lawmakers and supporters ...
virginiamercury.com
February 7, 2026 at 11:29 PM
“This bill is responsive to ICE enforcement activities that are happening in courthouses,” Callsen told the subcommittee.
"Sen. Glen Sturtevant (R-Chesterfield) said legislation attempting to strengthen physician oversight in nursing homes was “watered down” from its original version before it passed through a Senate subcommittee Friday morning."
Bill bolstering doctor oversight in Virginia nursing homes 'watered down,' industry has 'a lot of influence'
Sen. Glen Sturtevant said legislation attempting to strengthen physician oversight in nursing homes was “watered down” from its original version before it passed through a Senate subcommittee.
www.wtvr.com
February 7, 2026 at 11:26 PM
"Sen. Glen Sturtevant (R-Chesterfield) said legislation attempting to strengthen physician oversight in nursing homes was “watered down” from its original version before it passed through a Senate subcommittee Friday morning."
"And here’s Montgomery County Democrat Lily Franklin after voting against an assault weapons ban.
“I just voted along with what my constituents sent me here to do," Franklin told Radio IQ."
“I just voted along with what my constituents sent me here to do," Franklin told Radio IQ."
Virginia House Democrats pass new gun laws, but not all Democrats voted for them
University of Mary Washington political science professor Stephen Farnsworth said such a big majority can cut both ways.
www.wvtf.org
February 7, 2026 at 11:22 PM
"And here’s Montgomery County Democrat Lily Franklin after voting against an assault weapons ban.
“I just voted along with what my constituents sent me here to do," Franklin told Radio IQ."
“I just voted along with what my constituents sent me here to do," Franklin told Radio IQ."