Curated News from The Virginia Council 2/15/26

Legislative Updates:

Virginia Supreme Court: April 21 redistricting referendum can move forward - Cardinal News By Elizabeth Beyer

Pro-redistricting group launches campaign with $5 million from donors it doesn't have to disclose - Cardinal News By David M. Poole

(3) Tim Anderson on X: "A lot of people are misunderstanding the Tazewell order. Let me break it down - yes/no Yes — the judge declared the proposed constitutional amendment void ab initio. No - The Court did not stop the April 21 statewide referendum. What this means: The Judge did not block https://t.co/e3poaBGyIn" / X

10 more things to know about the Democrats' proposed redistricting map - Cardinal News By Dwayne Yancey

2026 Redistricting: CD5 | VPAP Profile of Proposed Congressional Districts by VPAP.ORG

Virginia car tax repeal stalls despite bipartisan support By Allison Mullet

Virginia Senate approves joining National Popular Vote Compact By Michael Pope

Deceptive Language: The Reproductive Freedom Amendment By Sheila M. Furey, MD

Bill that would have required patients receive info on ‘baby boxes’ prior to abortions defeated • Virginia Mercury By Charlotte Rene Woods

Griffin booted from committees; Democrats say he disrespected subcommittee chair - Cardinal News By Elizabeth Beyer

(5) Scott Wyatt on X: "More bills were passed today by Democrats that will raise the cost of living for Virginians. These bills will raise labor costs for employers, raise food costs, and add new development costs. This is not how Virginia achieves its promise of affordability! https://t.co/YgA6TzwK3l" / X

Bill to ensure minimum wage for farmers advances in Va. House of Delegates • Virginia Mercury By Capitol News Service

Lawmakers advance lower nursing home staffing minimum, prompting mixed reaction By Tyler Layne

Lucas proposes data centers pay more to lower Dominion customers’ bills - Cardinal News By Matt Busse

Bill to ban herbicide tied to Parkinson's disease dies in House committee By Patrick Larsen

Virginia House committee kills bill to decriminalize homelessness By Brad Kutner

Virginia Government updates:

E. Coli At 'Incredibly Dangerous Levels' As DC Raw Sewage Spill Into Potomac May Be Largest In US History | ZeroHedge Virginia is downstream from Washington D.C. as politics is downstream from culture.

State lawmakers want to lift local caps on housing grants for government employees  • Virginia Mercury By Charlotte Rene Woods

Bill to support popular vote in presidential elections passes Virginia Senate | ARLnow.com By Emily Leayman

House panel advances bills limiting ICE activity in Virginia • Virginia Mercury By Markus Schmidt

Legislators debate bills to reshape how Va. university governing boards operate • Virginia Mercury By Charlotte Rene Woods

Deeds proposal would allow Virginia Tech and UVa to raise more athletics money from student fees - Cardinal News By Dwayne Yancey

Legal, funding concerns loom over HUD’s relocation to Virginia - POLITICO By Cassandra Dumay

NEW: Avoid contact with Potomac River, Va. Dept. of Health says | ARLnow.com By ARLnow.com

Articles, News, & Quotes:

Ending our 34-year run | Richmond Free Press | Serving the African American Community in Richmond, VA

Court says Virginians can vote on redistricting but timing means their votes may not count - Cardinal News By Dwayne Yancey

Majority of Americans not confident journalists act in best interests of public | Pew Research Center By Kirsten Eddy

Journalism is dead, long live journalism - by Alex Berenson

Remembering Bill Martin: A Legacy of Richmond's History By Jon Baliles

Virginia legislators cast a wide net on energy, hoping to land more capacity • Virginia Mercury By Ivy Main

Virginia DEQ expands drought warning to 39 counties, 16 cities | WRIC ABC 8News By Claire Gehlich

The future aircraft carrier John F. Kennedy completed its first sea trials this week By Steve Walsh

These 11 store designs shook up the world of retail – and started in Richmond By Rich Griset

History, Tradition, & the 250th Anniversary of Independence:

George Washington's Birthday or Presidents Day? | George Washington's Mount Vernon

Presidents' Day 2026 | GovInfo Observed the third Monday in February, recognizing George Washington’s Birthday and honoring the history of the American Presidency

On This Day: Washington's surveillance forces a hasty British evacuation from Boston By Salena Zito

Scott Adams on X: "He's right. Our museums can't be monuments to our own past badness." / X

15 Meaningful Ways to Celebrate Presidents’ Day - HubPages

Commemorate Presidents’ Day With 15 Images That Celebrate the Founding Fathers

The Constitution, Bill of Rights, & Liberty:

RNC requests Supreme Court takes up Pennsylvania mail ballot case | Just The News By Misty Severi

A federal judge ruled Norfolk’s Flock surveillance cameras don’t invade people’s privacy – yet By Toby Cox

Julia 🇺🇸 on X: "Jonathan Turley: "One individual came close to half a million dollars in fraud, as well as the voting violation...You get a glimpse as to why we are looking at billions of dollars that have been burned through in this country. We're becoming a nation of chumps; that is, we have https://t.co/xkUiTRFVzt" / X