Curated News from The Virginia Council 3/15/26

Legislative updates:

Spanberger Poised to Sign Sweeping Gun Control Bill in Virginia By Fred Lucas

(7) Wren Williams on X: "🚨 BREAKING: Virginia Democrats Just Criminalized Carrying Common Firearms in Public The 2026 General Assembly just sent one of the most sweeping gun bills in Virginia history to Governor Spanberger's desk — and she's expected to sign it. HB 1524 / SB 727 doesn't just restrict" / X

Virginia bill could expose gun shops to lawsuits if guns used in crimes By Sarah Weitzman

Bill Melugin on X: "The man charged by DOJ for selling the gun used by the ODU terrorist was caught straw purchasing three guns in 2021 (all of which were later recovered at crime scenes, including a homicide) but the Biden DOJ declined to prosecute. He got a warning & signed an apology letter. https://t.co/qg5ivWimpP" / X

Why ODU shooter Mohamed Jalloh got a lighter sentence than prosecutors wanted By Melissa Hipolit

Spanberger floats 'consumption tax' for data centers By Brad Kutner

Data centers are still a sticking point in budget discussions, as session draws to a close | WVTF By Michael Pope

Virginia Senate leadership sends a message after killing Spanberger agenda bill | WVTF By Brad Kutner

Redistricting lawsuit could potentially impact other Democratic amendment proposals By Brandon Jarvis

(11) Christian Heiens 🏛 on X: "Remember that bill in Virginia to outlaw hand-counting election ballots? Democrats just passed it. https://t.co/ANGUdn55Vq" / X

Virginia set to return to RGGI by May | Climate Change | bayjournal.com By Lauren Hines-Acosta

Phillips: Richmond’s collective bargaining experience should be a warning for Virginia - Cardinal News By Eric Phillips

(13) NOVA Campaigns on X: "Virginia Dems passed a new bill to let localities use tax revenue to give local employees (including teachers) UNLIMITED grants to buy their homes Dem policies raise cost of living… @HelmerVA: “Government workers are suffering!” So taxpayers pay mortgages for Gov’t employees👇 https://t.co/F3LI8wADHo" / X

Virginia Senate panel spikes gambling centralization bill By Jahd Khalil

Virginia Government updates:

Virginia Democrats are running for House seats that don't exist yet - Axios Richmond By Sabrina Moreno

Upset in Virginia After Muslim Democrat Busted for Racist Tweets By Anthony Iafrate

Two Intrigues of the Utmost Importance to the UVA Community — The Jefferson Council

Va.'s congressional Republicans urge Trump admin to review legislation to tighten oversight of VMI • Virginia Mercury By Nathaniel Cline

Jefferson Institute leader: Collective bargaining will only further divide Virginia’s universities - Cardinal News By Derrick Max

Fairfax Co prosecutors dropped prior charges against illegal immigrant arrested for stabbing VA woman to death because homeless victims wouldn’t testify | The Post Millennial | thepostmillennial.com By Hannah Nightingale

'Completely failed Stephanie:' Family of woman killed in Fairfax County speaks out By Nick Minock

Virginia Parents Allege Adult Male Illegal Immigrant Student Who Entered US Under Biden Admin Groped Daughters | The Daily Caller By Mariane Angela

Virginia lawmakers skip bill reversing restrictions on campus speech, expression  The Commonwealth Times By Andrew Kerley

Should Virginia schools implement "restorative justice?" | WVTF By Michael Pope

Gov. Spanberger appoints new parole, higher education, racing board members | WRIC ABC 8News By Julia Broberg

'No one will want to work here': Spotsylvania school officials leery of drug testing proposal - Fredericksburg Free Press By Taft Coghill Jr.

2,050 jobs at $80,500 headed for Pittsylvania County? That could complicate data center tax talks and vindicate Youngkin - Cardinal News By Dwayne Yancey

Articles, News, & Quotes:

Meghin Moore✨ on X: "It looks like at least five Virginia universities have received bomb threats to libraries today: UVA (cleared; no bomb found), Bridgewater College (cleared), George Mason University, and now Randolph-Macon College and Longwood University." / X

(2) Take the Challenge - by Sheila M Furey, MD Learn About the VA Constitutional Amendments

Democrats' War On Election Integrity Exposes Their Dirty Secret By Madeline Malisa

Virginia Redistricting, Not SAVE Act Is ‘Jim Crow 2.0’ | Waverly Washington & Joe Thomas

Courts to Have Final Say on Virginia’s Congressional Map By Fred Lucas

Business group: A test for Gov. Spanberger - Cardinal News By Mark Mix

Terror At ODU: We Don’t Have To Live Like This. — Kerry: By Kerry Dougherty

Northern Virginia and Hampton Roads have lost more jobs than any other metro area with more than 1 million people - Cardinal News By Dwayne Yancey

Police continue to search for suspect(s) after racist vandalism of Chesterfield church | WRIC ABC 8News By Katelyn Harlow

Virginia boater sues Washington utility for Potomac River sewage spill | AP News By Gary Fields

BREAKING UPDATE: Virginia stabbing suspect who murdered woman, dog on I-495 was State Dept foreign service officer | The Post Millennial | thepostmillennial.com By Hannah Nightingale

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

America 250 George Washington Statue – More Monuments

The American Manifesto | RealClearPolitics By John Waters & Adam Ellwanger

Happy Anniversary, Adam Smith – JONATHAN TURLEY

Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library | Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library Opening July 4, 2026!

The Constitution, Bill of Rights, & Liberty:

Virginia House approves gun control bills over GOP objections - WTOP News By Luke Lukert

Court: D.C.'s Gun Magazine Restriction Is Unconstitutional By Shawn Fleetwood

California student's 'Black Lives Matter' drawing sparks free speech debate By Jonathan Turley

Virginia effort to force disclosure on AI political ads turned into a defamation law | WVTF By Brad Kutner

Virginia lawmakers skip bill reversing restrictions on campus speech, expression  The Commonwealth Times By Andrew Kerley

9th Circuit Rules on Student Speech By Fred Lucas