Curated News from The Virginia Council 4/12/26

Legislative Updates

VCDL Legislative Upate 4/10/26 Legislative Alert: Governor Spanberger has signed some gun bills into law

Will Governor Spanberger Uphold Moderation or Follow Left? By James A. Bacon

Virginia to raise minimum wage to $15 by 2028 under new law • Virginia Mercury By Markus Schmidt

Drive for more housing sparks rare bipartisanship in statehouses, including in Virginia • Virginia Mercury By Robbie Sequeira

New Virginia law will expand zoning for manufactured homes By Dean Mirshahi

(2) Firearms Policy Coalition on X: "It has begun. https://t.co/Z6Hcbcy1Qc" / X

Virginia Government Updates

Griffith: It's in the maps! - Cardinal News By Representative Morgan Griffith

Early Vote Bodes Ill For Virginia Redistricting Scam | The American Spectator | USA News and Politics By David Catron

Amending Virginia Episode 1: Redistricting Pro- and anti-redistricting camps wield 'fairness' in voter appeals by Jahd Khalil & Adrienne Hoar McGibbon

Virginia's proposed 10-1 redistricting map raises an old question: How much representation should a political majority allow a minority to have? - Cardinal News By Markus Schmidt

Homan warns Gov Spanberger over Virginia sanctuary policies, ICE detainers | Fox News By Preston Mizell

(2) AAGHarmeetDhillon on X: "🚨@SpanbergerForVA is on notice: 2A rights SHALL NOT BE infringed. We are closely watching—in the event any unlawful legislation is enacted, we will sue. @CivilRights will protect the 2A rights of law-abiding citizens in Virginia. 2A Section Lawyers are standing by… 🚨 https://t.co/h2DfXwgaKC" / X

Spanberger vetoes Fairfax casino - by Brandon Jarvis

Virginia Dems Resurrect Expensive DEI Office, Expand DEI Initiatives for 'Youth' and 'Criminal Sentencing' By Hudson Crozier

Public School Dist. That Let 19-year-old Illegal Alien Sexually Assault Multiple Girls Hires Global Law Firm | Judicial Watch By Judicial Watch

COURT WIN: Virginia Judge Rules Against Leftist School Board for Destroying Records | Restoration News By Victoria Manning

Richmond will pay $549K to settle former FOIA officer's lawsuit By Graham Moomaw

Suit opens up Virginia Police records By Louis Hansen

Articles, News, & Quotes

Mitchell's putback lifts UMW to first national championship in program history - Fredericksburg Free Press By Joey LoMonaco

Abigail Spanberger’s terrible gamble By David Harsanyi

Poll shows Spanberger's approval rating starts out lower than the last eight governors. Here's why. - Cardinal News By Dwayne Yancey

Opinion | Why Abigail Spanberger became unpopular and how she can fix it - The Washington Post

Virginians Are Not Impressed with the Start of the Spanberger Era | National Review By Jim Geraghty

POLL: Spanberger at 47%; Redistricting Foes Surge with Marginal Lead By Shaun Kenney

Spanberger's Policies Make Her Least Popular Recent VA Governor By Breccan F. Thies

Inside Abigail Spanberger's Stunning Implosion – RedState By Teri Cristoph

Glenn Youngkin: From Dishwasher to Governor… and His Next Big Move | Hang Out with Sean Hannity

Miyares accuses Gov. Spanberger of lying on Virginia redistricting | Fox News By Paul Steinhauser & Mark Meredith

Virginia GOP Unleashes Volunteer Army To Stop Democrat Gerrymandering Power Grab | The Daily Caller By Reagan Reese

How Republicans Surrendered Virginia To Left-Wing Colonizers By Stella Morabito

Even after federal anti-DEI guidance was struck down, U.Va. says its changes will remain - The Cavalier Daily - University of Virginia's Student Newspaper By Brendon Bordwine

Higher education, higher tuition: University of Virginia considers raising tuition By Gabby Womack

Tim Sands to step down as president of Virginia Tech - Cardinal News By Susan Cameron

History, Tradition, & the 250th Anniversary of Independence

Legislative effort to buy Monroe’s Loudoun estate on pause, budget effort underway • Virginia Mercury By Capital News Service

Jefferson's Bill for Religious Freedom By Dr. Mark Holowchak

U.S. Comics Futurist George Orwell said, "The most effective way to destroy people is to deny and obliterate their own understanding of their history." Although a battle of disinformation is being waged in our culture today, U.S. Comics presents an accurate retelling of our proud American story, full of faith and bravery, helping the next generation of Americans understand the foundations of liberty we all enjoy.

Virginia 250 events in Richmond: What to do before July 4 - Axios Richmond By Karri Piefer

(2) The White House on X: "“I am pleased to announce that TODAY my Administration officially filed the presentation and plans to the highly respected Commission of Fine Arts for what will be the GREATEST and MOST BEAUTIFUL Triumphal Arch, anywhere in the World. This will be a wonderful addition to the https://t.co/2CkiLuvn9z" / X

(2) johnny maga on X: "Trump added a Revolutionary War statue to the White House Rose Garden 👀 https://t.co/paLDfCSZH5" / X

Sweet Caroline: Downtown Fredericksburg thoroughfare named 'Best Main Street in the South' - Fredericksburg Free Press By Kathy Knotts

The Constitution, Bill of Rights, & Liberty

Colorado wants to be the most anti-free speech state with its new laws | Fox News By Jonathan Turley

Will Governor Spanberger Uphold Moderation or Follow Left? By James A. Bacon

Allegiance, Birthright, and Citizenship – Philip Hamburger

Philadelphia: Building a Machine That Distrusts You By American Leviathan

State Dept. settles with conservative media outlets that sued for censorship of COVID, election posts By Virginia Grace McKinnon

(2) Booker on X: "The 5th U.S. Circuit Court of ‌Appeals in New Orleans declared today that a 158-year-old federal ban on home distilling is unconstitutional. They called it an unnecessary and improper means for ​Congress to exercise its power to tax. https://t.co/I5dIfbdB1p" / X

Scoop: AP threatens Lee Enterprises over potential contract breach The Associated Press is warning Lee Enterprises, one of the largest independent local newspaper companies, that its attempt to break a news licensing contract is "not valid." By Sara Fischer

AI local news network shuts down after plagiarism found - Axios Richmond By Sabrina Moreno

Virginia news deserts more than double as local papers close - Axios Richmond By Karri Piefer