Curated News from The Virginia Council 9/6/26

Virginia Government updates:

Gov. Spanberger orders state offices to close early Friday ahead of Labor Day | WRIC ABC 8News By John Eldridge

Spanberger Intervening in Merger: Wise or Not, It Is Good Politics – Virginia Free Press By Richard Meagher

Virginia Democrats request special session to review proposed Dominion, NextEra merger | 13newsnow.com By Leila Cox & Taylor Brokesh

(1) Libs of TikTok on X: "BREAKING: Outspoken LGBTQ activist and prominent Virginia Democratic party official Randon Sprinkle, sentenced to 10 years in prison for child p**n Why does this keep happening https://t.co/XJkjUna62d" / X

The 5th Congressional District is now Virginia's energy capital. Will McGuire and Perriello talk about what that means? - Cardinal News By Dwayne Yancey

(2) Luria files lawsuit against Department of Elections questioning validity of Independent candidates’ signatures By Brandon Jarvis

INTERVIEW: Rep. Rob Wittman lays out an affordability agenda for Virginians and explains how to counter China, Iran, and other threats abroad – Washington Reporter

Virginia Rep. says phone calls monitored by FBI as part of Sen. Louise Lucas investigation By Winston Rogers

(7) ((( charlottesville ))) on X: "🚨Virginia state Delegate & antisemite Sam Rasoul is speaking at CAIRcon ➡️Florida designated CAIR a Foreign Terror Organization 💥Rasoul appears with radical DSA & Islamists -- who want to dismantle the US & usher in Sharia -- a day after 25th anniversary of 9/11 terror https://t.co/oYUi1HyrwL" / X

Spanberger has a beef with Trump over beef imports. So do some Virginia farmers. - Cardinal News By Dwayne Yancey

(8) Brett Shumate on X: "Virginia’s mask and identification laws for federal agents remain ENJOINED after the Fourth Circuit denies Virginia’s request to stay the injunction pending appeal. https://t.co/JpJgykhBnh" / X

Virginia health leaders, lawmakers share enhanced healthcare resources for rural communities • Virginia Mercury By Charlotte Rene Woods

Why have Virginians’ health insurance premiums increased? - VPM By Jahd Khalil

Virginia law requires school districts to submit a mold plan. Only 15 have. By Victoria A. Ifatusin

(8) ((( charlottesville ))) on X: "💥It's happening: Free Bridge homeless camp sites are being cleared But the campers have been pushing back: In video, homeless woman tells City Council why the Holiday Drive shelter will fail: "We live how we want to live and this is how we want to live" "People with https://t.co/3jPjbXbAaK" / X

Driving while streaming is now illegal in Virginia | WVTF By Brad Kutner

A New School Year With Fewer Devices in Schools By Rich Tucker

(4) Natalie Winters on X: "EXCLUSIVE: A Chinese LLC quietly bought 492 acres less than five miles from a U.S. continuity-of-government complex in Virginia. The $3.35 million deal was made through GHJ Associates LLC. @USDA lists the LLC under China—but its actual owner remains hidden. https://t.co/OVMbBpEPIv" / X

Virginia targets grid costs holding up public solar projects – Virginia Free Press By Shirleen Guerra

Adoptee gains access to birth certificate under new Virginia law after years of roadblocks By Rachel Tillapaugh

The Rising Cost of Electricity in the United States By Cody Good

These States Are Leading the Electricity Generation Boom - Inside Climate News By Dan Gearino

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

Adam Smith and The Importance of Capitalism in the Founding and the Future of the American Republic – JONATHAN TURLEY

George Washington’s New York Minute By Barry Strauss

Leftists Tear Down Statues To Destroy Southern Heritage By Hayden Daniel

Virginia removes Confederate memorials from Richmond's Capitol Square | AP News

New genetically engineered American chestnut will help restore the decimated, iconic tree | The American Chestnut Foundation By Claire Dunn

The Constitution, Bill of Rights, & Liberty:

Freedom is Never Guaranteed – Wilder Visions By Gov. L. Douglas Wilder

The First Amendment Doesn't Protect Church Invasion By Tyler O'Neil

Arlington police’s use of Google search data raises privacy questions - VPM By Dean Mirshahi

BREAKING: Michigan Sec of State Replies To Justice Kavanaugh—Gives Laughable Response About Why It’s Not Fair For Supreme Court To Review Citizens Only Vote Petition Case * The Gateway Pundit * by Patty McMurray

Homeland asks DOJ to probe transfer of private state voter data to Zuckerberg-tied nonprofit | Just The News By Steven Richards

Court Forbids Mom to Take Daughter, 13, to Normal Christian Church – Used the Word ‘Cult’ in Official Docs * The Gateway Pundit * by Randy DeSoto, The Western Journal

Report: DHS Launches Voter Fraud 'Surge' Probes In Nine States By M.D. Kittle

Federal Judge Almost Certain To Block New Mail-In Voting Regulation Based On Her Previous Ruling It Is “Ultra Vires” - Is She Right And Will It Stand Up? By Shipwreckedcrew

Asst AG Harmeet Dhillon Threatens State Officials With Prosecution: “If You Knowingly Allow Non-Citizens to Vote in Elections, You are Committing a Federal Crime!” [VIDEO] * The Gateway Pundit * by Patty McMurray

The Folly of Court-Packing - by Michael Baharaeen

(7) Apple Lamps on X: "CNN now declares that 63 days before an election is “way too late” to make significant changes. Where was this principle in 2020? That year, politicians, judges, election boards and activist lawyers changed voting procedures across nearly the entire country, sometimes after" / X

(4) Infodex on X: "Household gun ownership across the U.S. 🇺🇸 Montana — 66.3% 🇺🇸 Wyoming — 66.2% 🇺🇸 Alaska — 64.5% 🇺🇸 Idaho — 60.1% 🇺🇸 West Virginia — 58.5% 🇺🇸 Arkansas — 57.2% 🇺🇸 Mississippi — 55.8% 🇺🇸 Alabama — 55.5% 🇺🇸 South Dakota — 55.3% 🇺🇸 North Dakota — 55.1% 🇺🇸 Oklahoma — 54.7% 🇺🇸 Kentucky" / X

Articles, News & Quotes:

Miyares: The verdict on the Virginia Renaissance isn't in the op-ed page. It's in the data. - Cardinal News By Jason Miyares

The Long, Slow Death of Social Democracy - by Ruy Teixeira

(4) Jan Jekielek on X: "I asked North Korean refugee Grace Jo: What is the most important thing you want people to understand about North Korea? This was her answer: “When I’m meeting people in America… in their mind, the first thing [that] comes is the missiles and the nuclear weapon.” “I would https://t.co/xkkY0YBC82" / X

(1) Down With Freedom! - by Matt Taibbi - Racket News

Ahead of the Game, Miles to Go – Virginia Public Education and AI – Virginia Free Press By Martin A. Davis, Jr.

The Independent’s Dilemma - by John Halpin

Exposing where the money flows | DataRepublican Discover how money flows through government grants, charities, and NGOs

College sports are awash in more money than ever, yet a growing number of schools are losing money on intercollegiate athletics - Cardinal News By Dwayne Yancey

Meet the Retirees Turning Their Virginia Farms Into Wildlife Corridors | Smithsonian Voices | National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute Smithsonian Magazine By Emma Montgomery