Governor ends mask mandate for vaccinated people, effective midnight
Va. easing all distancing, capacity restrictions May 28, two weeks early
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Following federal recommendations, Gov. Ralph Northam lifted Virginia’s mask mandate Friday, effective at midnight, for all vaccinated Virginians. He also announced Friday afternoon that all distancing and capacity restrictions will be lifted May 28, two weeks sooner than planned. Masks will still be required at Virginia’s K-12 public schools, because of low vaccination rates among
Coming attractions: 8 Regal theaters reopening in Va. this Friday
18 more will reopen a week later
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Just in time for the premiere of “Those Who Wish Me Dead,” Friday will mark the opening of eight Regal movie theaters across Virginia, part of a nationwide partial reopening of the cinema chain. Although some states have had multiple Regal multiplexes open since April, Virginia had only two open as of Thursday, in Springfield
Va. officials ‘reviewing’ new CDC mask guidance
State mandate still in place but updates expected soon, governor's office says
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The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued new guidance Thursday that people who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 — meaning they received their final shots at least two weeks earlier — can stop wearing masks and maintaining social distance in most indoor and outdoor areas. So, what does that mean for Virginia, where a
Va. sees small decrease in new jobless claims
After weeks of fluctuation, numbers were steady last week
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The fluctuating numbers of initial unemployment claims in Virginia took a break last week, with little change from the previous week, the Virginia Employment Commission reported Thursday. For the filing week ending May 8, 11,270 people submitted new jobless claims, a decrease of 961 claimants from the previous week, or 7.8%. In April, the number
Federal judge throws out Chase lawsuit against state Senate
Ruling says both clerk and senators have absolute legislative immunity
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A federal judge tossed out state Sen. Amanda Chase’s civil rights lawsuit against the Virginia State Senate, in which she attempted to get her January censure removed from the public record. Judge Robert E. Payne of the U.S. District Court in the Eastern District of Virginia ruled Thursday that the legislative body and Senate Clerk
Vaccination of adolescents age 12+ starting now in Virginia
Community vaccination centers waiting till Friday, VDH says
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With the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s approval late Wednesday afternoon, Virginia public health authorities gave their OK to expanding Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine shots to children ages 12 and older Wednesday night. In an update Thursday, state vaccination coordinator Dr. Danny Avula said that schools around the state are setting up vaccination clinics beginning
Report: Virginia gas shortage leaps to 52% in one day
Colonial Pipeline back up as of 5 p.m. Wednesday
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Updated 10 p.m. According to a website tracking gasoline prices and shortages based on crowdsourced data, 52% of Virginia’s gas stations had run out of gas as of 9 p.m. Wednesday, a gigantic leap since 5 p.m. Tuesday, when GasBuddy.com reported 8% outages in the state. The chief culprit appears to be panic buying prompted
Va. General Fund revenue up 41.9% in April compared to 2020
Total revenue collections rose 12.8%
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Virginia’s General Fund revenue for April 2021 increased by 41.9% compared with April 2020, the largest increase in this century, Gov. Ralph Northam announced Wednesday. Total revenue collections rose 12.8% through April on a fiscal year-to-date basis, which was well ahead of the 2.7% growth forecast. “Virginia is posting the largest monthly revenue increase in
Northam, GA leaders pledge to invest $4.3B in federal funds in special session
Small businesses, VEC upgrades among priorities
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Gov. Ralph Northam on Wednesday issued a statement with General Assembly leaders outlining their priorities for a $4.3 billion windfall from the most recent federal stimulus package passed in March. Among their plans during a special legislative session this summer will be to allocate money from the $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan to fully fund
Northam declares state of emergency related to gas pipeline shutdown
Says current reserves are sufficient for short shutdown
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Gov. Ralph Northam declared a state of emergency Tuesday, five days after the Colonial Pipeline was shut down due to a cyber-attack. The Texas pipeline is the primary source of gasoline for many retailers in Virginia and elsewhere on the East Coast, so its prolonged closure would interrupt distribution of gas to the state, the