RICHMOND, Va. — Beginning this month, a series of new and updated Virginia laws will take effect, raising the minimum wage, increasing unemployment benefits and expand…

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RICHMOND, Va. — Virginia State Police (VSP) have announced that vehicles passing safety inspections in 2026 will receive a blue inspection sticker.

Sticker designs got a major overhaul in 2025. They w…

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FISHERSVILLE, Va. — On Tuesday, Governor Glenn Youngkin joined state and local partners to break ground on the Valley Crisis Receiving Center, a key component of the Comm…

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SALEM, Va. — Virginia youth are encouraged to participate in the 2025 Jingle Your Way to a Safe Holiday: Buckle Up and Drive Safely contest.

The statewide competition — sp…

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FISHERSVILLE, Va. — Earlier this month, Augusta Medical Group announced plans to consolidate three of its practice locations.

The group will close Weyers Cave Urgent Care,…

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RICHMOND, Va. — The Virginia Department of Forestry (VDOF) is currently accepting acorns, black walnuts, and chestnuts to support the state’s tree nurseries.

To participate, residents of the Commonwea…

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WASHINGTON, D.C. – On September 19, 2025, U.S. Senators Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine (both D-VA) issued a joint statement after Republicans voted down legislation to fund …

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VIRGINIA — Several new laws will go into effect July 1, 2025, including:

Seatbelts

Virginia law now requires all occupants of motor vehicles to be restrained, regardless of where they are seated. Children under age 8 must be secured in a property child safety seat. Rear-facing child seats must still be placed in the back seat of a vehicle.

Unemployment Compensation

People who qualify for unemployment benefits will see an increase of $52 more per week.

Sports Betting

Due to the similarities to sports betting, No one under 21 can take part in a “fantasy sports contest”

Styrofoam Ban

No food vendor of any type shall dispense prepared food to a customer in an expanded polystyrene food service container. Any person who violates any provision shall be assessed a civil penalty of not more than $50 for each day of such violation.

Towing Fee Limits

Maximum fees to jump from $150 to $210.

Cyberbullying

School boards must update cyberbullying policies to include off-campus online behavior.

Parent Notification

Schools are required to notify parents of a student who overdosed on campus or at a school activity within 24 hours of the incident.

Overtime Pay

An employer shall pay each employee an overtime premium at a rate not less than one and one-half times the employee's regular rate for any hours worked by an employee in excess of 40 hours in any one workweek.

Pedestrian Safety

Drivers must stop for pedestrians crossing within or near their lane at marked crosswalks, sidewalks at block ends, or intersections where speed limits are 35 mph or less. Passing a stopped vehicle yielding to pedestrians is prohibited.

Pedestrians must not cross against traffic and always have the right-of-way at intersections when vehicles are turning.

Violations causing serious injury or death to vulnerable pedestrians are considered a Class 1 misdemeanor.

Speed Cameras

Speed cameras are permitted in school zones and work zones. A $100 civil penalty is assessed for speeding violations detected by speed cameras. For new speed camera installations after July 1, 2025, a 30-day warning period will be in effect before citations are issued.

Exhibition Driving

Includes activities like spinning wheels while stationary, unnecessary zigzagging, drag racing, or carrying passengers on the hood or roof. Penalties now include

• Racing: 6 months to 2 years

• Exhibition driving: Up to 6 months

• Riding on hood/roof Class 3 misdemeanor

• Riding on hood/roof and/or blocking traffic Class 1 misdemeanor

Student Cell Phone Use

Public K-12 schools now have a "bell-to-bell" cell phone-free policy, meaning students are generally prohibited from using cell phones from the start to the end of the school day, including during lunch and between classes.

Junk Fees

Businesses must now include all mandatory fees in the advertised price, not just the base price. This includes fees that are required to purchase the advertised good or service and are not reasonably avoidable.

Hate Crimes

Increased penalty (Class 6 felony) for placing symbols like swastikas on property to intimidate others.

Mail Theft

Increased penalty (Class 6 felony). Mail theft will be a state crime punishable by up to five years in prison.

CULPEPER, Va. – A seemingly infamous former sheriff, about to begin a 10-year jail sentence, has been pardoned by President Donald Trump.

Acc…

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The following is a media release from the Virginia State Police:

RICHMOND, Va. — From April 10 to April 16, 2025, the Virginia State Police, in partnership with supporting f…

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RICHMOND, Va. — The Virginia Department of Health (VDH) has reported the state’s first confirmed measles case of the year.

According to an April 19, 2025 statem…

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CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – A former Culpeper County sheriff has been sentenced to 10 years in prison for bribery.

According to a December, 2024 media release from the US Department of Justice, Scott Howard Jenkins was found guilty of accepting more than $75,000 in bribes.

Jenkins, 53, accepted cash bribes and bribes in the form of 2023 campaign contributions from several co-defendants and at least five others — including two undercover FBI agents.

In return, Jenkins appointed each of the subjects as auxiliary deputy sheriffs — roles that are sworn law-enforcement positions. He also issued them official Culpeper County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) badges and credentials.

Not only were these “auxiliary deputies” not trained or vetted, but they also did not provide any legitimate services to the CCSO.

One of the appointees, Rick Rahim, was a convicted felon who filed a petition in Culpeper County Circuit Court to restore his right to possess a firearm. The petition also falsely stated that Rahim resided in Culpeper County. Sheriff Jenkins proceeded to pressure local officials to approve the petition.

On December 18, 2024, Jenkins was convicted of one count of conspiracy, four counts of honest services fraud, and seven counts of bribery concerning programs receiving federal funds.

On March 21, 2025, the U.S. Attorney's Office, Western District of Virginia announced that Jenkins’ sentence would be 10 years in federal prison.

“We hold our elected law enforcement officials to a higher standard of conduct and this case proves that when those officials use their authority for unjust personal enrichment, the Department of Justice will hold them accountable,” acting United States Attorney Zachary T. Lee said on Friday. I am grateful to the FBI for their tireless work on this investigation.”

The co-defendants all previously pleaded guilty for their roles in the bribery scheme and will be sentenced at a later date.

The current Culpeper County sheriff is former Culpeper Police Department Deputy Chief Tim Chilton.

The following is a March 12, 2025 media release via www.kaine.senate.gov.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine, a member of the Senate Armed Services…

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The VDEM is partnering with the National Weather Service to promote Severe Weather Awareness Week, March 10-14, 2025.

The week is designed to refresh, remind, and educ…

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Rappahannock County, Va. — Virginia State Police (VSP) are investigating a two-vehicle crash that killed a Sperryville man on Monday.

According to an emailed media …

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FREDERICK COUNTY, Va. — A chocolate factory is planning to invest $230 million to build a new production facility at Valley Innovation Park in Winchester.

Headquartered in Ma…

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RICHMOND, Va. – From January 31 to February 27, 2025, the Virginia State Police, in partnership with supporting federal and local agencies, achieved significant criminal inte…

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CULPEPER, Va. — The Blue Ridge Narcotics and Gang Task Force has concluded a month-long investigation with the arrest of two Orange, Va. residents.

On Friday, February 21, …

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Story updated 2/23/25 to include officer photos and an additional BPD statement.

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. — At 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, Virginia Beach Police Department (VBPD) officials held a press conference addressing the fatal shooting of two VBPD officers.

VBPD Chief Paul Neudigate was the primary speaker at the press conference, voice shaking with grief as he gave details about Friday’s incident.

“I stand here to provide an update on two heroes,” said Neudigate, “Two heroes who went to work last night and never made it home. Two heroes who paid the ultimate price.“

At approximately 11:27 p.m. on February 21, 2025, VBPD police officers Cameron Girvin and Christopher Reese observed a blue Hyundai Sonata with an expired plate, on South Rosemont Road.

They attempted to stop the vehicle. The driver failed to yield. The officers proceeded to follow the vehicle to the dead end road of Silvan Court. Both officers approached, on foot.

The male driver was argumentative. They made numerous requests for him to exit the vehicle, and eventually, he complied.

As he stepped from the vehicle, there was an immediate physical altercation between the officers and the subject.

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The Page County Emergency Communication Center is reminding everyone that beginning February 15, 2025, residents must call Page County Emergency Communication Center at (540) 843…

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