Supreme Court Allows Redistricting Vote

The Virginia Supreme Court lifted a second legal block on a redistricting referendum and will allow the vote to move forward statewide. Early voting begins today, with Election Day on April 21.

Voters are being asked whether to amend the constitution to allow the introduction of new congressional districts, with a map intentionally gerrymandered by Democrats to give their party a one-time edge in as many as 10 of the state’s 11 seats.

Gov. Abigail Spanberger said she supports the measure, which she described as a response to President Trump’s demands for redistricting in other states. “Virginians have the opportunity to take action in response to this extraordinary moment in history,” Spanberger said.

The court’s decision triggered a scramble in Tazewell County, where a judge had put a hold on vote preparations. The county registrar said, “I feel confident we can be ready for in-person early voting to start on Friday morning.“

Fairfax Casino Bill Advances

The House of Delegates passed a bill that would allow Fairfax County voters to decide whether they want a casino. Before it can go to the governor, the measure must be reconciled with a slightly different version of the same bill that has passed the Senate.

The House version would give the county until July 1, 2029, to pass a casino referendum.

Senate Majority Leader Scott Surovell sponsored the proposal, which he said could create “more revenue than all the other casinos we’ve authorized in Virginia combined.”

However, it isn’t clear that Fairfax residents want a casino. The Board of Supervisors has voted against authorizing a casino in Tysons Corner, and polls indicated that voters oppose the idea as well.

State Appeals Social Media Decision

Attorney General Jay Jones filed an appeal after a federal judge issued an injunction blocking a provision of a Virginia law that limits minors to one hour of social media use per day without parental consent for more.

“The Court recognizes the Commonwealth’s compelling interest in protecting its youth from the harms associated with the addictive aspects of social media,” U.S. District Judge Patricia Tolliver Giles wrote. “However, it cannot infringe on First Amendment rights, including those of the same youth it aims to protect.”

State Sen. Schuyler VanValkenburg wrote the law. “I think that ultimately the courts will agree with my and the Commonwealth’s assessment of the law and enforcement of it will proceed,” he said.

The trade association NetChoice—funded in part by Meta, TikTok, and YouTube—brought the legal challenge. NetChoice’s Paul Taske said, “We are very confident that we will see the 4th Circuit affirm the lower court decision.”

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➤ Bedford County Supervisor Charla Bansley filed a lawsuit attempting to block November’s ballot resolution on whether to enshrine reproductive rights into the state constitution. She claims state lawmakers did not follow proper procedures when drafting the measure. (Details)

➤ Fairfax County: Emails show that police warned the Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office about Sierra Leone National Abdul Jalloh before he allegedly killed a woman at a bus stop. “It is not a question of if, but rather when he will maliciously wound (or worse) again,” an officer warned. (More)

➤ Danville: The city’s 2025 crime statistics report showed a 28% drop in violent crime, which reached its lowest level in four decades. Property crime and overdose cases dropped last year, as well. (Details)

➤ Richmond: Lawmakers passed a bill requiring schools that teach about the attack on the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, to include only facts about what happened and omit claims that the incident was a peaceful protest. The measure goes to Gov. Abigail Spanberger for consideration. (Details)

➤ Roanoke: Jillian Papa resigned as director of the city’s planning department after less than a year in the position. The Planning Commission has a work session scheduled for today. (More)

➤ Loudoun County: Officials warned that the school system could lose more than $30 million each year in state funding if lawmakers change the formula used to determine how state funding for schools is allocated to localities and take into account the amount of tax revenue a locality receives from data centers. (Details)

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➤ Virginia Tech softball, ranked No. 11, hosts six other teams at the Hokie Invite in Salem through the weekend. (Schedule)

➤ UVA women’s lacrosse, ranked No. 20, plays Florida State on Sunday after it secured a 10-7 win over No. 21 Pitt this week. (More)

➤ Washington Wizards forward Kyshawn George partially tore the UCL in his left elbow earlier this week. He’s out for at least three weeks. (More)

Yesterday’s Results: NBA | NHL | NCAAM | NCAAW | NCAAB | NCAASB | Soccer | Golf

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➤ Speyside Bourbon Cooperage announced it will cease production of whiskey-aging barrels in Smyth County and lay off 52 employees there. (Details)

➤ Gloucester County authorities raided five vape shops. They seized more than 2,400 items, including suspected narcotics, a firearm, cash, business records, and electronics. (More)

➤ Taicoon Property Partners will present its plans for a seven-story luxury condominium unit in Arlington to the Site Plan Review Committee. (Details)

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➤ The Freedom First St. Patrick’s Day Parade & Shamrock Festival is scheduled for next Saturday, March 14, in Roanoke. (Details)

➤ The Commonwealth was tapped as the “Best State for Immigrants” by SmileHub. The review considered social, economic, and legal environments. (More)

➤ Henrico County high schoolers held a mock Board of Supervisors meeting this week in the county board room. Their project was to address a water crisis such as the one the county faced last year. (Details)

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Would you support switching to permanent Daylight Saving Time?

1. Yes
2. No
3. I don’t care

Thursday’s Results:

Have you been ticketed for speeding by a camera? 

1. No: 44%
2. Yes: 33%
3. I won’t tell: 23%

When was the town of Altavista created?

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