Drug Sweep Hits Vape Shops

Fairfax County police conducted a drug operation that included raids on 20 locations, including vape shops, storage units, and homes. Targets included 12 Tobacco King locations.

A father and his two adult sons will face drug and money laundering charges after officers seized more than $2 million worth of illegal drugs, $500,000 in cash, and locked 30 bank accounts.

“If I had to describe the current state of tobacco vape shops, not just here in Fairfax County but in the entire national capital region, I would describe vape shops as dens of ill repute and hives of corruption,” Police Chief Kevin Davis warned.

Officers from Arlington County, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, and Virginia State Police also took part in the raids.

Redistricting Efforts Ramp Up

Former Gov. Glenn Youngkin weighed in on a constitutional amendment that would allow lawmakers to redraw U.S. congressional districts ahead of November’s elections. “This unconstitutional power grab will permanently rig Virginia’s Congressional maps and disenfranchise millions of Virginians,” Youngkin wrote.

Gov. Abigail Spanberger, a Democrat, voted in favor of the proposal last week. She also recorded an ad urging Virginians to join her and vote by April 21.

Both sides are working to get their message out through yard signs and TV ads. A progressive-leaning group is even publishing The Virginia Independent, which appears to be a traditional newspaper but features only pro-redistricting coverage.

The state’s delegation is six Democrats and five Republicans. The gerrymandered map drawn by the General Assembly would give Democrats an edge in 10 of the 11 seats.

No Kings Rallies Coming Tomorrow

The third round of No Kings rallies is scheduled for tomorrow at sites across the Commonwealth. The gatherings will be held as the U.S. military presses its attacks on sites in Iran.

Ezra Levin, an organizer of the rallies, predicted they would be the “largest protest in American history.” Similar gatherings in June and October were peaceful aside from an incident in Culpeper where a man drove an SUV into the crowd.

Protests in Arlington are set to include a “bridge brigade” with protesters lining the I-66 and U.S. 50 overpasses. At 10 a.m., marchers will cross the Memorial Bridge into D.C.

Other rallies and marches are planned in Southwest Virginia, Central Virginia, and Hampton Roads.

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➤ Alexandria: A car accident blocked all lanes on the Inner Loop of the Capital Beltway on Thursday, causing a 12-mile backup. A witness described 15 or 20 police cars chasing a white Range Rover before the crash. “‘Chaotic’ would be an understatement to describe it,” a driver said. (Details)

➤ Tidewater: Virginia Peninsula Community College hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony for its Newport News Trades Center. The program will offer classes in welding, marine electrical, HVAC, plumbing, and facilities maintenance. (More)

➤ Martinsville: The city said it controlled a cyberattack and that no consumer or citizen information was compromised, although “out of an abundance of caution and to protect our systems, some services within the City Municipal Building may be temporarily delayed or limited for the remainder of the week.” (Details)

➤ Roanoke: The city ruled that a shelter known as The Least of These Ministry is not complying with zoning laws. The organization was cleared to operate as a supply pantry but has expanded operations and now meets the definition of a regional housing provider. (More)

➤ Accomack: The county Board of Supervisors approved stricter regulations for battery energy storage facilities. One such project is under construction in Tasley, and another is planned for Wattsville. (Details)

➤ Southwest Virginia: The Virginia Department of Health reported six cases of measles in the region, but added it is “not investigating any community exposures at this time.” (More)

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➤ Richmond Public Schools launched its first elementary school baseball league this week, with 120 players from eight schools participating in a program created with help from the Richmond Flying Squirrels. (Details)

➤ NASCAR’s Cup Series roars into Martinsville Speedway this Sunday for the Cook Out 400, the first short track race of the 2026 season at the sport’s oldest and smallest venue. (More)

➤ JMU women’s lacrosse overcame a four-score deficit to upset No. 19 Virginia 11-10, the Dukes’ first win over a ranked team this season. (Details)

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

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➤ The Pentagon reached an agreement with contractors, including Falls Church-based BAE Systems, to quadruple production of infrared seekers for its Terminal High Altitude Area Defense interceptor. (Details)

➤ Arlington Economic Development will host a session next Tuesday about how to use artificial intelligence to create better proposals. (Sign Up)

➤ The U.S. Department of Agriculture issued a public health alert that some 16-ounce packages of White Oak Pastures’ “Radically Traditional Farming, Grassfed Ground Beef” may contain metal. The meat, stamped with “105761 Sell by 03/19/26” on the back, was sold in five states, including Virginia, plus Washington, D.C. (Details)

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China’s 60% Stranglehold on Lithium is Cracking

China dictates the flow of 60% of the world’s lithium. That’s about to change.

America already has the 5th-most lithium reserves in the world. Now, domestic innovators like EnergyX are preparing to ramp up production to unlock this untapped supply.

Their patented tech can recover up to 3X more lithium than traditional methods. That’s already earned investment from giants like General Motors. Even better, they already have rights to nearly 150,000 acres of lithium-rich land across the Americas. 

That includes up to 9.8M tons of lithium in Chile alone, a $1.1B/year revenue opportunity at projected market prices. As China’s lithium becomes more volatile, these assets only become more valuable.

➤ Christina Devers from Benton Middle School in Prince William County was named the 2026 Virginia School Social Worker of the Year. (Details)

➤ The Virginia Aquarium added three new Animal Ambassadors over the winter: a Virginia opossum, a striped skunk, and a spectacled owl. (More)

➤ Carilion Clinic in Roanoke will host an electronics recycling event tomorrow morning. (Details)

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Have you been to a race at Martinsville Speedway?

1. Yes
2. No
3. Not yet!

Thursday’s Results:

Do you put out bird feeders? 

1. Yes: 44%
2. No: 32%
3. Mostly for squirrels: 24%

What year was City Point founded?

Show me the answer