Monday, April 27, 2026

Good Morning! On this day in 1870, the “Capitol Disaster” occurred when the Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals chamber, which was overcrowded beyond capacity, collapsed into the House of Delegates below. The accident killed 62 and injured 251, and the Court never returned to the Capitol.

Senate candidate Mark Moran was in hot water last week when prediction market platform Kalshi suspended him for having wagered on his own candidacy. Readers didn’t think the stakes were too high in this case.

“If he can bet on other people, why can’t he bet on himself? It’s not as if he’s throwing a game in a sports contest,” one wrote.

“We have a horse track, every city that doesn’t have a casino is trying to get one, you can’t go into a gas station, supermarket, or club without being welcomed by machines,” another wrote. “Our state leaders have taught us it is just a natural part of life.”

We love to hear from readers. Hit reply to comment on any story.

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Bill Proposes Arlington Return to DC

A congressional Republican introduced the Make D.C. Square Again Act last week, with the goal of reversing the 1846 retrocession by making Arlington and Alexandria part of the District of Columbia as they were at the dawn of the Republic.

“The retroceded areas of Arlington and Alexandria alone contribute roughly 250,000 D.C. votes in Virginia statewide elections, votes that belong to Washington D.C.,” Rep. Rich McCormick, who proposed the bill, said.

“Rich McCormick’s bill is an embarrassing legislative tantrum…,” Rep. Don Beyer, a Democrat who represents Arlington, said. “Republicans upset about the passage of Virginia’s redistricting referendum should stop whining, as they have no one to blame but themselves.”

In last week’s constitutional referendum, 80% of Arlington voters opted to allow redistricting this year.

State Supreme Court Convenes

The state Supreme Court will convene today to hear arguments in a case triggered by last week’s constitutional referendum.

Senate Minority Leader Ryan McDougle and other Republican officials want the court to set aside the vote, which they contend was held improperly. Judge Jack Hurley Jr. of Tazewell County has stopped the certification of the referendum, marking the third time he has ruled against it.

Attorney General Jay Jones, a Democrat, appealed Hurley’s decision, saying it violates the sovereignty of voters. “For us to have the opportunity to participate and make our voices heard about our representation in Washington, I think is really important,” he said.

Observers expect the court to announce its decision soon.

Curfew Ends Early

A judge blocked Virginia Beach’s 9:30 all-ages curfew for the Oceanfront, scheduled to be in effect on Friday night. Five area businesses had asked for a temporary restraining order to prevent the city from enforcing the curfew.

The temporary curfew came in response to a pair of mass shooting incidents in which suspects exchanged gunfire within sight of uniformed police officers. Police Chief Paul Neudigate called it an emergency measure. “I can’t sit on my hands and not do something to protect this community, the residents, and the visitors down here.”

Local businesses celebrated the end of the measure on Saturday with Take Back Our Beach Day, with many offering $9.30 specials to poke fun at the ban.

A 7 p.m. to 5 a.m. curfew for unaccompanied minors on weekends remains in force at the Oceanfront.

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➤ Richmond: The Virginia General Assembly adjourned last week without reaching an agreement on a two-year state budget. Democrats, who control both houses, are divided about the tax treatment of data centers. It is unclear when they might reconvene. (Details)

➤ Ashland: Michael E. Hill was inaugurated as the 16th president of Randolph-Macon College. He said that education “is about helping students learn how to think, how to judge, how to speak, how to listen, and ultimately, how to live.” (Details)

➤ The Indian Ocean: The Norfolk-based carrier USS George H.W. Bush is now operating in the Middle East under U.S. Central Command. It is the third carrier group on station in the region, including the Virginia-based USS Gerald R. Ford. (More)

➤ Prince William County: Authorities announced they have solved the 52-year-old murder of Shirley L. Washington, whose body was discovered in 1973. They said her late husband, Clarence E. Washington, was responsible for the killing. (More)

➤ Alexandria: President Trump fired all members of the National Science Board, which oversees the National Science Foundation and advises lawmakers and the executive branch on scientific matters. (Details)

➤ Chesterfield County: Firefighters battled a blaze at a landfill over the weekend. They contained the fire but warned that smoky conditions may persist as it burns itself out. (Photos)

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➤ Virginia Tech softball, ranked No. 16, swept three games from North Carolina to close out its home schedule, finishing with a 5-4 win yesterday. (Score)

➤ Virginia men’s golf advanced to the semifinals of the ACC tournament against North Carolina at Shark’s Tooth Golf Course in Panama City Beach, Florida. (Details)

➤ The Washington Nationals took two of three in Chicago with a 2-1 win against the White Sox. (Box Score)

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➤ The Port of Virginia reported the highest productivity and the second-highest revenue in its history in 2025. “We have built the most accessible harbor in the Atlantic trade,” interim CEO Sarah McCoy said. (Details)

➤ Virginia’s housing market booked its strongest first quarter since 2022. A real estate research group reported that 8,388 homes changed hands last month, up nearly 9% year over year. (More)

➤ President Trump’s opposition to wind power is creating challenges for Virginia’s Republican lawmakers, who have argued against him in favor of Dominion Energy’s Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind project. (Details)

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➤ School districts are waiting to learn how much state funding will be available in the upcoming budget. “I don’t know if we’re going to issue contracts without a state budget,” Randy Hagler of Bedford County Public Schools said. (Details)

➤ The Wine Kitchen, a farm-to-table restaurant in Leesburg, still sees customers line up after nearly two decades in business. (More)

➤ VDOT provided details about its project to widen seven miles of I-81 between exits 143 and 150 in Botetourt and Roanoke counties. (More)

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