Spanberger Signs Bills 

Gov. Abigail Spanberger has signed a batch of bills passed by the General Assembly earlier this year. She has until April 13 to either sign, veto, or amend and send back any bills that passed both houses.

The newly signed laws aim to rein in consumer costs by lowering prescription drug prices, increasing housing availability, and reducing energy costs. “No Virginian should ever have to choose between seeing their doctor, paying their rent or mortgage, or keeping their lights on,” Spanberger said.

The governor did not sign any measures that would directly increase taxes for Virginians. Most of the new laws will take effect on July 1.

SNAP Restrictions Delayed

The Virginia Department of Social Services announced it will delay the implementation of a planned restriction on the purchase of sweetened beverages through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).

The restriction was set to take effect on April 1, but will instead be delayed until October. It would prevent SNAP recipients from using benefits to purchase sodas (including those with no sugar), carbonated energy drinks with added sugars, or drinks with artificial sweeteners.

Tidewater resident Tamico Mason opposed the restriction. “They should be able to get sodas, if they want sodas, snacks if they want snacks.“

When the proposed restriction was rolled out last year, then-Gov. Glenn Youngkin said the ban “will be a component of Virginians being healthier and Americans being healthier.” The department didn’t immediately explain the reason for the delay.

Population Growth Slows

The Commonwealth’s population is increasing, but more slowly than in the recent past. According to the University of Virginia’s Weldon Cooper Center, the growth rate so far this decade is 0.5%, down from 0.76% during the previous decade.

In Central Virginia, the Census Bureau found that more than 12,000 people relocated to the Richmond area between July 2024 and July 2025. Almost half of those moved to Chesterfield County, which saw its population increase by 1.5%.

At the same time, the number of children entering school is moving down. “That’s because the number of children born in Virginia each year has mostly fallen since 2008; what that means is fewer kindergartners started entering Virginia schools, just generally, in 2014 and every year since then,” a researcher said.

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➤ Fairfax County: Anibal Armando Chavarria Muy, who is accused of stabbing a person to death on Sunday in Bailey’s Crossroads, is reportedly an illegal immigrant from Guatemala. The 38-year-old suspect is being held without bond on a second-degree murder charge. (Details)

➤ Roanoke: Four Democrats and one Republican announced their candidacies for one of three seats on the city council, joining two candidates already in the race. (More)

➤ Caroline County: Authorities identified a body found at a pond as 18-year-old Jayden Michael McComber, who had been missing since March 25. His death is suspected to be connected to the death of an unidentified female, whose body was found on March 27. (Details)

➤ Franklin County: School officials hinted that they may ask for tax increases to fund education in the upcoming budget. Hearings begin on April 14. (More)

➤ Prince William County: A three-judge Virginia Court of Appeals panel ruled in favor of residents who are trying to block the PW Digital Gateway data center project, which would be the largest data center corridor in the world if it is completed. Developers may appeal to the Supreme Court. (Details)

➤ Virginia Beach: City residents will be eligible for a free $50 annual parking voucher to encourage them to visit the Oceanfront. (More)

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➤ Albemarle boys’ basketball coach Greg Maynard retired after piling up 639 wins in 37 years on the sideline. (Details)

➤ VMI baseball, 22-6 on the year, hosts Southern Conference foe Wofford in a three-game series that begins today. (More)

➤ UVA softball, ranked No. 12, opens a three-game series at Duke today. (Schedule)

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

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➤ The Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond provided an in-depth look at the growth of the pharmaceutical industry across the Commonwealth and neighboring states. (The Report)

➤ The Fairfax County Planning Commission approved plans to develop a parking lot into 646 residential units near Alexandria. (More)

➤ Virginia Tech economics professor Jadrian Wooten warned that the job market looks weak for graduating college seniors. “Things like education and health care have boomed over the past few years, but that’s not exactly a place that lots of college graduates are going,” Wooten noted. (Details)

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➤ Avery Wise, a 17-year-old volunteer with the Occoquan-Woodbridge-Lorton Volunteer Fire Department, earned the Passion for Public Service Scholarship after using his EMT training to save a life. (Details)

➤ K Alferio will retire next year after 18 years as president and CEO of the Cultural Arts Center at Glen Allen. (More)

➤ The Environmental Protection Agency is seeking applicants to support the Chesapeake Bay Program, a state-federal partnership aimed at cleaning up the waterway. (Details)

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Have you voted in the redistricting referendum?

1. Yes
2. No
3. Not yet
4. Not voting

Wednesday’s Results:

Have you swum in Smith Mountain Lake? 

1. No: 41%
2. Yes: 33%
3. Not yet: 26%

Who was Carroll County named for?

Show me the answer