Legislative Session Reaches Crossover Day

Tuesday was crossover day in Richmond, the midway point of the 2026 state legislative session. Only bills that have passed one house of the General Assembly and moved to the other by that day can be enacted into law this term.

Some bills that moved forward include one to create a prescription drug affordability board and another to require employers to provide paid sick time.

Each house has passed a bill to create a retail market for the sale of recreational marijuana, and those bills will need to be reconciled before being sent to the governor. Lawmakers also passed legislation to boost the minimum wage and moved forward with efforts to tighten gun regulations.

In addition, lawmakers approved three constitutional amendments that will appear on November’s ballot, along with a redistricting amendment that goes to voters on April 21.

VT President Delivers State of the School Address

Virginia Tech President Tim Sands gave his tenth State of the University address on Wednesday.

“This is a critical time for the university as we develop a new strategic plan that aligns with our evolving Beyond Boundaries vision,” Sands said. He added that the university has an annual economic impact of $3.4 billion on the Commonwealth.

According to the president, the school will focus on three priority areas in 2026: boosting Virginia Tech Advantage (which provides financial support to in-state students), raising the school’s global distinction, and improving Virginia Tech athletics.

Academically, Sands noted that Tech is ranked No. 13 nationwide in computer and information sciences, and that its researchers are working with the Navy to improve shipbuilding. Virginia Tech is also expanding its medical school scholarships to help meet regional healthcare needs.

Dominion Files Plan for Powering Data Centers

Dominion Energy Virginia submitted its proposed large-load connection queue process to state regulators, outlining how it plans to manage growing data center energy demand. The utility said it has about 70 gigawatts of delivery points in the queue, nearly three times the 24.7 gigawatts it delivered on its busiest day ever in January of last year.

Virginia is often called the Internet Capital of the World because it hosts at least 570 data centers, far more than the next state, Texas, with 397. More data centers are on the way, partly because Virginia’s tax laws include an exemption that provides favorable treatment for data centers.

Prince William County, for example, may nearly double its current 33 data centers if all 31 planned campuses are constructed. The expansion is straining the electrical grid.

When data centers rely on generators to provide power, they produce pollution. A VCU report found that “carbon monoxide emissions increased by 196%, nitrous oxide emissions rose by 111%, and dangerous particulate matter emissions jumped by 139% in Northern Virginia between 2015 and 2023.”

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➤ Centreville: Investigators worked to pinpoint the source of a gas line leak that apparently triggered a house explosion over the weekend. “They’re doing test holes to ensure that the propagation of that natural gas does not seep and expand into a further perimeter,” Fairfax County’s assistant chief of operations said. (Details)

➤ Statewide: Virginia imposes the highest vehicle property taxes in the nation, according to a survey by WalletHub. (More)

➤ Prince William County Public Schools issued three-day suspensions to students who left Woodbridge Senior High School grounds last week during a walkout protesting Immigration and Customs Enforcement policies. More than 250 students took part. (Details)

➤ Statewide: The Commonwealth will administer a total of $4.9 million through 12 federal Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure (RFSI) grants. The money is intended to strengthen local and regional food systems. (More)

➤ Mathews County: A FedEx delivery driver was arrested for allegedly stealing packages from the home of the late Commonwealth’s Attorney Marie Walls, who was found dead last week. A passenger in the delivery truck was charged with possession of a controlled substance. (Details)

➤ Danville: Residents and businesses are under a boil water advisory until at least tomorrow, after rain runoff earlier this week carried substances into the Dan River. “We will notify the public as soon as it is safe to resume normal use,” Danville Utilities said. (More)

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➤ UVA softball, ranked No. 25, hosts a doubleheader against Maryland today. (Schedule)

➤ VCU men’s basketball topped George Washington 89-75 for the Rams’ 10th straight victory. (More)

➤ James Madison football tight end KD Mosley, who joined the team last month, was arrested on assault charges in early February. (More)

Yesterday’s Results: Olympics | NCAAM | NCAAW | NCAAB | NCAASB | Soccer

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➤ The Commonwealth returned $11.5 million in unclaimed property to residents in less than a year. Virginia’s Department of Treasury said it has mailed more than 44,000 checks since the CASH Now Act took effect in March 2025. (Details)

➤ The Melrose Business Association launched to promote commerce in Roanoke’s Melrose Avenue corridor. (More)

➤ GRVTY, a defense technology company based in Virginia, announced it will spend $8 million to build a new headquarters in Tysons. (Details)

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➤ Friends of Dragon Run and the Chesapeake Conservancy placed 2.5 miles of Dragon Run frontage and approximately 250 acres of bald cypress-tupelo swamp under permanent conservation. (Details)

➤ Virginia Commonwealth University announced that six people, including Sen. Tim Kaine, will be honored at its 18th Excellence in Virginia Government Awards. (More)

➤ The VA250 Mobile Museum Experience rolls into Craig County today with its “Out of Many, One” exhibit. (More)

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Have you received a check for unclaimed property?

1. Yes
2. No
3. Not yet!

Wednesday’s Results:

Should the Commonwealth require limits on social media use by children? 

1. Yes: 44%
2. No: 29%
3. I’m not sure: 27%

Who was the first student to enroll at Virginia Tech?

Show me the answer