Most Read Articles April 25, 2025
1
Friday Read Goats mowed a path away from herbicides for one Virginia town
It was the fireflies — or sudden absence of them — that got the attention of a pair of 9-year-olds in Leesburg, Va., in 2019. Aila McGregor had already made a sign for the window of her family’s townhouse in Loudoun County (“Wanted: fireflies to come back”) when a neighbor knocked on her door. The woman, a member of the town’s environmental advisory commission, had been trying to get the town to reconsider its use of broad-spectrum herbicides to curb weeds in the stream behind their residential development. She was starting a petition. “She asked if I had noticed them spraying,” said Michelle McGregor, Aila’s mom, “and I said, ‘Oh, you should get Aila to talk to them. She’s so upset the fireflies are gone.’”
2
Hanover judge rules Queen of Virginia skill games are legal, delivering win to small businesses
A Hanover County judge handed down a ruling Wednesday that could reshape the future of skill games in Virginia, siding with a convenience store owner who faced criminal charges for operating several Queen of Virginia (QVS2) skill machines. Judge Hugh Campbell of the Hanover County General District Court dismissed the case against David Bogese, owner of the Breez-In Mart, after finding that the QVS2 devices at his store did not meet the legal definition of illegal gambling machines under state law.
3
Bon Secours squeezed $276 million from struggling Richmond Community Hospital, report says
When news broke that a struggling Richmond hospital generated outsized profits from a federal discount system, the city clamored for answers. City leaders called for accountability from Bon Secours, the hospital chain that owns Richmond Community Hospital. State lawmakers pushed a bill that would compel transparency. On Thursday, a new report from the U.S. Senate answered those questions. In total, Richmond Community Hospital generated $276 million over five years through a government program known as 340B, which allowed them to buy expensive drugs at a steep discount.
4
National organizations will give big boosts to Virginia Democrats this year
From building party infrastructure and strengthening candidate recruitment pipelines to supporting current candidates with tens of thousands in cash, both the Democratic Party of Virginia and candidates running in this year’s pivotal House of Delegates election are getting fresh infusions of funds and energy from national organizations. Thursday, the Democratic National Committee announced that it will transfer more than $1 million per month to its state and territorial parties over the next four years. Meanwhile the Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee announced its spotlight investment on a slate of Democrats who are challenging Republican incumbents in Virginia’s statehouse.
5
All six Democratic candidates for lieutenant governor support repealing right-to-work law
All six candidates seeking the Democratic nomination for lieutenant governor say they want to repeal the state’s right-to-work law, which says workers cannot be forced to join a union as a condition of employment. At a forum for Democratic lieutenant governor candidates Wednesday night in Roanoke, all five attendees said they would work to repeal the law. The sixth candidate, longtime labor leader Alex Bastani, was absent from the forum because of sickness but said he also supports repealing the statute.
6
Democrats in race for lieutenant governor support repealing right-to-work law
All of the Democratic candidates for lieutenant governor, except for Alex Bastani, who did not attend, voiced support Wednesday night for repealing Virginia’s decades-old right-to-work law. Under current state law, employees cannot be required to join or pay dues to a labor union as a condition of employment — a statute critics say weakens organized labor and suppresses wages.
7
Cardinal News wins FOIA battle for Flock footage in Roanoke Circuit Court
Roanoke City Circuit Court has ruled in favor of Cardinal News Executive Editor Jeff Schwaner in a declaratory judgment to be filed in Roanoke City Circuit Court. In an April 14 letter to attorneys previewing the ruling, Judge Leisa Ciaffone finds the city of Roanoke in violation of the Freedom of Information Act and requires them to fulfill a renewed request for Flock footage of Schwaner’s vehicle.
8
Two inmates who burned themselves at Red Onion State Prison transferred out of state
The Virginia Department of Corrections (VADOC) has confirmed that two inmates, who purposefully burned themselves while at Red Onion State Prison have been transferred to out-of-state facilities. Ekong Eshiet and Demetrius Wallace — both outspoken inmates on the conditions they’ve experienced in prison — are the two men who were transferred.
9
Virginia business beats criminal skill games charges with help from Southside senator
So-called “skill games,” or computerized gambling machines, have popped up across Virginia since their temporary legalization in 2020. Efforts to restrict them have followed in the years since. However, one Virginia senator successfully convinced a Hanover County judge that newer games skirt that law from the General Assembly. Hanover convenience store owner David Bogese was charged with possession of an “illegal gambling device” last year. But Wednesday, at a hearing in the county’s general district court, Judge Hugh Campbell sided with Bogese.
10
Tysons casino proponent donates $15K to Arlington delegates
A developer hoping to bring casino gambling to Northern Virginia has contributed $15,000 to two of Arlington’s state delegates. Incumbent Del. Patrick Hope (D-1) on March 26 received a $10,000 campaign contribution from Reston-based Comstock Hospitality Holdings, which for the past two years has worked to secure General Assembly approval to allow for a casino in Tysons. This was the largest recent outside campaign contribution to any of the three contenders in the 1st District Democratic primary, according to recently filed finance reports with the Virginia Department of Elections.