Politics

After much wrangling, the two candidates for governor have agreed to a debate in Norfolk, but neither has responded to an invitation to debate in Southwest Virginia.

Republican incumbent Del. Chris Obenshain and his Democratic challenger Lily Franklin released new advertisements on television and in digital spaces as the race heats up.

Gov. Glenn Youngkin touted the state’s strong financial standing at the start of the 2026 fiscal year, but said Medicaid and SNAP funding concerns will be addressed in his December budget proposal.

Adam Murphy, a software developer from Roanoke County, has announced his campaign to challenge Republican Rep. Morgan Griffith in the 2026 election.

Virginia could see a $29 billion decrease in federal Medicaid spending over the next 10 years due to the passage of the so-called “One Big Beautiful Bill” by Congress. Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears, Republican candidate for governor, has suggested tapping into the state’s $4.7 billion “rainy day fund” to cover the cost.

A difference in reporting deadlines between the FEC and the State Board of Elections has created a loophole that allows for federal PACs to temporarily shield the source of their money, even as they contribute to state candidates in Virginia’s off-year elections.

The report found that, in 2023, people left Virginia for states with both higher and lower income tax rates. Of the top 10 states people left Virginia for that year, five had lower rates, four had higher rates and one had variable rates. 

Democrats on the Senate Privileges and Elections Committee appealed to the court after Republican Attorney General Jason Miyares’ office concluded that each of the appointees remain members of the respective board of visitors, despite their lack of confirmation by the General Assembly.

A discrepancy between federal and state campaign finance reporting deadlines has created a loophole that shields the origin of money contributed by federal PACs to state candidates.

Congress has clawed back $1.1 billion as part of an effort to end taxpayer funding of PBS and NPR. Among those impacted are Allegheny Mountain Radio and WMMT, which offer local news, eclectic playlists and a sense of place.