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Hampton Roads businesses react to bills raising minimum wage, requiring paid sick days and leave
Some Hampton Roads small businesses and advocates are stressed about three pieces of legislation moving through the Virginia General Assembly. Both Democrat-controlled chambers passed bills that would increase the minimum wage incrementally to $15 an hour by Jan. 1, 2028; require employers to provide paid sick leave; and establish a paid family and medical leave insurance program with benefits by Jan. 1, 2029. The legislation has Gov. Abigail Spanberger’s support. John Zirkle, president of the Virginia Beach Hotel Association, said decisions should be driven by the market alone and said association members are 100% against the government mandating wages.
Caesars would kick the tires on a Fairfax County casino bid
Caesars Entertainment Inc. is prepared to kick the tires on a Fairfax County casino if the gaming bill currently before the General Assembly secures final passage. The Reno, Nevada-based gaming giant, which already operates a casino in Danville, Virginia, about 250 miles south of D.C., on Tuesday was asked about the opportunity during its earnings call. “I would say we're always open to looking at new opportunities,” Caesars CEO Thomas Reeg said on the call. “Obviously, Danville, Virginia, for us was a huge success. We have warm feelings for the commonwealth.”
VDH sides with American Academy of Pediatrics for vaccine recommendations
Almost a dozen cases of measles so far this year along with a pediatric flu death is now prompting the Virginia Department of Health to align immunization schedules with the American Academy of Pediatrics and not The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s schedule. The state health commissioner shared that during an exclusive one-on-one interview. “That’s how we got here. We reviewed all the evidence, reviewed all the details and felt like the best way to protect Virginian kids is to stay in lockstep with the American Pediatrics Association,” said Dr. Cameron Webb, State Health Commissioner.
Virginia Republicans charge ‘power grab’ as Democrat who backed redistricting runs for Congress
Virginia Republicans are taking aim at a Democratic state lawmaker who played a key role in pushing through congressional redistricting in the state and is now running for newly drawn U.S. House seat. After Virginia Delegate Dan Helmer launched a congressional campaign, some Republican leaders took aim at him for what they call a "power grab." "I think it does look bad," House Minority Leader Terry Kilgore told Fox News Digital, as he pointed to Helmer's plan to run for Congress.
Va. Senate passes proposed congressional maps, as GOP fights back in court
Senate Democrats brushed aside Republican protests on Thursday to adopt revisions to the current state budget that include new congressional district maps for midterm elections in November — if Virginia voters approve a constitutional amendment in April to allow the mid-decade redistricting to proceed. The Senate adopted the 10 amendments to the "caboose" budget on a 21-18, party-line vote, shortly after Sen. Elizabeth Bennett-Parker, D-Alexandria, took the oath as senator to give Democrats the 21 votes they needed to pass a budget bill.
Virginia lawmakers advance later deadline for counting ballots after postal delays
Legislators representing Arlington are advancing matching bills to extend elections offices’ deadlines for receiving and counting absentee ballots. HB 82 and SB 58, introduced by Del. Adele McClure (D-2) and State Sen. Barbara Favola (D-40), respectively, call for moving the deadline from noon to 5 p.m. on the third day after an election. The bills also propose a 5 p.m. deadline for voters casting a provisional ballot to provide their proof of identification for their ballot to be counted. However, the bills would not change the deadline for voters to turn in absentee ballots or have them postmarked by Election Day.
Lawmakers shelve in-state tuition for tribe members
Virginia college students who belong to federally-recognized indigenous tribes and reside outside the state will have to wait another year before state lawmakers again consider granting them eligibility for in-state tuition. Citizens of federally-recognized Indigenous tribes in Virginia — such as the Chickahominy, Upper Mattaponi and Pamunkey tribes — who live outside the state are not currently eligible for in-state tuition.
Trump order looms as Virginia legislators consider regulation of artificial intelligence
Legislators in Richmond are looking to put some limits on the growth of artificial intelligence, but an executive order from President Donald Trump is holding them back. Artificial intelligence, or AI, can be used for just about anything. And there have been several efforts during the 2026 Virginia legislative session looking to wrangle its use. But for one bill aiming to impact its use in political ads, it may already be too late.
CoStar addresses layoffs after launching AI initiatives
CoStar Group has released a statement addressing recent layoffs after an announcement of AI technologies being deployed across the organization. 8News reached out to CoStar on Wednesday, Feb. 18 after being alerted to the possibility that a number of employees had been laid off at the company. A statement provided by a CoStar spokesperson confirmed the layoffs while detailing an “organizational update” as it relates to the success of Homes.com and continued efforts to integrate AI technology.
Conflict of interest bill passes House
An amended version of House Bill 505 passed in the Virginia House of Delegates on Feb. 17 by a vote of 63-34. Sponsored by ... Del. John McAuliff, D-Loudoun/Fauquier, the bill would amend the Code of Virginia by adding the following section: “Any member of a governing body in any locality, who has been employed by any governmental agency that is a component part of and which is subject to the ultimate control of that governmental body of which he is a member, shall be deemed to have a continuing personal interest, as defined in § 2.2-3101, in that agency for a period of two years following the termination of such employment.”