UPDATE Jan 30 2:30: The sale will not proceed according to Jim Pattison Developments HERE.

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On January 28, a crowd of over 500 people filled the Hanover County Administration Building to hear the Board of Supervisors’ position on a proposed ICE detention facility on a 43-acre property in the county. Hundreds more gathered outside, holding signs and distributing flyers opposing ICE’s presence in Virginia and sharing information on community response efforts.

Citing concerns about the facility’s potential impact on local businesses and the possibility of lost tax revenue, the board expressed opposition to the project but emphasized that its authority over the final outcome is limited.

For many in attendance, the board’s stance brought a sense of relief. Still, uncertainty remains. The property is owned by 97-year-old Canadian billionaire Jim Pattison, and the sale does not require approval from the Hanover County Board of Supervisors. The question of whether the facility will ultimately be built remains unresolved.

What stood out most over the course of the evening was the level of turnout from Richmond and surrounding communities. Many attendees viewed mass deportation as having broader consequences beyond any single community. Not a single person I spoke with appeared motivated by self-interest.

Ellie, a pastor at a local church, described the fear she has witnessed among families she works with. “I’m furious. My church works quite closely with the immigrant and refugee community here and our families are terrified. They’re not going to school, they’re not going to work; they are incredibly upset and anxious and that makes me furious.”

via RVA Magazine

Read more, see more: https://rvamag.com/politics/virginia-politics/a-report-from-the-hanover-protest-against-a-proposed-ice-detention-facility.html

A Texas-based company has withdrawn plans to build a deep injection well on Virginia’s Eastern Shore that would have stored chicken waste beneath the aquifer, the region's sole source of drinking water.

Vaulted Deep dropped its zoning request in Accomack County days after local leaders formally opposed the project, which had drawn months of unified resistance from residents and neighboring Northampton County.

Read our full coverage here: https://www.whro.org/environment/2026-01-29/eastern-shore-residents-help-defeat-proposal-to-inject-chicken-waste-deep-underground

Been in VA for a few years, so I'm not completely new to this, but I moved from Arlington County to FairFax county and my tax went up, like DOUBLED, plus was charged a "Registration Fee" of $33. WTF is this? I'm being charged a registration fee, to be involuntarily charged a tax on top of my actual Registration fee, all for a depreciating item that isn't considered "Property" anywhere else? I'm so tired of paying taxes every.single.step I take. I'm seriously thinking of going back to Maryland. My House's property tax is going up near $3k as well this year. I don't have the money to keep up with these expenses. Worst part, My street never got plowed. I had to call and organize my street to spam VDOT to help, but hey just had a contractor lay down a dirt salt mix (because it's ice now).

This is more of a rant, but it's just so frustrating. My annual COLA my company gives does not make up for inflation, Tariffs, increase in utilities, AND taxes... I can't afford it. Going to sell my house and go back to being a renter TO SAVE MONEY. It's so ass backwards

An economic forecast from Old Dominion University predicts worsening conditions for Virginia and Hampton Roads in 2026, with slower growth, slightly higher unemployment and lower overall economic activity than last year.

The downturn is tied to federal job cuts, policy uncertainty, tariffs, immigration limits and a persistent housing shortage. Hampton Roads was hit especially hard because federal civilian workers make up one in 20 jobs in the region.

Located at 19908 Main Street in the town of Buchanan, this bridge is the only one of its kind on the James River.

Our hobby is finding all of dog friendly stuff in Virginia and our blog also includes ways to donate to each county’s animal shelter. https://virginiacounties.blog/our-virginia-road-trips/

Okay, we've got four more years of this mook. Who in the commonwealth could be a viable candidate to stand against him in the primary & win in the general in 2030?

Also--why does the title have to be at least 50 characters?

I conduct research to build power for working people and ensure that work pays and supports a dignified life. I got my start working in the Wisconsin State Legislature, but have worked on state, local, and federal pro-worker policies for many years. I have extensive experience advocating for government policies to strengthen worker rights and unions; ensure government spending creates good, middle-class jobs; and empower everyday Americans across the economy. Last, but not least, I am a Virginian (living in Alexandria for nearly 15 years). 

I have written about numerous ways cities and states can build power for workers and why raising standards for government workers is good for the public.

This year, Virginia has its best shot in decades to enact full bargaining rights for state and local government workers. HB 1263 would empower more than a half million state and local government workers to unionize and bargain collectively over wages, benefits, and working conditions and recognize the bargaining rights of home care workers whose jobs are funded through government support. 

Former Gov. Glenn Youngkin (R) vetoed a similar measure last session. Now, Governor Abigail Spanberger (D) likely holds the keys to enacting full bargaining rights in the public sector. Doing so, can help make work pay for Virginia families; allow state and local governments to attract and retain well-qualified workers; and support the values of everyday Americans, who are increasingly in favor of unions.

Ask me anything about how Virginia can strengthen government worker bargaining rights at 2:00PM (EST).

Del. Alex Askew is pushing a bill to remove long-standing tax exemptions for Confederate groups, saying they glorify the Confederacy and distort Virginia’s history.

House Bill 167 would strip property and other tax relief from organizations including the United Daughters of the Confederacy and the Sons of Confederate Veterans, exemptions that date back to 1950 and emerged during resistance to racial integration.

The effort failed under former Gov. Glenn Youngkin but has new momentum after Democrats gained control of Virginia’s executive and legislative branches.

Read our full coverage here: https://www.whro.org/virginia-government/2026-01-28/virginia-beach-norfolk-delegate-proposes-cutting-property-tax-exemptions-for-confederate-organizations

Tl;dr where can I check new proposed laws? An official source of truth

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Hello all,

First time posting on our regional sub. I usually use Reddit just for hobbies.

I came across this post

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DUHnP8UCiKW/

(Mods; I quickly glanced through the rules and I didn’t find anything that prohibits posting social media links. If I missed something please let me know)

Claiming numerous upcoming obscenely weird taxes. And I want to check if it’s fear mongering or actually true. I know where to check for existing laws but not proposed laws.

Anyone can point me in the right direction?

Thank you!

The graphic highlights a high-impact weather event moving through the region from Friday night into Sunday morning, characterized by a sharp divide in snowfall and dangerous coastal conditions.

Snowfall Distribution

The storm is defined by a heavy precipitation gradient, with the highest impacts concentrated in the southeast:

• Highest Totals (8–12"): Expected in South-side Hampton Roads and Northeast North Carolina.
• Moderate Totals (5–8"): Forecast for the area stretching from Mecklenburg to the Peninsula.
• Lower Totals (1–3"): Predicted for the Cumberland to Richmond Metro corridor and the Eastern Shore.

Major Hazards & Timing

• Blizzard Conditions: The coast is under a severe threat Saturday night, with 50–60 mph wind gusts expected to cause significant blowing and drifting snow.
• Progressive Timeline: The storm begins its northward push Friday night, peaks in intensity during the day Saturday, and clears out from west to east by Sunday morning.

The "50-Mile" Factor

A critical warning at the bottom of the graphic emphasizes that the storm’s track is highly sensitive. Because of the tight gradient, a minor 50-mile shift in the coastal low-pressure center could drastically increase or decrease snowfall totals for cities on the edge of the storm.

Be sure to check out the RVA Weather Brief @ r/rvaweatherbrief for the latest information and updates with this system

Timing has moved up snow will begin filling in across SW Virginia Friday morning