Virginia in the news: court-blocks mid-decade redistricting, GOP edge shifts in House map. Capitol state: Richmond, largest metro: Virginia Beach–Norfolk.
As of early March 2026, President Trump hosted major tech companies including Google, Microsoft, Meta, and OpenAI to sign a voluntary 'ratepayer protection pledge.' The pledge commits these firms to build or buy their own power generation for AI data centers to prevent electricity price hikes for consumers amid surging energy demand. Experts remain skeptical about the pledge's enforceability and impact on rising utility costs.
On March 3, 2026, Colin Gray was found guilty of second-degree murder and involuntary manslaughter for providing his son, Colt Gray, access to a gun used in the 2024 Apalachee High School shooting in Winder, Georgia. The attack killed two students and two teachers, with several others wounded. Colin Gray faces up to life imprisonment; his son awaits trial on 55 counts.
The California Supreme Court temporarily blocks laws requiring parental notification of students' gender identity, siding with religious parents and educators. The ruling reinstates a lower court order, citing potential violations of religious freedoms and privacy rights, amid ongoing legal challenges and political debates over transgender student policies.
The U.S. Supreme Court issued a stay preventing New York from redrawing the 11th Congressional District map ahead of midterm elections. The move supports Republican Rep. Nicole Malliotakis, whose district was ordered to be redrawn over racial gerrymandering claims. The case highlights ongoing disputes over redistricting and racial considerations in electoral maps.
A shooting at Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Virginia, resulted in two injuries and the death of the gunman. The incident occurred in Constant Hall, with authorities responding quickly. The motive remains unclear, and classes were canceled for the day.
Severe weather has been recurring across the US, with tornadoes, large hail, and damaging winds reported in recent days. Forecasts indicate similar conditions will persist through Tuesday and Wednesday, especially in regions affected last week. Warm temperatures are also expected to increase risks of storms and flooding.
Most Americans prefer to make daylight saving time permanent, but political and logistical hurdles remain. Experts warn that the time change disrupts sleep and increases health risks, with some states adopting bills to switch to permanent standard time. Congress' approval is still pending.
Recent weeks have seen unprecedented weather extremes across the US, including record-breaking heat in the Southwest and Arctic cold in the Midwest and East. These shifts are driven by high-pressure systems, polar vortex activity, and rapid temperature changes, impacting daily life and raising climate concerns.
The Potomac River sewage pipe has been repaired after a rupture in January, which caused 250 million gallons of untreated sewage to spill into the river. A class action lawsuit has been filed against DC Water for negligence. Authorities continue environmental monitoring and public discussions are ongoing.
Recent violent incidents in the US, including a college shooting in Virginia and a synagogue attack in Michigan, are connected to Middle East conflicts. Perpetrators had terrorist backgrounds or links, raising security concerns as regional tensions escalate. Today’s date: Mon, 23 Mar 2026.
The 2026 allergy report ranks Boise as the worst city for pollen allergies, driven by climate change and weather patterns. Early spring symptoms are affecting many, with Western cities experiencing longer, more intense pollen seasons due to warmer temperatures and drought. Experts advise early treatment and lifestyle adjustments.
The NCAA men's and women's basketball tournaments have seen a rapid decline in perfect brackets due to numerous upsets. Less than 1,500 perfect entries remain out of over 26 million, with major surprises like 12-seed High Point defeating Wisconsin. The unpredictability highlights the tournament's difficulty and the astronomical odds of perfect predictions.
The USS Gerald R. Ford, deployed for nine months, arrived at Souda Bay in Crete for maintenance after supporting operations in the Red Sea and Middle East. The ship experienced a fire and crew issues but remains fully mission capable, according to US military sources.
President Trump has issued an executive order directing the Department of Homeland Security to compile lists of eligible voters and barring the U.S. Postal Service from sending absentee ballots to anyone not on these lists. The order aims to restrict mail-in voting ahead of the November midterms but faces multiple legal challenges citing constitutional overreach and risks of voter disenfranchisement. The American Postal Workers Union has launched a campaign defending mail voting, emphasizing its safety and efficiency.
Ron Gibson, an Indianapolis councilman, was targeted in a shooting at his home, where 13 rounds were fired near his front door. The incident follows his support for a local data center project, amid rising opposition and threats linked to data center development and environmental concerns.
Recent surveys show that about a quarter of U.S. adults have used AI for health advice, often due to healthcare access issues. Meanwhile, AI adoption in workplaces is increasing, with some workers fearing job replacement, though many report productivity gains. Experts warn about potential skill decline from overreliance.
Several US states are implementing or considering temporary bans on new data center construction, citing concerns over resource use, pollution, and infrastructure. Maine has approved a moratorium, while others like Georgia are moving toward similar measures. The federal government is also contemplating a nationwide pause.
The US Navy is conducting a review of Ford-class aircraft carriers, including the USS Gerald R. Ford, amid ongoing deployment challenges. The carrier has been at sea for over 300 days, participating in key military operations, but has faced maintenance issues and a fire. The review aims to assess costs and system effectiveness, with decisions on future carriers pending.
King Charles III and Queen Camilla have arrived in Washington for a four-day state visit that will mark the United States' 250th anniversary. The trip has included a private meeting with President Donald Trump, an address planned to Congress, a White House state dinner and stops in New York and Virginia; security has been reinforced after a shooting at a Washington gala.
The US Supreme Court has heard arguments in Chatrie v. United States, testing whether geofence warrants — court orders that compel companies to produce location histories for devices near a crime — violate the Fourth Amendment. The case stems from a 2019 Virginia bank robbery that used a Google geofence to identify a suspect.
Kid Rock has participated in a military community event at Fort Belvoir, flying in Apache helicopters with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. The flights support a White House initiative for America’s 250th anniversary. The event follows previous controversial helicopter flyovers near Kid Rock’s Nashville estate, which prompted investigations and suspensions of military crews. The costs and authorization of these flights remain unclear, raising questions about taxpayer spending and military transparency.
Environmental groups say California's new plastic packaging rules weaken protections and plan to sue, arguing exemptions undermine the law; regulators defend the compromise as a meaningful step toward reducing waste while industry warns of higher costs and practical hurdles.
The U.S. Department of Justice has indicted former FBI Director James Comey for allegedly transmitting a threat against President Trump through a social media post showing seashells arranged to read “86 47.” The indictment marks a second case against Comey and comes amid broader discourse about political targeting within the DOJ and responses from Trump allies and critics.
Three deaths have been reported from hantavirus linked to the MV Hondius; several states are monitoring residents who recently disembarked the ship. Health officials say the immediate public risk remains very low as investigations continue and evacuations are underway.
A Virginia court has ruled that the state legislature violated procedural requirements when placing the mid-decade redistricting referendum on the ballot. Despite a narrow April 21 vote in favor, the ruling nullifies the outcome and heights partisan tensions as Republicans gain momentum in map redrawing ahead of the midterms.
The Nimitz Carrier Strike Group has arrived in the Caribbean, with the USS Nimitz and its air wing conducting exercises and integrating with regional navies. The move is framed as a show of force alongside regional operations, amid ongoing political tensions after Raul Castro’s indictment. The deployment follows a history of prolonged carrier deployments and regional deployments.
Universities UK-led polling shows VCs warn of staff redundancies and reduced outreach as funding pressures bite. Higher education leaders say government funding must better reflect the sector’s value, while student support could be at risk as hardship grants are reconsidered.