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500K Virginians enrolled in Medicaid since 2019 expansion
The Virginia Department of Medical Assistance Services (DMAS) has announced that more than 500,000 Virginians have enrolled in health coverage since expanded Medicaid eligibility rules took effect in January 2019. Virginia was the only state in nation to experience a reduction in its uninsured rate between 2018 and 2019, the first year of the expanded […]
First batch of Moderna COVID-19 vaccine distributed in Va.
Virginia health districts and health care facilities statewide began receiving the newly approved Moderna COVID-19 vaccine this week, Virginia Department of Health announced Tuesday. About 140,000 doses of the Moderna vaccine were expected to arrive by Wednesday, as well as 50,000 more doses of the Pfizer Inc. vaccine, which will be distributed to 96 sites […]
Northam orders companies held temporarily harmless for pandemic layoffs
Gov. Ralph Northam issued an executive order Tuesday that will hold Virginia businesses harmless for any layoffs made during three months of the pandemic. The end-of-year order protects businesses from having to pay an additional $200 million in payroll taxes to replenish the Virginia Employment Commission’s Unemployment Insurance Trust. Due to the COVID-19 economic fallout, […]
Northam proposes $240M for pandemic response
As COVID-19 cases continue to rise and frontline medical workers receive the first vaccine doses, Gov. Ralph Northam called on the General Assembly to allocate $240 million toward pandemic response in his proposed budget amendments released Wednesday. “The budget I present today preserves our focus on flexibility, targeted investments and help for Virginians. While we […]
State announces new secretary of administration
At the end of a press conference about new public restrictions related to the pandemic, Gov. Ralph Northam announced Thursday that Virginia Secretary of Administration Keyanna Conner is leaving for a job in the private sector and will be replaced by Grindly Johnson, the current deputy secretary of administration. The secretary oversees Virginia’s Compensation Board, […]
Va. expects 480,000 COVID vaccine doses by end of December
Virginia expects to receive 480,000 COVID-19 vaccine doses from Pfizer and Moderna by the end of December through the federal government’s Operation Warp Speed program, the Virginia Department of Health announced Friday, based on new information available. Gov. Ralph Northam said Wednesday that the state expected only 70,000 vaccine doses by the end of the […]
No new restrictions, but Northam urges COVID-19 caution
Gov. Ralph Northam warned Virginians about growing numbers of COVID-19 cases, especially in Southwest Virginia, which has seen higher rates for more than a month, in part because the region’s neighboring states also have seen spikes. At his Wednesday news conference, Northam stopped short of enforcing new restrictions, but encouraged people to follow physical distancing […]
Virginia redistricting committee takes shape
RICHMOND, Va. — More than half a dozen legislators have been named to a bipartisan redistricting commission that seeks to fairly draw congressional and state legislative districts. The commission will be made up of 16 people. Half of them will be legislators and the other half will be Virginia citizens. Virginia legislative leaders chose four […]
Northam announces $10M investment in oyster restoration
Gov. Ralph Northam on Thursday visited the Elizabeth River Project’s Learning Barge to announce $10 million in funding to support future Chesapeake Bay oyster restoration — marking the first time Virginia capital funds have been directed toward restoring natural resources. “Virginia has made tremendous progress in improving water quality in the Chesapeake Bay, reviving oyster habitats, [...]
Va. ABC recognized as top alcohol enforcement agency
The Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Authority (ABC) won the Alcohol Law Enforcement Agency of the Year award from the National Liquor Law Enforcement Association (NLLEA), the agency announced Wednesday. This marks the third time that Virginia ABC has earned this recognition — also marking wins in 2002 and 2017. The NLLEA is a nonprofit association […]
Northam: ‘Staying home is an act of love’
Gov. Ralph Northam said that news about mobile morgues in other states with COVID-19 spikes prompted him to enact new mitigation measures on Friday across the state. “What really affected me was seeing mobile morgues outside hospitals because there was no place to put the dead,” the governor said at his news conference Wednesday afternoon. […]
Virginia Values Veterans program hits 67K hires
Gov. Ralph Northam announced Friday that the Virginia Values Veterans (V3) program surpassed its goal to reach 65,000 Virginia military veteran hires by the end of his administration. As of Friday, more than 67,000 Virginia military veterans have been hired through the program since its 2012 inception. Administered by the Department of Veterans Services (DVS), […]
