Politics

Appalachian Voices, the nonprofit that’s working with the five communities, has filed an administrative appeal to contest the decision.

Meanwhile, Del. Terry Austin, R-Botetourt County, draws a primary challenge, one of three Republican House primaries and possibly two Democratic ones in the western part of the state.

The former state senator submitted petitions, but they haven’t been verified yet to see if she met the legal threshold to force a Republican primary. Meanwhile, Abigail Spanberger is now officially the Democratic nominee for governor

The power to appoint a new U.S. attorney belongs to President Trump, subject to Senate confirmation. It’s traditional for senators to do the initial vetting of candidates, even if they’re from the opposite party.

Virginia lawmakers passed dozens of the budget amendments handed down by Gov. Glenn Youngkin and rejected dozens of others during Wednesday’s reconvene session.

Congress passed a continuing resolution to avoid a government shutdown in mid-March, amid a partisan fight over federal spending. That continuing resolution left out tens of millions of dollars in funding for Southwest and Southside community projects.

Refugees have found a home in Roanoke for decades. The Trump administration recently halted the arrival of most new refugees and funding for the programs that support them.

Del. Wendell Walker said the bill was inspired by a case where the Lynchburg prosecutor couldn’t find a law to use.

The governor issued over 200 budget amendments, with a number of cuts to programs to allow for a $300 million addition to the state’s rainy day fund. A top Senate Democrat contends that those cuts knocked the budget off balance.

The General Assembly passed 917 bills this year. Here’s how the governor has acted on some of the most noteworthy ones.