Virginia

Virginia House approves minimum wage increase, assault weapons ban

Published

2 years ago

February 2, 2024

Virginia House approves minimum wage increase, assault weapons ban

ROANOKE, Va. (WDBJ) – The Virginia House of Delegate has approved two controversial measures: an increase in the minimum wage and a ban on assault weapons.

The bills were two of the top Democratic priorities and the first two bills that were filed in advance of the session.

House Bill 1 would raise Virginia’s minimum wage from $12/hr. to $13.50/hr. on Jan. 1, 2025, and to $15/hr. a year after that.

The bill drew opposition from Republican lawmakers who argued it will hurt employers who are barely getting by, especially in rural parts of the state.

“No Mr. Speaker, this bill won’t affect the Golden Crescent,” said Robert Bloxom Jr. (R-Accomack Co.). “But it will affect the rest of us.”

Supporters said the benefits would be widespread.

“The little increases that you are seeing will have the greatest impact on the majority of the people,” said Del. Jeion Ward (D-Hampton).

House Bill 2 would ban the sale and possession of assault firearms manufactured after July 1, 2024.

“These are used to protect property owners or to protect people who cannot protect themselves,” said Del. Timothy Griffin (R-Bedford Co.). “You know what I love about firearms is that they’re the great equalizer. It’s a tool that is used to defend people that wouldn’t normally be able to defend themselves.”

“These weapons of war, these weapons designed to put sustained, aimed fire on an enemy, are being used time and again to kill our children,” said Del. Dan Helmer (D-Fairfax).

Both bills passed on a narrow, party line vote.

Similar legislation is also advancing in the State Senate. And with Democratic majorities in both chambers, both bills are expected to pass.

But what happens after that is still unclear.

Gov. Glenn Youngkin (R-Virginia) hasn’t said if he will veto the bills, but he has told reporters he doesn’t believe either one is needed.

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Virginia

NCAA women’s swimming and diving: Virginia wins record sixth straight NCAA title

Published

2 hours ago

March 22, 2026

Press Room

NCAA women’s swimming and diving: Virginia wins record sixth straight NCAA title

Virginia has done it again, securing a sixth consecutive NCAA title in women’s swimming and diving.

The Cavaliers now hold the longest streak of national championships in Division I women’s swimming history. The exclamation point was an NCAA record in the 400 freestyle relay to close the meet, breaking their own mark set last month at the ACC championships.

The Hoos were dominant all week and head coach Todd DeSorbo has built one of the greatest dynasties in women’s swimming history.

Draft your Yahoo Fantasy Baseball team for the 2026 MLB Season

Virginia won all five relays, a multitude of individual titles, and overwhelmed the rest of the field with elite depth. The Cavaliers show no signs of slowing down, and will return a plethora of talent in 2027.

Stanford and Texas battled to the end, with the Cardinal passing the Longhorns on the final day to secure national runners-up. Stanford picked up key event wins to stay in the 200 IM and 100 freestyle, defeating Texas by four points.

After having a relay disqualified on Wednesday night, California continued to fight all week and secured a top-four finish. The Golden Bears squeezed past Tennessee by a point and a half while the Lady Vols secured fifth by 5 1/2 points over Michigan.

[Wednesday Recap | Thursday Recap | Friday Recap]

Here’s how the final night of finals unfolded:

Lucy Bell closes out her senior NCAAs with a second title

Senior Lucy Bell continued her standout meet with a victory in the 200 IM, touching in 1:52.09. Bell helped lead the Cardinal past Texas on the final day of competition.

California freshman Teagan O’Dell finished second, just ahead of her teammate Mia West, who took third. The two Golden Bears helped Cal jump into the top four.

Louisville sophomore Anastasia Gorbenko placed fourth, followed by Texas sophomore Campbell Chase in fifth.

Virginia placed two swimmers in the championship final, with Aimee Canny finishing sixth and Leah Hayes placing seventh. UCLA senior Rosie Murphy rounded out the field in eighth.

Torri Huske goes 3-for-3, bests Moesch in 100 free

Stanford senior and three-time Olympic gold medalist Torri Huske powered to another NCAA title winning the 100 freestyle in 45.17. In one of the most anticipated races of the year, Huske defeated the loaded field in pool record fashion.

A pair of Cavaliers followed as Anna Moesch placed second in 45.54 and Sara Curtis third in 45.77. Indiana freshman Liberty Clark finished fourth in 46.11, just ahead of Camille Spink (Tennessee) in fifth at 46.28.

Mary-Ambre Moluh (California) took sixth in 46.30, followed by Cadence Vincent (Alabama) in seventh.

Julia Dennis (Louisville) finished eighth.

Stoll wins 200 butterfly title

Texas’ Campbell Stoll claimed the 200 butterfly title in 1:50.26, holding off a tight field down the stretch. The race was closely contested, but it was Stoll who got to the wall first ahead of Indiana freshman Alex Shackell and Michigan junior Hannah Bellard. Stoll out-touched Shackell by less than two tenths of a second on the final stroke.

Virginia’s Tess Howley placed fourth in 1:51.69, followed by Stanford’s Caroline Bricker, who secured fifth.

Tennessee scored crucial points in the event as two Lady Vols competed in the championship final. Sophomores Emily Brown and Ella Jansen finished sixth and seventh respectively. Cal’s Lilou Ressencourt rounded out the top eight finishers.

Claire Curzan sweeps NCAA backstroke titles

Virginia junior Claire Curzan completed an impressive backstroke double, winning the 200 back this evening in 1:46.10. Curzan closed her week in meet record fashion, one hundredth shy of her own NCAA record.

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Virginia

Georgia vs Virginia predictions, picks, odds for NCAA Tournament First Round

Published

14 hours ago

March 21, 2026

Press Room

Georgia vs Virginia predictions, picks, odds for NCAA Tournament First Round

The First Round of the women’s 2026 NCAA Tournament continues Saturday with a slate featuring No. 7 Georgia vs. No. 10 Virginia on the 16-game schedule.

Here is the latest on Saturday’s March Madness matchup, including expert picks from reporters across the USA TODAY Sports Network.

USA TODAY Sports has a team of journalists covering the women’s NCAA Tournament to keep you up to date with every point scored, rebound grabbed and game won in the 68-team tournament.

USA TODAY Studio IX: Check out our women’s sports hub for in-depth analysis, commentary and more

Join the USA TODAY $1 million Bracket Challenge

No. 7 Georgia vs No. 10 Virginia prediction

Heather Burns: Virginia
Mitchell Northam: Georgia
Nancy Armour: Virginia
Cydney Henderson: Georgia
Meghan Hall: Georgia

No. 7 Georgia vs No. 10 Virginia odds

Opening Moneyline: Georgia (-125)
Opening Spread: Georgia (-1.5)
Opening Total: 131.5

How to Watch Georgia vs Virginia on Saturday

No. 7 Georgia takes on No. 10 Virginia at Carver-Hawkeye Arena in Iowa City on at 1:30 p.m. (ET). The game is airing on ESPN2.

Stream March Madness on Fubo

2026 Women’s NCAA Tournament full schedule

March 18-19: First Four
March 20-21: First Round
March 22-23: Second Round
March 27-28: Sweet 16
March 29-30: Elite 8
April 3: Final Four
April 5: National Championship

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Deranged West Virginia man accused of shooting father in face with crossbow captured following snowy manhunt

Published

1 day ago

March 21, 2026

Press Room

Deranged West Virginia man accused of shooting father in face with crossbow captured following snowy manhunt

A West Virginia man was arrested after allegedly shooting his father in the face with a crossbow and leading police on a multicounty manhunt through snow-covered terrain, authorities said.

Chase Fleming was charged this week with malicious assault, with additional charges possible, according to the Jackson County Sheriff’s Department.

Police said Fleming was taken into custody after an “exhausting search” and a “lengthy foot pursuit” through snow-covered parts of Jackson and Roane counties.

The victim is in stable condition, the department said.

Fleming was admitted to a hospital for observation after deputies attempted to get him medically cleared for incarceration.

Jackson County Sheriff Ross Mellinger told WV MetroNews that Fleming entered his father’s home with a preloaded crossbow.

The two got into an argument, and Fleming allegedly fired the weapon, the outlet reported, hitting the victim in the face.

Chase Fleming was charged this week with malicious assault, with additional charges possible. Jackson County Sheriff’s Department

The bolt reportedly entered the victim’s face just below his left eye and exited the back of his head.

“How the guy is still alive is beyond me, it’s really remarkable,” Mellinger told MetroNews.

After fleeing the scene in his pickup truck, Fleming later crashed, police said.

A snowy road with a forest in the background. — The victim is in stable condition, the department said. WSAZ

Mellinger said the sheriff’s department used multiple K-9s and drones while searching for Fleming, covering roughly seven miles through snow and wooded terrain.

Fleming was found hiding under a rock on a remote ridge and taken into custody without resistance, according to the outlet.

Bond has not been set, according to the sheriff’s department.

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