Virginia

Contraception coverage bills sent to Youngkin’s desk • Virginia Mercury

Published

2 years ago

March 7, 2024

Contraception coverage bills sent to Youngkin’s desk • Virginia Mercury

Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin is reviewing legislation sent to him by the Democratic-controlled General Assembly that would require health insurers to fully cover contraceptives in Virginia.

Identical bills from Del. Candi Mundon King, D-Prince William, and Sen. Ghazala Hashmi, D-Chesterfield, would require health insurance carriers in Virginia to cover all Food and Drug Administration-approved contraceptive drugs, over-the-counter medication and devices at no out-of-pocket cost to the customer.

The legislation cleared both chambers with some Republican support and is part of a package of bills Democrats have fast-tracked to Youngkin, who has until the end of the day Friday to decide whether or not he will approve, amend or veto it.

Mundon King told a House panel last month the bills — which backers are calling the Contraceptive Equity Act — would enshrine elements of existing federal law under the Affordable Care Act in Virginia code.

The legislation is “simply designed to remove the cost-sharing portion of [coverage] and protect the women of Virginia should they need access to contraceptives,” Mundon King said.

Current state law only says health plans and insurers have to cover prescription contraception and prohibits them from imposing special costs for contraceptives. Mundon King and Hashmi’s bills would broaden the scope of contraception they have to cover to include drugs and methods like Plan B or intrauterine devices while prohibiting cost-sharing altogether.

Denise Harrington with the Virginia League of Women Voters said under the legislation, “individuals would be able to decide if contraceptives are right for them, not insurance companies.”

Both lawmakers emphasized that contraceptives are also used for purposes other than birth control, such as treating endometriosis, ovarian cysts and fibroids. They noted the bill would not require insurers to cover drugs or devices intended to be used for the purpose of abortion.

Strong opposition came from Jeff Caruso with the Virginia Catholic Conference, who told the House Labor and Commerce Committee in January that some faith-based organizations couldn’t comply with the bill because it contains no religious or moral exemptions.

“It would force these organizations to choose between following the law or following their deeply and sincerely held beliefs,” Caruso said. “It violates the First Amendment, U.S. Supreme Court precedent and religious freedom provisions” in state code, he continued.

Mundon King said nothing in the legislation supersedes federal law or requires religious employers to provide contraceptives to employees.

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Virginia

Virginia Tech completes the flip of prized WR Demarcus Brown from Virginia

Published

2 hours ago

May 3, 2026

Press Room

Virginia Tech completes the flip of prized WR Demarcus Brown from Virginia

Roanoke (Va.) North Cross School receiver Demarcus Brown tells Rivals he has flipped his commitment from Virginia to Virginia Tech.

The 6-foot-3, 190-pound Brown becomes commit No. 10 for head coach James Franklin and the Hokies in the 2027 class.

Brown is one of the most prolific players in the state, turning 53 receptions into 1,112 yards and 14 touchdowns as a junior with over 60 tackles six interceptions and two forced fumbles when playing defense.

Future position coach Fontel Mines was the lead recruiter for Brown who had been a verbal to Virginia since December. Once Franklin and the new staff landed at Virginia Tech they quickly prioritized Brown.

Now they have him in the fold.

Rivals ranks Brown as the nation’s No. 49 receiver and No. 10 prospect overall in the state of Virginia.

This Hokies class has some dynamic playmaking ability with Brown joining fellow receiver Anthony Roberts, along with running backs Kelvin Morrison and Stanley Smart as part of the fold.

Virginia Tech is in the mix for a Top25 class this cycle. Browns adds to a haul that Rivals previously ranked No. 31.

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Virginia

West Virginia Lottery results: See winning numbers for Powerball, Lotto America on May 2, 2026

Published

14 hours ago

May 3, 2026

Press Room

The results are in for the West Virginia Lottery’s draw games on Saturday, May 2, 2026.

Here’s a look at winning numbers for each game on May 2.

Winning Powerball numbers from May 2 drawing

25-37-42-52-65, Powerball: 14, Power Play: 3

Check Powerball payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Lotto America numbers from May 2 drawing

04-18-35-43-50, Star Ball: 08, ASB: 02

Check Lotto America payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Daily 3 numbers from May 2 drawing

2-2-3

Check Daily 3 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Daily 4 numbers from May 2 drawing

7-2-2-6

Check Daily 4 payouts and previous drawings here.

Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results

When are the West Virginia Lottery drawings held?

Powerball: 11 p.m. ET on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
Mega Millions: 10:59 p.m. ET Tuesday and Friday.
Lotto America: 10:15 p.m. ET on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
Daily 3, 4: 6:59 p.m. ET Monday through Saturday.
Cash 25: 6:59 p.m. ET Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday.

This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a USA Today editor. You can send feedback using this form.

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Virginia

Virginia comedian Winston Hodges is a finalist on Kevin Hart’s Netflix series ‘Funny AF’

Published

1 day ago

May 2, 2026

Press Room

Virginia comedian Winston Hodges is a finalist on Kevin Hart’s Netflix series ‘Funny AF’

RICHMOND, Va. — Winston Hodges, a Cartersville, Virginia native who launched his comedy career at the Richmond Funny Bone in Short Pump, is now one of six remaining comedians on the Netflix series “Funny AF with Kevin Hart,” competing for a Netflix comedy special and a cash prize.

The Virginia Tech graduate and 35-year-old comedian has opened for several major acts and become a regular at New York’s Comedy Cellar.

Hodges said his Richmond roots are where it all began.

“I saw that the Richmond Funny Bone had a competition, and I entered into the competition 11 years ago called Clash of the Comics, and I ended up winning the competition,” Hodges said. “After that point, it was just like, I guess I just do stand up. So I was doing stand up around Richmond the first five years of my career before I moved to Washington DC.”

He said winning the show could be a turning point.

“To win the show would absolutely change the trajectory of my career,” Hodges said. “The winner gets a Netflix special. I’d be able just to kind of jump the line and get an opportunity… it could catapult my career to heights that I never, ever even thought possible.”

The competition culminates with live finale episodes on May 4 and 5 at 9 p.m. Eastern time. Netflix subscribers can vote in real time using their TV remote or the Netflix mobile app, but only while watching live.

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