Virginia’s former Lt. Gov. Justin Fairfax, who was a rising star in the Democratic party several years ago before his career was derailed by sexual assault allegations, fatally shot his wife before killing himself early Thursday, police said.

Both were found dead at their northern Virginia home in Annandale after the couple’s teenage son called 911 shortly after midnight, said Fairfax County Police Chief Kevin Davis.

The couple was going through a divorce, and Fairfax was served recently with paperwork that indicated when he was next to appear in court, Davis said.

“That may have been a spark,” the chief said. “Detectives will figure out if that led to this tragedy here.”

For a brief period in 2019, Fairfax had seemed poised to become Virginia governor as Democratic Gov. Ralph Northam became engulfed in a scandal over a racist photo on his medical school yearbook that led to calls for Northam’s resignation.

But then two women came forward, accusing Fairfax of sexually assaulting them years earlier. He adamantly denied the allegations.

Vanessa Tyson said Fairfax — at the time a Columbia Law School student serving as an aide to Democratic vice presidential nominee John Edwards — forced her to perform oral sex in his hotel room during the Democratic National Convention in Boston in 2004. Two days after Tyson’s statement, Meredith Watson issued her own, accusing Fairfax of raping her in 2000, when they were students at Duke University.

Fairfax said the encounters were consensual and refused calls to resign.

The Associated Press generally does not name people who say they are victims of sexual assault, but both women came forward publicly.

“It’s very sad for this community,” Davis said. “A lot of people who know the Fairfax family, everybody’s shocked. We’re shocked.”

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EDITOR’S NOTE — This story includes discussion of suicide. If you or someone you know needs help, the national suicide and crisis lifeline in the U.S. is available by calling or texting 988. There is also an online chat at 988lifeline.org

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Associated Press contributors include Sarah Brumfield in Cockeysville, Maryland, and Alanna Durkin Richer in Washington. Breed reported from Wake Forest, North Carolina.

RICHMOND, Va. (WWBT) – Voters will head to the polls on April 21 to decide if the state should redraw congressional districts ahead of the midterms.

Virginia’s congressional map contains 11 districts. Democrats control six districts while Republicans hold five.

If approved, the new map would likely give Democrats a 10-1 advantage heading into the fall.

The Virginia Department of Elections states the ballot will ask a yes-or-no question proposing the amendment to the state’s constitution:

“Should the Constitution of Virginia be amended to allow the General Assembly to temporarily adopt new congressional districts to restore fairness in the upcoming elections, while ensuring Virginia’s standard redistricting process resumes for all future redistricting after the 2030 census?

Virginia’s current law, which is detailed by the Department of Elections:

Present Law Virginia’s eleven congressional districts are drawn once every ten years by the Virginia Redistricting Commission, a legislative body made up of eight legislators and eight citizens, with an equal number of Republicans and Democrats. Virginia’s congressional districts were last redrawn in 2021 and will next be redrawn in 2031.

Proposed law:

The proposed amendment would give the General Assembly the authority to redraw one or more of Virginia’s congressional districts before 2031 in limited circumstances. In the event that another state redraws its own congressional districts before 2031, without being ordered by a court to do so, the General Assembly would then be able to redraw Virginia’s congressional districts.

The General Assembly’s power to do so would continue until October 31, 2030, and the Virginia Redistricting Commission would reassume the responsibility of drawing the congressional districts in 2031.

If “Yes” votes win:

A “yes” vote would allow the General Assembly to redraw Virginia’s congressional districts, since other states have done so, in addition to giving effect to the proposed district map in time for the 2026 Congressional elections, and return the responsibility of drawing the congressional districts in 2031 to the Virginia Redistricting Commission.

If “No” votes win:

A “no” vote would leave the authority to draw congressional districts with the Virginia Redistricting Commission once a decade and Virginia’s current districts would remain in place.

Where to vote

Early voting for the special election ends Saturday, April 18. Then your final chance to vote is on Election Day, April 21.

Registered voters can look up their polling place on the Citizen Portal of the Department of Election’s website.

Polls will be open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday.

Copyright 2026 WWBT. All rights reserved.

VIRGINIA – Virginia State Parks just earned a major accolade. The Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation announced that the park system has been named a 2026 Top Virginia Employer for Interns by the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia.

This honor celebrates employers who go above and beyond in mentorship, professional development, workplace culture and giving students real opportunities to contribute.

“DCR recognizes the exceptional work Virginia State Parks does to open doors for students and service members pursuing careers in conservation,” said DCR Director Nikki Rovner. “This recognition underscores Virginia State Parks’ dedication to fostering future leaders, and it’s gratifying to see their efforts recognized statewide.”

Virginia State Parks offers a range of hands-on experiences through its internship programs, including the new Ranger Conservation Corps, which launched in 2025, and participation in the U.S. Department of Defense SkillBridge program for transitioning service members. The Ranger Conservation Corps is designed to immerse students in natural resource management, environmental education and park operations.

“Developing the next generation of conservation leadership in Virginia is critical to our mission to protect and conserve Virginia’s natural and cultural resources for the future,” said DCR Deputy Director of Operations Frank Stovall. “Our state parks personnel, with support from our human resources team, have created an award-winning program that prepares interns for the next steps in their conservation career.”

Every year, Virginia State Parks hosts interns from colleges, universities and service members from across the state.

To learn more about internship and career opportunities with Virginia State Parks, visit www.virginiastateparks.gov.