Virginia

Should automated license plate readers be regulated in Virginia?

Published

1 year ago

December 5, 2024

Should automated license plate readers be regulated in Virginia?

Concerns raised over automated license plate readers in Virginia

Virginia lawmakers will soon decide whether or not to regulate the use of automated license plate readers commonly used by law enforcement agencies. It’s a hotly contested debate.

TYSONS, Va. – Virginia lawmakers will soon decide if the state will regulate the use of automated license plate readers commonly used by law enforcement agencies. It’s a hotly contested debate.

Law enforcement agencies across the country are using this technology, including here in Virginia, and it’s actually increased in popularity in the last two decades with many departments touting its success.

But there are a number of groups throughout the commonwealth that are deeply concerned and want these cameras regulated.

Many Virginia drivers may not even notice these cameras, especially after dark but they are here.

Automated license plate readers (ALPR’s) are typically mounted on fixed locations like street lights, road signs, bridges or police cars capturing thousands of photographs of license plates per minute and that data has been used as a crime-fighting tool.

In Charlottesville, the technology has been in use for just two months and it’s already producing results.

“As we were going through this process, I would constantly be asked from those communities – from folks who lived in these communities that are disproportionately affected by violent crimes, whose homes were being shot up on a weekly basis by vehicles that were driving by – when were we going to get it? When was it going to happen?” Charlottesville Police Chief Michael Kochis said during a recent Virginia State Commission meeting against regulating the technology.

“As we talk about guard rails, all I ask is think about the impact it will have on us on the ground,” he continued.

Fairfax County police have been using the automated license plate readers for two years. The department credits the cameras for helping solve hundreds of crimes and locating dozens of stolen vehicles.

But surveillance technology expert Dave Mass says there’s a major concern with this kind of technology, namely: what if the system gets it wrong?

“People should be angry about this technology because it’s just overall an invasion of our privacy,” Mass said. “Let’s say it makes a mistake and mistakes your car for a motorcycle in Montana. Now you have guns to your face…you did nothing wrong.”

At least 18 states currently regulate the use of ALPR’s. Mass says how long they retain the data is also critical.

“I would love to see that data held to only for like seconds. if not minutes. They should not be holding on to data about us if we’re not involved in a crime,” said Mass.

FOX 5 spoke with Virginia Senate Majority Leader Scott A. Surovell who says a bill on this failed last year because it didn’t regulate the technology enough.

The bill is expected to be re-introduced in a matter of weeks.

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Virginia

The latest twist in Virginia’s redistricting battle: a ‘pink slime’ newspaper in Arlington | ARLnow.com

Published

3 hours ago

March 24, 2026

Press Room

The latest twist in Virginia’s redistricting battle: a ‘pink slime’ newspaper in Arlington | ARLnow.com

As debate over Virginia’s redistricting referendum heats up ahead of next month’s vote, a partisan newspaper advancing Democrats’ arguments has begun showing up in Arlington mailboxes.

The latest issue of The Virginia Independent — a product of American Independent Media, which specializes in content that mimics the form of impartial news sources in order to promote progressive causes — devotes a significant amount of space to the upcoming April 21 vote on redistricting.

A front-page spread spotlights former President Barack Obama’s support for the effort, which would heavily advantage Democrats in response to gerrymandering in Republican-controlled states such as Texas. Another story emphasizes the temporary nature of the proposal, while a third is an “exclusive” Q&A with the headline, “Two Virginians, one message: Why they support the April 21 redistricting amendment.”

Softball questions in the Q&A touch on topics such as a “30-second elevator pitch” for undecided Virginians and the consequences of gerrymandering in red states.

“Mathews County retiree Sheila Crowley and former redistricting commission member James Abrenio say the temporary measure is necessary — both to meet the moment and to ensure Virginia’s congressional map represents voters,” the subhead states.

Media watchers including the Center for Health Journalism and the Columbia Journalism Review have described American Independent Media’s content as a form of “pink slime” journalism, which looks like news but is usually thinly and unevenly reported in order to support a partisan viewpoint. Conservative counterparts to The Virginia Independent include the Richmond Leader and the Henrico Times in the Richmond area.

The Virginia Independent did not respond to a request for comment.

This isn’t the first unconventional mail campaign connected to this year’s redistricting vote. On the other side of the issue, a mailer opposing redistricting used imagery evoking the Civil Rights Movement in accusing Virginia lawmakers of “trying to take our districts away.”

Sponsored by a political action committee led by former Del. A.C. Cordoza (R), it prompted criticism from the Virginia NAACP and Attorney General Jay Jones (D), who accused the mailer of spreading a false message that redistricting would threaten Black representation.

The Virginia Independent predates the current redistricting campaign. The oldest stories on its website date back to early 2025, and it sent other mailers in Northern Virginia during last year’s election cycle — prominently featuring content that favored Democratic candidate Abigail Spanberger’s successful gubernatorial campaign.

Unlike some partisan publications, The Virginia Independent’s stories all have bylines. The author of the front-page story on redistricting, Anna Gustafson, previously worked at the Michigan Advance — part of States Newsroom, the same nonprofit news organization behind the Virginia Mercury — before joining the American Independent News Network in late 2023, according to her LinkedIn.

While redistricting is a prominent theme, most stories in the mailer are about other topics, including health care, therapy dogs and the Virginia Teaching Artists program.

American Independent Media describes itself as “a progressive media organization that produces news and information content regarding government and politics.” It had total revenues of $35.7 million in 2024.

The organization’s website lists a total of five sites in addition to The Virginia Independent: The Michigan Independent, The Pennsylvania Independent, The Wisconsin Independent and The New Jersey Independent.

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Virginia

Kentucky 74-73 West Virginia (Mar 23, 2026) Final Score – ESPN

Published

16 hours ago

March 24, 2026

Press Room

Kentucky 74-73 West Virginia (Mar 23, 2026) Final Score – ESPN

Key and Strack help Kentucky women beat West Virginia 74-73 to secure Sweet 16 trip

— Teonni Key had 19 points and 10 rebounds, Clara Strack had 18 points and 15 rebounds, and Kentucky nearly gave up a big lead and held on to beat

Mar 23, 2026, 09:02 pm – AP

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Virginia

How to buy Virginia vs. TCU women’s basketball Sweet 16 tickets

Published

1 day ago

March 23, 2026

Press Room

How to buy Virginia vs. TCU women’s basketball Sweet 16 tickets

The Virginia Cavaliers continue to thrill as they’re moving on to the Sweet 16 of the women’s NCAA Tournament!

UVA is the first double-digit seed to make the Sweet 16 in the women’s bracket since 2022, and it’s the Cavaliers’ first trip to the Sweet 16 since 2000.

After a fourth quarter surge to push overtime, the No. 10 Cavaliers took over in double overtime, stunning No. 2 Iowa with a 83-75 win. It was a group effort on the floor, but the Cavs were led by Kymora Johnson with 28 points.

SHOP: Virginia women’s basketball Sweet 16 tickets

After advancing to the Sweet 16, the Cavaliers will face No. 3 TCU in Sacramento, Calif. on Saturday, March 28.

Knowing that matchup is set, here is everything you need to know to buy Virginia vs. TCU Sweet 16 March Madness tickets.

Shop Virginia vs. TCU Sweet 16 tickets

Virginia vs. TCU March Madness Sweet 16 tickets

Virginia women’s March Madness Sweet 16 opponent

Virginia reached the Sweet 16 after upsetting No. 2 Iowa on Monday afternoon. Now, they’ll play No. 3 TCU in the Sweet 16.

Virginia vs. TCU women’s March Madness Sweet 16 schedule

Virginia will take on the TCU Horned Frogs after defeating the Iowa Hawkeyes on Monday afternoon. The game will be played on either Friday, March 27 or Saturday, March 28. Shop Virginia vs. TCU Sweet 16 tickets now.

More March Madness: Everything fans need to know about the 2026 NCAA Tournament

Virginia vs. TCU women’s basketball Sweet 16 tickets

Limited UVA vs. TCU women’s Sweet 16 tickets are still available. Get your Virginia vs. TCU March Madness Sweet 16 tickets now starting at $39.

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UVA women’s basketball Sweet 16 game locations

Virginia will play its Sweet 16 game at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, Calif., against TCU on Saturday, March 28. Shop your Virginia NCAA Tournament tickets now.

When is March Madness 2026?

The First Four of the women’s NCAA Tournament tipped off the 2026 March Madness tournament on Wednesday, March 18. The two rounds run between Friday, March 20 and Monday, March 23. The tournament concludes with the Final Four on Friday, April 3 and the National Championship game on Sunday, April 5.

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