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Virginia ACA enrollment drops by more than 44,000 as federal tax credits expire

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Virginia ACA enrollment drops by more than 44,000 as federal tax credits expire


RICHMOND, Va. — Virginia state Democrats are proposing using state funds to help Virginians afford health insurance premiums after federal tax credits expired at the end of last year.

The director of Virginia’s Insurance Marketplace said that expiration has led to tens of thousands of Virginians losing health insurance coverage through the state’s Affordable Care Act marketplace this year and warns it could grow to 100,000 without intervention.

“Our customers are Virginians who don’t have another option for health insurance coverage,” said director Keven Patchett.

Patchett said when open enrollment closed on Jan. 30, 2026, 19,000 fewer Virginians had signed up compared to the previous year (389,000 compared to 370,000).

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He added since then an additional 25,000 have lost coverage — which is three times more than the number who lost coverage during the same time period last year.

When asked if the loss in federal tax credits was the reason behind the drop, Patchett said, “It’s the only factor that has changed.”

Patchett made those remarks Wednesday at a press conference focused on options for helping Virginians impacted by the credits ending.

Among those feeling the impact is Lester Johnson, who owns Mama J’s restaurant in Richmond.

Johnson still has his marketplace coverage, but his monthly premiums for his family of 3 have risen from $650 to around $1,000 — an increase of nearly 54%.

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“This is really affecting people’s ability to, kind of, manage their budgets and their families livelihoods,” Johnson said.

Johnson attended Wednesday’s State of the Union address as the guest of Congresswoman Jennifer McClellan, a Democrat who represents Richmond. His presence was intended to highlight the need for Congress to reinstate the tax credits.

“It needs to be definitely as much energy and conversation around it as some of these other policy decisions that have been made recently,” Johnson said.

The U.S. House has voted to extend the credits for 3 years, with 17 Republicans joining Democrats in support of the measure, including Virginia Republican Congressman Rob Wittman (VA-01). The U.S. Senate has not passed the extension.

“I have heard from Virginians about the cost of healthcare and the importance of expanding access for hardworking families,” Wittman said in a statement. “In January, I voted for a short-term extension of the enhanced premium tax credits not as an endorsement of the current system, but as a bridge to give Congress the time to pursue meaningful reforms. I will continue to work with my colleagues in both chambers and across the aisle to address the cost of healthcare and push for reforms that put patients back in charge.”

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With federal action still uncertain, Virginia Democrats are proposing to use state budget funds to replace the tax credits for at least one year.

The House has put forward an $79 million proposal, while the state Senate is proposing $200 million.

“It’s our responsibility as Democrats to step up and this is what our budget amendments do,” Del. Rodney Willett, a Democrat representing Henrico County, said of the House proposal.

“Both budgets emphasized the need to fill gaps in healthcare. So how we go about that and what the numbers actually end up being still a few weeks away,” Sen. Barbara Favola, a Democrat representing Fairfax, said.

Patchett said that the number of Virginians who could loss coverage on the state marketplace without help could reach 100,000, which he based off of the increase that was seen when the federal tax credits were expanded in 2021.

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“And that was nearly 100,000 Virginians who benefited from that expansion. And so our concern has been that we’re going to see a number very close to that 100,000 drop coverage. And the indicator suggests that that may still happen,” Patchett said.

Patchett said that regardless of the amount lawmakers agree on, the exchange has the authority to create a special enrollment period to help Virginians who have lost or dropped their coverage.

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Former Kentucky guard Kerr Kriisa arrested by FBI; extradition to West Virginia planned

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Former Kentucky guard Kerr Kriisa arrested by FBI; extradition to West Virginia planned


LEXINGTON, Ky. (WKYT) – Former University of Kentucky men’s basketball guard Kerr Kriisa was arrested by FBI agents and is expected to be extradited to West Virginia in connection with alleged fraud charges, according to a report from On3.

The Fayette County Detention Center confirms to WKYT that Kriisa is being held there. They confirm that he was arrested on the evening of July 3, but due to it being a federal case, they cannot release details of his arrest or charges. Bail has not been set.

Kriisa, 25, recently completed a six-year college career with stops at Arizona, West Virginia, Kentucky and Cincinnati.

On3 reported the allegations stem from his time at West Virginia during the 2023-24 season and described the case as involving a multimillion-dollar fraud scheme. A court hearing is scheduled for next week, the outlet reported. The FBI has not publicly released details of the allegations in the report, but WKYT has reached out to the FBI’s Louisville bureau for more information.

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The arrest comes days after Kriisa was announced as a member of La Familia, the Kentucky alumni team set to play in The Basketball Tournament. La Familia said last week that Kriisa was expected to make his debut in a best-of-three series against The Ville, a Louisville alumni squad, beginning July 18 at Memorial Coliseum in Lexington.

La Familia posted on X that Kriisa will no longer be playing.

At Kentucky, Kriisa appeared in nine games during the 2024-25 season before a foot injury ended his season. He averaged 4.4 points, 2.4 rebounds and 3.8 assists per game, and recorded a career-high 12 assists against Bucknell. He also scored eight points and had four assists against Gonzaga before the injury, and the school said he reached 1,000 career points in that game.

Kriisa averaged 5.8 points and 3.0 assists in 19 games last season at Cincinnati.

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La Familia said Kriisa planned to begin his professional career in Estonia, where he is originally from, after TBT.

Copyright 2026 WKYT. All rights reserved.



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Fourth of July: Virginia’s best victories in the other original states

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Fourth of July: Virginia’s best victories in the other original states


In the past academic year, Virginia authored all-time victories across the country. From national championships to NCAA Tournament wins and more, the Cavaliers made 2025-26 a year to remember. 

In honor of the Fourth of July, here is a rewind to the best wins this year in the 13 original states — excluding New Hampshire, Connecticut, Rhode Island, New Jersey, and Delaware for rarity.

Georgia: Two national championships in three months

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Both of Virginia’s national titles this year came in the Peach State — women’s swimming and diving captured theirs in Atlanta in late March, while men’s tennis earned theirs in Athens, Ga. in late May.

When the Cavaliers went down to Georgia, good things happened. Men’s basketball beat Georgia Tech by nearly 30 points this year. That domination could be worthy of the header in most states, but not this one. 

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North Carolina: 16-6 win over No. 5 North Carolina in men’s lacrosse, ACC championship

In an ACC Tournament run for the ages, the Cavaliers took down No. 1 Notre Dame and No. 5 North Carolina over the span of three days. Virginia dominated in Charlotte, N.C. — beating the Fighting Irish by five goals and the Tar Heels by 10. 

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Sweeping Notre Dame was impressive. Blasting North Carolina to win the ACC title takes the cake, though. 

Virginia: 27-7 win over Virginia Tech in football

The Commonwealth Clash needs no introduction. This win propelled the Cavaliers to their 10th win of the regular season and an appearance in the ACC Championship Game. In one of the more dominant showings in Commonwealth Clash history, Virginia Tech only crossed midfield one time all game. 

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Virginia fans strolled the field, a “State Champions” graphic glowed on the jumbotron and Coach Tony Elliott added another signature victory to the most wins the program has ever won in a single season. 

Maryland: 11-10 win over No. 3 Johns Hopkins in men’s lacrosse (2024)

The Cavaliers have gone 0-4 against their northern neighbors over the past two seasons. Some of those losses have come by just one goal. But back in 2024, Virginia headed up to Towson, Md. to take on the rival Blue Jays with a ticket to Championship Weekend on the line. It took two overtime periods, but in the end, Connor Shellenberger sent Johns Hopkins home with this all-time goal. No. 1 sent the Cavaliers to Philadelphia with this walk-off:

New York: 2-1 win over No. 4 Syracuse in field hockey

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Virginia was dominant in field hockey this season, never dipping below No. 4 in the national rankings. The Cavaliers beat seven ranked opponents in the regular season — the one with the highest ranking was No. 4 Syracuse. 

Just two days removed from a win at No. 13 Boston College, Virginia had limited rest before heading into another top-tier ACC bout. It turned into a gritty, defensive battle. Mia Abello scored with 54 seconds left in regulation and Virginia held on to win. 

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Massachusetts: 17-14 win over No. 10 Boston College in women’s lacrosse

This game was played in Charlottesville, but it is Virginia’s most notable recent victory over the Massachusetts-based school. In the ACC, Boston College is only a contender in women’s lacrosse and field hockey. An upset win over the ranked Eagles came in one sport recently.

South Carolina: 4-2 win over No. 18 Clemson in women’s tennis

With a perfect ACC record on the line, women’s tennis travelled to Clemson, S.C. to take on a formidable Tigers team. Melodie Collard contributed points in both doubles and singles play, including the game-clinching singles point. 

Clemson cut the Cavalier lead to 3-2, with the chance to tie. The Tigers then took the first point on Collard — but she responded by winning sets 6-3 and 6-1 to win the day for Virginia.

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Pennsylvania: 24-19 win over No. 23 Pitt in football (2024)

If Virginia did not have one of the hardest schedules in the ACC in 2024, perhaps that could have been the breakout year for Elliott’s program. The Cavaliers were 5-4 after taking down a ranked Pitt team on the road.

Virginia went on to end the year on a three-game losing streak (at No. 8 Notre Dame, No. 13 SMU and at Virginia Tech). But for a moment, the Cavaliers’ triumph in Pittsburgh was just the second ranked win in the Elliott era. Virginia had hope.

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Virginia Lottery Mega Millions, Pick 3 Night results for July 3, 2026

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Virginia Lottery Mega Millions, Pick 3 Night results for July 3, 2026


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The Virginia Lottery offers multiple draw games for those aiming to win big.

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Here’s a look at July 3, 2026, results for each game:

Mega Millions

Mega Millions drawings take place every week on Tuesday and Friday at 11 p.m.

05-09-29-47-57, Mega Ball: 16

Check Mega Millions payouts and previous drawings here.

Pick 3

DAY drawing at 1:59 p.m. NIGHT drawing at 11 p.m. each day.

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Night: 3-2-4, FB: 4

Day: 9-9-1, FB: 6

Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.

Pick 4

DAY drawing at 1:59 p.m. NIGHT drawing at 11 p.m. each day.

Night: 8-8-2-9, FB: 5

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Day: 9-6-4-0, FB: 3

Check Pick 4 payouts and previous drawings here.

Pick 5

DAY drawing at 1:59 p.m. NIGHT drawing at 11 p.m. each day.

Night: 4-2-1-5-1, FB: 9

Day: 7-0-6-8-6, FB: 5

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Check Pick 5 payouts and previous drawings here.

Cash Pop

Drawing times: Coffee Break 9 a.m.; Lunch Break 12 p.m.; Rush Hour 5 p.m.; Prime Time 9 p.m.; After Hours 11:59 p.m.

Coffee Break: 15

After Hours: 13

Prime Time: 13

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Rush Hour: 05

Lunch Break: 01

Check Cash Pop payouts and previous drawings here.

Cash 5

Drawing every day at 11 p.m.

01-07-13-17-37

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Check Cash 5 payouts and previous drawings here.

Millionaire for Life

Drawing everyday at 11:15 p.m.

07-08-24-42-47, Bonus: 03

Check Millionaire for Life payouts and previous drawings here.

Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results

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This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Center for Community Journalism (CCJ) editor. You can send feedback using this form.



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