ARLINGTON, Va. – Just weeks before Virginia elects a new governor, there’s a surprise move that could upend the state’s congressional makeup.  

Democrats, who control the state’s General Assembly, are poised to hold a special session in Richmond to redraw congressional maps. It could wipe out GOP seats and put more Democrats in Congress.

It’s a move that’s sending shockwaves through Virginia politics. Virginia’s congressional delegation of 11 seats is made up of six Democrats and five Republicans but if Democrats

in Richmond move to redraw those districts, it could wipe out some of those seats held by Republicans. 

What they’re saying:

The plan has been denounced by Republican. Lieutenant Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears who would preside over a special session, says it’s a ploy to take her off Virginia Republican. 

Congressman Morgan Griffith tells FOX 5 the move is “underhanded.” 

 “The Democrats have a plan to eliminate the nonpartisan districting that the voters overwhelmingly supported just a few years ago,” Griffith said.

Democratic Congressman James Walkinshaw says the GOP started this effort by redistricting Democratic seats in Texas and North Carolina. 

“We’ve seen Republicans across the country — neighbors in North Carolina and obviously in Texas — gerrymandering in very extreme ways, so look, we can’t take anything off the table,” Walkinshaw said.

Dig deeper:

The timing is raising eyebrows across Virginia amid a heated election season.

In just 12 days, the Commonwealth holds elections for Governor, Lt. Governor, Attorney General and all 100 seats in the House of Delegates.  

Democratic gubernatorial candidate Abigail Spanberger told FOX 5 just weeks ago that she would not support a redistricting effort because the state already had a process in place

 “We spent years putting in place via a constitutional amendment that we have a bipartisan commission. Any efforts to try and change that would require another multi-year process so the answer isn’t feasible in Virginia,” Spanberger said. 

 “There is always a risk. It’s purple state and the Schar Center/Washington Post poll showed today that, minutes before our interview, Spanberger is ahead 12 points,” said David Ramadan with George Mason University’s Schar School of Policy.

 Whether or not Earle-Sears or Spanberger wins next month, that would do little to end state democrats’ efforts to redistrict republican seats.  

Under Virginia law, the General Assembly holds the power to make the rules on redistricting, not the governor. 

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — No. 24 West Virginia was the superior side for a good portion of Thursday night’s matchup with Iowa State.

The Mountaineers applied pressure far more consistently and registered seven of 10 shots on goal and 10 of 13 corner kicks between the two teams, though the Cyclones were within one play of pulling even for the final 68 minutes and change.

“That’s soccer. I’ve been here 30 years. That’s going to happen,” WVU head coach Nikki Izzo-Brown said.

Ultimately, Anna Hauer’s goal just before the midway point in the opening half made all the difference and the Mountaineers earned a 1-0 victory to remain unbeaten within the Big 12 Conference.

Hauer’s goal came off a crossing feed from teammate Taylor White, who put the Memphis transfer in position to get her left foot on the ball and beat ISU goalkeeper Kasey Cannistraro, allowing the home team to strike first.

“I don’t know if there’s ever a goal that I didn’t like,” Izzo-Brown said. “Anna got a piece of it and we’ll take it. I’ll win ugly.”

right place. right time. 🤝#HailWV | 📺 ESPN+ pic.twitter.com/Xzgb0lLhic

— WVU Women’s Soccer (@wvuwomenssoccer) October 23, 2025

The Mountaineers (11-2-3, 6-0-3) managed four other shots on goal in the opening half, but Cannistraro was up to the task each time.

Iowa State, meanwhile, went to the break with two shots on goal, both of which WVU keeper Bailey Herfurth stopped en route to the Mountaineers’ ninth clean sheet this season. 

For all its success of late, West Virginia had allowed six goals over the previous three matches and finished 2-0-1 in that stretch.

“We had to get back to a shutout and that’s really important to the whole team collectively,” Izzo-Brown said.

Herfurth stopped one shot in the second half, and the Mountaineers nearly added to their lead on separate occasion in the late stages, but Cannistraro made a high-level save on a Maya Leoni shot in the 74th minute, before Alicia Riggins shot deflected off the crossbar in the 84th minute.

Still, WVU remained in the thick of the race for a Big 12 regular season championship and improved to 13-0 all-time against the Cyclones.

Iowa State fell to 4-8-3 overall and 1-7-1 in the Big 12.

“We hit everything but net in the second half,” Izzo-Brown said. “But I thought Iowa was way better than their record, so I don’t want to not speak to that. The second half, we have to finish one those chances, especially with how many corner kicks we had. But that’s soccer, we walked away with three points and I’m thrilled.”

West Virginia was momentarily in sole possession of first place in the Big 12 late Thursday until TCU secured a 1-0 win at Arizona to move atop the league standings.

The Horned Frogs are 7-1-1 in Big 12 play and have 22 points to WVU’s 21 points. Colorado, which defeated Texas Tech on Thursday, pulled into a tie for third place with the Red Raiders at 20 points each.

The Mountaineers return to action at noon Sunday when they welcome Oklahoma State. The regular season finale is next Thursday at home against Cincinnati. 

“Sunday will a bear,” Izzo-Brown said. “What we have to deal with Sunday, it’s always going to be at tough day to turnaround and match the effort from Thursday.”

DALLAS – Dallas Mayor Eric Johnson was a no-show at a scheduled public event on Thursday. 

That sparked some confusion and the announcement that the mayor’s public appearances are temporarily canceled due to security concerns.

But the mayor’s office said it’s not true.

Dallas Mayor Eric Johnson

What’s new:

Workforce Czar Lynn McBee told the audience at an event to mark a new partnership between the city and Goodwill that the mayor was not in attendance because of an issue surrounding his security. No specifics were provided.

“I want to share Mayor Johnson had planned to be with us today, but was recently advised his public appearances are being temporarily suspended for security reasons,” she said.

Instead of his public appearance, a video that Johnson filmed on Wednesday was played.

However, after the event, the mayor’s spokesperson denied the claim, noting that he had attended a public event on Thursday morning and has more events scheduled in the days ahead.

The backstory:

Mayor Johnson recently gained national attention after a dispute with Dallas Police Chief Daniel Comeaux.

Johnson criticized Comeaux for rejecting a $25 million offer to partner with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

The mayor has previously told FOX News that he would support efforts by President Donald Trump to deport undocumented migrants accused of violent crimes.

He argued decisions involving $25 million deals should be reviewed publicly. Johnson also said the partnership could be a way to bring in money that the city and police department need.

What we don’t know:

We don’t know if Johnson’s recent comments created any security concerns, and his office denies that security issues had anything to do with his absence on Thursday.

However, Johnson’s office did not elaborate on his whereabouts.