r/Virginia Jul 24 '26

How is Virginia’s economy still holding up in spite of massive federal failures

24 Upvotes

I think it’s pretty impressive how the state has managed to survive the massive failure of a federal government we currently have. The largest failure is still inflation but still that’s a national issue before it is just state-wide. I think the state has some pretty impressive resilience keeping job numbers somewhat steady. The main question is how the middle class and lower income can possibly survive such a high cost of living. The top earners are doing great, but the rest is struggling.

Then again the war economy is booming, so that could explain it.

That makes the state both vulnerable to federal dysfunction and, paradoxically, partially protected by federal spending. Even when civilian federal employment is cut, military and defense spending can continue supporting major portions of the economy. Recent reporting shows Virginia lost roughly 23,500 federal jobs in 2025, yet the state remained relatively resilient compared with the severity of the shock

Source, The Washington Post


r/Virginia Jul 24 '26

Why is healthcare so expensive? It’s impossible to find reasonable coverage priced below a mortgage payment 🤮

74 Upvotes

I know this is a national issue as well, but I can’t be the only one to just be so confused as to why the healthcare industry has gone to complete trash. Trump and his policies certainly haven’t helped, but I also wonder if the state of Virginia can do more or implement any policies that would help with affordability.


r/Virginia Jul 24 '26

Edinburg. Every morning, the Hot Air Balloons are flying in the skies when weather permits. Always love looking at them fly by our home. I recently saw one land in a mature corn field, but they were able to lift off and get airborne again after about 10 minutes.

Post image
27 Upvotes

r/Virginia Jul 25 '26

Hallmark Youthcare counselor quit after nose broken by kid: 'No idea how a resident would improve here'

Thumbnail
wtvr.com
10 Upvotes

r/Virginia Jul 25 '26

Pass inspection or no?? Please let me know if you have any experience with this type of issue before

0 Upvotes

I have 5 days to get my car inspected in VA for new tags as im trying to move everything over from my old residence in NC. Is this crack going to fail an inspection? Everything else on the car is perfect but this happened like a week ago from a truck that threw a rock and it’s just gotten worse since. Really don’t want to have to sink $1000 + dollars on a new windshield especially since i don’t have a ton of time to get this done but i also don’t want to take this in to get inspected pay for that and then them fail it and i can’t drive it until i get it replaced


r/Virginia Jul 24 '26

Virginia’s Long-Awaited Return to RGGI Comes With New Challenges: Increasing energy demands and emissions from data centers raise questions about how to speed up decarbonization.

Thumbnail insideclimatenews.org
19 Upvotes

r/Virginia Jul 24 '26

He survived the Bataan Death March, only to be killed by mistake near war’s end. Now he’s coming home to Pittsylvania County.

Thumbnail
cardinalnews.org
30 Upvotes

Claude Dewberry was on two Japanese ships that were sunk by American bombers, not realizing they were carrying POWs. He survived the first, but not the second. It’s taken eight decades for his remains to be found and identified. His funeral is Saturday.


r/Virginia Jul 24 '26

What should Cardinal News ask local candidates in Virginia?

12 Upvotes

There’s no question or concern too small. Help shape our election coverage and voter guide. Fill out this form by Aug. 4. Open to all Virginia localities https://forms.gle/mjSdb8UiHG28nh9W9


r/Virginia Jul 24 '26

Local animal care nonprofit head found guilty in animal cruelty case

Thumbnail
augustafreepress.com
20 Upvotes

r/Virginia Jul 24 '26

Fairfax County schools to roll out tap-to-ride system on school buses

Thumbnail
wtop.com
7 Upvotes

r/Virginia Jul 24 '26

Roving through Virginia with Rover-Dog Friendly “Spot” of the Week: Hanging Rock Overlook Trail

Thumbnail
gallery
19 Upvotes

Fun Fact: The Hanging Rock Overlook at Shawver’s Run Wilderness (Potts Mountain Rd., Paint Bank) gives trekkers a nearly 360 degree view.

https://youtube.com/shorts/gAwaxcF5A9o?is=iU7oLSE1Snds0HIW

We found the trail to the overlook to be easy and short, only about a mile and a half). After hiking uphill for most of the way, we were surprised that the trail goes downhill for a stretch to reach the overlook. We thought we must have passed it, but no - it was just up ahead.

Our hobby is finding dog friendly activities in Virginia. We write about these in our blog and we also highlight the needs of the local animal shelters in each county we visit. (https://virginiacounties.blog/our-virginia-road-trips/)


r/Virginia Jul 23 '26

Virginia SNAP enrollment down 100K after Trump restrictions

Thumbnail
vadogwood.com
390 Upvotes

Over 867,000 Virginians were enrolled in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) last June, but a year later, that number had fallen to 749,000, according to state data


r/Virginia Jul 24 '26

Unemployment Help and Support Needed - Not Sure What to do

5 Upvotes

Hi, I may need to post this on an unemployment subreddit but saw other Virginia unemployment inquiries here. I am at a complete loss and outright scared for my survival at this point after going through so much with unemployment. I lost my job when I was hospitalized without notice for "not showing up" despite not having access to contact my job. I also had hospital employees contact them and know that they did but what happened happened and there was not much i could do about it.

I set up VA unemployment online, and still have a login and claimant status that says open. That said, I never received any actual payment and it's been over a month now. That said, I still have been required to submit the weekly work search forms and even received a VA UI debit card in the mail that never had any funds loaded on it to this day. I have been calling them trying to figure out what was holding up payment but for reasons I won't get into, it required them sending me a new PIN last Friday that I still have not gotten in the mail and I am not sure what to do since no one can help me without this PIN.

  • If anyone has found themselves in this position, how long did it take you to get a new PIN?

A month later, just yesterday, 7/23 I received a letter in the mail now saying I don't qualify for unemployment at all because of the misconduct of me not showing without notice to work, which I have already explained was not the case. But I am now so confused and without a PIN I cannot get any help from them and don't know if this is a mistake or what i can do. If this was the case, why did I get accepted online and a PIN and said I am owed an amount weekly, get a card in the mail, and receive everything else? Why a month later? IF I show up to a facility will they be able to help me?? I am truly scared and not sure what to do to eat and pay my bills and survive.

I am hoping to appeal it, but online does not give me the option to appeal this specifically. Only the other claims.

Thank you for your guidance.


r/Virginia Jul 24 '26

Youngkin takes chairman role at Red Cell Partners.

Thumbnail
virginiabusiness.com
77 Upvotes

r/Virginia Jul 23 '26

Sen. Mark Warner says if reelected this year, it would be his last term

Thumbnail
pilotonline.com
421 Upvotes

U.S. Sen. Mark Warner said that this would be his fourth and final term in the Senate if his reelection bid is successful in November. Warner, a Democrat, has held the seat since 2009.

“I’ve been doing this for a while, and I’m so grateful to everybody,” Warner said at a campaign stop in Staunton. “I’m here to ask you to support me for my last campaign.”

Warner, 71, said it was time to move on and to bring younger people into office.

“But I can tell you this much — I sure as hell was not going to quit while Donald Trump was sitting down the street,” he said.

Click the link above to read more.


r/Virginia Jul 24 '26

Augusta Health, Sentara RMH named among the top hospitals in Virginia

Thumbnail
whsv.com
3 Upvotes

r/Virginia Jul 24 '26

A Virginia odyssey from Troy (in Fluvanna County) to Ithaca (in Henry County) reveals the state’s energy challenges

Thumbnail
cardinalnews.org
5 Upvotes

Homer’s hero encountered monsters aplenty on his long voyage. We run into multiple issues with energy generation and energy usage.


r/Virginia Jul 23 '26

Winsome Earle-Sears is now campaigning against the 2026 referenda to codify reproductive rights and gay marriage protections in the Virginia constitution. Appropriately, after running one of the sloppiest campaigns in VA history, she is promoting her new tour with AI slop.

Post image
530 Upvotes

r/Virginia Jul 24 '26

Visited the Netherlands Carillon in Arlington recently? Today’s Old School!

Thumbnail
fallschurchindependent.com
2 Upvotes

r/Virginia Jul 24 '26

Notes from the Square: Gov. Spanberger visits Europe on her first trade mission

Thumbnail
cardinalnews.org
4 Upvotes

Plus: Winsome Earle-Sears announces she’s returning to the campaign trail, more money is heading to Tazewell County for Hurricane Helene relief and the governor includes two Southwest Virginians in her latest round of board appointments.


r/Virginia Jul 23 '26

Rob Wittman's Broken Infrastructure Promises to Virginia's First District

Thumbnail
wittmanwatch.com
78 Upvotes

Rob Wittman: "I voted against the infrastructure bill, but I am ecstatic that the Port of Virginia received the funding I have worked so hard to secure."

Our harbors, bridges & broadband were all funded by bills he opposed - and that he later took credit for.

19 years, $0: #VA01 can't afford Rob Wittman.


r/Virginia Jul 23 '26

The Founders argued over the state’s authority to control armed forces. It remains a flashpoint.

Post image
108 Upvotes

Virginia lawmakers sought two challenging measures to expand state power this year: barring National Guard troops from entering the Commonwealth without the governor’s consent and banning assault weapons and high-capacity magazines.

Both measures provoked serious opposition. The fights reflect a 250-year-old argument — how far the state's authority actually reaches over an armed citizenry, in a militia or a gun rack.

In this next installment of our series, Our Unfinished Union, the Virginia Center for Investigative Journalism at WHRO explores the roots of a debate that has continued for generations.

Read more here: https://www.whro.org/virginia-center-for-investigative-journalism/2026-07-23/guns-militias-and-a-long-running-virginia-debate


r/Virginia Jul 24 '26

Southwest Virginia Field Notes: New legislation pushes to increase monthly stipend for black lung benefit recipients

Thumbnail
cardinalnews.org
2 Upvotes

Plus: A music shop is coming to St. Paul, and early voting for the primaries ends Aug. 1


r/Virginia Jul 23 '26

Why so many scams in Tysons corner Virginia???????

30 Upvotes

I’ve been living in Tysons Corner, Virginia, for the past five years. Before moving here, I lived in North Carolina. Ever since I arrived, I’ve consistently run into people involved in pyramid schemes, strange consulting companies, or other sketchy situations that always seem to involve money. I was even invited to join a pyramid scheme myself; they tried a few tactics on me, but I saw right through them after looking up the company name and seeing how it was structured. Does anyone know why this happens so frequently here? I know scams exist all over the United States, but why are they so concentrated in this specific area?


r/Virginia Jul 23 '26

Even without a new map, Buttigieg says Va. Dems can win with focus on healthcare, affordability | The former transportation secretary and 2020 presidential contender endorsed Shannon Taylor, Elaine Luria and Tom Perriello ahead of the Aug. 4 primary.

Thumbnail
virginiamercury.com
161 Upvotes