AGP Executive Report

College Football: Duke edged Virginia 19-16 in Charlottesville, scoring on a late trick-play touchdown before intercepting Beau Pribula to seal the win. State Politics: Federal prosecutors indicted longtime Virginia Sen. Louise Lucas and six others in an alleged $4.5 million cannabis and corruption scheme. Lucas denies wrongdoing, while state leaders have called for due process. Public Safety: A man was arrested after allegedly using a sledgehammer to decapitate a statue at the Iwo Jima Memorial near Quantico; repairs could cost hundreds of thousands of dollars. Technology & Energy: Gov. Abigail Spanberger ordered a statewide plan to strengthen cybersecurity after an incident disrupted Richmond public schools’ online systems. Amazon has also abandoned several planned Northern Virginia data centers amid local opposition, and Loudoun County is tightening review requirements for large energy-use projects. Elections: Early voting is surging ahead of Virginia’s congressional midterms. Health: Virginia’s Little Wicomico River oyster harvest was halted after raw oysters were linked to 27 salmonella cases across 12 states.

State Politics: Federal prosecutors indicted longtime Virginia Sen. Louise Lucas and six others, accusing them of taking part in a $4.5 million marijuana trafficking and corruption scheme. Lucas has called the case political targeting. Midterm Elections: Early voting is running 9% ahead of the same point last year, with strong turnout reported across the state as voters prepare for Nov. 3. Public Health: Recalled raw oysters from Virginia’s Little Wicomico River have been linked to 27 salmonella illnesses in 12 states, prompting an emergency river closure. Schools: A cyber incident disrupted Richmond Public Schools’ online systems, but classes continued in a technology-free setting as officials investigate. Energy and Development: Data center proposals are drawing mounting opposition in Virginia, where residents and officials are also weighing concerns about rising power bills and the demands of a fast-growing industry.

Federal Charges: State Sen. L. Louise Lucas, one of Virginia’s most powerful Democrats, was indicted with six others on charges tied to an alleged marijuana trafficking, bribery and money-laundering enterprise. Prosecutors say the scheme generated $4.5 million; Lucas calls the case politically motivated and says she will not be intimidated. Public Health: Virginia oysters from the Little Wicomico River have been linked to a Salmonella outbreak sickening 27 people in 12 states. Recalled oysters prompted an emergency river closure. Schools: Richmond Public Schools remained offline as cybersecurity experts investigated an incident that disrupted internet, email and other systems. Energy: Gov. Abigail Spanberger says a proposed Dominion Energy–NextEra merger must include a six-year rate freeze; state regulators and other Virginia leaders have raised concerns about the deal. Election Watch: We Are CASA plans to send volunteers to polling places in Virginia and two other states on Nov. 3 to document barriers such as misinformation, language access and voters being improperly turned away.

Public Corruption: Virginia Senate President Pro Tempore Louise Lucas was indicted on federal charges alleging she led a marijuana trafficking and money-laundering operation that used her political influence. Prosecutors say the scheme generated about $4.5 million; Lucas denies wrongdoing, and the allegations have not been proven. Gov. Abigail Spanberger stressed the presumption of innocence and criticized the indictment’s timing ahead of the election. Utility Merger: Spanberger is seeking a six-year freeze on base residential rates and larger bill credits if regulators approve Dominion Energy’s proposed merger with NextEra. State regulators’ staff have recommended rejecting the deal. Public Health: A salmonella outbreak linked to raw oysters harvested in Virginia has sickened 27 people across 12 states, prompting recalls and health warnings. Data Centers: Amazon backed away from plans for a data center on George Washington University’s former Ashburn campus after public backlash, as Virginia communities debate the effects of rapid data-center growth. Health Costs: Virginia launched a $150 million program to help lower health insurance premiums, while the governor’s coalition works to protect residents facing federal healthcare and food-assistance cuts.

Election Watch: Early voting is in its final stretch, with millions of dollars flowing into Virginia’s closely contested congressional races. Voters will also decide constitutional amendments on abortion and same-sex marriage, while Arlington County is suing to keep armed federal agents away from polling places. Energy and Data Centers: Virginia regulators’ staff recommended rejecting Dominion Energy’s proposed merger with NextEra, and Gov. Abigail Spanberger is demanding a six-year rate freeze if it proceeds. Community resistance to data centers is growing: Amazon dropped its planned $427 million Ashburn campus project, Suffolk approved a temporary moratorium, and Botetourt County residents rallied against a proposed facility. Health Care: A new state coalition is preparing outreach and help for Virginians facing federal health-care and food-assistance cuts; about 300,000 residents could lose Medicaid next year. Public Health: A multistate Salmonella outbreak linked to raw Virginia oysters has sickened 27 people, with five hospitalized. Political Scrutiny: An FBI raid involving state Sen. Louise Lucas has prompted questions about the corruption investigation and phone surveillance.

Public Health: A multistate Salmonella outbreak linked to recalled raw oysters from Virginia’s Little Wicomico River has sickened at least 27 people and hospitalized five. Harvesting in the affected area is suspended through Nov. 7. Data Centers: Amazon has dropped plans for a data center complex at George Washington University’s former Ashburn campus after public backlash, as opposition to Virginia’s rapid data-center expansion grows. Energy Costs: Gov. Abigail Spanberger is seeking a six-year electricity-rate freeze and larger bill credits as Dominion Energy’s proposed merger with NextEra faces scrutiny from state regulators. Election 2026: Early voting is underway, with competitive House races drawing fresh attention. A former prosecutor has sued 1st District candidate Shannon Taylor over her handling of workplace complaints; Taylor has called the suit political. Jobs: Virginia was among states to record an annual employment decline through September, though its losses were under 1%, according to federal data.

Data Centers: Amazon has withdrawn plans for an 800,000-square-foot data center project on George Washington University’s Loudoun campus after local opposition, agreeing to give the county land for community facilities and housing. Protests and calls for a statewide pause continue elsewhere in Virginia. Energy Costs: Gov. Abigail Spanberger says she will oppose the proposed Dominion-NextEra merger without a six-year freeze on base electric rates. State utility staff have urged regulators to reject the deal as proposed. Public Safety: One person was hospitalized after reported gunfire near Virginia Union University, prompting a campus lockdown. Separately, state records say a Richmond daycare administrator routinely brought a loaded gun to work; a toddler got hold of it, and the center was shut down. Election 2026: An appeal seeks to remove Virginia’s abortion-rights amendment from the November ballot, adding a legal fight to an already consequential election season.

Election Watch: Virginia’s early-voting count has topped 770,000, compared with 471,000 at the same point in 2022. The elections commissioner says voting equipment is offline and ballots are protected by strict handling rules. Energy & Data Centers: State utility commission staff recommend rejecting Dominion Energy’s proposed $67 billion merger with NextEra, while Gov. Spanberger has outlined conditions. Data-center growth is also drawing protests and calls for a pause: Virginia has 398 centers, with 287 more planned. Household Costs: A $150 million state program could cut marketplace insurance premiums by up to 70% for eligible Virginians, but funding is first-come, first-served. Old Dominion Power is seeking a 23% rate increase for customers in parts of Southwest Virginia. Public Safety: Richmond officials closed a daycare after a toddler found a loaded gun, renewing concerns about firearm storage and child care safety. Immigration Policy: Richmond has rolled out a “trust policy” aimed at protecting immigrants who share information with city officials.

Data Center Debate: A proposed $100 billion campus at Berry Hill could bring 21 data centers across 1,733 acres to Pittsylvania County, with plans for 3,000 megawatts of power, including two natural-gas plants. The project adds urgency to growing opposition: Loudoun County is weighing a yearlong application pause, and a Virginia senator has proposed a statewide moratorium. Election Watch: Early voting is expanding in Loudoun as Virginians head toward the Nov. 3 midterms. Data-center growth and its impact on power costs have emerged as campaign issues across the state. Public Health: Virginia health officials are investigating a measles case in Harrisonburg and have issued an exposure alert. Separately, the state has closed the Little Wicomico River harvest area after oysters linked to a multistate salmonella outbreak were recalled. Safety: A Virginia man was arrested in Pulaski County after allegedly arranging to meet someone he believed was a 14-year-old girl, according to the sheriff’s office.

Data Center Debate: Virginia lawmakers are preparing a slate of bills to pause data center growth. Sen. Russet Perry’s proposal would block approvals statewide for three years starting in July 2027, citing pressure from power lines and concerns over water, noise and rural development. Election Security: Rep. Suhas Subramanyam’s Leesburg office was evacuated after receiving an envelope with white powder. Initial tests found no hazard; federal agencies are investigating similar mail sent to congressional offices nationwide. Midterms: Early voting is entering its final stretch in Virginia, with ballots cast so far nearly double the 2022 total. College Basketball: UVA starts the season ranked No. 9 in the AP preseason poll, while James Madison’s women were picked to win the Sun Belt for a fourth straight year.

Spotsylvania Shooting: A deputy was injured and a suspect died in an officer-involved shooting Sunday. Virginia State Police are investigating; authorities said there was no active threat to the public. Child Care Safety: A state inspection found a loaded gun left within reach of children at a Richmond daycare, where a 2-year-old put the barrel in their mouth. No one was hurt, and the center was cited for safety violations. Voting: Early voting drew crowds across Virginia on Sunday, with ballots cast statewide nearing twice the 2022 total. Data Centers: A push to pause new data-center approvals is gaining traction ahead of the 2027 legislative session, amid concerns about power use and generators running during emergency alerts. Health and Weather: Officials confirmed a measles case in Northwest Virginia, while a brewing nor’easter could bring strong winds and coastal flooding to the East Coast this week. Business: Korean café chain A Twosome Place opened its first U.S. shop in Alexandria, drawing queues throughout its first day.

Coastal Weather: A nor’easter could bring 40–60 mph gusts, rough surf and coastal flooding from the Outer Banks into Chesapeake Bay, with impacts expected to last into Thursday. Election Watch: Virginia early voting is running nearly double the pace of 2022 as voters prepare to decide whether to add reproductive rights protections to the state constitution. Data Center Debate: Strasburg’s town manager says Project Tallmadge qualified as a by-right use under the 2024 zoning rules, while separate proposals to pause data center approvals are lining up ahead of the legislative session. Public Health: State officials confirmed a measles case in Northwest Virginia. Lidl gelato sold in Virginia and raw cheddar distributed to the state were also recalled over possible Listeria and E. coli contamination. Higher Education: Virginia Tech named Kansas State president Richard Linton its new leader; the Hokies also beat Georgia Tech 34–24.

Public Safety: Chesterfield police issued a CODI Alert for 17-year-old Taisha Green, who has a medical condition requiring ongoing care and was last seen Saturday evening. State Finances: Gov. Abigail Spanberger said September general-fund revenue rose 11.5% year over year; first-quarter collections are up 8% and 3.2% ahead of forecast. Data Centers: Proposals to pause new data-center approvals are stacking up before Virginia’s January legislative session, amid concerns about power and pollution. One facility ran diesel generators during a Code Red alert, while the state regulator said it lacked authority to intervene. Midterms: Virginia has recorded more than 604,000 early votes, nearly double the total at this point in 2022, as rallies and voter-education events urge residents to cast ballots. Schools and Safety: A Richmond daycare administrator was charged after a 2-year-old reportedly put a loaded gun in their mouth; state records say the child was unharmed. College Football: Virginia Tech beat Georgia Tech 34-24 in Blacksburg, while Virginia fell 23-13 to No. 24 SMU.

Data Centers: Virginia lawmakers are preparing bills to pause new data center approvals, including a proposed three-year statewide moratorium. The debate is sharpened by reports that a data center ran diesel generators during a Code Red alert, while the state regulator said it lacked authority to stop it. Google was confirmed as the company behind a proposed Roanoke County project. Election 2026: Early ballots cast in Virginia are nearly double the 2022 total, as “No Kings” events encourage voters to participate. In Hampton Roads, Democrat Elaine Luria has raised slightly more than Republican Rep. Jen Kiggans; Rep. Rob Wittman leads Democrat Shannon Taylor in the 1st District. Voters will also decide whether to add same-sex marriage protections to the state constitution. Public Safety: A Richmond daycare administrator was charged after a 2-year-old reportedly put a loaded gun in their mouth, according to state records. Energy: Virginia was awarded up to $50 million in federal funds for power-grid upgrades. Russia Sanctions: President Donald Trump’s decision to waive new Russia-related sanctions drew bipartisan criticism; Virginia Rep. Don Beyer said it betrays Ukraine and disregards Congress.

Data Center Debate: Google is behind a proposed Roanoke County data center, as Virginia lawmakers face calls for a pause on approvals. A state regulator says it lacked authority to stop a facility’s generators from running for a day, while a proposed 23% rate increase in parts of Southwest Virginia sharpens concerns over who pays for rising power demand. Election Watch: Early voting is surging, with ballots cast nearly double the 2022 pace. Attorney General Jay Jones has launched a voter-protection section, and voters will decide Nov. 3 whether to enshrine same-sex marriage rights in Virginia’s constitution. Higher Education: Virginia Tech named Kansas State President Richard Linton as its next leader, the university’s 17th president. Business: Virginia casinos reported $97.6 million in September revenue, with Danville’s Caesars Virginia bringing in $36.1 million.

Election 2026: Weekend early voting begins Sunday in Virginia, where Attorney General Jay Jones has launched a voter-protection section and Sen. Mark Warner is seeking another term. Data Centers and Power: A Virginia senator has proposed a three-year pause on new data centers as Google considers a Roanoke County site, intensifying debate over growth and electricity demand. Health Care: Chatham’s PATHS health center became the first in the nation to join a voluntary federal initiative focused on preventing chronic disease; it serves nearly 30,000 Virginians a year. Education: Danville Community College received a five-year, $1.5 million federal grant to expand its program helping students access college and career training. Northern Virginia: Goodwin Living broke ground on a $360 million Alexandria senior community, with all 257 residences reserved years before its planned 2029 opening. Public Safety: A Fairfax County police officer was charged with three counts of domestic assault and placed on administrative leave.