Virginia Insider

Did you see it? Dr. Anthony Fauci sat before the U.S. Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee today and refused to answer a single question — invoking his Fifth Amendment right more than 100 times.

The man who once pushed policies that made it harder to go to work, harder to go to school, and harder to live normal life now faces Senate Chairman Rand Paul under subpoena and offers only silence. Uriah Kiser breaks down the full hearing, the most intense exchanges, and what it still means for Virginia families six years later.

Fauci, the former director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, was subpoenaed by Sen. Rand Paul. In his opening statement he accused Paul of an “obvious obsession” and said the only reason he was called was so Paul could try to put him “behind bars.” Then he took the Fifth on everything — emails, his personal diary, gain-of-function research, the Wuhan lab, celebrity status, and whether his unconditional pardon from President Joe Biden (dating all the way back to January 1, 2014) would be jeopardized by lying to Congress.

One of the most powerful moments came when Sen. Bernie Moreno confronted Fauci with the story of a family arrested and dragged out of a high school football stadium simply for sitting outside without masks. Moreno asked Fauci directly what happened to that mother and her family. Fauci’s only reply: “On the advice of counsel, I respectfully decline to answer based upon my rights under the Fifth Amendment to the Constitution.” He repeated that line over and over while people who lived through the policies sat behind him.

Virginia felt those policies early and hard. The Commonwealth was among the first states to close schools and kept many shuttered for nearly two years. Students lost critical developmental years. Families were barred from hospital rooms. The host shares how those same rules kept him from seeing his own wife when she was seriously ill. The effects of the school closures and isolation still linger across the state.

Rand Paul ended the hearing by warning Fauci there will be repercussions for his refusal to testify and scheduled a contempt vote. The people who lost jobs, lost education, and lost time with loved ones already faced the consequences.

Sources:

https://www.thecentersquare.com/national/article_4d95da63-405e-4588-9b09-c65b8b4a49ed.html

https://x.com/thewakeninq/status/2082478698096148710

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Richmond is rewriting its entire zoning code. The result could allow two homes plus an accessory unit on nearly every single-family lot in the city — and critics say it will incentivize the demolition of the modest, historic homes that already provide affordable housing.

In this episode of Virginia Insider, Uriah Kiser breaks down the city’s Code Refresh proposal, the Style Weekly reporting that raised serious red flags, and why this rewrite appears to conflict with Richmond’s own 2020 master plan. From Carytown and The Fan to the broader question of who actually benefits from denser “dwelling units,” this is the story Virginia’s capital isn’t loudly advertising.

If you value independent coverage of statewide politics and local government decisions that affect every Virginian, hit like, drop a comment with your thoughts on upzoning, and subscribe so you don’t miss the next report. Turn on notifications — these stories move fast.

Code Refresh is a comprehensive rewrite of Richmond’s zoning ordinance. According to reporting, it would upzone almost every residential parcel to permit denser development, including what’s called a “2+1” — two dwelling units plus an accessory dwelling unit on a single-family lot. Supporters frame it as the answer to affordable housing. The Style Weekly analysis argues the opposite: the incentives created by upzoning could accelerate the demolition of naturally occurring affordable housing — modest single-family homes and below-market apartments — rather than expand the supply of homes working families can actually buy or rent.

The rewrite also appears misaligned with Richmond 300, the master plan adopted in 2020 that includes a substantial section on historic preservation. Only about 6% of city property sits inside formal Old and Historic Districts. Neighborhoods celebrated for their character, including Carytown and The Fan, receive little additional protection under the drafts reviewed so far. Public engagement has been limited: city data shows roughly 5,000 people — about 2% of residents — have participated in meetings, emails, or comments during a process that has run less than two years, shorter than the three-to-five-year timeline the city itself previously outlined.

Uriah walks through the government language, the missing data, the Freedom of Information hurdles, and the broader context of housing demand in Virginia. Watch the full breakdown and decide for yourself whether this is thoughtful growth planning or a rushed rewrite that prioritizes density over the neighborhoods and housing stock already serving Richmonders.

Source: Style Weekly – “In The Zone” (July 2026)

https://www.styleweekly.com/in-the-zone-2/

City of Richmond Code Refresh page:

https://www.rva.gov/coderefresh

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Virginia Tech’s former rector isn’t going quietly. John Rocovich, a Roanoke attorney and longtime Hokie who poured years of service into his alma mater, is suing Governor Abigail Spanberger after she removed him from the Board of Visitors with no specific misconduct cited.

In this Virginia Insider breakdown, Uriah Kiser walks through the lawsuit filed in Montgomery County Circuit Court. Rocovich argues Spanberger’s May 27 letter failed to detail any violation of the Board Code of Ethics or state appointee standards, violating Virginia code requirements for cause. He seeks reinstatement and a ruling that he remains a board member — no financial damages, just the chance to finish the term Youngkin reappointed him to serve.

Spanberger’s office maintains the governor is the sole judge of cause for removal. But the lack of specifics has raised questions statewide as similar board changes unfold at VMI, George Mason, and UVA. Rocovich, a dedicated Southwest Virginia native, says he’s simply asking what he did wrong.

This is the latest chapter in the fight over who controls Virginia’s public universities. Watch the full analysis for the details that matter to Hokies and every Virginian who cares about independent board governance.

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Source:

https://davidmpoole.substack.com/p/rocovich-sues-gov-spanberger-over

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Senator Louise Lucas of Portsmouth just moved $300,000 from her campaign account to cover legal bills after the FBI raided her Senate office and nearby cannabis shop. She did it on June 30—literally the day before Virginia’s new law banning personal use of campaign funds took effect.

In this Virginia Insider report, Uriah Kiser breaks down the transactions: $200,000 paid to a Washington, D.C. law firm and $100,000 transferred to her own defense fund. That crowdsourced effort has raised only about $21,000 so far. Meanwhile, the search warrant remains sealed, no charges have been filed, and Lucas continues to claim the investigation is political.

Virginia lawmakers just closed the door on using donor money for personal expenses. Lucas appears to have walked through it at the eleventh hour. We also look at how previous Virginia politicians facing legal trouble—including a former governor—handled their defense costs differently.

This is the kind of accountability reporting Virginia voters deserve. If you want more coverage of what’s happening in Richmond and across the Commonwealth, stick with us.

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Jay Jones just drew a hard line. Virginia’s Attorney General says the Department of Justice has no business reviewing the state’s voter rolls — and he’s suing the Trump administration over it.

In this episode of Virginia Insider, Uriah Kiser breaks down the new statement and lawsuit from Attorney General Jay Jones. Jones is refusing DOJ requests for registered voter lists and is challenging federal conditions that would require states to share data and assist with immigration enforcement. The move comes as the Trump administration ties counter-terrorism and emergency funding to cooperation. Jones frames it as protecting Virginia’s elections from federal overreach. Critics see it as another example of Richmond Democrats refusing to work with federal authorities on both election integrity and criminal illegal immigration.

We also dig into the latest national polling. Despite months of coverage, Republicans and President Trump remain more trusted than Democrats on handling Iran. Recent CNBC and CBS numbers show a consistent Republican edge, a shift from earlier this year. At the same time, the DNC is struggling with cash and internal tension while Republicans sit on a massive war chest heading into the fall.

Closer to home, Virginia races remain competitive, and the state’s non-cooperation policy with federal immigration enforcement continues under Governor Abigail Spanberger. Recent cases of violent crime involving criminal illegal aliens in Fairfax and Louisa counties have put the policy under fresh scrutiny.

This is the statewide picture Virginia voters need right now — the money, the lawsuits, the polls, and the real-world consequences on the ground.

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Governor Abigail Spanberger’s numbers are soft — and it’s only been six months.

A new poll shows 47% of Virginians say the Commonwealth is headed in the wrong direction. Spanberger’s approval sits at 44% approve to 46–47% disapprove, with 35% strongly disapproving. Only about one in five strongly support the job she’s doing. Inflation and the cost of living remain the top concern for nearly a third of Virginians — the same issue she ran on as “Queen Affordability.”

Meanwhile, Democratic lawmakers in the General Assembly slipped themselves a massive pay increase at the last minute — nearly tripling salaries with little public debate. Energy prices continue climbing after Virginia rejoined the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative. The early mandate from last year’s big win looks thinner by the day.

In this episode of Virginia Insider, Uriah Kiser breaks down the latest numbers, the political overconfidence that followed the 2025 results, and why Republicans see a clearer path in key congressional races. We look at longtime conservative Rob Wittman defending his seat against Henrico Commonwealth’s Attorney Shannon Taylor in the 1st District, and Jen Kiggans facing a rematch with former Congresswoman Elaine Luria in the 2nd.

These races will test whether Spanberger’s soft standing creates real openings for Republicans across Virginia in 2026.

Watch the full analysis, then tell us in the comments: Do these numbers change how you see the midterms?

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Sources

https://therepublicanstandard.substack.com/p/spanbergers-soft-numbers-signal-gop?triedRedirect=true

Alexandria just became the first city in Virginia to ban gas-powered leaf blowers. Starting in November, homeowners and landscapers face fines of $100 to $500 for using them. Democrats have already signaled they want the same restriction expanded statewide.

Uriah Kiser breaks down the new Alexandria ordinance that takes effect after an 18-month phase-out ending November 17, 2026. The city cites noise reduction and air and water pollution as the reasons. Electric models will be required instead.

For landscaping businesses the costs are steep. Commercial crews report needing specialized backpack battery systems that can run $20,000 to $25,000 per setup to last a full workday. Trucks lack reliable charging infrastructure on the job, and electric units struggle with wet, packed autumn leaves compared to gas models. That means longer job times and higher expenses passed on to customers.

The ban relies on a local noise ordinance approach green-lit by an opinion from former Attorney General Jason Miyares. At the General Assembly, Delegate Rip Sullivan (D-Fairfax) introduced House Bill 881 in early 2026 with co-patrons Eileen Filler-Corn and Patrick Hope. The bill would have given denser localities authority to regulate or prohibit gas leaf blowers. It did not advance, but the same lawmakers have said they plan to bring it back in the 2027 session.

Critics note the practical problems: battery production and disposal carry their own environmental costs, and most electricity still comes from fossil fuels. The same officials who campaign on affordability are adding new rules, fines, and equipment mandates on residents and small businesses.

This is the first local ban of its kind in Virginia. Watch the full breakdown for the timeline, enforcement details, and what a statewide version could mean for yards and landscaping companies across the Commonwealth.

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More Virginians are fed up with data centers. These massive server farms — hundreds of feet tall, covering multiple football fields — are consuming power, water, and land across the commonwealth. Virginia now hosts more data centers than any other place on Earth, and residents are saying the world’s richest corporations should stop receiving nearly $2 billion in tax breaks while everyday energy costs climb.

In this Virginia Insider breakdown, Uriah Kiser examines the growing revolt. In Loudoun County, neighbors fought Dominion Energy’s proposed Golden to Mars transmission line — 180-foot towers running near homes and school property. The State Corporation Commission sided with the utility. The legal battle is now headed toward the Virginia Supreme Court. Similar concerns stretch along the Valley Link corridor from Campbell County to Culpeper, all to feed Northern Virginia’s data center demand.

A political earthquake is underway. Republicans, long considered pro-business, are increasingly leading the opposition and finding common ground with Democrats who once supported the industry. Governor Abigail Spanberger has consistently backed keeping the tax incentives in place. Polling shows a dramatic shift: a 2023 Washington Post-Schar School survey found 61% support for data center tax breaks that create at least 1,000 jobs. By 2026 that support had collapsed to 37%, with opposition rising to 56%. A more recent Commonwealth Poll found support for the tax breaks at just 25% and opposition near 70%. Every region of Virginia now leans against new facilities in local communities.

Data centers generate significant local tax revenue during construction, but permanent jobs are few. Many projects sit in a power queue that could stretch into the 2030s. Conservatives and a growing number of Democrats argue Virginia can support technological growth without forcing ratepayers to subsidize the infrastructure or placing high-voltage lines next to neighborhoods and schools.

Watch the full analysis for the latest on the SCC decisions, the polling collapse, and what it means for energy costs and land use across the commonwealth.

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Virginia Democrats are fighting among themselves just weeks before key primaries, exposing deep divisions ahead of the 2026 midterms. In the 1st Congressional District, four Democratic candidates are demanding the state party reaffirm neutrality after the DCCC and establishment appeared to prematurely back Shannon Taylor, the Henrico County prosecutor, to challenge longtime Republican Rep. Rob Wittman. Early voting is already underway for the August 4 primary.

Meanwhile, in the solidly blue 8th District, Rep. Don Beyer faces multiple challengers who say he hasn’t fought hard enough against President Trump and DOGE-driven federal layoffs that are hammering Northern Virginia and Hampton Roads. Job losses in these areas are outpacing the rest of the nation while North Carolina surges ahead.

Uriah Kiser breaks down the infighting, the role of Virginia Democratic Party Chair Lamont Bagby, and what this chaos means for Virginia voters as federal workforce cuts and economic pressures hit home.

This Democratic civil war highlights growing frustration in the party’s base with incumbents seen as too moderate or ineffective. Will it weaken them heading into November, or is it just typical primary season noise?

If you’re a Virginia voter concerned about representation, federal jobs, and the direction of our Commonwealth, this is must-watch analysis. Like, comment with your district below, and subscribe for more statewide news and commentary.

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Sources:

https://virginiamercury.com/2026/07/15/four-va-01-democrats-ask-state-party-to-reaffirm-neutrality-after-dccc-backs-shannon-taylor/

https://virginiamercury.com/2026/07/14/democrats-challenge-beyer-in-va-s-8th-congressional-district-marred-by-federal-layoffs/

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Uriah Kiser delivers the hard truth on Governor Abigail Spanberger’s plunging poll numbers in the brand new VCU poll. Just six months into her term, her approval has gone underwater with 44% approving and 47% disapproving, as more Virginians believe the Commonwealth is headed in the wrong direction.

Economic concerns dominate while data center giants grow impatient amid a massive power bottleneck. Despite nearly $2 billion in tax breaks, hundreds of projects face years-long delays for grid connections, driving up costs for everyday Virginians.

From early executive actions limiting ICE cooperation, near-government shutdown budget fights, failed redistricting pushes, to defending Big Tech incentives that strain electricity and water resources—Uriah breaks down the growing discontent across party lines.

This is must-watch Virginia politics analysis for anyone concerned about affordability, energy costs, and state direction. What does this mean heading into the next legislative fights?

Like this video, drop your thoughts in the comments, subscribe, hit notifications, and share with fellow Virginians. Download the Virginia Insider podcast for more.

Sources: https://www.virginiascope.com/spanberger-has-negative-approval-rating-in-new-vcu-poll/ https://www.princewilliamtimes.com/localnews/the-big-bottleneck-power-crunch-keeps-data-centers-in-the-dark/article_3b45f243-defa-573c-8ed1-c8709f73ce94.html