Politics stories in Hampton Roads

Republican Sen. Susan Collins has made history by becoming the first senator to cast 10,000 consecutive votes without missing a roll call. Her remarkable streak, which began in 1997, has garnered bipartisan praise and highlights her commitment to her role as a senator.

Former Republican Congressman Stephen Buyer received an unconditional pardon from President Trump after serving nearly two years for insider trading. Buyer, who maintains his innocence, claims the prosecution was politically motivated.

Alewife floater, a freshwater mussel, to be reintroduced to the South Anna River. (Photo by Shannon Heckt/Virginia Mercury) For about 200 years, the Ashland Mill Dam, about a half-hour north of Richmond, blocked many fish from moving through the South Anna River. Without fish like herring to attach

President Donald Trump has granted a pardon to Stephen Buyer, a former Republican congressman who was imprisoned for nearly two years due to illegal stock trading. This decision raises questions about accountability and the implications of political pardons.

Democrat Xavier Becerra has secured a spot in the California governor's runoff election, positioning himself as a seasoned leader with over 35 years in public service. He aims to succeed Gavin Newsom amid a competitive field, including notable rivals Steve Hilton and Tom Steyer.

The US military has shot down Iranian missiles aimed at Gulf allies, prompting Kuwait's foreign ministry to label the attacks a serious escalation. This incident marks a significant increase in tensions in the region.

Virginians For Marriage Equality has initiated a campaign aimed at amending the state's constitution to protect same-sex marriage. The effort seeks to eliminate the existing ban and ensure recognition of all legal marriages in Virginia.

Budget negotiations in Virginia have reached a standstill as lawmakers clash over tax incentives for data centers. The ongoing debates are causing delays in the General Assembly's decision-making process.

The U.S. attorney's office in Los Angeles has launched multiple investigations into alleged election fraud in California, prompted by President Trump's claims of irregularities in the primary vote count. A prosecutor has been sent to oversee the vote-counting process amid ongoing concerns about the integrity of the election.

President Trump is set to promote a positive jobs report during his visit to Wisconsin, emphasizing the administration's support for farmers through tax cuts and deregulation. The U.S. labor market continues to show strength with 172,000 jobs added in May.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer criticized U.S. Vice President JD Vance for blaming immigration in the murder of 18-year-old Henry Nowak. Nowak was stabbed by Vickrum Digwa, who falsely claimed to be a victim of racism, leading to a political backlash and protests in Southampton.

The Freedom 250 concert lineup has faced significant changes as several artists have withdrawn. In response, Trump has announced a rally at the National Mall.

A federal appeals court is reviewing a lawsuit challenging President Trump's authority to proceed with a White House ballroom project without congressional approval. The National Trust for Historic Preservation argues that federal law mandates such authorization, while the Trump administration cites national security concerns as justification for the demolition of the East Wing.

Congress is set to provide nearly $70 billion to the Department of Homeland Security, significantly boosting President Trump's mass deportation efforts. The funding, which has faced criticism from Democrats and pro-immigrant advocates, will support immigration enforcement operations through 2029.

Federal lawyers contend that construction of a White House ballroom should proceed without court intervention due to national security concerns. The case raises questions about legal standing and the authority of Congress over such projects.

A hot-food display case at a Williamsburg Food Lion shows a limited selection of rotisserie chicken and other prepared chicken products. (Natalia Cartagena Diaz/WYDaily) WASHINGTON — U.S. Sen. Mark R. Warner, D-Va., has joined a bipartisan group of senators in sponsoring legislation that would allow

[Link: https://www.virginiascope.com/budget-negotiations-have-blown-up-after-lucas-torian-and-spanberger-meeting/]

A federal judge has struck down a Trump-era immigration policy that left many immigrants in legal limbo. The ruling criticized the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services for arbitrary actions that discriminated against individuals based on their nationality.

Nila Devanath, a candidate for Virginia's 2nd Congressional District, was interviewed by Kate for the People. The discussion covers her campaign priorities and vision for the district.

[Link: https://www.marijuanamoment.net/virginia-lawmakers-and-governor-meet-to-discuss-marijuana-sales-legalization-compromise-that-could-pass-this-month/]

Russian President Vladimir Putin rejected Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's proposal for a face-to-face meeting regarding the ongoing conflict, calling it 'boorish.' This comes after Zelenskyy criticized Putin's long tenure and age in a recent letter, marking the first direct communication since the war began in 2022.

[Link: https://www.fredericksburgfreepress.com/2026/06/04/in-7th-congressional-district-its-vindman-versus-the-winner-of-a-three-way-gop-contest/]

The Kennedy Center is starting to remove references to Donald Trump after a federal judge ruled his name was illegally added. The changes must be completed by June 12, as the center complies with the court's order while exploring legal options.

The Senate passed a $70 billion funding bill for Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Border Patrol, overcoming internal GOP disputes. The vote, which narrowly avoided derailment over a contentious settlement fund, highlights ongoing tensions within the party as they focus on immigration enforcement ahead of elections.

A report reveals that former Prince Andrew made money by subletting cottages on his rent-free estate, Royal Lodge. The National Audit Office's findings raise concerns over the lack of transparency regarding his income from these properties.

The Senate passed a $70 billion bill to fund ICE and Border Patrol for three years, overcoming internal GOP disputes over a contentious settlement fund. The legislation was approved by a narrow vote of 52-47, just before dawn on Friday.

Virginia Sen. Tim Kaine (D) says the vote Wednesday by the House of Representatives to block further strikes on Iran is evidence that momentum is building to stop the conflict, now in its fourth month.

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British lawmaker Jess Asato is suing Elon Musk's xAI for invasion of privacy after fake bikini images of her were created using the Grok chatbot. She aims to set a legal precedent for holding AI companies accountable for misuse of their technology.