Wednesday, February 18, 2026

Good Morning! On this day in 1989, Virginia Beach received the most snow it has ever seen in a single day: 13.6 inches.

Dozens of readers emailed us to say they intend to vote in the April 21 referendum on amending the state's constitution to allow Congressional redistricting.

"We need balance in politics," one reader wrote. "I hope to see one of the largest turnouts in Commonwealth history!" another added.

"Politicians say they want to give it to the people to decide, but then rig the map to get the decision they want," someone said. Another said, "I will vote against redistricting because gerrymandering is cheating."

Stay tuned for continuing coverage of the amendment process.

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Minimum Wage Increases Passed

Both houses of the General Assembly passed bills to raise the minimum wage to $15 per hour, effective in 2028. Democrats in the Senate passed the proposal on a party-line vote, 20-19, and the House had already passed a similar proposal.

In recent years, state law has gradually raised the minimum wage in line with inflation. It reached $12.77 per hour this year, up from $12.41 in 2025.

Gov. Abigail Spanberger said she looks forward to signing the bill. "Every Virginian who works full time deserves the financial stability to support their families, plan for the future, and continue building a life here in the Commonwealth," she wrote.

The new law would set the minimum wage at $13.75 per hour next year before it jumps in 2028.

Wise County Coach Fired

The Wise County School Board fired Travis Turner at its meeting last week. The missing football coach had remained on the payroll until then, with more than $21,000 paid to him since he disappeared last year.

"Payroll records may reflect compensation issued after board action due to standard payroll processing timelines, contractual obligations, statutory requirements, or the payout of accrued leave," Superintendent Mike Goforth said. "Such records do not indicate continued employment status."

Turner, a teacher as well as the head football coach, hasn't been seen since Nov. 20, when he walked into the woods with a weapon before authorities attempted to question him about an ongoing investigation. He is listed in the state police missing persons database.

The missing man has since been charged with five counts of possession of child pornography and five counts of using a computer to solicit a minor.

Virginia to Limit Social Media Use

Attorney General Jay Jones said his office intends to fully enforce state law provisions that limit those under 16 to one hour of social media use per day.

The office also filed a motion to dismiss a lawsuit opposing the limit, filed by a trade association representing social media companies.

The social media provisions of the Virginia Consumer Data Protection Act took effect on Jan. 1 after being signed by former Gov. Glenn Youngkin last year. It requires social media companies to verify users' ages and limit the activity of younger users.

"Today's announcement ensures that parents and caregivers have the final say in how much social media content their children consume, not the unscrupulous tech companies," Jones said. Family members can report alleged violations to the Attorney General's Consumer Protection Section.

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➤ Richmond: Gov. Spanberger paid tribute to the late Jesse Jackson, the civil rights leader who died on Tuesday at 84. "Rev. Jackson served as a voice for millions of Americans, bringing his fierce advocacy to the pursuits of equality and justice," she wrote. (Details)

➤ Statewide: The Virginia Department of Health reported that respiratory disease cases, such as influenza and COVID-19, dipped recently. Roughly 12% of emergency room visits last week were linked to respiratory concerns. (More)

➤ Roanoke: Last week, police arrested a suspect accused of, among other things, impersonating a police officer during a home invasion. Three victims said the imposter injured them in their home before fleeing. (Details)

➤ Richmond: Authorities charged a 41-year-old with felony hit-and-run after the death of Hope Cartwright, an associate editor at Virginia Living magazine who was struck and killed while walking in a crosswalk on Monday. (More)

➤ Henrico County: Officials said almost two-fifths of the county's snow plows and trucks suffered damage while attempting to respond to last month's snow and ice storm. "We haven't had ice like this in 30-plus years," County Manager John Vithoulkas said. (Details)

➤ Fairfax County native Ilia Malinin, the heavy favorite who finished eighth in Olympic men's figure skating last week, said, "I didn't really know how to handle" the pressure. He added that a "version of the story" is coming in this weekend's exhibition skate. (More)

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➤ UVA baseball handed VMI its first loss of the season. The Cavaliers, ranked No. 14, prevailed 5-2 in Charlottesville yesterday. (Box Score)

➤ Virginia Union men won the CIAA indoor track & field title, the first in school history. The last time the Panthers won an outdoor title was in 1934. (More)

➤ Richmond women's basketball, 12-2 in the Atlantic 10, visits D.C. to play George Washington today. (Preview)

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➤ Unemployment claims in Virginia jumped in early February, according to the U.S. Department of Labor. There were 4,528 initial claims the week ending Feb. 7, up from 2,683 the previous week. (Details)

➤ Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC), based in Reston, named James Reagan as chief executive officer. He's been interim CEO since October. (More)

➤ A proposal in the House of Delegates would force areas with more than 20,000 residents to set aside at least one zoning district for the building of homes on small lot sizes. Its sponsor said the goal is to encourage housing density in single-family neighborhoods. (Details)

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➤ Virginia State University named its Honors College after Dr. Charlie W. Hill, a 1966 graduate who spent four decades in the telecommunications, chemical, and media industries. (Details)

➤ Five Virginia distilleries traveled to Paris last week to showcase the Commonwealth's spirits on a world stage. Ironclad Distillery Co. brought home a prize for the "Crimson Sour," made with its hibiscus-infused bourbon. (More)

➤ Cities in the Chesapeake Bay region are sinking, according to a study led by Virginia Tech researchers. "If the ground is sinking while the water is rising, the effect adds up," warned D. Sarah Stamps, an associate professor in the Department of Geosciences. (Details)

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