RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC/CNS) – Many rape survivors are still waiting for the test results of their rape kit. Not only are survivors often denied swift justice, but having untested rape kits sitting on shelves fails to protect other women. Someone who commits rape is likely to do it again, said Sen. Richard H.

More than 140,000 untested rape evidence kits are collecting dust in crime labs throughout the country – denying justice for rape survivors waiting for the results and allowing rapists to commit more sexual assaults. Virginia has joined a handful of states that have taken legislative action to end the backlog by adopting a law to ensure that the commonwealth’s untested kits will be processed quickly beginning July 1.

A handful of men and women who want Virginia to ratify the federal Equal Rights Amendment rallied outside a committee meeting room at the General Assembly, holding signs that read “Equal Means Equal” and “ERA.”. But the House Privileges and Elections Committee decided to shelve the ERA, which would guarantee women and men equal rights, for another year.

A legislative panel Monday approved a bill to expand Virginia’s law against texting while driving to other distracting activities, such as reading social media postings. Subcommittee No. 1 of the House Transportation Committee voted 6-1 in favor of House Bill 461, which would make it illegal for a driver to “manually select multiple icons” on a cellphone or other handheld personal communication device.

RICHMOND - I personally sent for an absentee ballot for the Virginia primary election. However, I quickly became ambivalent. I have to have a witness? Wait … can this witness be anyone? Then came the paranoia: Will my ballot actually arrive at the election office on time, or even at all? Will my vote actually count?

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC/CNS) – The 80-gallon cauldron of Brunswick stew was empty after just an hour and a half on Wednesday morning, feeding members of the General Assembly and Richmond residents who arrived early enough to indulge in the thick, creamy dish. The spicy and complex aroma drifted from the small tent positioned between the General Assembly Building and the state Capitol.

More people died in 2014 from heroin or opioid overdose than in motor vehicle crashes.

A concept, hard rock band based in Charlottesville, VA.