Virginia

RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — In a series of key votes Thursday, Virginia Senate Democrats defeated several bills that would have restricted abortion access in the state, including a proposed 15-week ban with exceptions that was a priority for Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin. They are the first decisive legislative votes in Virginia since the Supreme Court's decision last year overturning Roe v. Wade. The votes mean that barring an extraordinary procedural move, such restrictions are unlikely to be enacted this year in Virginia, which currently has some of the South's most permissive abortion laws. “The truth is, as long as Senate Democrats have our majority, the brick wall will stand strong and these extreme bills will never pass,” Sen. L. Louise Lucas said in a news conference after the hearing. Several similar measures are still alive in the Republican-controlled House of Delegates but have not yet begun to advance. Anything that clears the House is likely to also be defeated in the … [Read more...] about Virginia Democrats defeat bills limiting abortion access

close Video Surveillance video shows suspects after 10 handguns stolen from Virginia shooting range Authorities have released surveillance videos after two people broke into a Loudoun County shooting range and stole 10 handguns. In the cover of darkness, two people broke a glass window at a shooting range and made off with ten handguns, Virginia police say. Authorities are still working to identify and find the thieves. The Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office (LCSO) released surveillance videos of the suspects breaking and entering the building between 3:45 a.m. and 4:50 a.m. Tuesday at Silver Eagle Group on Beaumeade Circle in Ashburn, Virginia. Video The burglars were described as wearing zip-up jackets or sweatshirts with hoods, face masks, and gloves and were seen leaving in a dark-colored sedan, LCSO shared in a press release . On Thursday morning, the sheriff's office released two videos from the range's security camera. … [Read more...] about Virginia thieves break in, steal 10 handguns from shooting range: surveillance videos

A bill led by Virginia Republicans that would have banned abortions after 15-weeks of pregnancy failed on Wednesday evening after a state Senate subcommittee blocked the legislation. The education and health committee blocked the “ Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protect Act ” with a 9-5 vote and also defeated a proposed near total ban later in pregnancy. Under the bill , doctors who performed or assisted with an abortion after 15 weeks of pregnancy would have to face a felony charge. The legislation included exceptions for rape, incest, and the life of the mother. Many states have passed 15-week abortion bans , both before and after the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in June of 2022 . A 15-week cap is used because studies have found that it is possible for unborn babies to feel pain at that point of development. Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s (R) spokeswoman, Macaulay Porter, told Life News state Democrats “solidified their extreme position.” Abortion in Virginia … [Read more...] about Virginia Democrats Kill Proposed ‘Pain-Capable’ 15-Week Abortion Ban

0 Health & Fitness Women, especially those of childbearing age, need health insurance. But some states have far more uninsured women than others. Don Johnson , Patch Staff Posted Reply Texas had the highest rate of uninsured women in the country in 2016, according to a report. In 2016, the latest year data was available, about 24 percent of Texas women of childbearing age didn't have health insurance. Nationwide, nearly 12 percent of American women between the ages of 15 and 44 didn’t have health insurance in 2016, according to Peristats , a March of Dimes web portal that provides access to maternal and infant health data for the United States. And while that number is almost half what it was in 2010, it still means millions of women weren’t able to access vital health services. In Texas, the 24 percent figure in 2016 was actually an improvement over 2010 when about a third of women of childbearing age didn't have health … [Read more...] about Texas Ranks No. 1 In America For Uninsured Women: Report

0 Health & Fitness The American College of Sports Medicine has released its annual fitness scores and rankings. Here's what the report found for Irving. Fernando Alfonso , Patch Contributing Writer Posted | Updated Reply A new report has ranked the fittest cities in America, and there’s some bad news: Irving fared pretty poorly. The American College of Sports Medicine on Tuesday released its annual fittest cities rankings. The researchers assessed the 100 largest cities based on 33 indicators related to health behaviors, chronic disease and community infrastructure. Irving was ranked the 78th fittest in the country, just ahead of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and behind Jacksonville, Florida. That includes a rank of 70 for personal health and 70.5 for community and environment. Meanwhile Arlington, Virginia, earned the title of fittest city in America . The authors highlighted Arlington’s balance of both healthy … [Read more...] about Here’s How Physically Fit Irving Ranks

This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate 3 OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — The contract imposed on railroad workers last fall didn't resolve their quality-of-life issues, but already this year there are indications the major freight railroads are starting to address some of their concerns about demanding schedules that keep many of them on call 24-7 without paid sick time. Still, most workers and their unions remain skeptical of the railroads because they say they have yet to see meaningful actions toward improving their lives on the job. “I hope that they’re serious about putting their employees first. But the track record is less than stellar,” longtime Union Pacific engineer Ross Grooters said while on his way to work in Iowa earlier this week. Grooters is a leader with the Railroad Workers United coalition that tries to help workers in all 12 rail unions fight for better conditions. The early signs of progress include a Union … [Read more...] about Amid gains, railroaders seeking quality-of-life improvements