State Sen. Louise Lucas, D-Portsmouth, faces federal racketeering, marijuana distribution and money laundering conspiracy charges tied to a cannabis business she co-owns. Prosecutors allege she used her legislative influence to benefit the business. (Photo by Charlotte Rene Woods/Virginia Mercury)
By Markus Schmidt
State Sen. Louise Lucas of Portsmouth, one of Virginia’s most powerful Democrats, was indicted on federal racketeering, marijuana distribution and money laundering conspiracy charges, with prosecutors alleging she used her legislative influence to protect and enrich a cannabis business she co-owns.
Lucas, 82, surrendered to authorities, U.S. Attorney General Todd Blanche said during a news conference in Norfolk Thursday. Six others, including family members and close associates, were also in custody in connection with the alleged scheme.
Former U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg, center, stumps for Democratic congressional candidates in Virginia on Oct. 19, 2026. From left: Elaine Luria, Tom Perriello, Buttigieg, U.S. Rep. Jennifer McClellan, D-Richmond and Shannon Taylor. (Photo by Charlotte Rene Woods/Virginia Mercury)
By Charlotte Rene Woods
In the final stretch before the pivotal midterm elections on Nov. 3, Democrats at the local, state and national level are ramping up their engagement with voters in Virginia’s 1st, 2nd and 5th Congressional Districts and eyeing potential partisan flips in the competitive contests.
At a rally with the Democratic candidates in the three districts on Monday, former U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg said that the road to shifting the U.S. House of Representatives from red to blue runs through Virginia.
Dominion’s Scott Solar pilot battery project in Powhatan. (Courtesy of Dominion)
By Shannon Heckt
Dominion Energy plans to add more than 39 gigawatts of new power generation over the next 20 years as electricity demand surges across Virginia, according to the company’s latest filing with the State Corporation Commission.
Over that period, Dominion plans to build more than 21 gigawatts of new solar energy, 3.5 gigawatts of battery storage, 9 gigawatts of natural gas, 3.3 gigawatts of wind, and 2 gigawatts of small modular reactors.
COMMENTARY
By Bob Lewis
If you’re alarmed about the proliferation of data centers — gargantuan, windowless megastructures that power social media, live-streaming, cloud storage, e-commerce, text messaging, cryptocurrency, online betting, artificial intelligence and near-universal security surveillance — you’re in good company this election year.
From sea to shining sea, Jane and John Q. Public have emerged from comfortable obscurity to pack marathon meetings of local zoning and governing boards, unified in full-throated opposition to locating data centers in their communities.
The dispute is alive and thriving in this midterm congressional election.
ICYMI
Closing Virginia’s child care affordability gap could cost up to $4.5B a year | By Nathaniel Cline
New coalition aims to keep Virginians covered as Medicaid rules tighten | By Charlotte Rene Woods
Norfolk-backed firm invests millions elsewhere as city waits | By Jim Morrison
General Assembly calls off Oct. 26 special session to elect judges | By Shannon Heckt
Lawmakers pitch reforms for Virginia’s building code update to boost supply, affordability | By Charlotte Rene Woods
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