Michael is an award-winning journalist who started covering Virginia news in 2013 with reporting stints at the Richmond Times-Dispatch, Virginia Business, and Richmond BizSense. A graduate of William & Mary and Northern Virginia Community College, he also covered financial news for S&P Global Market Intelligence.
Michael O’Connor
Latest from Michael O’Connor
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Virginia Democrats back bills to address gender, racial pay disparities
Forthcoming legislation aims to bring greater transparency in the hiring process and combat wage discrimination in Virginia.
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Will 2026 finally be the year paid leave becomes a reality for all Virginians?
Democrats and pro-worker advocates hope this can be the year Virginia expands access to paid sick leave and paid family and medical leave to hundreds of thousands of workers.
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Spanberger, Dem leaders release ‘Affordable Virginia Agenda’
Gov-elect Abigail Spanberger and Democratic leaders in the General Assembly announced their priorities for the upcoming legislative session at a press conference in Richmond on Thursday.
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Youngkin touts strength of Virginia economy despite warning signs
Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin offered a rosy assessment of Virginia’s economy in Richmond on Wednesday while unveiling his proposed budget, but Democratic lawmakers disagreed with his assessment amid growing economic warning signs.
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Trump tries to block AI regulations as Virginia lawmakers eye reforms
President Donald Trump issued an executive order last week aiming to curb state regulation of artificial intelligence (AI) technology, but one lawmaker in Virginia says reform is still needed.
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Virginia’s retail cannabis market is coming. Will it be fair to workers and small businesses?
A union and marijuana justice nonprofit are fighting for protections for workers and fairness for small operations as the multi-billion dollar industry gets closer to coming online in Virginia.
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Progressive Dem eyes Virginia congressional bid amid possible redistricting
State Del. Sam Rasoul of Roanoke says he supports Medicare for All, a Green New Deal, and an end to US military support for Israel.
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Virginians share concerns about data centers at Ashburn town hall
Elected officials and residents in Loudoun County are becoming increasingly vocal about their opposition to data centers, expressing concerns about their potential health impacts.
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Evictions are on the rise in Virginia. Lawmakers are trying to address the crisis
Tens of thousands of Virginians are kicked out of their homes every year.
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Virginia shoppers pulling back on holiday spending
A new poll finds that Virginians are spending less this holiday season as they weigh economic concerns and elevated prices.
