Retired Midlothian family physician Dr. Susan Miller told a crowd at a contraception roundtable recently that she's seen firsthand how birth control changes lives—from reducing abortion and poverty to lowering cancer risks and treating conditions like ovarian cysts.

🖊️ : Jessica F. Simmons

Democracy has its own version of highway guardrails. And when they fail? The consequences hit real people. We’re taking a closer look at why the system is feeling the strain.

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A northern Virginia neighborhood is stirred by controversy because of a new home addition. Some residents call the project excessive, even though it complies with local zoning rules.

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Governor Glenn Youngkin promised to fight outrageous prescription drug costs. Instead of delivering on that promise, he decide to cater to Big Pharma. He vetoed a bill that could've reigned in prices, accepted tens of thousands in Big Pharma contributions, and now expects public universities to contribute tax-dollars to the Big Pharma talent pipeline.

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ICE detained a Virginia mother driving her daughter to school after she couldn’t recite her Social Security number. Despite showing her documents, agents arrested her. Her 16-year-old daughter shared the video, saying she wants her mother home.

Jaykie Funez-Andrade is being held at Rockingham County Jail “as a courtesy” to ICE, with no criminal charges.

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Virginia is home to one of the nation’s largest veteran populations, and the stakes are high. Two GOP-backed bills in Congress would bring blockchain and AI into the VA, promising faster claims and fewer delays. But veterans and lawmakers in the Commonwealth warn that without safeguards for privacy, fairness, and staffing, the technology could deepen mistrust in a system that millions already struggle to navigate.

Would you like blockchain and AI to be in your health care?

🖊️ : Jessica F. Simmons

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"We need to make sure we have leaders in Richmond who will fight for us."

That was Planned Parenthood of Virginia's Executive Director Jamie Lockhart's message during a recent roundtable discussion with Americans for Contraception, advocates, doctors, and community members in Midlothian. As she explained, Medicaid cuts that were included in Trump's "One Big Beautiful Bill" will lead to undetected cancers, untreated STIs, and difficulty in obtaining birth control, affecting more than 5,700 Virginians.

Early voting for the Nov. 4 election is happening now.

🖊️ : Jessica F. Simmons

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