Dogwood – Virginia Capital

Plus, a collective bargaining town hall Share with a friend The Trump administration dropped a bombshell on Virginia politics this morning with its criminal indictment against state Sen. L. Louise Lucas, the powerful Portsmouth Democrat and outspoken critic of President Donald Trump.    You can read the indictment here.    Below, I report on the…

Plus, data center moratorium legislation. Share with a friend Workers at Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden have been on strike for 44 days.    They recently offered yet another proposal with smaller raises than their previous offer, but the garden’s management rejected it, according to an update from Lewis Ginter Workers United, which is pledging to…

Plus, tensions rise at Lewis Ginter Share with a friend A coalition of Virginia public-sector unions is ramping up its lobbying efforts ahead of the 2027 legislative session.    The coalition is organizing a series of town halls around the state on collective bargaining rights after Gov. Abigail Spanberger vetoed collective bargaining legislation earlier this…

Plus, a collective bargaining town hall Share with a friend Gov. Abigail Spanberger (D) is toasting Virginia wines this month, and she released an energy plan aimed at using clean energy to make electricity more affordable.    Looking for things to do in Virginia Beach? Check out Dogwood’s guide to events there this month.   …

Plus, former Lewis Ginter board member speaks out. Share with a friend It’s a cool 61 degrees in Alexandria as I write this. My son and I bundled up on our walk to his school this morning. I’m typing this in my shed-office with a heavy jacket still on.    All of that is to…

Plus, Portsmouth collective bargaining. Share with a friend Early voting starts tomorrow.   Read up on this year’s elections with Dogwood’s 2026 Virginia Voting Guide. Below, I report on a campaign event for one of Virginia’s most competitive midterm races.    And, an exciting new book on administrative burden.  Michael O’Connor Reporter, Dogwood    …

Plus, Lewis Ginter workers make a counteroffer Share with a friend Yesterday, Gov. Abigail Spanberger walked into a Manassas union hall to talk up her record on advancing workers’ rights.    The focus of her visit was legislation she signed that will guarantee paid family and medical leave in 2028 and paid sick leave in…

Plus, Hashmi kicks off energy tour in Loudoun. Share with a friend Heading into Labor Day weekend—one that falls right before important midterm elections—it’s hard not to feel like we’re sitting on top of a roller coaster, waiting for it to drop us into who knows how many twists and turns.  In addition to the…

Plus, mourning labor champion Dolly Parton Share with a friend It’s been a week since you last heard from me. It feels like a long time, especially in the fast-paced news cycles of 2026. But that just means I have more to share. Hopefully, you like this new format.    My son started kindergarten on…

Plus, a working-class candidate is something to be. Share with a friend The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee is putting more resources behind former Congressman Tom Perriello’s bid to flip Virginia’s 5th Congressional District blue.    Members of Congress in Northern Virginia are part of an effort to investigate US Immigration Customs and Enforcement (ICE) agents…