Report: Iran war fuels extra $1.8B Virginians spent on gas

July 28, 2026

Sign Up for the Dogwood – Virginia Capital Newsletter

Share with a friend

The Virginia Education Association has a petition urging people to tell their lawmakers to support public-sector collective bargaining legislation in 2027.

Below, I take a look at how the Iran war is driving up the cost of living.

And, I share the surprising autotune album from indie rock royalty.

Want to get in touch, or have stories you want me to cover? Reply to this email or reach out to me directly at michaeloconnor@couriernewsroom.com.

Michael O’Connor

Reporter, Dogwood

People get gas at a Citgo station during the early voting period for the Virginia redistricting referendum, Friday, April 3, 2026, in Madison, Va. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)

Two recent reports show how the Iran war is driving up the cost of living in Virginia.

Virginians have spent an extra $1.8 billion on gasoline since the start of the Iran war on Feb. 28, according to a report from the Congressional Joint Economic Committee.

That breaks down to an extra $573 per household.

The average price for a gallon of gas in Virginia was $3.97 on Tuesday, up from $2.99 a year ago, according to AAA.

Diesel costs for farmers have also gone up.

Workers at the developing Lego factory in Chesterfield County say they’ve been denied overtime wages, Brad Kutner at Radio IQ reports.

A new state program will help local fire departments pay for specialized cancer screenings, Rachel Branning at WSET reports.

After a failed attempt to remove him from the ballot, David Paladin-Fernandez won the election to serve as president of the Education Association of Alexandria, James Cullum at ALXnow reports.

(LGBG Workers United/Facebook)

Unionized workers at Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden in Henrico County are calling for a complete boycott of the garden as they push for better wages.

Today, LGBG Workers United said on social media that the boycott is needed after the latest round of negotiations with management over a first union contract went poorly.

These workers make on average $17.52 an hour. Management has offered them a 3% raise, which amounts to 52 cents. Lewis Ginter workers say this isn’t enough.

“While we all care deeply about Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden, at this point we feel affecting profits is the only way to force garden leadership to bargain in good faith,” the group said on Facebook.

These workers plan to picket the garden on Wednesday from 5:30 pm to 7 pm, and they are encouraging supporters to join them.