Wage theft just got harder in Virginia

July 14, 2026

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I’m back from a restful week off with my family at a small lake in Pennsylvania. Did I miss anything?

Below, I share the details of new state laws that went into effect this month to strengthen workers’ rights.

And, my thoughts on the Apple TV comedy show that’s a love letter to classic horror films.

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

In this May 25, 2017, file photo, an employee works on a factory floor at a Stihl Inc. production plant in Virginia Beach, Va. (AP Photo/John Minchillo, File)

July is when new state laws go into effect, and today’s story highlights several aimed at protecting workers.

They include laws to help the state crack down on wage theft and to protect people from workplace abuse because of their immigration status.

In Virginia, it’s now illegal for bosses to make healthcare workers sign noncompete agreements. And companies can’t punish people for missing work to serve as volunteer emergency responders.

These laws were enacted by Gov. Abigail Spanberger (D), who angered Virginia’s labor movement by vetoing the legislation that would have expanded collective bargaining rights to all local government workers and state employees.

In a statement to me, Spanberger said these measures, along with others that raise the state minimum wage, promote pay transparency, and establish a paid family and medical leave program, were “historic wins” that she worked with the General Assembly to deliver.

“Making Virginia stronger, safer, and more affordable means taking steps to support the men and women who power our economy,” Spanberger said.

Pamela Branch, a Chesterfield County employment lawyer with Tully Rinckey PLLC, penned an op-ed in The Virginian-Pilot on the state’s changing laws for non-compete agreements: “Virginia’s latest legislation reflects a continued shift toward limiting the use of non-compete agreements in the employment context.”

WHRO’s Yiqing Wang reports on the challenges of training nurses at a time when Virginia needs more of them: “Data shows Virginia has more than 17,000 unfilled registered nurse positions.”

A Canadian garbageman professes his love for his job in a new memoir called Trash!: A Garbageman’s Story. Check out The New York Times’ review of the book.

Adam Tuss/X

Yesterday, union leaders and members rallied in Washington, DC against a local bill that would allow companies like Waymo to obtain permits for driverless cars to operate in the city’s streets.

The unions opposing the bill include IAM Union (International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers) and Service Employees International Union (SEIU) 32BJ.

A Virginia bill related to autonomous vehicles died in the General Assembly this year, and Waymo has already begun mapping roads in Alexandria and Arlington.

Apple TV/YouTube

My wife and I recently finished Widow’s Bay on Apple TV, which offers the best of both sitcoms and horror shows.

We loved watching the story unfold about an island plagued by some dangerous mystery. Horror fans will appreciate all the references to other films in the genre.

Despite its spooky elements, Widow’s Bay is a comedy at heart, and it was the gags that kept me watching the show.

With all that said, I was not a fan of the ending. I won’t say too much to avoid spoilers.

But I would have preferred it as a miniseries rather than having to wait for another season to get some kind of closure on the questions raised by the show.