Hanover County’s Board of Supervisors cited economic concerns as part of the reason it would ask the US Department of Homeland Security to reconsider its plans for a new ICE facility in the locality.

And US Sen. Mark Warner of Virginia called out President Donald Trump for saying he wants to make home prices more expensive. 

Below, I report on the movement in Virginia to take part in a general strike. 

And I explain why Hampton Roads public transit riders made me jealous this week.

Demonstrators rally against US Immigration and Customs Enforcement at a rally in Hanover County on January 28, 2026. (Michael O’Connor/Dogwood)

Public demonstrations happen across Virginia on a daily basis. They have been for a while now. And increasingly people are talking about a general strike. 

The first time I heard mention of a general strike in Virginia was on Labor Day in Richmond when I was covering a rally in Monroe Park. It struck me as farfetched at the time given what a monumental task it would be to carry one out. 

But there’s been some kind of tipping point: at a rally in Hanover County last night, people were cheering on the idea of a general strike.

Some Virginia organizations have joined the coalition of national groups participating in a general strike on Friday.

It’s not clear just how big the actual impact of tomorrow’s action will be, given it was organized quickly in reaction to Alex Pretti’s killing. 

But the groundwork is also being laid for another general strike on May 1, 2028.

Given it’s being backed by the United Auto Workers union, one of the few unions to really flex its power in recent years, it could very well be a success.

• Emily Leayman at ALXnow reports on an Alexandria couple who launched a fundraiser to help people with medical debt.

• WHRO’s Nick McNamara reports on a Virginia Democrat’s bill to get rid of property tax exemptions for Confederate organizations. 

• The most-clicked link in Tuesday’s Virginia Capital was this video from the Richmond band Betsy from Mars.

An anti-ICE rally in Hanover County on January 28, 2026. (Michael O’Connor/Dogwood)

As the battle over a proposed ICE facility in Hanover continues, the notorious agency is also considering expanding its operations elsewhere in Virginia.

The American Civil Liberties Union of Virginia announced today it had obtained documents revealing ICE is considering six new locations for potential detention centers, including one in Virginia. 

The list includes Augusta Correctional Center in Craigsville. The ACLU of VA says that a proposal is being discussed with a private operator to run the facility.

“The facility recently closed in 2024, and people held at the facility have endured sexual assault,” according to the ACLU of VA. “Former officers at the correctional center have also plead guilty to smuggling drugs into the facility.”

Brad Kutner at Radio IQ reports that the Republican state delegate who represents Craigsville opposes ICE operating there.  

A screenshot of DJ Bee’s Twitch stream of his set on the light rail in Norfolk.

Today, I am jealous of Hampton Roads public transit riders. 

That’s because of Tracks on Track, an event yesterday where DJ Bee with HOT91 spun classic soul tunes while riding on the Tide light rail through Norfolk.

What a treat for those on their commutes home. 

I was lucky enough to catch a replay of DJ Bee’s set on his Twitch channel this afternoon, and it did not disappoint. 

Here’s hoping more transit authorities embrace live DJ sets for public riders to enjoy.

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