A Lancaster County judge issued an injunction Thursday barring Virginia State Police from enforcing the Commonwealth's newly enacted assault weapons ban while multiple legal challenges work through the courts. The order halts key portions of the law days before it was set to take effect, meaning the enforcement question Virginians have been bracing for since July 1 is now in a judge's hands rather than a prosecutor's inbox. The signal to watch: whether the Attorney General appeals quickly to lift the injunction, and how the four pending suits consolidate. A statewide gun law has been put on ice by a single rural courtroom — and that's the new starting line.

The National Rifle Association and its state partners filed suit in Washington County challenging Virginia's recently signed ban on certain firearms and high-capacity magazines, arguing the law violates Second Amendment rights. Combined with the Lancaster injunction, the Commonwealth now faces a two-front court battle in opposite corners of the state — one rural Tidewater, one far southwest — over the same statute. What changes: Gov. Abigail Spanberger's signature gun-safety measure won't be settled by its effective date but by appellate rulings that could take months. Watch whether the cases get consolidated or whether dueling judges issue conflicting orders.

The biennial budget passed both chambers Monday, averting an unprecedented government shutdown before the July 1 fiscal year start, and now awaits Gov. Spanberger, who has until June 30 to sign or return it with amendments. The centerpiece is a first-of-its-kind temporary electricity consumption fee on data centers — the state could collect up to $600 million a year, roughly $1.2 billion over the cycle, per Del. Luke Torian and the Commonwealth Institute's Rodrigo Soto — while the industry's sales tax exemption survived intact. The package also funds $1.5 billion for teacher and state-employee raises, $137.6 million for child care subsidy slots, and a $225 million buffer against federal Medicaid cuts. The signal: Spanberger is expected to send back amendments, possibly on gun safety, with lawmakers voting next week — and because the energy fee is temporary, this entire fight reopens in the next budget cycle.

Gov. Spanberger cut the ribbon on the completed $450 million Norfolk Harbor dredging project, deepening The Port of Virginia's commercial channel to 55 feet — a five-foot gain that makes it the deepest on the U.S. East Coast. The depth lets the largest container ships call at Norfolk fully loaded, a competitive edge against rival ports from Savannah to New York as global vessels keep growing. The Port generates $124.1 billion in annual economic impact and supports more than 565,000 jobs statewide, so the upgrade ripples well beyond Hampton Roads. Spanberger was joined by Rep. Bobby Scott, Norfolk Mayor Kenny Alexander, Port CEO Sarah McCoy, and the Army Corps of Engineers' Col. Jesse Curry.

A Denver developer working through an affiliate of Tract filed a pre-application for a conditional use permit to build the Tuckahoe Technology Park, an 871-acre, seven-data-center campus in Goochland County just west of Richmond. The filing is an early but concrete step toward one of the largest data center projects ever proposed outside Northern Virginia, and it lands as the General Assembly is still arguing over how to make the industry pay. The decision it forces: questions about Dominion power availability, new transmission lines, noise, and water draw for western Henrico and the I-64/I-295 corridor. Watch for staff review, planning commission hearings, and eventual Board of Supervisors action — and whether new high-voltage lines drag neighboring localities into the fight.

The National Weather Service confirmed a microburst with peak winds up to 90 mph caused severe damage in Burke, downing trees and power lines across the Fairfax County neighborhood as storms swept the D.C. region. A 90-mph straight-line gust rivals a weak tornado, and it hit a densely populated residential pocket in the heart of Northern Virginia's contractor corridor. Fairfax County emergency crews responded to cleanup and downed wires. The signal to watch: how fast power is restored and whether the storm pattern returns this weekend.

• Manassas City Council commits $6M to Landing at Cannon Branch workforce housing project. The Manassas City Council unanimously approved a $6 million city commitment toward the $37 million Landing at Cannon Branch development, a proposed 100-unit affordable housing project targeting teachers, nurses, and public safety workers. Inside Nova

• Prince William County approves 500-bed student housing project tied to George Mason University. Prince William County gave the green light to a 500-bed student housing development at Innovation Park, a significant step in the county's effort to support George Mason University's growth and expand regional housing supply. Potomac Local

• Alexandria City Council forms committee to study School Board election reforms. Alexandria's City Council voted to establish a committee to examine potential changes to how School Board members are elected, a move that could reshape local school governance and future election structure. ALXnow

• Kena Shriners debut new transportation fleet to connect children with specialized medical care. The Kena Shriners unveiled a new fleet of vehicles dedicated to transporting children in the Prince William region to specialized health care facilities, expanding a longstanding community service mission. Inside Nova

• Worth doing / ways to get involved: Tech Support Event Volunteer SERVICESOURCE INC. Northern Virginia volunteers can help with tech support at a ServiceSource Inc. event.

• Petersburg business owner backs increased police presence after Father's Day mass shooting. A business owner near the scene of last weekend's Father's Day mass shooting says the stepped-up police patrols are necessary to restore safety and customer confidence as city leaders respond to ongoing gun violence concerns. WRIC

• Henrico Police report surge in teen vandalism and fights at county parks. Henrico Police say unsupervised teenagers are increasingly vandalizing parks, starting fights, and causing disorder at public events, prompting stepped-up enforcement and warnings to parents about possible changes to youth access policies. WRIC

• Richmond's new FOIA platform launches, but full records integration still months away. Richmond has rolled out a new online Freedom of Information Act request portal to improve public access to city records, though officials acknowledge that some departments' documents will take months to be fully integrated into the system. WRIC

• Worth doing / ways to get involved: Hygiene drive - From the Heart Stitchers. It is a practical volunteer option for readers who want a concrete shift rather than a calendar outing.

• Norfolk officer rescues woman trapped in flooded sinkhole. A Norfolk Police Department officer described pulling a woman to safety after her SUV became trapped and partially submerged in a flooded sinkhole, spotlighting the city's ongoing infrastructure and drainage challenges. WAVY

• Lawsuit against Chesapeake Regional Medical Center over former OB-GYN Javaid Perwaiz surpasses 1,000 plaintiffs. More than 1,000 women have now joined a civil lawsuit alleging Chesapeake Regional Medical Center failed to properly oversee former OB-GYN Javaid Perwaiz, significantly expanding one of the region's most closely watched patient-safety cases. WAVY

• Virginia Beach judge grants bond to man charged with fatally shooting his father. A Virginia Beach judge approved bond for a man facing a second-degree murder charge in the shooting death of his father, a decision drawing scrutiny over pretrial release standards in serious violent cases. WAVY

• Worth doing / ways to get involved: Looking for Crafting Volunteers to Knit/Crochet/Sew for Our Hospice Patients Gentiva Hospice. Gentiva Hospice seeks Hampton Roads volunteers to knit, crochet, or sew items for hospice patients.

• ICE and Greene County Sheriff's deputies conduct mass arrest operation in Ruckersville. A joint operation between U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the Greene County Sheriff's Office resulted in numerous arrests in Ruckersville, raising immediate concerns among local families and community advocates. Cville Tomorrow

• Two Albemarle County Public Schools staffers arrested on charges involving sexual crimes against children. The arrests of two Albemarle County Public Schools employees on charges related to sexual crimes involving minors have prompted the district to direct families toward support resources as the community processes the news. Cville Tomorrow

• Eight-story luxury student housing project on West Main Street moves forward despite opposition. Plans for a large student housing tower on Charlottesville's West Main Street are advancing over community objections, intensifying a local debate over density, neighborhood character, and the pace of development near the University of Virginia. Cville Tomorrow

• Worth doing / ways to get involved: Meals on Wheels of Charlottesville. Meals on Wheels of Charlottesville delivers meals to people in need throughout the Charlottesville area.

• Stafford County cuts $660K from Central Rappahannock Regional Library budget despite raising taxes. The Stafford County Board of Supervisors approved a $660,000 reduction in funding for the Central Rappahannock Regional Library system for FY27, even as it raised the real estate tax rate, a move library officials warn will force cuts to hours and services. Potomac Local

• Fredericksburg Police identify teen victim in Bragg Hill neighborhood homicide. Fredericksburg Police named the victim of a fatal shooting on Ivanhoe Court in the Bragg Hill neighborhood, where a teen died after being found with gunshot wounds; a 24-year-old Fredericksburg man was detained nearby and charged with concealed weapons offenses while the homicide investigation continues. Potomac Local

• Fredericksburg advances $1M canal pedestrian bridge improvement project. Fredericksburg City Council has moved forward with study, engineering, and repair work on Rappahannock Canal pedestrian bridges, backed by $1 million in previously approved funding to improve safety and walkability along the canal corridor. City of Fredericksburg

• Worth doing / ways to get involved: Do you need summer volunteer hours? Join us at Affinity Care Hospice. Affinity Care Hospice in Fredericksburg is seeking volunteers for service opportunities this summer.

• Peninsula Pilots and James City County weigh $20M+ baseball stadium at Warhill Sports Complex. James City County officials and Peninsula Pilots ownership are in early discussions over a proposed new minor-league-style baseball stadium at Warhill Sports Complex, with financing, traffic, and community impact questions dominating the conversation. WYDaily

• Williamsburg City Council advances downtown zoning changes to allow more mixed-use housing. Williamsburg City Council approved amendments to its zoning ordinance to permit additional mixed-use residential development in parts of downtown, with a final vote expected following a public hearing. WYDaily

• Gloucester County Board of Supervisors delays vote on major subdivision over traffic and drainage concerns. Gloucester supervisors postponed action on a large proposed residential subdivision after residents and staff raised concerns about Route 17 traffic, stormwater management, and school capacity, directing the developer to revise plans before returning. WYDaily

• Worth doing / ways to get involved: Hospice Volunteers ~ amazing opportunities, FLEXIBLE schedule. Affinity Care of Virginia offers volunteer service opportunities in the Historic Triangle with a flexible schedule for those interested in hospice support.

• Roanoke Valley water officials choose pipelines over a new reservoir to meet future demand. Regional water authorities are planning to build new pipeline interconnections rather than construct an additional reservoir, a strategy aimed at improving supply resilience across Roanoke and surrounding localities. Cardinal News

• Virginia Museum of Transportation receives donations to maintain the Norfolk & Western 611 locomotive. The Virginia Museum of Transportation in Roanoke secured new donations to support ongoing maintenance of the historic Norfolk & Western 611 steam locomotive, while the City of Salem separately launched a public housing survey to inform local planning policy. Cardinal News

• Appalachian Power proposes seasonal electric rates and new budget billing option for customers. Appalachian Power has filed a proposal with regulators to introduce seasonal electricity rates and a budget billing alternative, changes that would directly affect household and business energy costs across Southwest Virginia. Cardinal News

• Worth doing / ways to get involved: Meals on Wheels Driver Local Office on Aging. Volunteers in Roanoke can help the Local Office on Aging deliver hot weekday lunches to homebound seniors.

• Shenandoah Valley: Therapeutic Horsemanship Volunteers RIDE WITH PRIDE INC. RIDE WITH PRIDE INC in the Shenandoah Valley seeks volunteers for therapeutic horsemanship service opportunities.