Mark Herring has prided himself in being an attorney general for the people of Virginia for nearly a decade now.

Outgoing Virginia Attorney General Mark Herring is leaving a progressive legacy behind when he steps down Saturday after eight years.

Just days before his term is up, Virginia's Attorney General is issuing an opinion about plans from Governor-Elect Glenn Youngkin.

Three Democratic attorneys general are seeking to overturn the dismissal of a lawsuit that sought to force the federal government to recognize Virginia’s 2020 vote to ratify the Equal Rights Amendment, and add it to the Constitution.

Virginia is getting millions of dollars to help fight the opioid epidemic.

New elected Attorney General Jason Miyares held a press conference Thursday at 1 p.m.

Del. Jason Miyares is projected to become Virginia’s next attorney general.

Voters across Virginia will have three statewide offices on their ballots: governor, attorney general and lieutenant governor.

Attorney General Mark Herring (D) and Jayson Miyares (R) are vying to be Virginia’s next attorney general.

Attorney General Mark Herring (D) and Jayson Miyares (R) are vying to be Virginia’s next attorney general.

Virginia's Supreme Court won't reconsider its decision to allow removing a statue of Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee that was cut into pieces and hauled away from Richmond's Monument Avenue weeks ago.

This November, voters will choose between Republican Jason Miyares and Democrat Mark Herring to take on the role of Attorney General.

Anyone who bought gas from one Richmond-area gas station in May could get their money back.

In about six weeks, Virginians will head to the polls to pick the next Attorney General.

An incident between members of the Nelson County Sheriff’s Office and a high school student may be revied by Virginia State Police.

Gun violence continues to impact Southwest Virginia. In response, Attorney General, Mark Herring spoke with Roanoke leaders about how to prevent gun violence, especially among young people.

COVID-19 cases are rising in Southwest Virginia, especially among school-aged children.

Thursday, Virginia's Attorney General Mark Herring traveled to Roanoke to hear from health leaders about the opioid epidemic and addiction in Southwest Virginia.

The founder of a Virginia service-dog company could pay about $3 million in restitution and other penalties.

A service dog scammer who has been investigated by the state for years will now pay back thousands of dollars in restitution.

With recreational marijuana use recently legalized, Virginia’s attorney general is seeking applicants interested in serving as the state’s first cannabis attorney.

As acts of gun violence rise across the country and here in Southwest Virginia, state and local prosecutors are working on plans to address it.

OxyContin maker Purdue Pharma's plan to reorganize into a new entity that helps combat the U.S. opioid epidemic got a big boost as 15 states that had previously opposed the new business model now support it.

A group of Asian American business owners in Virginia has requested that the state's attorney general investigate what they say is racial discrimination in a pending ban on electronic skill games in their stores.

A federal appeals court has upheld a ruling dismissing a defamation lawsuit filed by Virginia Lt. Gov. Justin Fairfax after CBS News broadcast interviews with two women who accused him of sexual assault.

Attorney General Mark Herring is warning Virginians against fraudsters who are scamming immigrants out of hundreds of dollars.

The incumbent, Mark Herring, defeated his Democratic opponent Jay Jones in Tuesday’s primary. He will now face off against Republican nominee, Delegate Jason Miyares.

Incumbent Mark Herring defeats challenger Jay Jones in Democratic primary for Virginia attorney general.

In the only statewide primary with an incumbent on the ballot, Attorney General Mark Herring is looking to defeat Delegate Jay Jones.

Here’s your one-stop shop for the three statewide races in the June 8, 2021, primary election.

The battle over removing the Robert E. Lee Statue in Richmond heads to the Supreme Court of Virginia Tuesday.

Virginia’s Democratic voters will pick their party’s nominees for this year’s three statewide races in Tuesday’s primary election, and both parties will settle on nominations for the House of Delegates and local seats.

Virginia’s Democrats are holding their primary on June 8th, and 10 News is breaking down the statewide races.

The Republican Party of Virginia announced late Sunday that state Del. Jason Miyares has won its nomination for attorney general, as the party works to tabulate the votes for several state offices cast by tens of thousands of Virginia Republicans.

Virginia’s attorney general says the state’s colleges and universities can require students to get the COVID-19 vaccine before being allowed to attend in-person classes and activities.

The trial and outcome of the murder of George Floyd by former police officer Derek Chauvin could impact future cases in Virginia and across the country.

As the nation works to address a spike in mass shootings, the City of Roanoke is laying the ground work on how communities can address gun violence in their cities.

A federal judge is set to hear arguments Thursday about whether to dismiss a lawsuit from firebrand Virginia conservative Amanda Chase over her state Senate colleagues' decision to censure her.

ROANOKE, Va. – Days after the deadly shooting in Atlanta, three attorney generals, including Virginia Attorney General Mark Herring, sat down to address the rise of anti-Asian hate. Earlier this week, Herring used his No Hate VA initiative to raise awareness about abuse and discrimination acts against Asian Americans. It’s an issue that hits home for Connecticut Attorney General William Tong as he expressed his experience with hateful rhetoric. The attorney generals said they want to pass the No Hate Act to provide funding to law enforcement to collect hate crime data and send it to the FBI for investigations. You can see the attorney generals’ full conversation on YouTube.

All rights reserved)Attorney General Mark Herring joined 23 other states to express his disappointment in the plan Purdue Pharma plan filed in bankruptcy court. With the $10 billion bankruptcy plan, Purdue Pharma proposes to change into a different company that will use some of its profits to help the U.S. fight the opioid crisis. Herring said after the long investigation conducted by states, Purdue and the Sacklers, the family who owns the company, need to take accountability for their role in creating the opioid crisis. This Purdue Pharma plan follows a trial in October 2020 where Purdue Pharma pled guilty to three counts tied to an opioid addiction and overdose crisis linked to more than 470,000 deaths in the country since 2000, according to the Associated Press. Violating federal anti-kickback lawsMarketing opioids to doctors that it suspected of writing illegal prescriptionsHerring said that Purdue needs to adjust its plan to provide for the following:

(AP Photo/Steve Helber, File)A federal judge on Friday dismissed a lawsuit filed by three Democratic state attorneys general that had sought to force the federal government to recognize Virginia's vote last year to ratify the Equal Rights Amendment and add it to the Constitution. Constitutional amendments must be ratified by three-quarters of the states, or 38, but Congress enacted a ratification deadline for the ERA that passed decades ago. An emailed message seeking comment from the press office of the National Archives and Records Administration was not immediately returned. Ford in Nevada said in a statement Friday that women have always been endowed with equal rights but it's past time for the country to recognize that. Opponents of the measure warn it could be used to erase protections such as workplace accommodations during pregnancy.

(AP Photo/Steve Helber) RIGHT: Jay Jones picture from his campaign websiteOn Thursday morning, rather than the man he’s served beside for four years, Gov. Ralph Northam endorsed the Democrat looking to halt two-term Attorney General Mark Herring’s reelection campaign, Jay Jones. Simply put, Ralph Northam is the most consequential governor in the history of this Commonwealth.”AdIf elected, Jones would be Virginia’s first Black attorney general. Jones’ opponent, Mark Herring won the 2017 race for attorney general, beating Republican John Donley Adams by 175,850 votes, with 53.3% of all votes cast. Virginia Attorney General Mark Herring (WSLS)In the election prior, 2013, Herring only defeated his Republican challenger, Mark Dudley Obenshain, by 165 votes.

RICHMOND, Va. – Attorney General Mark Herring announced Wednesday the designation of the Virginia Attorney General’s first Worker Protection Unit, a multidisciplinary team of prosecutors and attorneys within the Office of Attorney General. It will be led by a dedicated criminal prosecutor, that will focus on investigating, stopping and prosecuting individuals and businesses who unlawfully engage in worker exploitation, in addition to educating Virginia workers on their rights. Ad“Misclassification, payroll fraud, and wage theft are somewhat complicated terms, but at their simplest they are all instances of business owners and managers stealing from their hardworking employees,” said Herring. “For way too long, Virginia’s weak worker protection laws have made it way too easy for business managers, owners, and labor brokers to cheat their workers and cheat the Commonwealth. The Unit will also engage, as needed, with state agencies that have enforcement and oversight authority around worker protection laws including the Virginia Department of Taxation, Virginia Employment Commission, Virginia Department of Labor and Industry, and Office of Inspector General.

RICHMOND, Va. – Attorney General Mark Herring and several other attorneys are fighting for the rights of nearly 400,000 Temporary Protected Status (TPS) holders in the U.S. Herring and 21 other attorneys have filed an amicus brief with the U.S. Supreme Court to give TPS holders the right to become permanent residents after meeting some mandatory requirements. “The Commonwealth is home to tens of thousands of TPS holders, who came to Virginia seeking refuge and safety and who have since put down roots here, raised their families here, and become valued members of their communities. The case is currently pending and the Supreme Court is trying to reverse the Third Circuit’s decision that TPS holders who entered the country unknowingly can’t change their status to permanent residency. Herring argues that the Court should reject the Third Circuit’s decision on the basis that TPS holders should have the opportunity for permanent residency and then later, citizenship.

Attorney General Mark Herring is going after an agency he believes preys on immigrants. Herring is joining forces the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) and the attorneys general of New York and Massachusetts to sue Virginia-based organization Libre by Nexus and its parent company, Nexus Services. Libre charges large upfront fees and hefty monthly payments, which typically amount to thousands of dollars more than the face value of the bond. “Today’s lawsuit is really a culmination of years of work to bring this exploitative business and its owners to justice,” said Herring. AdThe lawsuit alleges Libre and its parent company violate consumer protection laws and is asking for millions in monetary reparations, wants to put an end to the company’s illegal practices and impose penalties on the companies.

Virginia’s attorney general doesn’t feel a recent lawsuit filed by a Republican candidate for governor has merit to be heard in court. On Monday, Mark Herring filed a motion to dismiss in Virginia Sen. Amanda Chase’s lawsuit seeking to overturn her censure by the Virginia Senate that occurred on January 27, 2021. Herring feels that the Virginia Senate, “acted entirely consistently with its own rules when considering and approving the resolution of censure,” according to his motion. I will continue to do so in a way that I feel helps people to listen. I don’t think I’ve said or misspoken,” said Chase, who represents Virginia’s 11th district.

A Pulaski County couple that was threatened with eviction over their assistance animal is now getting a $30,000 settlement. The Butlers then brought their request to the owner of the townhome, Jeffrey Stump, who sent the couple a written denial that threatened eviction. It is still a pet,” Stump said in a letter to the couple. Herring’s office said Stump then tried to evict the couple, but they filed a complaint alleging housing discrimination with the Virginia Fair Housing Office. As a part of the settlement, the landlord has to adopt non-discrimination and reasonable accommodation policies, go to a fair housing training annually for three years and pay the couple $30,000.

FILE - This June 27, 2017, file photo, shows the statue of Confederate General Robert E. Lee that stands in the middle of a traffic circle on Monument Avenue in Richmond, Va. A lawsuit seeking to prevent Virginia Gov. Ralph Northams administration from removing an enormous statue of Gen. Lee can proceed, a judge ruled Tuesday, Aug. 25, 2020, clearing the way for a trial in the fall. (AP Photo/Steve Helber, File)RICHMOND, Va. – Attorney General Mark Herring has asked the Supreme Court of Virginia to reject an appeal from a group of Richmond residents seeking to stop the governor from removing an enormous statue of Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee. In a brief filed Wednesday afternoon, Herring urged the court to reject the plaintiffs’ petition for an appeal outright or expedite the proceedings if the court decides to hear the case. A circuit court judge sided with the state after a trial in October.

RICHMOND, Va – Attorney General Mark Herring’s efforts to establish a Civil Rights office moved forward Wednesday. The office would be staffed and operated under the attorney general’s office. The Office of Civil Rights would handle race, gender and age discrimination on all levels in the Commonwealth. Virginia is a place that is open and welcoming to everyone we need to make sure that there is discrimination happening, and we put a stop to it,” Virginia Attorney General Mark Herring said. The bill did pass in a subcommittee Wednesday and will now move on to be considered by the House of Delegates

ROANOKE, Va – Just one year ago, Virginia become the 38th and final state needed to ratify the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA). “It’s shameful that 250 years after our nation was founded, women still do not have constitutional guarantee of equal rights in our foundational document,” Herring said. But during its journey to becoming the 28th amendment, the equal rights amendment has hit some roadblocks. “Unfortunately, the Trump administration was so opposed to the notion of constitutional guarantees for women’s equality and strong arms, the National archivist is not recognizing this amendment,” Herring said. Herring is hopeful that the future will look a lot different for equal rights protection for women.

The American Lung Association will release the results of its annual State of Tobacco Control report today. The report looks at five areas, funding for prevention programs, state tobacco taxes, smoke-free workplace laws, access to services to quit tobacco and ending the sale of flavored tobacco products. Today marks one year since the Virginia General Assembly passed the Equal Rights Amendment. Virginia became the 38th state to ratify the measure, which would prohibit discrimination based on sex. Congress set a deadline of June 30, 1982 for 38 states to ratify the amendment.

Northam outlines key principles he'd like to see in a marijuana legalization billVirginia’s 2021 legislative session is underway and among the expected issues to be discussed Gov. Ralph Northam will be looking to make a major change to the Commonwealth’s criminal justice system. Northam will push to end the death penalty in Virginia, something Virginia Attorney General Mark Herring supports. “It is time for Virginia to end the death penalty and I will support Governor Northam’s efforts to make it happen this year. Other major issues they are set to address this year include COVID-19 relief efforts and legalizing marijuana.

A federal judge has granted a limited appeal filed by a former University of Virginia lacrosse player convicted a decade ago of murdering his ex-girlfriend. George Huguely V is serving a 25-year sentence for the 2010 slaying of Yeardley Love, who was herself a lacrosse player at U.Va. Calls Tuesday to Huguely’s appellate attorney and the office of Virginia Attorney General Mark Herring, who is fighting the appeal, were not immediately returned. The jury convicted Huguely, of Chevy Chase, Maryland, of second-degree murder at a trial in 2012 after about nine hours of deliberations. It rejected a first-degree murder conviction that could have resulted in a life sentence.

In this photo illustration, the Google logo and the logos of several Google applications are displayed on the screen of a computer on December 14, 2020. (Photo illustration by Chesnot/Getty Images)DENVER – A group of 38 states filed an anti-trust lawsuit against Google on Thursday, alleging that the search giant has an illegal monopoly over the online search market that hurts consumers and advertisers. The lawsuit, announced by Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser, was filed in federal court in Washington, D.C. by states represented by bipartisan attorneys general. Advertisers are harmed through lower quality and higher prices that are, in turn, passed along to consumers,” Weiser said in press release. On Wednesday, 10 states led by Republican attorneys general filed a lawsuit against Google accusing it of “anti-competitive conduct” in the online advertising industry, including a deal to manipulate sales with rival Facebook.

Virginia Attorney General Mark Herring is making his re-election bid official.

ROANOKE, Va. – As COVID-19 cases surge in Southwest Virginia, health experts said the most challenging period of the pandemic is about to begin. The health department is blaming a lot of the surge on gatherings over Thanksgiving. Virginia is preparing for a vaccine soon, but there are still more questions than answers. The health department’s interactive map]Morrow said local health departments are preparing for mass vaccination clinics in January and February. Experts urge we are in a season of caution as we anxiously await the next step in an unpredictable pandemic.

RICHMOND, Va. – Virginia Attorney General Mark Herring says legalizing marijuana is key to promoting equity in the Commonwealth. Herring has been considered a longtime advocate for cannabis reform and marijuana legalization. Herring helped decriminalize possession of small amounts of marijuana during the 2020 General Assembly Session. In 2019, Herring held the “Virginia Cannabis Summit” which brought together legislators, state agencies and other stakeholders to create a plan of action for reforming Virginia’s cannabis laws. “...I am proud of what we have already been able to accomplish and I look forward to working with my colleagues and advocacy partners as we continue to move Virginia forward on a path towards full legalization," said Herring.

ROANOKE, Va. – Millions of Virginians could be left in health care limbo as the Affordable Care Act is being debated in the U.S. Supreme Court. He said 3.4 million Virginians could lose the current insurance protections for people with pre-existing conditions if the health care is repealed. “An insurance company could say we are going to charge you three times what we charge other people for health insurance or we are not going to cover you at all," Delzingaro said. According to the Congressional Budget Office, about 12% of people under 65 were not enrolled in a health insurance plan last year. “I don’t think President Trump could really describe to you what the Affordable Care Act does but he does know President Obama is the one who did it," Kaine said.

ROANOKE, Va – Virginia Attorney General Mark Herring is preparing to defend the Affordable Care Act as oral arguments are set to begin in front of the Supreme Court on Tuesday. Herring said he has already defended the Affordable Care Act several times. and that it would be reckless to take away access to affordable health care for thousands of Virginians. This is no time for the Trump administration, the Supreme Court or the Department of Justice to be ripping health care away,” said Herring. Herring said Republican lawmakers have not presented a plan to help cover health care for Virginians if the Affordable Care Act is repealed.

BEDFORD COUNTY, Va. – Law enforcement both in our area and statewide are spending the next few days finalizing their election day plans as fears of voter intimidation remain with politics continuing to heat up. At the Bedford County Sheriff’s Office, Major Jon Wilks said their deputies will be prepared for Nov. 3. “With all the election laws and also polling laws for locations and we’ve distributed that to all the deputies," Wilks said. In Bedford County, deputies are not expected to post up at precincts either, but will be in the area with their eyes and ears open. Whether it be this election or any other election we have that same goal any other time," Wilks said.

ROANOKE, Va. – On Tuesday, both Governor Ralph Northam and Attorney General Mark Herring visited Roanoke to campaign for local Democrats. Northam greeted the small crowd Tuesday night, while he and other state and local leaders rallied for their candidates. Roanoke Mayor Sherman Lea is running for a second term and said it’s a show of support he hasn’t seen in a long time. “Make sure you re-elect your great mayor Sherman Lea, he is a proven leader, he is getting the job done. “I think it’s a sign of desperation, I think our mayor, Mayor Lea is behind the curve, I think he’s unpopular with a lot of people, including Democrats," Keller said.

RICHMOND, Va. – A federal judge has extended the deadline for registering to vote in Virginia by 48 hours after the state’s online voter registration system went down because of an accidentally severed cable. Both the voting rights advocates seeking the extension and the Virginia state officials they sued agreed that more time should be granted. Voting advocates said the accident couldn’t have come at a worse time, and lambasted state officials for the failure. State officials said a 10-gigabit optical fiber circuit was inadvertently cut during a Chesterfield County roadside utilities project. A voter advocacy group, the New Virginia Majority Education Fund, sued for an extension, and a federal judge granted a brief one.

An accidentally severed fiber optic cable that shut down Virginia’s online voter registration system for several hours Tuesday, the last day to register before the November general election, has prompted a lawsuit from a civil rights organization. In addition, Virginia Attorney General Mark Herring asked the court to extend the deadline for voter registration by two days, through October 15. Six hours later, the Department of Elections issued a statement saying the portal was back online. Named as defendants in the lawsuit are the Virginia Department of Elections; the Virginia State Board of Elections; elections board chairman Robert H. Brink and vice chairman John O’Bannon; Christopher Piper, commissioner of the Department of Elections; and Jamilah D. Lecruise, secretary of the board of elections. This isn’t the first time technical problems affected Virginians' ability to register to vote under a looming deadline.

RICHMOND, Va. – Bhagavan “Doc" Antle from Netflix’s Tiger King and a Virginia animal park owner have been indicted for trafficking lion cubs and animal cruelty, according to the Attorney General Mark Herring’s office. Investigators say that the men trafficked lion cubs back and forth in between Virginia and South Carolina. Wilson has been charged with one felony count of wildlife trafficking, one felony count of conspiracy to wildlife traffic, four misdemeanor counts of violating the Endangered Species Act, four misdemeanor counts of conspiracy to violate the Endangered Species Act, and nine misdemeanor counts of animal cruelty. Antle has been charged with one felony count of wildlife trafficking, one felony count of conspiracy to wildlife traffic, four misdemeanor counts of conspiracy to violate the Endangered Species Act, and nine misdemeanor counts of animal cruelty. Tawny Antle has been charged with one misdemeanor count of cruelty to animals and one misdemeanor count of violating the Endangered Species Act, and Tilakum Watterson has been charged with two misdemeanor counts of cruelty to animals and two misdemeanor counts of violating the Endangered Species Act.

FALLS CHURCH, Va. – A conservative legal group has filed lawsuits challenging a new Virginia law that bars discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. The lawsuits filed this week in state and federal court by Alliance Defending Freedom argue that the new law infringes on their clients' religious freedoms. Earlier this year, Virginia became the first southern state to extend anti-discrimination protections to include sexual orientation and gender identity. Alliance Defending Freedom, based in Scottsdale, Arizona, has filed similar lawsuits this year in Minnesota, Washington state and Louisville, Kentucky. While the court ruled in favor of the baker, it did so on narrow grounds that left the broader question in dispute.

VIRGINIA – Elected officials around Virginia are reacting to news that Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg died at 87 on Friday. We’ve compiled a list of statements and reactions from officials around the state:Virginia Governor Ralph Northam:“It is with the deepest sadness that Pam and I mourn the passing of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. Senator for Virginia, Tim Kaine:Quite simply, Ruth Bader Ginsburg was a giant. Senator for Virginia, Mark Warner:Our nation has lost a giant. Thank you, Ruth Bader Ginsburg (RBG), for your life of fighting for our most vulnerable and championing true equality for all.

Kanye West is officially off the Virginia ballot for the 2020 presidential election. On Thursday the Supreme Court of Virginia denied West’s appeal to overturn a judge’s ruling to remove him from the ballot. This means West officially won’t appear on the ballot this November. West then filed an appeal to overturn the judge’s ruling. The Supreme Court of Virginia then denied West’s appeal.

Virginia Attorney General Mark Herring is running for reelection, forgoing a gubernatorial bid hed previously announced. Charniele Herring, the House majority leader, who said the attorney general informed her Wednesday that he was running again. She is not related to the attorney general. The attorney general told the Washington Post in 2018 that he was planning to run for governor in the 2021 election. Jay Jones, also a Democrat, has announced plans to run for attorney general.

Ralph Northam's administration from removing an enormous statue of Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee can proceed, a judge ruled Tuesday, clearing the way for a trial in the fall. Richmond Circuit Court Judge W. Reilly Marchant rejected much of the state's motion to dismiss a lawsuit filed by a group of property owners along the residential boulevard where the statue is situated. Herring has vowed to continue the fight in court as long as it takes to see that the statue is removed. Critics of the statues say they distastefully glorify people who fought to preserve slavery in the South. Four other prominent statues of Confederate leaders have been taken down from city property along the avenue this summer.

Ralph Northams administration from removing an enormous statue of Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee can proceed, a judge ruled Tuesday, clearing the way for a trial in the fall. Richmond Circuit Court Judge W. Reilly Marchant rejected much of the states motion to dismiss a lawsuit filed by a group of property owners along the residential boulevard where the statue is situated. He did narrow the claims that can proceed, dismissing one count entirely and dismissing two plaintiffs from another claim. Critics of the statues say they distastefully glorify people who fought to preserve slavery in the South. Four other prominent statues of Confederate leaders have been taken down from city property along the avenue this summer.

RICHMOND, Va. – A judge heard arguments Tuesday but did not immediately rule on whether to dismiss a lawsuit challenging Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam's plans to remove an enormous statue of Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee along Richmond's famed Monument Avenue. An injunction currently prevents Northam's administration from moving forward with plans to take down the bronze equestrian statue of Lee. Now cloaked in graffiti, the Lee statue and other nearby monuments have become a rallying point during ongoing social justice protests and occasional clashes with police. Critics of the statues say they distastefully glorify people who fought to preserve slavery in the South.

RICHMOND, Va. A judge heard arguments Tuesday but did not immediately rule on whether to dismiss a lawsuit challenging Virginia Gov. Ralph Northams plans to remove an enormous statue of Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee along Richmonds famed Monument Avenue. An injunction currently prevents Northams administration from moving forward with plans to take down the bronze equestrian statue of Lee. Now cloaked in graffiti, the Lee statue and other nearby monuments have become a rallying point during ongoing social justice protests and occasional clashes with police. Critics of the statues say they distastefully glorify people who fought to preserve slavery in the South.

RICHMOND, Va. – A Richmond judge heard arguments Thursday but said he would not immediately issue a ruling in a lawsuit over Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam's plans to remove an enormous statue of Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee. Richmond Circuit Court Judge W. Reilly Marchant said the matter was of great importance and said he would issue a written ruling later. Northam's administration has been readying plans to remove the enormous statue - should the court clear the way- from a soaring pedestal. The 21-foot-high equestrian statue, which the state has said weighs about 12 tons, sits atop a pedestal nearly twice that tall.

ROANOKE, Va. – Although former Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe hasn’t announced plans to run for governor, he certainly has far more funding than his would-be opponents. He previously announced that his political action committee, Common Good VA, raised $1.7 million in the first half of 2020. McAuliffe served as the Governor of Virginia from 2014 to 2018. The Virginia Public Access Project sorted the data provided by the Virginia Department of Elections.

LYNCHBURG, Va. Almost two weeks after hearing the case, Lynchburg judge Patrick Yeatts said the new Virginia background check law does not violate rights protected by the Second Amendment. Virginia Attorney General Mark Herring announced Tuesday he planned to appeal the injunction. Earlier this month, gun rights advocates fought the new background check law, which went into effect on July 1st. The original complaint was filed against the superintendent of the Virginia Department of State Police, who will be responsible for enforcing this new background check law. Attorney General Mark Herring has defended the law, saying it closes loopholes in the process.

All rights reserved)RICHMOND, Va. Attorney General Mark Herring has announced that his years-long project to eliminate the states rape kit backlog has been completed. According to a release from Herrings office, 2,665 previously untested rape kits have now been tested, including kits that were left untested for decades. This testing was part of a $3.4 million project from Herring in conjunction with the Dept. of Forensic Science and law enforcement to get rid of the backlog of untested rape kits in hopes to change the way the state responds to sexual violence. Scientists reportedly worked on this project for five years.

LYNCHBURG, Va. – Lynchburg has become the new battleground to challenge gun laws in the Commonwealth. On Thursday, gun rights advocates fought the new background check law, which went into effect on July 1st. The complaint is against the superintendent of the Virginia Department of State Police, who will be responsible for enforcing this new background check law. Gun rights advocates say this infringes on their rights. “It forces everybody, if they want to purchase a firearm, they have to go to a gun store submit to a background check, which put people’s name in the FBI database.

RICHMOND, Va. – Wearing a mask in public buildings will continue to be mandatory in Virginia. A lawsuit filed in the state’s 20th Judicial Circuit challenging Governor Northam’s mandate issued last month lost in court Monday. The state attorney general's office argued in defense of the mandate. Attorney General Mark Herring said masks help keep people safe and show others you care about them. This is the tenth case the attorney general’s office has won in defense of the state’s coronavirus regulations.

LYNCHBURG, Va. – A local circuit court is about to become the latest battleground over Virginia’s new law expanding background checks for people buying guns. On Thursday, a Lynchburg Circuit Court judge will hear a lawsuit from gun lobbyists. Attorney General Mark Herring filed a brief Tuesday to defend the law. Starting Wednesday a background check is required for all gun sales, including guns bought from an unlicensed dealer at a gun show. The lawsuit is scheduled to be heard at 1:30 p.m.

ROANOKE, Va. – Starting July 1, possession of small amounts of marijuana won’t land you behind bars. Marijuana advocates say while Wednesday is a big day in Virginia, decriminalization is not a public policy solution. Virginia Attorney General Mark Herring said says criminalizing small amounts of marijuana has not been working in Virginia. “It won’t do anything to address the way marijuana laws are disproportionately enforced between black Virginians and white Virginians despite equal usage rates,” Virginia NORML Executive Director Jenn Michelle Pedini said. NORML is a national organization working to reform marijuana laws.

RICHMOND, Va. – Virginia’s new handgun sales law will be going into effect as planned. On Thursday, Virginia Attorney General Mark Herring announced that a judge has denied the gun lobby’s attempt to block the one-handgun-a-month law. Herring called it, “a huge win for public safety,” in a tweet and continued, saying, “Proud we could successfully defend this commonsense law to reduce gun trafficking and keep Virginians safe.”🚨BREAKING🚨A judge has DENIED the gun lobby’s attempt to block the one-handgun-a-month law. “I am really pleased that the judge agreed with me today and rejected the gun lobby’s attempt to block the one-handgun-a-month law. “Virginia had a one-handgun-a-month law in effect for nearly twenty years that was extremely successful in keeping firearms out of our communities and out of the hands of dangerous individuals.

ROANOKE, Va. – The family of a Roanoke County teenager shot and killed by police in 2016 is calling on the state to act. Dozens gathered at Washington Park in Roanoke Monday afternoon to demand more answers about the death of Kionte Spencer. “Justice for Kionte” wants the county to release all body and dash cam video from that night. Dozens gathered in Washington Park Monday to support those calling on the state for more action in Kionte Spencer's case. “I deserve transparency, that is a very simple demand considering my brother was murdered by the Roanoke County Police.

RICHMOND, Va. – A group of Richmond residents who filed a lawsuit challenging of the removal of the Robert E. Lee statue decided to file a notice of voluntary dismissal, which means the case will not move forward. The residents, who live on Richmond’s Monument Avenue, filed the dismissal on Wednesday. Virginia Attorney General Mark Herring removed this case to federal court within hours of its filing on Monday afternoon, according to his press secretary. It was originally filed in Richmond Circuit Court. While the original lawsuit won’t move forward, a lawyer representing the group of Monument Ave residents told 8News that he filed “a new, but similar, action to block the removal” in Richmond Circuit Court on Wednesday.

The six plaintiffs had initially filed a state lawsuit in Richmond Circuit Court on Monday, but Attorney General Mark Herring moved it to federal court. In response, the plaintiffs dropped the lawsuit altogether on Thursday and filed a new, similar suit again in the state court, said Attorney Patrick McSweeney. Northam announced earlier this month that the statue would be taken down and moved to storage while his administration seeks public input on its future. Herring, a Democrat like Northam, has pledged to defend Northams plans, calling the Lee statue a divisive relic.The statue is one of five memorials to the Confederacy along Monument Avenue, and the only one on state property. A hearing is scheduled Thursday in Richmond Circuit Court in a separate state lawsuit over the Lee statue removal plans.

RICHMOND, Va. – Gun rights advocates are suing to block a Virginia law from taking effect that would ban people from being able to buy more than one handgun a month. The Virginia Citizens Defense League, Gun Owners of America and Gun Owners Foundation are among plaintiffs in the lawsuit filed recently in a circuit court. Virginia’s Democrat-controlled General Assembly passed the bill, along with other gun control measures, in April and Gov. Law enforcement officers, correctional officers, antique firearms dealers and concealed handgun permit holders are among a list of those exempt from the law. Attorney General Mark Herring said he would defend the bill, The Virginian-Pilot reported, citing a statement from the prosecutor.

Richmond, Va. – A letter was sent to the Virginia Attorney General’s office demanding Governor Ralph Northam protect the Robert E. Lee monument from a “rumor” that an 18-wheeler is coming to tear it down. Herring also filed a motion requesting any further proceedings on the Lee statue be conducted on the record, with at least twelve hours of notice, and with the option of having the court reporter present. The motion states that “Symbols matter, and the Virginia of today can no longer honor a racist system that enslaved millions of people. The plaintiff also filed a motion asking the judge to enter a permanent injunction or extend the existing injunction. The hearing will be held on this motion on Thursday, June 18 at 10 a.m.

Ralph Northam has both "the authority and the moral obligation" to remove a massive statue of Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee in Richmond, Attorney General Mark Herring's office said in a court filing Wednesday. It came after Richmond Circuit Court Judge Bradley B. Cavedo issued an injunction Monday preventing Northams administration from removing the statue for 10 days. The lawsuit was filed by William C. Gregory, a descendant of two signatories to the deed. Named as defendants are Northam and the director of the Department of General Services, the agency tasked with handling the removal. The filing requests a copy of the transcript from Monday's proceedings, which attorneys for the state were not a party to.

Politicians in Virginia are reacting after the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis, MN. As of Sunday morning, one police officer has been charged in his death but many people across the country are calling for more arrests. The murder of George Floyd and the disproportionate deaths to COVID are just the latest evidence. We know that the criminal justice system treats people differently based on their race—the disparities are documented and undeniable. We need to pursue not only accountability for their killers, but true justice where our system treats the lives of black Americans with full and equal dignity.”

RICHMOND, Va. The Supreme Court of Virginia has rejected an injunction request from a gym owner who is challenging the executive order that has closed his business. Merrill Hall, who owns a chain of Gold's Gym franchises and other gyms, sued the governor in Culpeper County Circuit Court. On Tuesday the state supreme court rejected the request for an injunction. Most have found in the governor's favor, though a judge in Lynchburg issued a limited ruling allowing a gun range there to open. Democratic Attorney General Mark Herring, who defended the governors stance in court, said the governors efforts have proven effective in slowing the spread of the virus.

LYNCHBURG, Va. – Gov. Ralph Northam’s executive order related to the coronavirus is being challenged by gun rights organizations. Citizens Defense League, Gun Owners of America, SafeSide Lynchburg and the Association of Virginia Gun Ranges filed the suit in Lynchburg Circuit Court challenging Executive Order 53, according to Attorney General Mark Herring’s office. The organizations are seeking an injunction to overturn the order and allow shooting ranges to remain open and operating during Virginia’s state of emergency. “Despite federal guidance which deems gun ranges as essential, Gov.

RICHMOND, Va. – Attorney General Mark Herring issued an advisory opinion on Friday, stating that Second Amendment Sanctuary resolutions passed by Virginia counties and cities have, "no legal effect.”[Complete list of Second Amendment sanctuaries in Virginia and where it’s being discussed]Second Amendment sanctuaries declare themselves exempt from new gun safety laws that the General Assembly that may be passed next year. Herring said that localities and local constitutional officers “cannot nullify state laws” and must follow gun violence prevention measures passed by the General Assembly. “When the General Assembly passes new gun safety laws they will be enforced, and they will be followed. These resolutions have no legal force, and they’re just part of an effort by the gun lobby to stoke fear,” said Attorney General Herring. “What we’re talking about are the kind of commonsense gun safety laws that Virginians voted for just a few weeks ago, like universal background checks to make sure that dangerous people aren’t buying guns.

ROANOKE, Va. - A top state official is targeting a major fentanyl manufacturer for "deceiving the public" about the risks of its products. Virginia Attorney General Mark Herring filed a lawsuit Thursday in Richmond City Circuit Court against opioid manufacturer Teva Pharmaceuticals and its predecessor, Cephalon, for engaging in what he calls an "unlawful, complex, decades-long campaign to boost sales of fentanyl." Fentanyl is the most potent narcotic currently approved for human use, officials say. Herring alleges that the manufacturers coordinated a decadeslong campaign to turn fentanyl into a routine part of pain management in America. Actiq is described as a "raspberry-flavored fentanyl lollipop," and Fentora is a rapid release tablet.

NORFOLK, Va. - The commonwealth's attorney of Norfolk, Virginia, says the city can remove a Confederate monument, despite a state law that bars the removal of war memorials. News outlets report Attorney Gregory Underwood filed court documents Tuesday seeking to dismiss a city lawsuit that says the state law infringes on its right to free speech. Underwood says that he and state Attorney General Mark Herring don't believe the law applies to the city's 80-foot (24-meter) Confederate monument of a solider nicknamed "Johnny Reb." However, the city's bronze monument was erected in 1907. In 2017, Herring issued an opinion that said the law didn't apply retroactively to statues erected before the law's expansion.

Just a 'Halloween costume'Stivender never actually says the word "blackface," though he shows a photo of himself in costume. "It just happened to be a Halloween costume for me." He repeated that it was just a Halloween costume. Ralph Northam said this year that he dressed up in blackface to mimic Michael Jackson in a 1980s dance contest. Some people have argued that wearing blackface essentially equates another person's race or ethnicity to a costume or a joke.

Virginia Attorney General Mark Herring answers questions after speaking during a town hall meeting at the Dar Al-Hijrah Islamic Center mosque March 17, 2017 in Falls Church, Virginia. The town hall, sponsored by the Council onRoanoke - Attorney General Mark Herring will speak on a panel Sunday at the Virginia Municipal League Annual Conference in Roanoke about his ongoing work to combat the opioid crisis in the Commonwealth. The heroin and opioid crisis has been one of Attorney General Herrings top priorities. Last month he sued members of the Sackler family for their role in creating and prolonging the opioid crisis through their pharmaceutical company Purdue Pharma, makers of Oxycontin. The Virginia Municipal League Annual Conference will be held at 3:30 at Hotel Roanoke.

19, plus 1: The number of U.S. states that allow same-sex marriage, along with the District of Columbia. They are: California, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Hampshire, NewPeople seeking a marriage license in Virginia will no longer have to disclose their race, the state's attorney general said, announcing that he is eliminating the requirement that sparked three couples to file a lawsuit. Circuit court clerks in the state were notified of the change in an email on Friday, according to the Associated Press. Last week, three couples filed a joint lawsuit in the Eastern District of Virginia calling the statute "offensive," "unconstitutional" and "reflective of a racist past." Rogers and Churchill, along with the other two couples, had refused to provide their race and were all denied marriage licenses, according to the lawsuit.

Virginia Attorney General Mark Herring announced Thursday that he and a bipartisan coalition of 51 attorneys general have reached an agreement with major phone companies to fight illegal robocalls. The companies have agreed to adopt eight principles to fight illegal robocalls across the country to help protect people from illegal robocalls and make it easier for attorneys general to investigate and prosecute robocalls. With these principles, we will be able to attack illegal robocalls from both sides by attempting to stop them from coming through and also having more tools to investigate and prosecute them. 7 on a list of Do Not Call Registry complaints by state, with 181,936 complaints in 2018, according to the Federal Trade Commission. Federal and state law enforcement officials have access to the complaints filed through the National Do Not Call Registry.

After the president gave his support Monday for a "Red Flag" law, others have joined in. But I think that's the common ground I think we could find," said Griffith. Mark Herring, attorney general of Virginia tweeted his frustration about red flag laws:"17 states have passed red flag laws to disarm dangerous people. And in last month's special session Republicans refused to even consider passing one in Virginia." Ralph Northam issued a statement calling for action after members of the General Assembly failed to pass gun legislation in the special session.

Ralph Northam to return money that Mountain Valley Pipeline LLC contributed to his gubernatorial political action committee on Monday. A citizen-run Clean Money Coalition gathered Thursday in Roanoke to launch the petition to make Northam return a $10,000 contribution from the Mountain Valley Pipeline. The group also says that it is calling on Attorney General Mark Herring to investigate the donation by examining all correspondence between the Northam administration and the Mountain Valley Pipeline. The petition is sponsored by Clean Money Squad/Represent U.S. Roanoke Valley, Preserve Salem, Indivisible Virginia and Activate Virginia. The construction of the Mountain Valley Pipeline has been controversial and is facing opposition.

CNNMoneyRICHMOND, Va. - The Commonwealth is set to receive more than $4 million in a multistate bipartisan settlement from Equifax as part of the largest data breach settlement in history. According to Attorney General Mark Herring, more than 4 million Virginians had their personal data compromised by Equifax. On top of the $4,302,175.75 Virginia will receive, there is also a $300 million fund dedicated to making consumers whole. Equifax announced the data breach on Sept. 7, 2017, affecting more than 147 million consumers. Breached information included Social Security numbers, names, dates of birth, addresses, credit card numbers and in some cases driver's license numbers.