The commonwealth is taking steps to prevent and respond to artificial intelligence (AI)-related cyberattacks after Gov. Abigail Spanberger (D) issued an executive order Friday.

The afternoon of Friday, Oct. 23, Spanberger issued Executive Directive 6, outlining measures to strengthen the commonwealth’s cybersecurity and address risks associated with AI.

The directive reportedly instructs the Secretary of Public Safety and Homeland Security to develop a statewide plan to prevent and respond to cyberattacks and strengthen the resilience of critical infrastructure. Spanberger also ordered the establishment of a Cyber Consortium to improve coordination with public safety leaders, emergency management personnel, state agencies, universities and higher education institutions and private-sector partners in the state.

See also r/VirginiaNews

Posting this fresh piece from The Richmond Times-Dispatch but also re-upping the... full ass megathread we've been running in this subreddit

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State Sen. Louise Lucas, D-Portsmouth, said she's not resigning after a federal grand jury indicted her last week on racketeering, money laundering and drug trafficking charges.

"Absolutely not," she said when asked if she would resign.

"Absolutely, I am not guilty," she said, speaking to reporters Monday after a meeting of the General Assembly's Joint Subcommittee on Tax Policy.

"I have one thing to say. I am not a victim; I have been fighting all my life, and I continue," she said.

Click here to see more coverage of the Lucas indictment.

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PORTSMOUTH — Days after the announcement of an explosive federal indictment, it was business as usual for Virginia Sen. Louise Lucas and daughter Lisa Lucas-Burke as the pair hosted a get-out-the-vote campaign block party Sunday.

Federal prosecutors announced charges this week against Lucas and six others, including Lucas-Burke. They are accused of selling marijuana illegally from Lucas’ licensed CBD shop and conspiring to rig the state’s marijuana licensure process so they would financially benefit.

The U.S. attorney general and FBI director traveled to Norfolk to announce the charges Thursday. Within hours, Republicans running for national office seized the moment to use Lucas’ alleged corruption as a stand-in for Democrats generally. But in Portsmouth, a Democrat stronghold and Lucas’ hometown, voters weren’t buying it.

Lucas’ seat is not on the ballot for the Nov. 3 midterms, but Lucas-Burke is running to secure one of the three at-large seats on the Portsmouth City Council. She faces four opponents, including three incumbents.

Lucas-Burke, 63, was first elected to council in 2016 and gave up her seat for an unsuccessful 2024 bid for mayor. She’s characterized her run in the November election as “reclaiming” her time on council.

“You can indict a ham sandwich,” said Stefanie Webster, who voted Saturday for Lucas-Burke and incumbents Mark Hugel and Vernon Tillage. She and Timothy Webster agreed they were concerned with the validity of the charges.

“It does seem kind of odd that a lot of people are getting their houses raided and stuff like that during this time period on the Democratic side,” Timothy Webster said.

Donna Oney, who did not vote for Lucas-Burke, said the indictment did not affect her decision, but criticized the federal government for dragging Portsmouth voters into broader political scandals so soon before Election Day.

“I think they either should have done it prior to all of this, like last year, or they should have waited until afterwards, not right at this time,” Oney said.

Click the link above to read more.

I moved back home to the west coast and miss RVA a lot. Would a job paying $2k a month cover me for a one bedroom apartment in a safe area with driving access to downtown? Are there one bedrooms in Henrico for decent prices or are they going to be more? When I lived in Henrico in a 2 bedroom I paid $1500

he U.S. Department of Energy Office of Critical Minerals and Energy Innovation awarded a $1 million grant to Virginia Tech, according to Congressman Griffith’s office.

The funding will help support Virginia Tech in leading efforts to grow a skilled workforce required to produce, process, recover and recycle critical minerals in American soil. Virginia Tech is one of 16 schools nationwide to receive the funding.

Subtitle: "More than 350 survey respondents shared concerns about healthcare, affordability and democracy, with some questioning whether either party can deliver relief."

See also r/VirginiaNews

Republicans have moved away from such meetings in favor of tele-town halls. Democrats say they’re hiding; Republicans say they’re reaching more people.

Subtitle: "The five year deal will allow Hunt Military Communities to manage over 12,000 beds for junior sailors in Newport News, Norfolk and Virginia Beach."

See also r/Tidewater, r/HamptonRoads, and r/VirginiaUrbanism

During integration, Black schools typically closed. In Henry County, integration sent white students to G.W. Carver High School. The 1976 class, the first to attend all five years at the integrated school, recently gathered for a reunion and shared the stories of how that experience shaped them.

The former Roanoke Times reporter turned best-selling author has consistently outraised the Republican incumbent, but will that be enough in the state’s second most Republican congressional district?

I’m looking to book a family vacation and we’ve never been down to Virginia except Williamsburg for a few days. We’d like to book a place on the water where my 16 year old son could fish and my 19 year old daughter and I could easily get to a beach and go on a few shopping trips. I’d like some nice restaurants too. We just need a relaxing vacation but also don’t want to feel like there’s nothing to do. What are your thoughts on Chincoteague or Cape Charles? Any other places I’m missing? Thanks!