The Virginian-Pilot

New Virginia clean slate law will create high demand for legal aid, experts say

Starting next summer, some misdemeanors and lower level felonies will not be visible on certain background checks. Legal experts say there's much to be done to prepare for the influx of people who will want to have their previous convictions sealed.

A Virginia law that will take effect July of 2026 will shield certain past convictions from public view. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu, file)

FILE – Former President Joe Biden speaks at a conference in Chicago, April 15, 2025. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh, File)

Biden has been diagnosed with aggressive prostate cancer

An encampment of homeless people in the woods behind a shopping center in Virginia Beach. As seen 11/03/23. Hampton is considering a ban on camping and storage on public property. (Stephen M. Katz/The Virginian-Pilot)

Hampton to consider banning camping on public property

Kristin Shockley, owner of Lustre Theory, a Norfolk-based high-end event and commercial branding design business, handled the styling and creative design for Lauren Kosteski and Kyle Rucker's wedding at Dover Hall in Jan. 2023. (David Abel/Courtesy of Lustre Theory)

Norfolk stylist garners worldwide attention for event and commercial branding design

Tanya and Jason Watson, at home in Chesapeake. They follow a strict all-animal-protein diet. (Kristen Zeis / The New York Times)

Meat is back — on plates and in politics

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Business

A McDonald's fast food restaurant is seen in Alexandria, Virginia. (Saul Loeb/Getty)

Want a Big Mac? At this Virginia McDonald’s, you need to be 21 to dine in.

The restaurant is down the street from a high school, which has seemingly caused an uptick in fights breaking out between students and workers.

Politics

Biden has been diagnosed with aggressive prostate cancer

Biden was seen last week by doctors after urinary symptoms and a prostate nodule was found. He was diagnosed with prostate cancer on Friday, with the cancer cells having spread to the bone.

Local News

At the tip of Williamsburg's Triangle Block stands the William & Mary bookstore. (Stephen M. Katz/Staff)

The Triangle Block: Remembering Williamsburg’s Black business and residential district

Two Williamsburg community leaders give an overview of the original Triangle Block, a Black business and resident district from the 1930s to the 1970s.