Virginia lawmakers voted to require individuals to be 18 years old to marry, a bill that, if signed by Governor Glenn Youngkin, would make Virginia the 12th state to ban child marriage. Activists note that child marriages often lead to abuse. The bill passed with bipartisan support, reflecting changing norms around teen pregnancy and marriage. Brigitte Combs, a child marriage survivor, testified in support of the bill, highlighting the long-term negative impacts of her experience. Opposition to raising the marriage age typically concerns teen pregnancy stigma, with some states opting for judicial approval of teen marriages instead. The Tahirih Justice Center, which advocates for immigrant girls, supports raising the marriage age, while The Family Foundation has opposed it.

Virginia lawmakers voted to require individuals to be 18 years old to marry, pending the governor's approval. This would make Virginia the 12th state to ban marriage for minors. Activists note that child marriages often lead to abuse. The bill passed with bipartisan support, and Governor Glenn Youngkin has not yet indicated his position. Advocacy groups like Unchained At Last and the Tahirih Justice Center support the change, while The Family Foundation opposes it, citing teen pregnancy stigma. Personal testimonies, such as that of Brigitte Combs, a child marriage survivor, have influenced the debate.

Virginia lawmakers have voted to raise the minimum age for marriage to 18, pending the governor's approval. This move would make Virginia the 12th state to ban child marriages, a practice often linked to abuse. Advocacy groups like Unchained At Last and the Tahirih Justice Center support the bill, while some opposition remains, citing individual liberties and community stigma around teen pregnancy. Survivor Brigitte Combs shared her personal story to highlight the ongoing issue. The bill passed with bipartisan support, but Governor Glenn Youngkin has yet to indicate if he will sign it.

Virginia lawmakers have voted to raise the minimum age of marriage to 18, potentially making it the 12th state to ban child marriage if the governor signs the bill. The move is supported by activists who argue that child marriages often lead to abuse. The bill has bipartisan support, but faces opposition from groups citing individual liberties and concerns about teen pregnancy stigma. The legislation reflects broader national trends towards higher marriage ages and decreasing teen pregnancies.

Virginia lawmakers have voted to raise the minimum age of marriage to 18, potentially making it the 12th state to ban child marriage. The bill, which has bipartisan support, awaits the governor's signature. Advocates argue that child marriage often leads to abuse, while opponents cite individual liberty and community stigma concerns. The article highlights personal stories and advocacy efforts, noting that the issue of child marriage persists in the U.S. despite declining teen pregnancy rates.

Virginia lawmakers have voted to raise the minimum age of marriage to 18, potentially making it the 12th state to ban marriage for minors. The bill, which awaits the governor's signature, has garnered bipartisan support. Advocates argue that child marriages often lead to abuse, while opponents cite individual liberties and community stigma around teen pregnancy. The article features personal testimonies and expert opinions, highlighting the ongoing debate and the broader national trend towards raising the marriage age.

Virginia lawmakers have voted to raise the minimum age of marriage to 18, pending the governor's approval. This move would make Virginia the 12th state to ban marriage for minors, a change driven by advocacy groups highlighting the risks of child marriage. The bill has bipartisan support, though it faces ideological opposition from groups emphasizing individual liberties and concerns about teen pregnancy stigma. Personal testimonies, such as that of Brigitte Combs, underscore the ongoing issue of child marriage and its long-term impacts.

The collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore has led to significant disruptions at the Port of Baltimore, affecting longshoremen and smaller waterfront businesses. The accident has resulted in fatalities and missing persons, and the port's closure is costing Maryland's economy $191 million a day. Efforts are underway to clear the shipping channel and provide financial support to affected workers. The federal government has pledged to fund the bridge's reconstruction, which could take years. Local businesses and recreational activities are also impacted, with plans for future developments continuing despite the challenges.

In Virginia, Democrats, who control the state Legislature, have filed numerous gun regulation bills, prompting opponents to lobby against them. Sean Callahan and other members of the Virginia Citizens Defense League met with lawmakers to express their concerns. The proposed legislation includes measures on assault weapons, red-flag laws, and intervention programs. Del. Adele McClure introduced bills requiring locking devices for gun sales and expanding firearm restrictions to include dating partners in domestic abuse cases. Despite Democratic control, Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin's support is crucial for the bills' passage. Del. Rodney Willett highlighted a personal tragedy to advocate for his bill penalizing gun owners if minors use their weapons unlawfully. Some proposals, like tax credits for locking devices, have bipartisan support, while others, particularly on assault weapons, face a tougher battle.

Don Scott, a Democrat and former trial lawyer, has been elected as the first Black speaker in the 400-year history of the Virginia Legislature. His journey to the highest seat in the Virginia Statehouse is marked by his past incarceration for a drug-related charge and his advocacy for criminal justice reform and voting rights restoration. Scott's confrontational style and focus on issues like abortion access and democracy have raised his profile, leading to his selection as House minority leader and subsequently as speaker. His rise from a poor background to a position of leadership is a testament to the progress and challenges in American politics.