Tag: Virginia News

Explosive Diarrhea Parasite Outbreak Hits 20 States: Full List of Affected Areas

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A parasite that causes explosive, watery diarrhea has sickened 145 people across 20 US states, prompting an ongoing investigation by federal and state health officials into the source of the outbreak. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the cases were reported between May and June 16 and involve patients ranging in age from 5 to 86 years old. So far, 20 people have been hospitalized, but no deaths have been reported. Breaking It Down What is Shigella and how does it spread? What are the symptoms of Shigella infection? How are health authorities responding to the outbreak in Wayanad? Created with AI. Health officials believe the illnesses are linked to contaminated food because none of the patients reported recent international travel.

However, investigators have not yet identified the exact source. The parasite, Cyclospora cayetanensis, causes cyclosporiasis, a foodborne illness that commonly leads to explosive, watery diarrhea, severe stomach cramps, nausea, vomiting, and fatigue. Symptoms usually appear about a week after infection and mainly affect the intestines, although some infected people may not develop symptoms. The CDC said local, state, and federal public health authorities are investigating several clusters of cases spanning multiple states. Officials also noted that the true number of infections may be higher because some cases may not have been diagnosed.

List of 20 States Affected By The Outbreak The CDC has reported cases in the following states and Washington, DC:

  • New York
  • New Jersey
  • Connecticut
  • Pennsylvania
  • Massachusetts
  • Rhode Island
  • Delaware
  • Maryland
  • Virginia
  • North Carolina
  • Ohio
  • Tennessee
  • Wisconsin
  • Illinois
  • Georgia
  • Florida
  • Texas
  • Louisiana
  • Colorado
  • Alaska
  • Washington DC

Among the affected areas, New York has reported the highest number of cases, with between 31 and 80 infections, followed by Texas and Illinois, which have each recorded between 11 and 30 cases. While cyclosporiasis can resolve on its own, symptoms may last for a month or longer if left untreated, increasing the risk of dehydration. The CDC says the infection is typically treated with the antibiotic trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, also sold under the brand names Bactrim, Septra and Cotrim. The agency also recommends following safe food handling and storage practices. Previous US outbreaks have been linked to imported fresh produce, including cilantro, raspberries, sweet peas, mesclun lettuce and basil.

Source: Explosive Diarrhea Parasite Outbreak Hits 20 States: Full List of Affected Areas | Times Now

For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 8:38-39

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Virginia Supreme Court tosses out congressional map that favored Democrats

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aerial view of virginia state capitol in richmond

The Virginia Supreme Court on Friday tossed out a congressional redistricting referendum passed by Virginia voters last month, striking a blow to Democrats hoping to gain a more favorable map and increase their number of seats in the U.S. House of Representatives.  The decision overturns voters’ approval of a new congressional map that would have given Democrats an advantage in 10 House districts, leaving just one safe Republican seat. Although both of Virginia’s U.S. senators are Democrats, its House delegation is split with six Democratic representatives and five Republicans.  “We hold that the legislative process employed to advance this proposal violated Article XII, Section 1 of the Constitution of Virginia,” the opinion says. The court found that the commonwealth had “submitted a proposed constitutional amendment to Virginia voters in an unprecedented manner that violated the intervening-election requirement.”  “This violation irreparably undermines the integrity of the resulting referendum vote and renders it null and void,” the court ruled. Under Virginia law, before a constitutional amendment can be put before the voters, it must be approved by the General Assembly twice, with an election for the House of Delegates between the two votes. In this case, the court noted, voting in the general election for the House of Delegates began on Sept. 19, 2025, and ended on Election Day, on Nov. 4, 2025. The General Assembly’s vote on proposing the redistricting amendment to Virginia voters took place on Oct. 31, and by then, about 40% — or more than 1.3 million Virginians — had already cast their ballots. The court determined that the redistricting amendment process in this case deprived those 1.3 million voters of their constitutionally protected “opportunity to elect the House of Delegates that will participate in the second legislative vote on the proposed amendment.” 

Source: Virginia Supreme Court tosses out congressional map that favored Democrats – CBS News

For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
Romans 10:10

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Judge blocks Virginia from using new congressional maps, 1 day after redistricting vote passes

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road signage near the flooded road

A state court judge on Wednesday blocked Virginia from moving forward with a redistricting effort that passed in a referendum a day earlier, a roadblock in Democrats’ efforts to redraw the state’s congressional maps and tilt as many as four House districts away from the GOP.   The order from Judge Jack Hurley of Tazewell County Circuit Court declares all votes for and against Tuesday’s referendum “ineffective,” and bars state officials from certifying the results or taking any actions to put the new maps passed by state lawmakers into effect.   In a brief order, Hurley found that the referendum violated several clauses of the state constitution, arguing it skirted a 90-day public notice requirement and calling the question that was presented to voters “flagrantly misleading.” 

Virginia Attorney General Jay Jones, a Democrat, said he will immediately appeal the ruling. “Virginia voters have spoken, and an activist judge should not have veto power over the People’s vote,” Jones wrote in a statement on X. “We look forward to defending the outcome of last night’s election in court.” The Republican National Committee, one of several GOP groups that sued over the referendum, called the ruling “a major victory for Virginians.”  “Democrats attempted to force an unconstitutional scheme to tilt congressional maps in their favor, but the court recognized it for what it is — a blatant power grab,” RNC Chair Joe Gruters said in a statement. The ballot measure, which voters approved by a 3-point margin on Tuesday, sought to amend Virginia’s constitution so that lawmakers could redraw the state’s House map, overriding a 2020 amendment that created a bipartisan commission to handle redistricting.

The state’s Democratic-controlled General Assembly passed a new map earlier this year. Virginia will return to its old redistricting system after the 2030 election.

Source: Judge blocks Virginia from using new congressional maps, 1 day after redistricting vote passes – CBS News

And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.
Galatians 6:9

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Recent Abortion News (March 11 – March 18, 2026)

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News

Abortion policy continued to evolve at the state level this week, with new restrictions signed into law, high-profile legislative failures, court victories on religious-freedom grounds, and ongoing preparations for 2026 ballot battles. Both pro-life and pro-choice groups remained active, framing developments around fetal protections versus access and health impacts. Here are the major stories:

1. Wyoming Enacts 6-Week “Heartbeat” Ban

  • Governor Mark Gordon signed HB 126, banning most abortions once a heartbeat is detectable (around six weeks), with exceptions only for medical emergencies. Wyoming becomes the fifth state with such a law. The state’s sole abortion clinic reported turning away roughly a dozen patients in the days following the signing. Pro-life advocates hailed it as a major step forward; reproductive-rights organizations criticized the early cutoff and warned of increased travel burdens for Wyoming women.

2. Tennessee “Abortion-as-Homicide” Bill Fails

  • A controversial proposal (sponsored by Rep. Jody Barrett and Sen. Mark Pody) that would have classified abortion as homicide—potentially carrying life imprisonment or the death penalty—died in a House subcommittee. No Republican members voted to advance it, surprising some observers and sparking protests outside the capitol. Pro-life hardliners expressed disappointment at the lack of support, while pro-choice groups called the bill’s defeat a “victory for women’s rights and common sense.”

3. Jersey (Channel Islands, UK) Expands Access to 22 Weeks

  • Lawmakers passed legislation raising the abortion limit from previous restrictions to 22 weeks and reducing other barriers. The new law sets a resident fee of £185 through government healthcare. UK pro-choice campaigners welcomed the move as modernizing outdated rules; local faith-based and pro-life voices voiced concern over the extended gestational window.

4. Indiana Court Strikes Down Restrictions on Religious Grounds

  • In a landmark ruling, Judge Christina R. Klineman found that Indiana’s abortion laws violate the state’s Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA)—the first successful challenge of its kind using religious-liberty arguments. The decision could open new legal pathways for clinics and patients. Pro-life organizations warned it may significantly expand access, while religious liberty and reproductive-rights attorneys praised it as precedent-setting.

5. 2026 Ballot-Measure Battles Heat Up

  • Virginia: A lawsuit was filed to keep a proposed constitutional amendment protecting reproductive rights off the November ballot.
  • Missouri: A measure to repeal the state’s 2024 abortion protections advanced in signature gathering.
  • Nevada and several other states remain active fronts, with KFF analysts noting that 2026 could see more voter-driven decisions on both expansion and restriction of access. Both sides are pouring resources into these campaigns.

6. Kansas Protects Crisis Pregnancy Centers

  • The legislature passed a bill shielding crisis pregnancy centers from certain regulatory requirements and advertising restrictions. Pro-life groups celebrated the measure as safeguarding supportive services for women; opponents argued it limits transparency for those seeking abortion information.

7. UK Catholic Leaders Oppose Decriminalization Push

  • The Catholic Archbishop of Westminster and other faith leaders intensified campaigning against clauses in the Crime and Policing Bill that would decriminalize abortion up to birth. A key vote is expected soon. This has reignited national debate on late-term procedures and the role of conscience protections.

8. National Trends and Data Notes

  • Medication (chemical) abortions continue to dominate (now ~63–65% of total procedures per recent tracking). Reports again linked strict state bans to measurable rises in maternal-mortality indicators and interstate travel. Advocacy organizations on both sides released updated statistics and called for federal or state-level action ahead of the mid-year legislative sessions.

The landscape remains highly polarized, with courts, legislatures, and voters all playing pivotal roles. For full details, check state legislative trackers and reports from the Guttmacher Institute and KFF.

Source: Grok on X

Jesus said to him, ‘You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’
Matthew 22:37

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