By Shirleen Guerra
(The Center Square) – A legal group filed a lawsuit in Tazewell County Circuit Court challenging the ballot language for Virginia’s proposed constitutional amendment on reproductive freedom, saying it is misleading and violates state law.
“This case involves the Court of Appeals’ unprecedented nullification of three Prince William County zoning amendments that would have brought tens of billions of dollars in investment—and thousands of jobs—to Virginia,” the QTS petition, Prince William Times reports. “In a decision resolving two sets of cases, the Court of Appeals rejected the rezonings by mistakenly finding violations of highly technical notice provisions that harmed no one.”
QTS filed its notice of appeal to the Virginia Supreme Court just before the 11:59 p.m. deadline Wednesday, after both Prince William County and Compass Datacenters signaled they would let the project die following two court losses over public notice issues. The roughly 1,760-acre data center complex along Pageland Lane in Gainesville had been approved in 2023 but was voided by the courts.
Here’s what’s happening around the area this week:
QTS to Fight On for Digital Gateway
The 28th Annual Eagle Festival returns to Mason Neck State Park on Saturday, May 9, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., offering a day of family-friendly activities focused on nature and conservation.
The event features live animal demonstrations with reptiles, hawks, and owls, hands-on learning experiences, outdoor recreation clinics, nature programs, a puppet show, live music, food, and exhibits by conservation partners. Visitors may also spot the park’s resident bald eagles flying overhead.
The Virginia Supreme Court on Monday heard oral arguments in a high-profile case questioning the validity of a constitutional amendment on redistricting that voters narrowly approved on April 21, 2026. The case, Don Scott in his official capacity as Speaker of the Virginia House of Delegates et al. v. Ryan T. McDougle, Virginia State Senator and Legislative Commissioner for the Virginia Redistricting Commission et al., centers on whether the General Assembly followed required procedures under Article 12 of the Virginia Constitution.
Attorneys for the appellants, who are defending the amendment, argued that the process complied with every step outlined in the Constitution. Counsel for the appellees, who are challenging it, contended that multiple procedural violations — including the use of a special session and the timing relative to the 2025 general election — rendered the amendment invalid. Chief Justice Cleo E. Powell presided, with all justices present. A ruling is expected in May.
Stafford County Public Schools Principal Dr. Michael Sidebotham has been named to Virginia’s inaugural class of Principals of Distinction. Also in this roundup: Virginia home sales rise for the strongest first quarter since 2022, Dumfries moves forward with a new community center, Stafford’s 50th Arts Festival, a full weekend of events in Manassas Park, plus updates on a fatal crash arrest and an ICE operation in the area.
Virginia voters narrowly approved a constitutional amendment on April 21, 2026, allowing the General Assembly to redraw the state’s congressional districts mid-decade. Unofficial results from the Virginia Department of Elections show the “Yes” vote received 1,574,505 votes (51.45%) to 1,485,657 “No” votes (48.55%) — a margin of roughly 88,848 votes, or about 2.9 percentage points.
The measure now faces significant legal uncertainty. Multiple challenges — primarily originating in Tazewell County Circuit Court — are pending before the Supreme Court of Virginia. These cases argue that the General Assembly violated procedural rules, the single-subject requirement for constitutional amendments, and that the ballot language was materially misleading about the proposal’s scope and duration.
Polls opened across Virginia at 6 a.m. Tuesday for a special statewide election on a proposed constitutional amendment that would allow the Democratic-controlled General Assembly to temporarily redraw the state’s congressional districts ahead of the 2026 midterms. The measure, framed by supporters as a way to “restore fairness,” has ignited fierce debate over gerrymandering, voter representation, and the influence of out-of-state money in a battle that could reshape Virginia’s 11-member congressional delegation.
According to the Virginia Department of Elections, polls remain open until 7 p.m. Tuesday, April 21, with anyone in line at closing allowed to vote. Early in-person voting ran from March 6 through April 18, and absentee ballots requested by mail had a deadline of April 10. Results are expected later Tuesday night. The only item on the ballot is the constitutional amendment.
The Potomac River ranks as the most endangered river in the U.S. according to American Rivers’ 2026 list, released this month. The designation is largely driven by rapid, uncontrolled data center expansion in the watershed and by the impacts of a major sewage spill into the river in January 2026.
The Piedmont Environmental Council (PEC) issued a statement on April 16 in response to the report. PEC President Chris Miller stated that the listing underscores the cumulative impacts of data centers on natural resources, including access to clean and abundant water that serves the Washington metropolitan area.
“Virginia’s electricity generation is led by natural gas and nuclear power, with solar, wood, and coal contributing smaller shares,” The Center Square reported. “As the largest net importer, the state supplements substantial in-state generation with regional purchases to meet growing demand.”
“Virginia officials have indicated intent to rejoin the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative cap-and-trade program, with the Legislature recently passing legislation to solidify this action,” the American Legislative Exchange Council stated in its Energy Affordability 2026 report. “Mandate-driven energy requirements like the ones imposed by RGGI can place pressure on long-term electricity costs upward, even in states with diverse generation portfolios.”
