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Jahd Khalil

@jahd.bsky.social
3K followers 444 following 256 posts

I’m a public radio reporter for @vpm.org in Richmond, Virginia. My website is jahdkhalil.com and my instagram is @jahdreports.

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Jahd Khalil @jahd.bsky.social · 22/06/2026
Leading Lebanese conservationist dies after Israeli airstrike on her home www.vpm.org/npr-news/npr...
vpm.org
Leading Lebanese conservationist dies after Israeli airstrike on her home
Mona Khalil died Friday after an Israeli airstrike hit her beachside home two weeks ago. She's credited with creating a conservation movement in southern Lebanon to protect sea turtle nesting grounds.
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Jahd Khalil @jahd.bsky.social · 19/05/2026
Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger's vetoes today bring my count to 29. That's close to the 33 vetoes former Gov. Glenn Youngkin in his first year, when the legislature was split. www.vpap.org/visuals/visu... (@vpapupdates)
vpap.org
Vetoes by Year: 2025
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Jahd Khalil @jahd.bsky.social · 19/05/2026
Spanberger vetoes retail weed market bill, despite campaign pledge by @deanmirshahi.bsky.social www.vpm.org/generalassem...
vpm.org
Spanberger vetoes retail weed market bill, despite campaign pledge
Now, Virginia is likely to stay in marijuana purgatory through 2027.
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Jahd Khalil @jahd.bsky.social · 14/05/2026
Gov Spanberger's veto of collective bargaining legislation and her explanation is out lis.virginia.gov/bill-details...
GOVERNOR'S VETO

Pursuant to Article V, Section 6, of the Constitution of Virginia, I veto House Bill 1263, which aims to establish a system for public sector collective bargaining.

I support establishing collective bargaining rights for public sector employees. Under current law, state employees are prohibited from collective bargaining, and local public sector employees can only bargain if their locality opts in to collective bargaining. Public servants should have the same right to collectively bargain that Virginia's private sector workers have.

I appreciate the General Assembly for their work on this legislation. I know we all want to create a strong, feasible, and durable public sector collective bargaining system that gives public servants a collective voice while we work to strengthen our schools, keep our communities safe, and deliver services to our neighbors and communities across the Commonwealth.

In an effort to achieve these shared goals, I put forth amendments which would have required the state to setup a system allowing state employees, home care workers, and higher education service employees to enter into collective bargaining agreements first, in order to demonstrate the efficacy of this new system, with public employees in localities following closely after. While preserving the enrolled bill's focus on allowing public employees to achieve collective bargaining, my amendments would have also provided additional flexibility for public employers to take into account existing local budget timelines and processes. However, the General Assembly rejected these amendments.

I remain committed to continuing to work with the General Assembly, unions, localities, and public servants across the Commonwealth to develop a public sector collective bargaining system that works for Virginia. However, I believe additional amendments are needed to the enrolled bill currently before me.

Accordingly, I veto this bill.
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Jahd Khalil @jahd.bsky.social · 08/05/2026
Virginia politicians react to SCOVA overturning redistricting vote www.vpm.org/generalassem...
vpm.org
Virginia politicians react to SCOVA overturning redistricting vote
GOP calls decision a win for 'rule of law;' Democrats say court threw out 'will of the people.'
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Jahd Khalil @jahd.bsky.social · 08/05/2026
Supreme Court of Virginia nullifies redistricting vote results www.vpm.org/generalassem...
vpm.org
Supreme Court of Virginia nullifies redistricting vote results
BREAKING: Democrats' 10–1 congressional maps thrown out.
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Jahd Khalil @jahd.bsky.social · 04/05/2026
Wild stat in this @uvalaw.bsky.social Q&A: "By the end of 2024, Virginia already had more data center demand in terms of electricity consumption than Tokyo, London and San Francisco combined" news.virginia.edu/content/qa-a...
news.virginia.edu
Q&A: Are data centers putting too much pressure on states like Virginia?
UVA experts discuss the surge of localities seeking to limit or ban the power-hungry operations.
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Jahd Khalil @jahd.bsky.social · 22/04/2026
Yes: Virginia votes to redraw congressional maps, favoring Democrats by @deanmirshahi.bsky.social and I www.vpm.org/elections/20...
vpm.org
Yes: Virginia votes to redraw congressional maps, favoring Democrats
Now, Dems have to defend the measure in court.
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Jahd Khalil @jahd.bsky.social · 21/04/2026
Virginians turn out for redistricting on April Election Day www.vpm.org/elections/20...
vpm.org
Virginians turn out for redistricting on April Election Day
The polls are open until 7 p.m.
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Jahd Khalil @jahd.bsky.social · 10/04/2026
Richmond City settles former FOIA officer lawsuit after hostile litigation @deanmirshahi.bsky.social @vpm.org www.vpm.org/news/2026-04...
vpm.org
Richmond City settles former FOIA officer lawsuit after hostile litigation
Connie Clay sought $250K in damages. The city spent over $670K fighting it.
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Jahd Khalil @jahd.bsky.social · 10/04/2026
Virginia Senator @kaine.senate.gov thinks the Trump admin has maybe pushed out another Virginia University president, Virginia Tech’s Tim Sands, and wants Gov @abigailspanberger.com to investigate
"I'm deeply troubled by the sudden departure of President Tim Sands at Virginia Tech. He has been an exceptional leader for over a decade - a period of significant growth for the university, including through its deepened partnership with Carilion Clinic in the Roanoke region and its impressive Innovation Campus in Alexandria. This action has the earmarks of previous well-publicized efforts to oust Presidents at other Virginia public universities - VMI, UVA and George Mason. I urge Governor Spanberger to get to the bottom of this latest attack on Virginia higher education and take all necessary action to insulate university leadership from politically-motivated schemes."
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Reposted by Jahd Khalil
VPM News @vpm.org · 08/04/2026
Welcome to our digital-first video series "Amending Virginia," where @jahd.bsky.social, our state politics reporter, is speaking to advocates who support and oppose each of the constitutional amendments to help you better understand the proposed changes.
vpm.org
Amending Virginia: Pro- and anti-redistricting camps wield 'fairness' in voter appeals
Watch the first episode of our new series on state constitutional amendments now.
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Reposted by Jahd Khalil
Sean McGoey @seanmcgoey.com · 13/03/2026
A fight over a tax break for data centers has pushed VA budget negotiations to the last possible minute, with a resolution by Saturday unlikely. New from the @vpm.org Capitol Correspondents Gruesome Twosome (reporter extraordinaire @jahd.bsky.social & photo god/master of secrets @theshabomb.com):
vpm.org
$2B data center tax break fight pushes Virginia budget negotiations
Lawmakers may be out of time to finalize spending during their regular session.
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Jahd Khalil @jahd.bsky.social · 12/03/2026
The Virginia House and Senate will not have a budget today, Speaker of the House Don Scott tells me.
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Reposted by Jahd Khalil
Whittney Evans @whittneye.bsky.social · 05/03/2026
@jahd.bsky.social @vpm.org www.vpm.org/generalassem...
vpm.org
Del. Josh Thomas wants to put Virginia's boys and men on a better path
"We want to make sure that we're not leaving them behind as we continue to move forward."
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Jahd Khalil @jahd.bsky.social · 07/03/2026
A PAC campaigning against the Virginia redistricting amendment is clearly targeting Black voters. This mailer I got today uses "ancestors" to reference the civil rights movement, and is using photos of the KKK and police targeting young Black girls.
A flyer with a black and white image of a civil rights march, with text saying "our ancestors fought to represent us. Vot eno and return your ballot immediately to ensure your voice is heard."
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VPM News @vpm.org · 04/03/2026
The Supreme Court of Virginia has ordered the Republican-leaning SWVA county to open early voting for the redistricting amendment. Prior to Wednesday's order, state and local election officials had been blocked from the work by a lawsuit brought by national GOP organizations. via @jahd.bsky.social
vpm.org
Court orders Tazewell County to open polls for redistricting amendment
The Supreme Court of Virginia's rulings will come after the April 21 ballot.
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Jahd Khalil @jahd.bsky.social · 27/02/2026
Workers, Speaker Scott criticize plan to axe data center tax exemption as budgets advance by @shannonheckt.bsky.social virginiamercury.com/2026/02/27/w...
virginiamercury.com
Workers, Speaker Scott criticize plan to axe data center tax exemption as budgets advance • Virginia Mercury
The Senate proposal to end the sales and use tax exemption that’s saved data centers over $1 billion passes with bipartisan support.
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Jahd Khalil @jahd.bsky.social · 23/02/2026
Data center tax break takes center stage in Virginia budget plans www.vpm.org/generalassem...
vpm.org
Data center tax break takes center stage in Virginia budget plans
The Senate proposal funds a tax rebate by ending a $1.6B sales tax exemption.
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Jahd Khalil @jahd.bsky.social · 13/02/2026
ICYMI live wamu.org/story/26/02/...
wamu.org
The Politics Hour: Redistricting update in Virginia and Maryland plus D.C.'s budget chaos
Ward 5 D.C. Councilmember Zachary Parker on a U.S. Senate move that could cause major budget and tax season headaches. Plus, MD Rep. April McClain Delaney and VPM's Jahd Khalil on the redistricting de...
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Jahd Khalil @jahd.bsky.social · 13/02/2026
Tune in shortly! I'm the first guest up on The Politics Hour with Kojo Nnamdi and Tom Sherwood | @wamu.org @vpm.org wamu.org/show/the-pol...
wamu.org
The Politics Hour with Kojo Nnamdi
Join Kojo and resident analyst Tom Sherwood on Fridays at noon for our weekly review of the politics, policies and personalities in the District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia.Fri: 12-1 pm ETFri:…
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Reposted by Jahd Khalil
WAMU 88.5 @wamu.org · 12/02/2026
You can join the conversation by commenting your questions below or calling in during the live show at (800)-433-8850.
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Jahd Khalil @jahd.bsky.social · 13/02/2026
Supreme Court of Virginia greenlights redistricting referendum www.vpm.org/npr-news/202... @vpm.org
vpm.org
Supreme Court of Virginia greenlights redistricting referendum
A vote on new congressional maps is still set for April 21.
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Jahd Khalil @jahd.bsky.social · 12/02/2026
Richmond Free Press ceases publication after 34 years by Keyris Manzanares www.vpm.org/news/2026-02...
vpm.org
Richmond Free Press ceases publication after 34 years
A pillar of journalism for Richmond's Black community is closing its doors.
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Jahd Khalil @jahd.bsky.social · 12/02/2026
The Richmond Free Press is ceasing publication, according to its latest edition. richmondfreepress.com
The Richmond Free Press will cease publication this week, a bittersweet conclusion to a landmark publication that has served the Richmond community for 34 years.
This digital edition is the paper's first and last online version. Last week's print edition was the final printed Free Press.
"I don't know that [Ray] thought that we would last this long after his death," said Jean Boone, the Free Press publisher and founder's wife, "but we kept plugging along and pushing and making a way out of no way." Raymond H. Boone Sr. founded the paper and served as editor and publisher, launching the first edition on Jan. 16. 1992.
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Jahd Khalil @jahd.bsky.social · 09/02/2026
Well, nevermind - committee recommends continuing this bill to next year (a means of killing the bill, for now). It would take this bill of Del. Convirs-Fowler's, too lis.virginia.gov/bill-details...
lis.virginia.gov
HB188 - 2026 Regular Session | LIS
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Jahd Khalil @jahd.bsky.social · 09/02/2026
Behemoth of a tax bill being heard in House Finance Sub #3 rn. It would cut taxes for lower and middle income by making 2 new tax brackets: on income above $600k and income above $1 mn lis.virginia.gov/bill-details...
lis.virginia.gov
HB979HC1 - 2026 Regular Session | LIS
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Jahd Khalil @jahd.bsky.social · 06/02/2026
Here's some zoomed-in example of new borders (in Black). The different colors note the sections came from different districts (current ones)
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Jahd Khalil @jahd.bsky.social · 06/02/2026
The new congressional map that Virginia Democrats are proposing is here. Here is a link to data tables with racial, ethnic, and political breakdown. lis.blob.core.windows.net/lisfiles/202...
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Jahd Khalil @jahd.bsky.social · 06/02/2026
Virginia Democrats propose potential 10–1 congressional map for 2026 midterms @vpm.org www.vpm.org/news/2026-02...
vpm.org
Virginia Democrats propose potential 10–1 congressional map for 2026 midterms
"These are not ordinary times, and Virginia will not sit on the sidelines while it happens."
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Jahd Khalil @jahd.bsky.social · 05/02/2026
Scenes from the Virginia State Capitol 2026: a dispatch by @theshabomb.com www.vpm.org/generalassem...
vpm.org
Scenes from the Virginia State Capitol 2026: a dispatch
VPM News Photojournalist Shaban Athuman brings you regular updates from the capitol.
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Jahd Khalil @jahd.bsky.social · 04/02/2026
Gov Spanberger has directed Virginia’s state law enforcement agencies to end 287g agreements with ICE, saying the agreements "improperly cede accountability and discretion over VA law enforcement" to the feds.
governor.virginia.gov
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Jahd Khalil @jahd.bsky.social · 04/02/2026
Pentagon warns it could take 'extraordinary measures' in fight over VMI's future by @bethabeyer.bsky.social cardinalnews.org/2026/02/03/p...
cardinalnews.org
Pentagon warns it could take ‘extraordinary measures’ in fight over VMI’s future
Democratic state lawmakers have introduced two bills that could substantially alter how the Lexington military college operates.
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Jahd Khalil @jahd.bsky.social · 29/01/2026
Federal judge orders widespread voting rights restoration for Virginians by @deanmirshahi.bsky.social www.vpm.org/news/2026-01...
vpm.org
Federal judge orders widespread voting rights restoration for Virginians
District Court Judge John Gibney wrote that Virginia law violates a post-Civil War rule.
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Jahd Khalil @jahd.bsky.social · 27/01/2026
BREAKING: Tazewell judge rules against Virginia Democrats' redistricting amendment www.vpm.org/generalassem...
vpm.org
BREAKING: Tazewell judge rules against Virginia Democrats' redistricting amendment
Circuit Court Judge Jack Hurley's order is a win for Virginia Republicans.
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Jahd Khalil @jahd.bsky.social · 27/01/2026
The Virginia Senate is debating setting the date for the redistricting amendment. there's a lot of legal arguments that are coming up. www.youtube.com/watch?v=HkUt...
x.com
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Jahd Khalil @jahd.bsky.social · 27/01/2026
Youngkin pardoned Fairfax police officer in 2023 shooting, attorney says www.vpm.org/news/2026-01...
vpm.org
Youngkin pardoned Fairfax police officer in 2023 shooting, attorney says
The officer killed a man and was later convicted of reckless firearm handling.
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Jahd Khalil @jahd.bsky.social · 18/01/2026
Attorney General Jones, Governor Spanberger flex powers on Day 1 www.vpm.org/news/2026-01...
vpm.org
Attorney General Jones, Governor Spanberger flex powers on Day 1
The administration announced a flurry of legal actions and university board picks.
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Jahd Khalil @jahd.bsky.social · 18/01/2026
Here are the 10 executive orders Gov. Abigail Spanberger signed Day 1 www.vpm.org/news/2026-01...
vpm.org
Here are the 10 executive orders Gov. Abigail Spanberger signed Day 1
The orders broadly target affordability and fact-finding amid federal cuts.
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Jahd Khalil @jahd.bsky.social · 17/01/2026
Abigail Spanberger sworn in as Virginia's 75th governor www.vpm.org/news/2026-01...
vpm.org
Abigail Spanberger sworn in as Virginia's 75th governor
The Democrat from Henrico County is the first woman elected to lead the commonwealth.
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Jahd Khalil @jahd.bsky.social · 17/01/2026
Abigail Spanberger is now the 75th Governor of Virginia and the first woman to serve in the office
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Jahd Khalil @jahd.bsky.social · 17/01/2026
WATCH: Inaugural interviews with Abigail Spanberger, Ghazala Hashmi and Jay Jones www.vpm.org/news/2026-01...
vpm.org
WATCH: Inaugural interviews with Abigail Spanberger, Ghazala Hashmi and Jay Jones
VPM News spoke to the Democratic trifecta ahead of the Jan. 17 ceremony.
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Jahd Khalil @jahd.bsky.social · 17/01/2026
Watch our live coverage of the 2026 Virginia Inauguration here www.youtube.com/watch?v=fH8-...
youtube.com
2026 Virginia Inauguration
2026 Virginia Inauguration of Abigail Spanberger
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Jahd Khalil @jahd.bsky.social · 17/01/2026
Abigail Spanberger is breaking long-held inauguration traditions by my WAMU colleague Margaret Barthel www.vpm.org/news/2026-01...
vpm.org
Abigail Spanberger is breaking long-held inauguration traditions
Virginia's first woman governor says she wants her swearing-in to showcase the state's modern vibrancy.
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Jahd Khalil @jahd.bsky.social · 16/01/2026
Federal judge rules Dominion can resume work on Virginia Beach offshore wind farm www.vpm.org/news/2026-01...
vpm.org
Federal judge rules Dominion can resume work on Virginia Beach offshore wind farm
It's the third legal victory this week for offshore wind developers.
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Jahd Khalil @jahd.bsky.social · 16/01/2026
The Virginia Senate (and now the whole General Assembly) approves the text of an abortion/reproductive healthcare amendment for voters. Technically the referendum date still needs to be set
A breakdown of the vote. It’s 21-18 with all democrats with a green Yea, and republicans with a red nay. But one republican was not present to vote Constitutional amendment; fundamental right to reproductive freedom (first reference). Provides that every individual has the fundamental right to reproductive freedom and that such right shall not be, directly or indirectly, denied, burdened, or infringed upon unless justified by a compelling state interest, as defined in the amendment, and achieved by the least restrictive means. The amendment specifies that, notwithstanding the other provisions of amendment, the Commonwealth may regulate the provision of abortion care in the third trimester, provided that in no circumstance shall the Commonwealth prohibit an abortion (i) that in the professional judgment of a physician is medically indicated to protect the life or physical or mental health of the pregnant individual or (ii) when in the professional judgment of a physician the fetus is not viable.
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Jahd Khalil @jahd.bsky.social · 16/01/2026
The Senate of Virginia is currently debating four proposed constitutional amendments on abortion, marriage equality, the automatic restoration of rights, and mid-decade redistricting www.youtube.com/watch?v=whv7...
youtube.com
Senate of Virginia: Senate Chamber on 2026-01-16
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Jahd Khalil @jahd.bsky.social · 15/01/2026
HB415 - Designates the pawpaw fruit (Asimina triloba) as the official state fruit lis.virginia.gov/bill-details...
lis.virginia.gov
HB415 - 2026 Regular Session | LIS
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Jahd Khalil @jahd.bsky.social · 15/01/2026
Roundup: 2026 inauguration weekend events www.vpm.org/news/2026-01...
vpm.org
Roundup: 2026 inauguration weekend events
What's going on in Richmond as Abigail Spanberger becomes 75th governor?
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Jahd Khalil @jahd.bsky.social · 15/01/2026
Renovations to the Governor's offices in Virginia are going to keep incoming Gov. Abigail Spanberger out of that space for "the next few weeks," a Department of General Services spokesperson tells me.
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