Virginia

• In una rara apparizione pubblica, la whistleblower di Meta Sarah Wynn-Williams ha messo in guardia contro le «reti di élite potenti» che utilizzano ricchezza e influenza per mettere a tacere le voci dissidenti. • La whistleblower di Meta Sarah Wynn-Williams e la defunta Virginia Giuffre hanno vinto congiuntamente il premio Freedom to Publish ai British Book Awards di quest'anno, segnando la prima volta in cui il premio è stato condiviso. • Wynn-Williams, ex dirigente di Facebook, è stata premiata per "Careless People: A Cautionary Tale of Power, Greed and Lost Idealism", le sue memorie bestseller sugli anni trascorsi all'interno di Meta, precedentemente Facebook. Il libro contiene accuse sulla cultura e le pratiche interne dell'azienda, tra cui l'approccio all'influenza politica, la Cina e il benessere degli adolescenti. Meta ha contestato tali affermazioni.

Nuove mappe elettorali hanno trasformato quattro seggi detenuti dai Repubblicani per dare un vantaggio ai Democratici nella corsa alla redistribuzione dei collegi innescata da Trump • I Democratici della Virginia hanno chiesto lunedì alla Corte Suprema degli Stati Uniti di ripristinare una mappa congressuale progettata per aumentare le possibilità del loro partito nelle elezioni di metà mandato di novembre, rivolgendosi alla corte mentre i Repubblicani – inclusi gli alleati di Donald Trump – cercano di preservare il loro risicato controllo del Congresso. • Il caso spinge la Virginia in uno scontro insolito per la redistribuzione dei collegi a metà decennio, mentre i tribunali valutano se i legislatori possano ridisegnare i distretti della Camera al di fuori del normale ciclo post-censimento, con il controllo di un Congresso narrowly diviso potenzialmente in bilico.

• Democratic Rep. Ted Lieu described the Virginia Supreme Court decision overturning a state referendum on congressional redistricting as not only wrong but disgraceful. • The ruling rejected a voter-approved map that would have favored Republicans 1 in the midterms, preserving the current 6-5 Democratic edge. • Democrats are appealing to the U.S. Supreme Court while preparing further legal challenges, including a request to delay new maps.

• Virginia's Supreme Court invalidated a voter-approved congressional redistricting map on Friday that would have given Democrats significant gains in the 2026 midterm elections. • The map would have provided Democrats an advantage in 10 House districts while leaving only one safe Republican seat, potentially delivering Democrats as many as four additional congressional seats. • The ruling represents a major setback for House Democrats and a significant victory for Republicans as the midterm elections approach, with implications for control of Congress.

• Virginia's Supreme Court ruled on Friday to invalidate a new congressional map passed by voters in April that favored Democrats, handing a major win to Republicans ahead of midterm elections. • The rejected map would have created 10 House districts advantageous to Democrats, leaving only one safe Republican seat, according to CBS News analysis. • The decision reverses a voter initiative and bolsters Republican chances in Virginia's congressional races, as noted by Fox News legal correspondent Shannon Bream and CBS election law expert David Becker.

• On May 5, 2026, U.S. Rep. Jennifer McClellan presented a $1.03 million check to Virginia State University in Ettrick, Virginia, to establish the VSU Center for Generative AI & Industrial Cybersecurity. • The center will serve as a hub for research, education, and workforce development at the intersection of AI and cyberdefense, emphasizing hands-on student training and faculty-led solutions for secure AI infrastructure. • This funding underscores growing U.S. investment in HBCUs for critical tech fields, aiming to build domestic talent amid rising demand for AI security experts.

• The FBI searched the office of a top Democratic lawmaker in Virginia as part of an ongoing corruption investigation, according to an AP source. • Agents conducted the raid on the Virginia Senate leader's office, marking a significant escalation in the probe into alleged misconduct. • The action underscores rising scrutiny on state-level political figures amid national concerns over corruption ahead of the 2026 midterms.

Leo, who has criticized Trump’s hardline immigration policy, selected Evelio Menjivar-Ayala as state’s new bishopSign up for the Breaking News US email to get newsletter alerts in your inboxPope Leo XIV has appointed a man who had once entered the United States as an undocumented immigrant, hidden in the trunk of a car, as the new bishop of West Virginia.The pope approved the resignation of Bishop Mark E Brennan of Wheeling-Charleston, West Virginia, and selected Bishop Evelio Menjivar-Ayala, 55, of Washington to take his place, reported OSV News. Continue reading...