Virginia Budget Standoff: Virginia still has no budget as House and Senate clash over a promised sales-and-use tax break for data centers through 2035, with Speaker Don Scott warning it would “go back on a promise” while Senate Democrats want to use the money for teacher raises and child care. Gun Law Court Fight: A Lynchburg judge ordered Virginia State Police to halt enforcing parts of the state’s new gun background-check approach, underscoring how quickly the Spanberger gun package is running into court limits. DOJ “Anti-Weaponization” Fund: Even as acting AG Todd Blanche says the Justice Department won’t move forward with the $1.776 billion Jan. 6 “anti-weaponization” fund, legal fights continue in Virginia federal court over whether payouts can still happen. Data Centers vs. Local Control: Speaker Scott also faced scrutiny over business deals tied to data centers, while Winchester leaders weigh a Tourism Zone and a local survey shows strong opposition to new data centers in the Frederick County/Winchester area. Public Safety & Courts: A Fourth Circuit ruling revived an inmate’s challenge after prison officials destroyed key video tied to a disciplinary case. Community Notes: Burlington High School speech and debate students qualified for nationals in Richmond.