Michael is an award-winning journalist who started covering Virginia news in 2013 with reporting stints at the Richmond Times-Dispatch, Virginia Business, and Richmond BizSense. A graduate of William & Mary and Northern Virginia Community College, he also covered financial news for S&P Global Market Intelligence.
Michael O’Connor
Latest from Michael O’Connor
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Warner to US House Republicans: ‘You’re playing with people’s lives’
As Republicans push the federal government to the brink of a shutdown, Virginians are bracing for the impact.
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Youngkin again looks to cut assistance for abortions for severe fetal diagnoses
Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin is trying to again block state funding for low-income people seeking abortions when faced with severe fetal diagnoses.
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Youngkin unveils Virginia budget proposals
The Youngkin Administration said Virginia has a multibillion dollar surplus and strong economic outlook for the next two years. Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin presented today budget proposals to take advantage of a rosier economic outlook for the state that would increase funding for schools, hospitals, and offer tax relief. “Virginia is roaring,” Youngkin said in…
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Voting begins in Virginia special elections to decide control of General Assembly
Narrow majorities in the Virginia House and Senate raise the stakes of a trio of special elections where turnout will be key.
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Youngkin targets Virginia ‘sanctuary’ cities, backs Trump’s anti-immigration policies
Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin on Thursday unveiled an anti-immigrant budget proposal targeting localities that do not cooperate with federal immigration officials.
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Dogwood’s most-read Virginia politics stories of 2024
Economic policy, voting rights, and reproductive freedom dominated the headlines of The Dogwood’s most read Virginia politics stories in 2024.
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Virginia advocates, lawmakers look to address high Black maternal mortality rate
Black Americans face a US health care system still impaired by structural racism and implicit bias. The situation is especially dire for Black people going through pregnancies.
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Virginia inmates are burning themselves to get transferred from a state prison
A number of inmates at a western Virginia state prison have intentionally burned themselves in response to alleged abuse, prompting state lawmakers to call for immediate action and an investigation.
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What to watch on reproductive rights in Virginia’s 2025 legislative session
For this year’s upcoming General Assembly session in Virginia, there will be a lot of focus on advancing an abortion-care state constitutional amendment, but legislators are also working on bills to bolster women’s reproductive rights in other ways.
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Judge: Youngkin did not have authority to remove Virginia from climate change program
Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin did not have the authority to end Virginia’s participation in a regional effort to fight climate change, according to a judge’s ruling Wednesday that was celebrated by environmental advocates.
