Virginia Senate passes death penalty abolition bill

RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — The Virginia Senate has passed a bill that would abolish the death penalty. If passed into law, the measure would mark a major policy change for a state that has historically carried out numerous executions. The Democrat-controlled chamber approved the bill on a 21-17 vote Wednesday. It came after a lengthy, emotional floor debate. Democratic Gov. Ralph Northam has said he supports a full repeal, and a House version of the bill is advancing in that chamber. According t