Starting Friday, voters across Virginia can begin casting their ballots in this year’s critical elections for the White House, a U.S. Senate seat, and the state’s 11 congressional districts that will not only impact the future of the commonwealth but also help shape next year’s gubernatorial race.

Virginia voters are beginning to cast their ballots in a contentious presidential election year, with several competitive congressional races on the ballot. Here’s what to know about the Nov. 5 election as early voting begins in the state.

Virginia Senate Democrats introduced a bill to restrict cellphone use in schools, following Governor Youngkin's guidance.

Texas Education Commissioner Mike Morath said that cellphone use in schools has an "extremely harmful" impact on students.

Texas Education Agency Commissioner Mike Morath called for lawmakers to ban the use of cellphones in public schools across the state. Morath's comments about a statewide ban came during his testimony at a Senate Education Committee hearing on Wednesday,