Linda F. Hersey

Linda F. Hersey is a veterans reporter based in Washington, D.C. She previously covered the Navy and Marine Corps at Inside Washington Publishers. She also was a government reporter at the Fairbanks Daily News-Miner in Alaska, where she reported on the military, economy and congressional delegation.

hersey.linda@stripes.com

Suicide rate among veterans held steady in 2022 with guns accounting for most deaths, VA’s latest report concludes

The number of veteran suicides continued to hold steady in 2022 despite an infusion of $13.5 billion in funds for mental health services for former service members, according to newly released findings from the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Horses ridden by service members in uniform pull a coffin in a funeral procession at Arlington National Cemetery.

Congress takes the reins to return horse-drawn funerals to Arlington

Influx of bills to increase community care for veterans prompts warning of pushing VA to ‘breaking point’

Rep. Mike Bost, R-Ill., chairman of the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee leads a House Veterans’ Affairs Committee during a hearing titled “Fact and Fiction: Getting to the Bottom of the VA Budget Shortfall”, Dec. 5, 2024 in Washington. (Eric Kayne/Stars and Stripes)

‘Disturbing and disgusting’: House lawmakers investigate rampant sex, harassment, misconduct at Tennessee VA facility

Lawmakers urge VA to halt ‘mega’ tech projects and focus on small updates that work

While the electronic health records system and several other major projects sound good in theory, they have been over budget by billions of dollars and fail to function properly, Rep. Matt Rosendale, R-Mont., said during a House Veterans’ Affairs Committee subpanel hearing.

A congressman with a white beard gestures with his hand while seated at a microphone in front of military flags.

Surge in applicants strains VA jobs program for disabled veterans

More than 192,000 disabled veterans applied to the Veterans Readiness and Employment Program in 2024, up from 131,000 in 2023. In 2025, officials project another 15% increase in applicants.

Director of Government Affairs James McCormick, Vietnam Veterans of America, Dec. 10, 2024 in Silver Spring, MD. (Eric Kayne/Stars and Stripes)

VA must disclose delays to see a doctor and alternatives for private-sector care under new legislation

Several veterans organizations are lining up to support the Complete the Mission Act, which directs the Department of Veterans Affairs to disclose expected wait times for appointments, reasons for cancellations and options to reschedule at a VA facility or with a private, non-VA clinician.

The Tombstone of Civil War veteran Brevet Brigadier General Henry Van ness Boynton Friday, Nov. 22, 2024 in Arlington, VA at Arlington National Cemetery, Boynton, as a Lieutenant Colonel, earned a Medal of Honor during the US Civil War leading the 35th Ohio Infantry during an action at Missionary Ridge, Tennessee. Boynton led his regiment in the face of intense fire from the enemy and was severely wounded.(Eric Kayne/Stars and Stripes)

‘A service member’s sacrifices should be timeless’: Medal of Honor’s earliest recipients now eligible for VA-furnished grave markers

Signed into law Nov. 24, the Mark Our Place Act overturned restrictions that kept the VA from providing the Medal of Honor recognition at older gravesites out of concern for preserving their historic value.

From left, Chief Financial Officer Lasheeco Graham, Veterans Benefits Administration, Under Secretary for Benefits Joshua Jacobs, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Under Secretary for Health Shereef Elnahal, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and Chief Financial Officer Laura Duke,Veterans Benefits Administration, are sworn in during a House Veterans’ Affairs Committee hearing titled “Fact and Fiction: Getting to the Bottom of the VA Budget Shortfall”, Dec. 5, 2024 in Washington. (Eric Kayne/Stars and Stripes)

VA leaders request more funds as House lawmakers slam them for inaccurate reports about budget shortfalls

House lawmakers castigated leaders at the Department of Veterans Affairs for providing Congress inaccurate financial information as VA leaders request another $6.6 billion this month to supplement a $369 billion budget for fiscal 2025.

A brown sign with gold lettering outside the Department of Veterans Affairs in Washington.

VA to study psychedelic drugs for treating PTSD in fiscal 2025

The Department of Veterans Affairs will launch its first clinical study since the 1960s into the effectiveness of psychedelic drugs as a treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder, the agency said.

Trump’s pick to run the VA vows to cut regulations and root out corruption

Col. Doug Collins attended seminary school, worked as a pastor at a small-town church and served as a chaplain in the Navy and Air Force Reserve.

An American flag flies in front of the Department of Veterans Affairs campus building.

VA fights court order to develop hundreds of shelter beds, apartment units for LA homeless vets

The Department of Veterans Affairs is fighting a federal court order to open 100 shelter beds by January and develop another 750 apartment units by 2026 for homeless veterans in Los Angeles.

A commercial indoor cannabis grow room, Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2020 in Fredrick, MD.

FDA authorizes clinical trials to study cannabis use for veterans with PTSD

The Food and Drug Administration has authorized a non-for-profit company in California to proceed with clinical trials to study the effectiveness of smoking cannabis to treat post-traumatic stress disorder in veterans.

The dome of the U.S. Capitol building is seen from a distance between tree branches.

Republican senators push for more VA oversight after agency claimed $15B budget shortfall

Sixteen GOP senators urged swift passage of a bill to require quarterly budget briefings from the Department of Veterans Affairs after the agency secured emergency funds from Congress for incorrectly claiming a multibillion-dollar shortfall threatened veterans benefits.

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