15 Things That Have Changed in Virginia Since Queen Elizabeth Died

Queen Elizabeth II ruled for 70 years, and her passing in 2022 felt like the end of something bigger than a monarchy.

While her death was mostly a British event, the timing coincided with major shifts unfolding in America. Some changes were already brewing, and others began after.

From work culture to climate anxiety to pop culture, these are some of the changes Virginians have experienced since Queen Elizabeth’s death.

TikTok Went From Fun App to Political Target

Back in 2022, TikTok was mostly a dance app with viral cooking hacks and pets dressed as dinosaurs.

Sure, there were whispers about security concerns. But most people ignored them and kept scrolling.

Fast-forward to today, and TikTok has become a national security issue. Lawmakers say the app could give China access to sensitive data, and that’s got Americans arguing about tech freedom versus national security.

TikTok creators are fighting back, warning about the damage a ban could do to small businesses and online communities.

The shift from silly dances to government hearings happened fast—and it’s still unfolding.

Inflation Shifted How Americans Spend and Save

In 2022, inflation was already bad, but many still treated it like a temporary thing. Gas prices were high, egg prices spiked in the latter half of the year due to the avian flu, and rent kept rising.

People grumbled, but most assumed it would level out.

By now, Americans have gotten used to budgeting differently. Dollar stores and discount chains have exploded in popularity. More people are buying generic, meal-prepping, and cutting subscriptions.

Savings rates have dropped while credit card debt surged past $1.3 trillion in August 2024, an all-time high at that point.

Even wages, which have risen in some industries, haven’t kept up with overall costs. For many American families, inflation isn’t just a news headline—it’s changed how they live every single day.

AI Became Part of Everyday Life

When Queen Elizabeth died, artificial intelligence was mostly background tech. Maybe your phone recommended music or your email finished your sentence.

But most Americans didn’t think too much about it.

Then came ChatGPT, launched just months after Queen Elizabeth’s passing. Suddenly, AI could write poems, answer homework questions, and argue legal points.

Now, AI is everywhere—customer service, fast food ordering, social media captions. Some love the convenience. Others worry it’s replacing real people.

Either way, the genie’s out of the bottle.

The Remote Work Era Hit Its Breaking Point

In 2022, remote work still felt like the new normal. Offices were half-empty, Zoom meetings ruled the day, and many workers said they’d never return to a cubicle.

But over the last two years, there’s been a quiet pushback. Major companies like Amazon, Disney, and Google started calling employees back to the office—some part-time, some full-time.

Not everyone was thrilled, but employers insisted it helped with collaboration and productivity.

A hybrid model has taken hold in many industries. While full remote work isn’t dead, it’s no longer seen as a forever perk.

The pendulum swung again, and workers are still adjusting.

Streaming Services Got More Expensive—and More Confusing

Remember when streaming was supposed to save you money? In 2022, people were already juggling subscriptions, but it still felt manageable.

Then came the price hikes.

Netflix cracked down on password sharing in 2023. Disney+ and Hulu raised their monthly rates. Even Amazon Prime added ads unless you pay more to remove them.

Suddenly, streaming costs as much or more than cable used to.

At the same time, some Americans started canceling. “Unsubscribing” became a budgeting move. A wave of “free-with-ads” services popped up as alternatives.

It’s no longer about bingeing—it’s about deciding what’s worth keeping.

Student Loan Payments Returned—and Created New Stress

During the pandemic, student loan payments were paused. That pause lasted into late 2023, giving millions of Americans a temporary break from monthly bills.

But once the pause ended, it hit hard.

Many borrowers had to budget an extra $200–$500 a month. Some had jobs, others still hadn’t fully recovered financially from COVID-19.

Even after forgiveness plans were announced, legal challenges and delays left borrowers confused.

The return of payments also revived a national debate. Should higher education be this expensive? Should debt follow Americans for decades?

For now, the bills are back—and so are the worries.

Sports Became More About Streaming Than Stadiums

Since Queen Elizabeth’s passing, watching sports in America has started to look a lot different—and not just because of who’s winning. The way people watch has shifted from big-screen TVs and cable bundles to apps, subscriptions, and streaming confusion.

ESPN launched its own standalone service, and Amazon took over Thursday Night Football.

Meanwhile, regional sports networks collapsed, leaving baseball fans scrambling to find where their home team is actually airing.

It’s no longer just “what channel is the game on?”—it’s “do I even have the right app?”

At the same time, stadium attendance has dropped for some teams. People are less willing to spend $14 on nachos when they can stream from home.

Sports aren’t less popular—they’ve just become harder (and pricier) to follow in the digital age.

America’s Trust in News Took Another Hit

Back in 2022, trust in American news media was already shaky. But since then, it’s dropped even further—especially among younger Americans and political independents.

According to a 2024 Gallup poll, just 32% of Americans said they trust the media “a great deal” or “a fair amount.”

The rise of AI-generated headlines, fake images, and deepfakes has made it even harder to tell what’s real. Add that to partisan cable shows, influencer-driven narratives, and social media echo chambers, and you’ve got a recipe for widespread confusion.

Some Americans have unplugged altogether. Others follow creators they trust more than traditional reporters.

In the absence of shared facts, every event seems to spawn multiple versions of the “truth.” Journalism hasn’t disappeared—but belief in it has fractured.

Gas-Powered Cars Began Their Slow Goodbye

In 2022, electric vehicles were still seen as a niche. Teslas were popular in some cities, but most people still filled up at the pump.

Since then, things have shifted. Ford, GM, and even Dodge have released electric models. Charging stations are popping up in Walmart parking lots and along major highways.

Some states are setting deadlines for ending gas car sales altogether.

EV prices are still high, but tax incentives have helped. Americans haven’t ditched gas just yet—but they’re starting to look around for what’s next.

Twitter Became X—and a Lot More Chaotic

When Elon Musk bought Twitter in late 2022, most people expected some changes. But few expected the firestorm that followed.

The app was rebranded “X,” blue checkmarks were sold to anyone willing to pay, and thousands of employees were laid off.

Content moderation rules changed, advertisers pulled out, and usage habits shifted.

Now, people use the platform differently—or not at all. Some moved to Threads or Discord. Others stayed, but scroll with caution or elation.

The old Twitter, the one that helped shape news cycles and social movements, feels long gone. Some say it’s for the better, others don’t.

The Political Divide Got Even Deeper

Political division in America isn’t new, but it’s grown sharper since the queen’s death.

By 2024, presidential candidates were warning about threats to democracy—on both sides. Culture wars got louder, debates turned uglier, and compromise became rare.

School boards, library books, and even gas stoves became political flashpoints. Some states passed strict laws on social issues while others moved in the opposite direction. Red and blue America seemed to live in parallel worlds.

Many Americans feel exhausted by it all.

Climate Disasters Became Harder to Ignore

Hurricanes, floods, and wildfires have hit America hard in the last few years.

Cities like Fort Myers, Lahaina, and New York have all seen record-setting disasters. And the damage hasn’t been limited to coastal states.

In 2023 alone, there were 28 separate billion-dollar weather disasters in the U.S., the highest on record at the time.

Insurance companies are pulling out of high-risk areas. Some Americans can’t afford to rebuild. Others are quietly relocating inland.

Climate talk has shifted. It’s no longer just about saving the planet—it’s about adapting to survive.

Food Prices Changed What We Eat

When eggs went up in price because of the avian flu in 2022, it felt like a fluke. But grocery prices haven’t really gone back to normal.

Meat, dairy, and even bread cost more than they used to—and shoppers have noticed.

Many Americans are buying fewer brand names and switching to private labels. Home cooking is making a comeback, but even that’s getting more expensive.

Eating out?

It still happens plenty, but some households have had to reduce the frequency of doing so.

Hollywood Faced a Major Shutdown

The 2023 double strike—by both writers and actors—was the biggest Hollywood shutdown in decades. It lasted months, halted production, and delayed nearly every major release.

Streaming services struggled to fill the gap. Viewers turned to international shows, reality TV, or old reruns.

At the heart of the strike was a debate about fairness in the age of AI and residuals from streaming.

Once it ended, the landscape looked different. Fewer shows, shorter seasons, tighter budgets. The glitzy entertainment machine took a pause—and reminded everyone that creativity comes from real people, not algorithms.

Retail Stores Got Weirder and Smaller

Post-pandemic shopping looked different even in 2022, but it’s gotten more noticeable since.

Major chains like Bed Bath & Beyond, Christmas Tree Shops, and Tuesday Morning vanished. Even Walgreens and CVS closed hundreds of stores.