Virginia Public Radio

There’s news today that General Assembly budget negotiators and the governor have reached an agreement.

Jeff Schapiro, political columnist for the Richmond Times-Dispatch, and Michael Pope recap the week in politics and state government.

At the solitary stoplight in Boones Mill along Route 220 in Franklin County sits The Trump Store.

It’s practically impossible to miss. And, after years of driving past it, Craig Wright paid a visit – and uncovered a story that is a snapshot of America’s political landscape.

Protests roiled college campuses this past week, and stirred up Virginia politicians too.

Jeff Schapiro, political columnist at the Richmond Times-Dispatch, and Michael Pope recap the week in politics and state government.

With a new sports arena in the rear-view mirror and a legislature controlled by political opponents, Governor Glenn Youngkin’s largest impact on the state after he leaves office could be in the education space.

Brad Kutner reports on how that could come in the form of influence from board appointments and law changes. 

Reporter Christine Kueter has been crisscrossing the state this year, collecting real-life stories for our Meet Virginia series.

Today, she introduces us a retired teacher from the New River Valley who taught her students more than just facts and figures.

The EPA now requires water treatment plants to test for a group of contaminants known as forever chemicals. Used in products like non-stick coatings and waterproofing, these substances are water, grease and stain resistant, but they’re also hazardous to human health – linked to liver damage, cancer and birth defects.  

Getting them out of our water will be the next great challenge.

A lab here in Virginia is working on technology to achieve that goal as Sandy Hausman reports.

Primaries top the list of political topics in the news over the last few days.

Jeff Schapiro, political columnist at the Richmond Times-Dispatch, and Michael Pope recap the week in politics and state government.

Until recently, if you do a quick web search on the name Norvel Lee, you’d likely find some of his accomplishments as a boxer.

The Botetourt County native did earn an Olympic gold medal in the sport, becoming the first Black Virginian to receive that honor in the early 50’s. But a state historical marker and recent book about Lee’s life story now offer a much broader perspective on his impact.

Meanwhile, family members say they’re discovering an even greater connection with him, more than 30 years since his passing.

Jeff Bossert has more.

There’s still a lot of unfinished business from the General Assembly Session.

Jeff Schapiro, political columnist at the Richmond Times-Dispatch, and Michael Pope talk about where we’re headed next.

Ever since the U.S. Supreme Court overturned rules barring college athletes from getting paid for the use of their image, states, including Virginia, have been working to develop rules to accommodate the change.

Thursday morning Governor Glenn Youngkin signed a bill that would make such payments easier.

Brad Kutner has more from Richmond. 

Lawmakers were unable to overturn a veto from the governor on a bill that might have helped school construction.

Michael Pope has more on the debate.

Governor Glenn Youngkin tacked a lengthy list of amendments onto a bill that would legalize skill games. 

Now, impacted store owners are pushing back.

Brad Kutner spoke to one such owner south of Richmond. 

Innovative technologies produce gadgets meant to be helpful or simplify our lives. But sometimes, new products are used for unintended, illicit purposes.

Craig Wright has the story of a woman who wasn’t sure how to react to a disturbing alert she received on her phone about one such device.

The General Assembly is parsing through the governor’s many amendments and vetoes.

Jeff Schapiro, political columnist at the Richmond Times-Dispatch, and Michael Pope recap the week in politics and state government.