Virginia House and Senate launch inquiries into colleges’ responses to student protests
Posted by Nick Gilmore in Virginia's News on May 14, 2024
In addition to passing a budget this week, members of Virginia’s House and Senate launched separate inquiries into how state colleges responded to recent protests on their campuses. Brad Kutner has more from Richmond.
State lawmakers agree to raise teacher pay, but there’s a catch
Posted by Nick Gilmore in Virginia's News on May 14, 2024
All 140 members of the Virginia General Assembly were back at the Capitol this week to resolve a longstanding feud over the budget. As Michael Pope reports, the compromise includes raises for teachers.
Compromise budget doesn’t include RGGI provisions
Posted by Nick Gilmore in Virginia's News on May 13, 2024
Lawmakers came back to Richmond Monday for a special session to approve a budget. And as Michael Pope tells us, the compromise does not include money for an environmental priority of the Democrats.
Skill games don’t make it into the budget, but advocates may have a glimmer of hope
Posted by Nick Gilmore in Virginia's News on May 13, 2024
Lawmakers were back in Richmond Monday to pass a budget. Michael Pope tells us supporters of skill games are still waiting for on resolution of that issue, though.
Pope & Schapiro: Looking ahead to next week’s special legislative session
Posted by dseidelvtedu in Uncategorized on May 10, 2024
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.
Budget negotiations are happening right now… behind closed doors
Posted by Nick Gilmore in Virginia's News on May 9, 2024
Senior lawmakers on the money committees are working behind closed doors with the governor to strike a deal on the budget. Michael Pope has the story.
Parents of special needs students ask federal appeals court to step into Virginia’s IDEA process
Posted by Nick Gilmore in Virginia's News on May 9, 2024
Two northern Virginia families asked a federal appeals court in Richmond to step into the process used to support special needs students in the state’s school system. As Brad Kutner explains, the parents claim the system is designed for their complaints to fail.
The Trump Store and Boones Mill offer a snapshot of America’s political landscape
Posted by dseidelvtedu in Uncategorized on May 9, 2024
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.
Demand on Virginia’s free clinics continues to rise as funding cuts loom
Posted by Nick Gilmore in Virginia's News on May 8, 2024
Virginia free clinics serve tens of thousands of patients, and many rely on state money for at least a portion of their funding. While the legislature appears poised to give those clinics less money, new numbers show the clinics are in higher demand than ever. Brad Kutner reports.
How unions are playing into this year’s election cycle
Posted by Nick Gilmore in Virginia's News on May 8, 2024
Unions are playing an important role in the primary elections now underway. Michael Pope explains.
How campaigns spend cash in Virginia is often murky
Posted by Nick Gilmore in Virginia's News on May 7, 2024
Campaign finance documents show a handful of competitive primaries for Congress this summer. But as Michael Pope tells us, there’s not a lot of transparency about how the money is used.
State lawmakers are running out of time to reach a budget agreement
Posted by Nick Gilmore in Virginia's News on May 6, 2024
Senior leaders of the General Assembly’s money committees are expected to meet with the governor this week to hash out a budget compromise. Michael Pope reports.
Republicans and their uneven relationship with early voting
Posted by Nick Gilmore in Virginia's News on May 3, 2024
Now that early primary voting has started across Virginia, Republicans are encouraging their voters to get to the polls, even though many of them oppose 45 days of early voting. Michael Pope reports.
Pope & Schapiro: Campus protests, Florida’s abortion law, and the field for 2025
Posted by dseidelvtedu in Uncategorized on May 3, 2024
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.
Students speak, chant, blow bubbles and eat pizza at Gaza protest
Posted by Nick Gilmore in Virginia's News on May 2, 2024
Students at Virginia Tech, VCU and the University of Mary Washington staged protests earlier this week, prompting the arrest of more than 100 people charged with trespassing. The University of Virginia has, so far, taken a different tack as Sandy Hausman reports.
A new nuclear energy law will likely mean higher utility bills
Posted by Nick Gilmore in Virginia's News on May 2, 2024
Starting this summer, Virginia will have a new law encouraging nuclear energy. Michael Pope has more on how the costs will be covered.
Glenn Youngkin’s biggest legacy in Virginia could be his impact on education
Posted by dseidelvtedu in Uncategorized on May 2, 2024
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.
Early voting for June primaries starts on Friday
Posted by Nick Gilmore in Virginia's News on May 1, 2024
Voting for the June primary starts this week. Michael Pope has a preview.
You can find more information about deadlines and other voting details here.
Meet Virginia: Betsy Wood
Posted by dseidelvtedu in Uncategorized on May 1, 2024
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.
Reaction to college protests rolls in from state lawmakers
Posted by Nick Gilmore in Virginia's News on April 30, 2024
Student protests and resulting arrests have upended life at some of Virginia’s universities in recent days. Michael Pope has more on how the state’s political leadership is lining up around the protests.
Virginia lab wins federal grant to break down forever chemicals
Posted by dseidelvtedu in Uncategorized on April 30, 2024
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.
VT president says he supports free-speech, but is disappointed with 82 protestors arrested at pro-Palestinian rally
Posted by Nick Gilmore in Virginia's News on April 29, 2024
Virginia Tech Police now say that they arrested 82 people late Sunday night and early Monday when they broke up a days-long protest on campus.
53 are current Virginia Tech students, according to a revised statement. Roxy Todd reports they were charged with trespassing.
How the EPA’s new rules could impact Virginia
Posted by Nick Gilmore in Virginia's News on April 29, 2024
New environmental rules from the federal government may help clear the air here in Virginia. Michael Pope reports.
Virginia using multi-pronged approach to address teacher vacancies
Posted by Nick Gilmore in Virginia's News on April 26, 2024
Virginia wasn’t an outlier in learning or teacher loss in the wake of the pandemic. But new teacher licensure programs, backed with state funds, are hoping to curb the lack of educators parts of the Commonwealth face. Brad Kutner has more from Richmond.
Millions of dollars are flowing into primary contests
Posted by Nick Gilmore in Virginia's News on April 26, 2024
Primaries for Congress are only a few weeks away, and new fundraising numbers are giving an indication of where the race stands. Michael Pope is looking at the numbers.
Pope & Schapiro: Primaries in the near and not-too-distant future
Posted by dseidelvtedu in Uncategorized on April 26, 2024
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.
More lab schools approved, but not without some controversy
Posted by Nick Gilmore in Virginia's News on April 25, 2024
Governor Glenn Youngkin is still looking to spend $100 million on new lab schools across Virginia, and a handful of applications were approved Thursday. But there were concerns about the viability of at least one of the programs. Brad Kutner has more from Richmond.
How AI could help those who care for people with dementia
Posted by Nick Gilmore in Virginia's News on April 24, 2024
Experts have raised alarms about the potential of artificial intelligence to cause problems for humanity, but in the field of medicine it’s already making a positive difference.
At the University of Virginia, for example, computer scientists are experimenting with a way to help caregivers do a difficult and frustrating job – caring for people with Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia. Sandy Hausman has that story.
A nuclear electric utility bill hike may be on the horizon later this year
Posted by Nick Gilmore in Virginia's News on April 24, 2024
This summer, a new law will go into effect, and it may mean you pay a higher electric bill. Michael Pope reports that money will go toward development of nuclear power.
Gold medalist boxer from Virginia won landmark 1949 Civil Rights case
Posted by dseidelvtedu in Uncategorized on April 24, 2024
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.
Next year’s lieutenant governor race is already crowded
Posted by Nick Gilmore in Virginia's News on April 23, 2024
The Democratic primary for lieutenant governor is heating up – with two high-profile candidates entering the race this week. Michael Pope has the latest.
Supreme Court of Virginia sides with former inmate on earned sentence credits case
Posted by Nick Gilmore in Virginia's News on April 22, 2024
People who are incarcerated might be able to get out of prison earlier now that the Supreme Court of Virginia is weighing in on how earned sentence credits are calculated. Michael Pope reports.
Youngkin open to changes in skill games amendments
Posted by Nick Gilmore in Virginia's News on April 19, 2024
Virginia’s legislature said no to a host of amendments from Governor Glenn Youngkin to a bill legalizing skill games in the Commonwealth.
But that didn’t end the conversation and lawmakers agreed to work with the governor to find a more palatable bill. Brad Kutner spoke with Youngkin and some pro-skill game activists as those negotiations are kicking off.
A Supreme Court victory for a Richmond man will impact veterans nationwide
Posted by Nick Gilmore in Virginia's News on April 19, 2024
A Richmond man’s victory in the United States Supreme Court is expected to help hundreds of thousands of veterans across the country. Michael Pope explains why.
Pope & Schapiro: Plenty of unfinished business
Posted by dseidelvtedu in Uncategorized on April 19, 2024
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.
Who has the upper hand in a Virginia budget standoff?
Posted by Nick Gilmore in Virginia's News on April 18, 2024
Lawmakers are expected to return to the Capitol in Richmond next month for a special session on the budget. Michael Pope has a preview.
Youngkin signs student athlete compensation bill
Posted by dseidelvtedu in Uncategorized on April 18, 2024
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.
Even with some Republican support, Senate can’t override Youngkin’s veto of school construction tax option
Posted by dseidelvtedu in Uncategorized on April 17, 2024
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.
Virginia’s budget deal pushed to May after newfound collaboration between Youngkin and legislature
Posted by Nick Gilmore in Virginia's News on April 17, 2024
Virginia’s top elected officials appeared unified around the promise of a real compromise budget during Wednesday’s veto session. Brad Kutner has more from the Capitol.
The fate of skill games is now in the governor’s hands
Posted by Nick Gilmore in Virginia's News on April 17, 2024
Governor Glenn Youngkin is now facing a decision about what happens with slot-machine style machines in convenience stores and truck stops. Michael Pope reports.
Virginia’s legislature hasn’t overridden a veto in more than a decade. Could that change Wednesday?
Posted by Nick Gilmore in Virginia's News on April 16, 2024
Virginia’s legislature returns to Richmond Wednesday to review Governor Glenn Youngkin’s vetoes and amendments. While tension remains high, at least one bill with strong bipartisan support could see Youngkin rebuked. Brad Kutner has more.
A look at what the 2024 reconvene session may hold
Posted by Nick Gilmore in Virginia's News on April 16, 2024
All 140 members of the Virginia House of Delegates and the state Senate will be back in Richmond Wednesday. They’ll take action on all the governor’s amendments, including a historic number of budget amendments. Michael Pope has this preview.
Virginia convenience stores protest Gov. Youngkin’s skill games amendments
Posted by dseidelvtedu in Uncategorized on April 15, 2024
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.
AirTags: Useful tool or potential privacy risk?
Posted by dseidelvtedu in Uncategorized on April 15, 2024
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.
‘Zombie mortgages’ to die for good later this year
Posted by Nick Gilmore in Virginia's News on April 12, 2024
Starting this summer, Virginia will have a new law against so-called “zombie mortgages.” Michael Pope explains.
Pope & Schapiro: Parsing the governor’s amendments and vetoes
Posted by dseidelvtedu in Uncategorized on April 12, 2024
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.
Governor Youngkin says no to ranked-choice voting legislation
Posted by Nick Gilmore in Virginia's News on April 11, 2024
Ranked-choice voting has gained popularity in recent years. Although, as Michael Pope tells us, it’s not popular at the Executive Mansion.
Youngkin gets mixed reviews on final criminal justice reform actions of 2024 session
Posted by Nick Gilmore in Virginia's News on April 10, 2024
Governor Glenn Youngkin ran on a law and order platform. And while that may have put most criminal justice reform efforts on the chopping block, advocates and elected officials were surprised by what survived his veto pen. Brad Kutner has more.
UVA conference to address health risks linked to hotter weather
Posted by Nick Gilmore in Virginia's News on April 10, 2024
We’ve heard a lot about dangerous weather and rising seas associated with a changing climate, and medical experts say it will also take a toll on public health. That’s why the University of Virginia’s School of Nursing is hosting a conference on the subject this weekend. Sandy Hausman has that story.