Virginia Public Radio

A truckload of birds is delivered to Tyson’s Temperanceville plant. (Credit: Pamela D’Angelo)

As older chicken houses on the Eastern Shore are being replaced with much larger operations, neighbors and environmental groups have a lot of questions about air and water pollution.

Now, a new data tool will give the public a little more information about how the industrial byproduct – poultry manure – is being used.

Pamela D’Angelo reports.

(Credit: Mallory Noe-Payne)

The newest exhibit at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts in Richmond takes experiential art to a new level.

The museum has recreated a famous painting of a hotel room, where guests can actually spend a night.

Mallory Noe-Payne checked it out and has this report.

  Professor Nicole Montgomery explains findings of two studies showing the public expects more of female CEOS.
(Credit UVA)

As we approach the 2020 presidential election, some scholars are still speculating over why Hillary Clinton lost her 2016 bid.

At the University of Virginia, two professors at the undergraduate business school have a theory, based on a study of how consumers think about female CEO’s.

Sandy Hausman has that story.

A criminal prosecution viewed by many as purely political was called off after Election Day in Greene County.  And the latest culture clash over agricultural tradition in Virginia is happening in Floyd County.

Those have been among the most read stories over the past week at the Virginia Public Access Project’s Va. News link.

More now from Fred Echols.

  Recent so-called sunny day flooding is happening more frequently around the Chesapeake Bay.
(Credit Pamela D’Angelo)

Rollbacks in environmental protection and flood risk management by the Trump administration is forcing states to come up with their own solutions.

On Friday, Virginia Governor Ralph Northam mandated one of the country’s strictest standards for state-owned properties in an effort to steer development away from flood-prone areas.

Pamela D’Angelo reports.

Credit: David Nakayama / Creative Commons

Is justice equal for youth offenders who find themselves caught up in the court system?

Michael Pope has more about a new report that calls attention to some disparities in the system.

In Norfolk, Virginia officials announced a long-term plan to increase the state’s international exports.

Governor Northam called it the first ever statewide strategic plan for international trade.

Mallory Noe-Payne has details.

Is justice equal for youth offenders who find themselves caught up in the court system?

Michael Pope has more about a new report that calls attention to some disparities in the system.

Owners of a grocery store are finding that providing opportunity in an underserved neighborhood isn’t as simple as just showing up… and a homeowner who says she ordered a little dirt ended up with more than she knew what to do with.

Those have been among the most read stories over the past week at the Virginia Public Access Project’s Va. News link.

More now from Fred Echols.

Del. Eileen Filler-Corn (center) and Del Charniele Herring (right) listen to Governor Ralph Northam on Election Night. (Credit Michael Pope)

Virginia is about to get its first female speaker of the House of Delegates.

Michael Pope reports.

Structures made of concrete and oyster shells, like the one in the foreground, are placed in the harbor to create an artificial reef. A homeowner has created their own breakwater in the background, using bricks and concrete debris.
(Credit Pamela D’Angelo)

The tiny Town of Saxis on Virginia’s Eastern Shore is learning to live with water.

Like other communities around the Chesapeake Bay, residents are looking at solutions to the erosion and frequent flooding that comes with climate change.

In part two of her report, Pamela D’Angelo finds out how the town is trying to become resilient.

Residents can walk along mowed paths and learn about this rich wildlife habitat. (Credit: Sandy Hausman)

Wetlands go by many names — marshes, bogs, swamps and bayous. But whatever they’re called, the fact is they’re disappearing here in Virginia.

More than half have been drained and developed since the first settlers arrived.  Now, however, some communities are reversing that trend.

Sandy Hausman visited one and filed this report.

Yvonne Hickman points out erosion along the shoreline.
(Credit Pamela D’Angelo)

You’ve probably heard of Tangier—the island of 450 residents in danger of being swallowed by the Chesapeake Bay.

But just a few miles away, the tiny Town of Saxis, whose population is about half of Tangier’s, is quietly facing many of the same problems.

Pamela D’Angelo went there to find out how climate change is affecting the community.

  Governor Ralph Northam leads enthusiastic Democrats in a “blue wave” chant, promising action on “common sense gun control.”
(Credit Michael Pope)

Democrats are promising swift action on a host of policy proposals now that they’ve taken control of the General Assembly for the first time in more than two decades.

Michael Pope and Mallory Noe-Payne have reaction from motivated Democrats and also Republicans who say they’ll be watching closely.

Voters in counties will see sheriffs and prosecutors on the ballot this year. But voters in cities will not.

Michael Pope explains why.

Credit: justgrimes via flickr.com / Creative Commons

Virginians head to the polls Tuesday but many may not recognize the names on their ballot.

As Mallory Noe-Payne reports, hundreds of thousands of voters are in a new district this year.

Washington County supervisors are finding that a possible relocation of the county court is more complicated than they may have imagined.  And news staff at one newspaper is hoping unionizing will give them greater job security.

Those have been among the most read stories over the past week at the Virginia Public Access Project’s Va. News link.

More now from Fred Echols.

Omega Protein’s fleed tied up at Reedville (Credit: Pamela D’Angelo)

Weather is always a factor for fishermen.

So this year, Omega Protein Corporation, which has the largest menhaden fishing fleet on the Atlantic Coast, followed the fish into the Chesapeake Bay rather than risk heavy seas. But in doing so they overstepped harvest limits.

Pamela D’Angelo reports.

Credit: Chris Dlugosz via flickr.com / CC

Last minute money is streaming into some campaigns across Virginia.

Michael Pope has a look at the numbers.

  The mighty Pheasantshell mussel, the workhorse water filter of rivers (center) is experiencing mass die-offs in VA and other parts of the world. (Credit Kurt Holtz)

The freshwater mussel is nature’s river cleaner.  But every autumn, for three years running, there’s been a mass die off of one of the most important species.

Biologists say if this continues, it could be a warning sign for global river ecosystems.

Robbie Harris reports from the Virginia Tennessee border.

There’s a lot at stake this November — when all 140 state lawmakers are up for election. One issue that’s energizing voters is abortion. Democrats say if they win the majority they’ll push to improve access to healthcare, including abortions.

As Mallory Noe-Payne reports, that has opponents of abortion rights working overtime for Republican candidates.

  Jenna Conway, Virginia’s first Chief Readiness Officer
(Credit Sandy Hausman)

A statewide study found forty percent of Virginia’s 5-year-olds were not ready for kindergarten.

The governor – a pediatric neurologist – and his wife– a teacher– knew some of those kids would fall behind in school and never catch up.

That’s why they hired a chief school readiness officer and launched a 10 million-dollar program to study and fix the problem.

Sandy Hausman has that story.

A criminal case that grew out of attempts to integrate a public library has been resolved after 80 years. And an educational center on an island will close as the island goes under water.

Those been among the most read stories over the past week at the Virginia Public Access Project’s Va. News link.

More now from Fred Echols.

(Credit: Edson Hong via flickr.com / CC)

Unhealthy alcohol use is the third most common preventable death in America. And yet studies show that just a 90-second conversation with a doctor could make a difference.

Now Virginia Commonwealth Uuniversity will study how family doctors can do a better job addressing dangerous drinking.

Mallory Noe-Payne reports.

  Mailers from the Shelly Simonds and David Yancey campaigns. (Credit Mallory Noe-Payne)

Virginia made national headlines two years ago when a General Assembly race ended in a perfect tie. The state delegate was chosen by pulling a name out of a bowl.

Now that race is a rematch.

Mallory Noe-Payne visited the district to see if voters are following along.