Virginia Public Radio

Candidates for Congress in Virginia are debating everything from abortion and the economy to transgender students and gun violence.

Michael Pope reports that they’re also being asked about threats to democracy.

Election season has begun, and voters can either mail in their ballots or deposit them in a drop box.

Michael Pope explains some of the steps taken to ensure security.

Over the past two years several thousand Virginians have received non-binary driver’s licenses. And the City of Winchester has seen parts of its gun ordinance suspended by a judge pending a lawsuit.

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

More now from Fred Echols and Edie Gross.

A recent study found that negligent landlords are a significant predictor of violence in Richmond neighborhoods.

Caitlin Pierce has more on the research and how it might be used in other areas struggling to reverse trends of increasing violence.

As the stock market continues to slide and high inflation seems to hang on, a lot of investors are wondering where to turn.

Roben Farzad, host of the Full Disclosure podcast, and Craig Wright have more on the concerns and the outlook for the future.

At the Chickahominy Tribe’s 70^th Annual Fall Festival and Pow-Wow, the President of William & Mary announced a new tuition initiative to help students most of whom have families earning less than $60,000 a year.

But for Indigenous communities that once inhabited university lands here, is it enough?

Pamela D’Angelo has more.

Many Virginians look forward to fall – a time when the air is cool and trees change color. 

One student at the University of Virginia is a special fan of the season. 

He started a non-profit to plant more trees and has won a national award for his work as Sandy Hausman reports.

Research is underway to make sure planned wind turbines will be safe for birds…and Virginia lawmakers will have to wait a bit longer for new offices and meeting space in Richmond.

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 and Edie Gross.

New school guidelines and new oversight of elections top the political headlines this week.

Jeff Schapiro, of the Richmond Times-Dispatch, and Michael Pope discuss the week in politics and the General Assembly.

For a second year, Virginia’s seven federally-recognized Tribes came together as sovereign nations.

This year the focus was Indigenous-led conservation and reacquiring lands.

Pamela D’Angelo reports.

If you’ve been considering buying a house in the last few months, you know the impact of inflation and rising interest rates.

Roben Farzad, host the Full Disclosure podcast, and Craig Wright talk about the increasing cost of a mortgage.

As the November election draws closer, abortion is becoming a bigger issue in some key Congressional races.

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

Biotech is big business.  And Virginia is trying to strengthen its position and bring more research and manufacturing back onshore.

Roben Farzad, host of the Full Disclosure podcast, and Weekend Edition host Craig Wright have more on how that plan is coming together.

A plan by Norfolk police to use drones as first as responders is drawing some objections. And elk are thriving again in Virginia.

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 and Edie Gross.

The General Assembly was supposed to deal with vacancies when it met Wednesday.  But some big ones remain.

Jeff Schapiro of the Richmond Times-Dispatch and Michael Pope discuss the week in politics and state government.

Nikki Giovanni is known around the world for her writing and activism. Her writing touches on social issues, like race and gender.

She recently retired from teaching at Virginia Tech after 35 years.

Giovanni sat down with reporter Roxy Todd, who asked about her advice to students.

Researchers at Virginia Tech are developing underwater robots, to be able to map the ocean and study the impacts of microplastics in the water.

They recently tested one beneath the surface of Claytor Lake, in the New River Valley.

Roxy Todd joined them and filed this story.

The fall campaign season is about to kick into high gear, here in Virginia and in other states.

Jeff Schapiro, of the Richmond Times-Dispatch, and Michael Pope talk about that that means for the candidates and the governor.

The Afghan Girls’ Robotics Team has been internationally recognized. They’ve won numerous awards for their skills in engineering and robotics.

Now, a year has passed since the Taliban took over the country. And because most education for girls has stopped, so has the robotics team.

Many of the former team members have dispersed to other countries to pursue their education, including one incoming freshman at Virginia Tech. Roxy Todd has her story.

It’s never been easy to be successful in the restaurant business.  But it’s been even harder during the last few years.

Roben Farzad, host of the Full Disclosure podcast, and Craig Wright talk about the challenges.