UVA team tracks teacher retention post pandemic

Professor Luke Miller led a team of researchers working with the Virginia Department of Education to study the impact of the pandemic on our public schools. (Credit: Luke Miller)

Virginia teachers returned to their classrooms in record numbers after the pandemic shutdown of 2020, but one year later they set a different record – leaving in droves.  Sandy Hausman reports on research showing why so many left the classroom.

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Pope & Schapiro: A busy week in environmental news and another shooting in Richmond

It’s been a busy week for environmental-related news in Virginia – with the state’s Air Pollution Control Board voting to remove the Commonwealth from a regional greenhouse gas program.

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

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State lawmakers still at odds over Youngkin’s proposed tax cuts

Credit: Mallory Noe-Payne / Radio IQ

Washington’s standoff over the debt ceiling may have ended. But as Michael Pope tells us, the debate over budget amendments in Virginia is still ongoing.

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A look at early voting numbers in primary elections later this month

Credit: NPR

Voting is well underway across Virginia for primary elections later this month. Michael Pope has this look at the numbers so far.

You can see the analysis from the Virginia Public Access Project here.

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‘I can’t count anymore’ A conversation about gun violence following Richmond mass shooting

Credit: Mallory Noe-Payne / Radio IQ

A shooting outside a high school graduation in Richmond has left a father and son dead, and five others injured. It’s a mass shooting, and police believe the shooter was targeting one person he knew. Mallory Noe-Payne spoke with community members about gun violence in the city and has this report.

Mental health support is available from Richmond Behavioral Health. Call 804-819-4100.

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What’s next for opponents of the Mountain Valley Pipeline?

Now that the Mountain Valley Pipeline has been given the green light as part of the debt ceiling deal, opponents are considering next steps. Michael Pope reports.

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Air Pollution Control Board to vote on withdrawing from RGGI

Virginia’s governor hopes to fulfill a campaign promise.  Glenn Youngkin claimed joining with ten other states in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative was costing consumers’ money, and we should get out. 

On Wednesday, the state’s Air Pollution Control Board will vote on that, as Sandy Hausman reports.

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Full Disclosure Briefing: Virginia says you’re hired, no degree required

Last week, Glenn Youngkin announced that beginning July 1st, state agencies will no longer require degrees, or give preference to those who have them, from job candidates for 90% of state jobs. 

Roben Farzad, host of public radio’s Full Disclosure, and Craig Wright talk about the implications for potential employees – as well as colleges that are already experiencing dwindling enrollments. 

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It’s looking unlikely that state lawmakers will pass budget amendments before July 1st

Credit: Mallory Noe-Payne / Radio IQ

Virginia’s next fiscal year is fast approaching. And as Michael Pope tells us, it could start with some uncertainty.

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How an end to “prison gerrymandering” will impact Virginia elections

Credit: NPR

As voters head to the polls in the June 20th primary, they’ll be casting ballots in new districts with new boundaries. As Michael Pope reports, those new districts will include people incarcerated somewhere else.

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Pope & Schapiro: The border, the debt ceiling and some contested primaries

The debt ceiling legislation is creating some unusual splits in Virginia’s Congressional delegation.

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

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A former governor and their controversial union-busting tactic

Former Virginia Governor Bill Tuck

Governor Glenn Youngkin is sending National Guard troops to the southern border in Texas next month, a move that critics say is politically motivated. Michael Pope tells us about a previous governor who used his powers as the commander-in-chief in a way that still invites controversy. 

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New data: productivity in Virginia is down, but hours worked is up

New numbers from the Bureau of Labor Statistics show a puzzling trend in Virginia’s economy. Michael Pope reports.

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With a deadline looming, state lawmakers still don’t have an agreement on the budget

Credit: NPR

Members of Congress may be closer to resolving the conflict over the debt ceiling. But, as Michael Pope tells us, members of the Virginia General Assembly are still at a standstill with their budget amendments.

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Finding recovery from addiction by visualizing future events

Warren Bickel is the director of the Addiction Recovery Research Center at Fralin Biomedical Research Institute in Roanoke (Credit: Virginia Tech photo)

Think of something you’re looking forward to, say, in the next week. Or maybe some vacation plans later this summer.

New research is finding that the ability to think of events in the future may hold a key to helping people who struggle with alcohol and drug addiction.

Roxy Todd explains.

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Full Disclosure Briefing: Cutting the cord

As streaming television services have gained acceptance and grown in popularity, smaller communication companies have fallen victim to the economics of providing cable TV to their customers. 

Roben Farzad, host of public radio’s Full Disclosure, and Craig Wright talk about the rapidly changing business of home entertainment. 

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Virginia environmental advocates concerned by U. S. Supreme Court ruling

A recent Supreme Court decision might have environmental impacts in Virginia for years to come.

Michael Pope reports.

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Pope & Schapiro: Ambitions, endorsements and cabinet posts

Virginia’s 2023 election cycle is picking up steam, but the Commonwealth’s place in the 2024 election is also getting a lot of early attention.

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

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The fans and critics of Virginia data centers

Northern Virginia is the global hub of data centers. But Michael Pope tells us that notoriety is causing friction in some communities. 

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Some prosecutor primaries will be decided next month

Credit: Jahd Khalil / Radio IQ

Voters will go to the polls next month to choose candidates in dozens of races across Virginia. Michael Pope reports some of those races will be for prosecutors.

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Parole reform wins rare bipartisan support in Virginia

With so much going on during the annual meeting of Virginia’s General Assembly, it’s easy to miss some important and sometimes surprising legislation. 

Sandy Hausman reports the state is now moving forward with a rare bipartisan effort to reform Virginia’s system of parole.

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Partisan endorsements in nonpartisan races

Credit: NPR

Members of school boards are elected in nonpartisan elections in Virginia. But, as Michael Pope reports, that doesn’t mean the elections lack partisanship.

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Full Disclosure Briefing: How Altria moves forward

A Richmond-based tobacco company is settling thousands of lawsuits related to the marketing and availability of vaping products.

Roben Farzad, host of public radio’s Full Disclosure, and Craig Wright talk about Altria and how the company moves forward.

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New report: Virginia needs to end “civil commitment”

Credit: PPI

A new report calls attention to Virginia’s practice of incarcerating people even after their sentence has been completed. Michael Pope explains.

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What is the “value” of an endorsement?

Credit: NPR

As the June 20th primary approaches, candidates are receiving a series of endorsements. Michael Pope takes a look at what they mean.

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Study looks at how dogs can help fight the spread of spotted lanternflies

Sally Dickinson and her trained detection dog, Flint, search a vineyard in Winchester for spotted lanternfly egg masses. They are beginning to recruit other people with their dogs to do the same. It’s a four-year project funded by the USDA. (Credit: Luke Hayes/Virginia Tech)

The invasive spotted lanternfly continues to spread throughout Virginia, threatening vineyards. Researchers are training dogs to help sniff them out, as Roxy Todd reports.

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Pope & Schapiro: Virginia fears of a national default

Count Virginia lawmakers among those worried about a potential default on the nation’s debt.

Michael Pope and Jeff Schapiro – political columnist at the Richmond Times-Dispatch – discuss the state budget and the week that was in Virginia politics.

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Republicans and Democrats are confused by one Youngkin veto

Credit: NPR

Governor Glenn Youngkin is taking final action this week on a number of bills from the General Assembly. Michael Pope reports on one about power lines.

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North Carolina’s abortion ban will have impacts in Virginia

Credit: Mallory Noe-Payne / Radio IQ

North Carolina’s new abortion ban is changing the dynamic here in Virginia. Michael Pope reports.

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Adult websites must verify the age of users in Virginia now

The governor is taking final actions this week on bills lawmakers sent him during the General Assembly session. Michael Pope has this story about one involving online pornography.

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Full Disclosure Briefing: College tuition increases

After several years of holding the line, most of Virginia’s public universities are raising tuition.

Roben Farzad, host of public radio’s Full Disclosure, and All Things Considered host Craig Wright have more on what’s driving the new round of increases.

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Virginia is leaving an election data partnership it helped found

Credit: Jahd Khalil / Radio IQ

Virginia is leaving a group of states that share information about voter lists. Michael Pope reports.

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Researchers find key to quicker test for Lyme disease by studying patients with lingering symptoms

Ph.D. student Mecaila McClune (at left) has been working with Brandon Jutras to study a molecule that lingers in some people with Lyme disease. (Credit: Lee Friesland / Virginia Tech)

Some people who get Lyme disease have symptoms long after they’ve received treatment. Scientists are trying to find out why. As Roxy Todd reports, their research could also lead doctors to be able to test for Lyme disease more quickly.

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Virginia Republicans and their preference for conventions

Credit: Mallory Noe-Payne / Radio IQ

Voters across Virginia will go to the polls on June 20th for General Assembly and local primaries. But, as Michael Pope reports, only a handful of those contests will be Republican primaries.

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Critics wary of new funding for license plate readers

Who is watching the movement of your car on license plate readers in Virginia?

Michael Pope reports on the latest developments on the technology. 

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Pope & Schapiro: Republicans pick several candidates in conventions

Primaries in General Assembly races are quickly approaching. But, some Republicans have already been picked to run this fall through conventions.

Michael Pope and Jeff Schapiro – political columnist at the Richmond Times-Dispatch – talk about that and the week that was in politics and state government.

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The debate over the word “equity” in Virginia politics continues

Equity has become the latest flashpoint in Virginia politics. Michael Pope reports.

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Green Bank captures image of supermassive black hole

Illustration of what scientists believe a supermassive black hole, known as M87, may look like. This illustration was created based on radio data collected by telescopes around the world working in tandem. (Credit: S. Dagnello/NRAO/AUI/NSF)

The Green Bank observatory in West Virginia recently helped capture a new image of a supermassive black hole. As Roxy Todd explains, this image reveals new information about a mystery surrounding black holes.

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Full Disclosure Briefing: The debt ceiling

President Biden and Congressional leaders are scheduled to meet Tuesday to discuss the looming debt ceiling standoff.

Roben Farzad, host of public radio’s Full Disclosure, and Craig Wright dig into why we have a debt ceiling at all and the potential impact of a default.

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Republicans picked several candidates in conventions this past weekend

Credit: NPR

Over the weekend, Republicans selected some candidates who will be on the ballot this November. Michael Pope reports.

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Millions of dollars are on the table for Virginia to raise awareness of its red flag law

Credit: Mallory Noe-Payne / Radio IQ

Virginia has a red flag law that is supposed to help people alert authorities when someone may be a threat to themselves or others. Michael Pope reports that federal money is available to help spread awareness about the program in Virginia. 

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Support for building solar farms on top of landfills is growing in Virginia

One of the problems for the growth of solar energy in Virginia has been finding a place to put all the solar panels. Michael Pope has this report on a potential solution to the problem.

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Changing Virginia’s reputation for gun trafficking

Federal crime statistics show Virginia has a problem with gun trafficking.

Michael Pope has the details.

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Pope & Schapiro: The budget, early voting, diversity, and Youngkin’s plans for next year

Governor Glenn Youngkin’s plans for diversity and his plans for next year have been making headlines.

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

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Historic Virginia ferry to cross the James again

The Hatton Ferry can transport 11 people and two cars — or three Model-Ts. (Credit: Albemarle County Historical Society)

One of Virginia’s beloved historic attractions will reopen this weekend after a two-year hiatus.  Sandy Hausman paid a visit to the nation’s last poled ferry and filed this report.

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How one UVA student’s tech made parties safer, greener and more fun

UVA senior David Roselle set out to make events safer, greener and more fun with an app called DoorList. (Credit: Sandy Hausman)

Great ideas in business often come from personal observation – seeing problems in need of solutions. And simple ideas can make entrepreneurs rich. 

That could be the case for a UVA student who has attended plenty of events that required guests to wear wristbands. 

Sandy Hausman has his story.

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Education advocates: public funds should be for public schools

The ongoing debate over the budget has yet to be resolved. And as Michael Pope reports the latest disagreement is about public funds for private schools.

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Virginia prison chaplain pens powerful accounts of his time on death row

Authors Russ Ford (R), Todd Peppers and researcher Charles Peppers (L) (Credit: Sandy Hausman)

It’s been nearly two years since Virginia abolished the death penalty, but some people are still dealing with its consequences. 

Russell Ford was a minister who accompanied 28 men to the electric chair, and he’s written a memoir about that experience. 

He sat down with Sandy Hausman to share some of his memories.  And we should mention that some of those stories are graphic.

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Several challengers are outraising incumbents in General Assembly races

Credit: NPR

Campaign finance numbers are revealing the state of some contested races heading into the June 20 primary. Michael Pope reports.

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VMI faculty and students invent weapon to battle ticks

The tick rover picks up and kills 85-95% of the blood-sucking insects in treated areas. (Credit: VMI)

Spring is high season for ticks, and Virginia has 17 different kinds. Because they can carry Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever and other dangerous conditions, the engineering department at the Virginia Military Institute has declared war on the bugs – using a robot to do battle.  Sandy Hausman has that story.

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