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.

Owner Charlotte Shelton touts the taste of heritage apples. (Credit: Sandy Hausman)

When it comes to apple production, Virginia ranks sixth in the nation – well behind the leader: Washington State.

It’s worth noting, however, that farmers here offer a huge variety and our cider industry is growing.

Sandy Hausman stopped at this state’s oldest cidery to learn more about the fruit and its delectable juice.

Washington, DC isn’t the only place where controversy has arisen over whether an elected official should be removed from office…and the return of dolphins in large numbers to the Potomac River is a sign of change.

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.

  Jacob Barney and six graduate students conducted the first-ever comprehensive meta-analytic review examining the ecological impacts of invasive plants. Shown (l-r): Cody Dickinson, Ariel Heminger, Becky Fletcher, Gourav Sharma, Jacob Barney, Rachel Brooks, and Vasiliy Lakoba.
(Credit Virginia Tech)

The first comprehensive study of the effects of invasive plants on indigenous wildlife is sobering.

Researchers at Virginia Tech found that when invasive plants take over an area they actually alter the ecosystem, depleting native animals’ natural food sources.

As Robbie Harris reports, this phenomenon is a major driver of wildlife extinction. And the researchers say it’s even worse than they thought.

M. K. Miles amid phragmites at the edge of the Chesapeake Bay. (Credit: Pamela D’Angelo)

The phragmites invasion began when it hitched a ride here with European colonists.

Today, the tall reed lines Virginia’s waterways, and wetlands, taking over native habitats and clogging waterways throughout the Chesapeake Bay.

But with climate change, the pesky plant is being considered in a different way. Pamela D’Angelo reports.

(Credit SparkFun Electonics via flickr.com / CC)

Loudoun County has the world’s largest concentration of data centers. But what about Southwest Virginia?

Michael Pope reports on one economic development effort to bring data centers to coal country.

Senior scientist Patrick Megonigal showing native wetland grass outside an experimental chamber. (Credit: Pamela D’Angelo)

Scientists in Maryland have transported parts of a marsh into the next century.

They are looking at the future effects of global warming and increased carbon dioxide on wetlands around the Chesapeake Bay.

In her occasional series on climate change resilience, Pamela D’Angelo talks with some of the scientists behind the project.

Sheila Bynum-Coleman, Democrat, is taking on Speaker of the House Kirk Cox, Republican.

The national political discussion may be focused on the 2020 Presidential election… but first, here in Virginia, there’s 2019.

In a month all 140 state lawmakers are up for election.

Party control of the General Assembly is at stake.

Mallory Noe-Payne has a look at one of the most important races of the year.

Remember those work requirements Republicans insisted on before passing Medicaid expansion?

They haven’t been implemented yet. And Michael Pope reports the governor’s office is still negotiating with federal officials to strike a deal.

  Randy Jones, professor of nursing; Pat Hollen, professor emerita of nursing; Crystal Chu, graduate nursing student; and Dr. Lynn Dengel, a surgeon at the UVA Medical Center.
(Credit University of Virginia)

When actress Angelina Jolie learned she was at high risk for breast cancer, she opted to have both breasts removed and reconstructed.

Since then, many women who are not at high risk have — nevertheless – followed her lead.

Now, a PhD candidate at the University of Virginia’s School of Nursing hopes to reverse that trend as Sandy Hausman reports.

September is over. And for some parts of the state, including Danville and Bluefield, it was the driest September on record.

Mallory Noe-Payne reports if the dry spell continues, it could mean a big hit to the bottom line for many farmers.

Car-title lenders and internet lenders have stepped up their campaign contributions in recent years.

So far this election cycle the industry has given about $840,000 and more campaign cash may be on the way before Election Day.

Michael Pope explains why.