Archive for March, 2022

Tax breaks are biggest difference between state budget negotiators, but there’s a gap in SNAP funding, too

Credit: RADIO IQ

State lawmakers return to Richmond on Monday. They’ll be there to start a special session focusing on the Budget. Jahd Khalil reports on another item they’ll have to address: money for an expanded Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, formerly known as food stamps. 

The Virginia Poverty Law Center has a SNAP calculator that can calculate whether a person qualifies for SNAP.

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How much to spend on affordable housing is another debate state lawmakers face next week

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Lawmakers are about to return to Richmond in an effort to balance the books. But, as Michael Pope reports, they’re divided over how much money to invest in affordable housing.

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Pope & Schapiro: What to expect from the special session, Miyares’ opposition to Dominion offshore wind project

Lawmakers are returning to Richmond for a special session on the budget, as teachers voice their support for equity programs and the attorney general voices his opposition to wind power.

Richmond Times-Dispatch political columnist Jeff Schapiro joins Michael Pope to break it down.

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A gas tax holiday may not lead to savings for Virginia drivers

Lawmakers will be returning to Richmond next week for a special session. And, as Michael Pope reports, one of the things they’ll be considering is a gas tax holiday.

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There continues to be a lot of debate over curriculum in Virginia classrooms

Education was a hot topic on the campaign trail last year. And, as Michael Pope reports, the issue remains at the forefront of a debate over what students should be learning in classrooms.

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How the war in Ukraine could impact Virginia agriculture

Agricultural industry figures gathered in Richmond Tuesday for the Governor’s Conference on Agricultural Trade. Jahd Khalil reports that even as they highlighted Virginia’s farm exports, the war in Europe cast its shadow on an important import. 

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Full Disclosure Briefing: War’s impact on agriculture

The war between Russia and Ukraine is impacting much more than gas prices.

Roben Farzad, host of the Full Disclosure podcast, and Craig Wright have more on the potential effect on agriculture here in Virginia and around the world.

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Education spending remains one of the biggest budget challenges for Virginia lawmakers

Lawmakers left the Capitol earlier this month without passing a budget, and House and Senate leaders remain divided on a number of issues. Michael Pope has this look at how education spending is a major budget debate heading into the special session.

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Enrollment increases in Virginia’s ‘G3’ community college programs


Spartanburg Community College welding instructor Teresa Elder (left) grades Harris during class.

One of former Governor Ralph Northam’s signature policy proposals is known as G3 — that’s an investment in community colleges that helps low-income students get in-demand work credentials at little or no cost to them.

This past fall was the first full semester of the program. And as Mallory Noe-Payne reports it bucked the trend of low-enrollment. 

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Va. News: College refugees & birds vs. buildings

College campuses are emerging as prime destinations for refugee families.  And new building designs are being developed to help save birds.

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.

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Richmond and Henrico Health Districts expand home vaccinations to all

Credit: CDC

Over 72% of Virginians are fully vaccinated against COVID-19. That number is even higher for Adults – 82%. Efforts to vaccinate the rest are continuing. Jahd Khalil tells us about a new program in Richmond. 

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Youngkin will consider hundreds of bills in the coming weeks

Credit: Jahd Khalil

The General Assembly session may be over, but the process of a bill moving from just an idea to becoming a law is far from over. Governor Glenn Youngkin still has hundreds of bills to consider, as Michael Pope reports.

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Pope & Schapiro: A new elections commissioner & Youngkin’s public pitch to budget negotiators

The negotiations to set Virginia’s budget have entered a new, rather public, phase.

Richmond Times-Dispatch political columnist Jeff Schapiro and Michael Pope have more on that.

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Just how much should Virginians pay for solar energy?

The dynamics of how solar energy will work in Virginia is far from settled. Michael Pope has this report on a debate over how much people should be charged for it.

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State lawmakers remain divided on how to best address gun violence

Credit: NPR

Governor Youngkin is urging lawmakers back to the Capitol to finish work on Virginia’s two-year budget. One item still on their to-do list is deciding the most effective way to spend millions earmarked to help reduce gun violence.

As Mallory Noe-Payne reports, Republicans and Democrats don’t agree on which state agency should oversee the funds. 

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Federal judge sides with parents of high-risk students in masking lawsuit

Credit: CDC

One of Governor Glenn Youngkin’s first moves in office was to weaken school mask mandates. Some parents and administrators quickly challenged that move in court. Reporter Jahd Khalil has this update on one lawsuit that stood out from the others. 

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Will Governor Youngkin sign a police facial recognition bill?

Police departments across Virginia may soon be using your Facebook photo to see if you are a suspect in a crime. Michael Pope reports.

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With plenty of jobs available, technical education classes are booming

Students work in the auto shop at Charlottesville-Albemarle Technical Ed Center. (Credit: Christine Kueter)

With four-year and community college enrollments on a two-year decline, technical education is emerging as a bright spot for students interested in skilled trades like carpentry, car repair, energy, and electrical work.

Christine Kueter has that story.

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Shockoe Hill African Burial Ground in Richmond gets landmark designation

The Shockoe Hill African Burial Ground as it appears today (Credit: Ryan Smith)

What may be the country’s largest burial ground for enslaved and free African-Americans is one step closer to federal recognition.

As Mallory Noe-Payne reports, the site in Richmond recently earned a spot on the Virginia Landmarks Register.

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A look at how reforms to pretrial detention are working in Virginia

Last year, Virginia made a significant reform that prevented defendants from being automatically held in detention. Michael Pope has this report on how the reform is working.

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Full Disclosure Briefing: Rising interest rates

Interest rates are starting to move higher as federal regulators try to bring inflation under control.

But will it be enough?

Roben Farzad, host of the Full Disclosure podcast, and Craig Wright talk about the impact and the potential outcomes.

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Governor Youngkin’s pick to run elections in Virginia is already proving controversial

Credit: Jahd Khalil / RADIO IQ

Virginia has a new elections commissioner who will oversee voting in the Commonwealth. Michael Pope reports the appointment comes with some controversy.

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Va. News: School board representation and tree canopies

Students are asking for more of a voice in decisions made by a Virginia school board. And Charlottesville is looking for ways to restore its tree canopy.

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.

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Partisanship marked a 2022 session without any major accomplishments

Lawmakers ended their General Assembly session without any major accomplishments. Michael Pope has this report on why.

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Virginia’s community colleges find a new leader, as Youngkin wants more focus on workforce development

Governor Glenn Youngkin and Secretary of Commerce and Trade Caren Merrick speak at a Women Business Leaders Forum on Friday March 18, 2022 in Richmond. (Credit: Jahd Khalil)

Virginia’s search for a new head of the state’s community college system ended Thursday. Jahd Khalil reports that Governor Youngkin was not pleased with the process. 

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State lawmakers must work out a $3 billion difference between House and Senate budgets

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The General Assembly session is done and dusted. But as Michael Pope reports, lawmakers are still negotiating on the budget.

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Pope & Schapiro: The new normal of overtime budget negotiations

The scheduled General Assembly session may be over, but there’s still major work to be done by legislators.

Jeff Schapiro of the Richmond Times-Dispatch and Michael Pope talk about the new normal of overtime budget negotiations.

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Virginia Tech hopes for upset in NCAA Tournament

The University of Richmond upset Iowa in the NCAA tournament Thursday.

And Virginia Tech hopes to do the same in its first-round game Friday afternoon.

Greg Echlin has more from Milwaukee.

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Virginia’s gas tax and the effort to reach a balanced budget

Credit: NPR

Gas prices across Virginia are more than four dollars a gallon. As Michael Pope reports, that has consequences for lawmakers trying to balance the budget.

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Governor Glenn Youngkin wants lawmakers to suspend the state gas tax for three months

Credit: Jahd Khalil

There are three big players in Virginia’s budget negotiations. On one side are Republicans who control the House and Governor Glenn Youngkin. On the other are Senate Democrats who held up much of the Governor’s agenda. Jahd Khalil reports on one signal about how those discussions are going. 

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Years-long battle over sacred Monacan site ends in preservation

Credit: Mallory Noe-Payne / RADIO IQ

Members of the Monacan Indian Nation declared victory Wednesday in a years-long battle to prevent construction on a sacred spot along the James River.

As Mallory Noe-Payne reports, local officials have agreed to an alternative path for a water pipeline; one that archeologists say won’t impact native burial grounds. 

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A General Assembly rejection of a cabinet pick isn’t without precedent

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Governor Glenn Youngkin’s controversial pick for Cabinet secretary was rejected by lawmakers, although he’ll be sticking around as an advisor. Michael Pope reports that this has happened only one other time in Virginia history.

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FD Briefing: Gas prices and the potential for relief

Crude oil prices dipped a bit this week, though gas prices are still at record highs in the US.

Roben Farzad, host the Full Disclosure podcast, and Craig Wright talk about what’s driving those prices and the potential for some relief.

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Virginia students could soon get some say in statewide education decisions

Public school students across Virginia may soon be getting more input into education policy. Michael Pope reports.

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The biggest budget sticking point? What to do about the standard deduction

Members of the General Assembly concluded their session without passing a budget. Michael Pope reports.

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Va. News: High-tech vegetable farm, school preservation efforts

Credit: VPAP

Efforts are underway to preserve a school built to educate Black children a century ago. And a high-tech vegetable farm will be producing its first crop near Danville later this year. 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.

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Legislators left Richmond without a budget. What happens next?

Lawmakers ended the General Assembly session Saturday.

But as Michael Pope reports, they left town without passing a budget.

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Despite some opposition, facial recognition measure moves forward

Governor Glenn Youngkin is considering a bill that would allow police departments to use facial recognition technology. Michael Pope reports.

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Pope & Schapiro: Budget negotiations and lessons from the session

The final act of this General Assembly session will likely be an agreement on Virginia’s budget.

But Jeff Schapiro of the Richmond-Times Dispatch, and Michael Pope say there’s likely to be more action even after adjournment.

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A scaled back virtual meetings bill is likely moving forward in Richmond

During the pandemic, many local governments started conducting business virtually. Now as Michael Pope reports, some of that is about to continue into the future.

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Poolside Math

Professor Ken Ono confers with Olympic medal-winner Emma Weyant about how to get faster. (Credit: RADIO IQ)

Later this month, college swim teams will take part in the NCAA Championship.  The University of Virginia is favored to win many races thanks to high-tech training and advice from one of the world’s leading mathematicians. Sandy Hausman has that story.

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Lunch debt legislation headed to Youngkin’s desk

Governor Glenn Youngkin is now considering legislation that’s passed the House and the Senate. As Michael Pope reports, one of those bills is about school lunch debt.

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‘Medical sandbox’ legislation in danger of being dropped for the year

Members of the Virginia state Senate are considering a bill that would expedite the approval process for prescription drugs and medical devices. Michael Pope reports that some senators have concerns.

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Some state lawmakers want to roll back Virginia’s new police documents law

Virginia has a new law that finally makes some police documents available to the public after the case has been closed. As Michael Pope reports, lawmakers are trying to roll that back.

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Localities and natural gas: lawmakers weigh how much power city councils should have

Lawmakers are debating how much power your local government has to prohibit fossil fuels. Michael Pope has more from Richmond.

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At Jamestown, there’s still time to see a special exhibit celebrating the resiliency of Tribes in Virginia

One of several story quilts made by Denise Lowe Walters (Nottaway) that tell the history of her Tribe. (Credit: Pamela D’Angelo)

It’s not often we have the chance to experience some of the more personal cultural treasures of Indigenous communities in Virginia.

Pamela D’Angelo reports the exhibit of them at the Jamestown Settlement in Williamsburg is open for just a few more weeks.

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Full Disclosure Briefing: The race for gambling entertainment dollars

The company that puts on the Kentucky Derby is now a player in Virginia.   In a multi-billion dollar deal, Churchill Downs will acquire the parent company of Colonial Downs and its Rosie’s Gaming locations.

Roben Farzad, host of the Full Disclosure podcast, and Weekend Edition host Craig Wright discuss the race for gambling entertainment dollars.

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Changes are on the horizon for Virginia’s Parole Board

Last year, Republicans campaigned on cleaning up the Virginia Parole Board. Now, as Michael Pope reports, they’re making some changes.

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Tax cuts and a balanced budget: it’s now or never for Virginia lawmakers

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Lawmakers are trying to balance the books before heading out of town Saturday. Michael Pope reports.

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A voting measure for some Virginia active military members has been shelved for this year’s session

The Senate is rejecting a bill that would allow some active duty military to vote in Virginia. Michael Pope reports.

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