Archive for November, 2022

State Senator Morrissey says now is the time to ban assault-style weapons

Credit: Virginia Senate livestream

The two recent mass shootings in Virginia are re-energizing the debate over preventing gun violence. And as Michael Pope reports, that’s once again raising talk about banning assault-style weapons.

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“It’s a huge loss,” remembrances pour in for Congressman Donald McEachin

Friends and colleagues of the late Richmond-area Congressman Donald McEachin are mourning the loss of their friend and reflecting on his legacy. Michael Pope reports.

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UVA, Chesapeake shootings renew calls for action on gun violence

Chesapeake officials hold a press conference on Wednesday, Nov. 23 to discuss a mass shooting at the Sam’s Circle Walmart the night before. (Credit: Ryan Murphy)

The latest mass shootings in Virginia are prompting yet another round of soul searching. 

And, as Michael Pope reports, they’ve renewed calls for action.

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Full Disclosure Briefing: Food banks face impact of inflation

Food banks often get added attention around holidays.  And they, like all of us, are dealing with the impact of inflation.

Roben Farzad, host of the Full Disclosure podcast, and Craig Wright have more on that.

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Va. News: School community complaints, Tribes reacquire land

Credit: VPAP

Two of Virginia’s indigenous tribes are working to reacquire and preserve more than a thousand acres of their ancestral lands with the help of grant money from the state. And, one of the few U.S. school systems with an ombudsman’s office says community complaints were up in the most recent school 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 with the Virginia Public Access Project.

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Congressman Bobby Scott reflects on his time as House Education and Labor Committee chair

When Republicans take control of Congress, one Virginia lawmaker will lose a key leadership position. Michael Pope reports.

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UVA nurse fights stigma surrounding lung cancer

UVA nurse Lee Ann Johnson promised her mother she would “fix” lung cancer, so she’s involved with research and fighting the stigma surrounding that disease. (Credit: UVA)

The holiday season is here, and for many people that means more time with family, but one Charlottesville woman says she can’t go home.  Instead, she’s trying to fulfil her mother’s dying wish, as Sandy Hausman reports.

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State Senator Adam Ebbin to propose new gun control legislation

After two deadly shooting incidents in Virginia, State Senator Louise Lucas is attacking the governor and lieutenant governor for failing to support stronger gun controls in the Commonwealth.  

Meanwhile, Senator Adam Ebbin is drafting legislation he’ll introduce when lawmakers meet in less than two months.  Sandy Hausman has that story.

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Pope & Schapiro: Primary season is underway

There’s an old adage that in Virginia, you’re never more than a few months away from the next election.

Jeff Schapiro, political columnist at the Richmond Times-Dispatch, and Michael Pope have more on the upcoming primary season that’s been shaken up by redistricting.

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The State Corporation Commission is in flux, as big ruling looms

Regulators in Virginia are about to make an important determination about a potential new wind power operation off the coast of Virginia Beach. Michael Pope reports.

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Several Virginia museums participating in national effort to get more people in the door

Credit: Virginia Museum of History and Culture

Looking for something to do over the holiday weekend? As Mallory Noe-Payne reports, many museums around the state offer free or reduced admissions to guests who get federal food assistance.

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The Virginia Breeze continues to exceed expectations

Credit: Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation

As many people hit the road for the Thanksgiving holiday, Virginians are taking advantage of the state’s inner-city bus service in record numbers.

In less than a year of service, a new line along I-81 from Bristol to D.C. is already exceeding expectations. Mallory Noe-Payne has details. 

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Housing advocates like some of what they’ve seen in Youngkin’s housing plan, but want to see more

Gov. Glenn Youngkin

Affordable housing might take a bigger role in the upcoming General Assembly session.

Michael Pope reports on the new plan proposed by the governor.

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Full Disclosure Briefing: Thanksgiving inflation

Many of us are putting the finishing touches on holiday menus today.

Roben Farzad, host of the Full Disclosure podcast, and Craig Wright explain how inflation is hitting the Thanksgiving table this year.

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Federal report calls for improvements in pipeline inspections and investigations

A new watchdog report says the federal government should do a better job inspecting pipelines and investigating accidents.

Michael Pope reports.

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Va. News: DNA revelations and write-in candidate success

A teenager who wasn’t on the ballot has been elected to the Timberville Town Council.  And DNA research has produced some stunning news for a Fredericksburg man.

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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Virginia lawmakers may weigh what to do about precious metal mining next session

Members of the General Assembly are getting ready for another session.

Michael Pope says one of the issues on the agenda this year is what to do about the potential mining of precious metals.

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Criticism, confusion swirl around changes to history standards

Zowee Aquino, alongside members of the Hamkae Center, spoke at Thursday’s Board of Education meeting.
(Credit: Mallory Noe-Payne)

Virginia’s Board and Department of Education continues to struggle through a divisive and confusing process of re-writing the state’s history and social studies SOL standards.

Mallory Noe-Payne was at an hours-long meeting of the Board of Education today and has this report. 

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Aging in prison: Elderly population may triple in 20 years

Last year, Virginia spent well over a billion dollars on corrections – keeping nearly 24,000 people in prison.  And the bill is about to get much bigger as that population ages. 

Sandy Hausman reports on what we can expect in the years to come and how the state is preparing to care for elderly inmates behind bars.

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Pope & Schapiro: Questions about the UVA shooting & fallout from the November election

The fallout from the November election was quickly overshadowed by the shooting at the University of Virginia.

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

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Should Virginia index its income tax to inflation?

Next month, Governor Glenn Youngkin will present his budget to the General Assembly. Michael Pope has this preview of one potential income tax issue.

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Virginia has two special elections on the horizon

Credit: NPR

The November election may be over, but voters aren’t done yet. Michael Pope has this preview of two special elections in northern Virginia and Hampton Roads.

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Virginia Republicans do some soul searching, as the next election cycle looms

After a stunning election cycle that saw Republican hopes of a red wave dashed, Michael Pope reports that the party is trying to figure out its future as another election cycle begins.

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‘My young kings are on the wrong end of it.’ Remembering the victims of the UVA shooting

(Credit: University of Virginia Athletics)

The three students who were killed at the University of Virginia Sunday night were all football players.

Mallory Noe-Payne spoke to someone who knew the victims. 

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Va. News: Voter registration and cat claws

The Virginia General Assembly will consider a bill to make de-clawing of cats illegal. And Election Day brought a surprise for some Virginia voters when they learned they’d been registered in the wrong county for decades.

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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Advocates say challenge to federal law threatens Tribal sovereignty in Virginia

(Credit: Pamela D’Angelo)

Removal of Indigenous children from their families and Tribes was stopped by Congress in 1978.

But advocates say a challenge before the U.S. Supreme Court threatens the law and the sovereignty of Virginia’s tribal nations.

Pamela D’Angelo reports.

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Pope & Schapiro: The impact of the 2022 congressional elections

The outcome of the 2022 election is settled, at least in Virginia.  So what does that mean for the future?

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

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The loss of abortion rights brought voters out to the polls this year

What issues were driving voters to the polls this year? Michael Pope takes a look.

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Southwest Virginia lab switches focus from COVID testing to genomic sequencing

Since April 2020, the Virginia Tech COVID-19 lab has processed more than 220,000 samples. The lab’s director is Carla Finkielstein, a professor at the Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at VTC. (Credit: Clayton Metz / Virginia Tech)

As more people have become vaccinated against COVID-19, testing for the virus isn’t as frequent. But, at the height of the pandemic it was vital. Mallory Noe-Payne visited a lab in southwest Virginia that played a crucial role in making testing accessible. 

As COVID vaccines and at-home tests have become more accessible, labs across the country have shifted focus from COVID testing to genomic sequencing. Mallory Noe-Payne visited one lab in Roanoke and has more on how scientists are now working to stay ahead of the curve. 

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Despite redistricting, Virginia districts largely saw lopsided margins of victory Tuesday

Credit: NPR

Although most of the attention goes to close races, Michael Pope reports that most of Virginia’s congressional seats are seeing a lopsided result.

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Republicans pick up one seat in Virginia congressional races

(Credit: David Seidel)

All but one of Virginia’s members of Congress are heading back to Washington for another term in office.

Michael Pope has more from some of the winners.

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Pope & Schapiro: Overnight analysis of Virginia’s congressional races

Republicans and Democrats alike are savoring victories in Virginia this morning.

Jeff Schapiro, political columnist for the Richmond Times-Dispatch, and Michael Pope have more on the outcome of the state’s highest-profile races.

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Virginia voters head to the polls

Sam Woolsey casts a ballot at a precinct in the Blacksburg area. (Credit: Roxy Todd)

Election Day used to be the first opportunity to cast a ballot. Now, with early voting, it’s the last chance for Virginians to vote in the races for their representatives in Congress as well as some town and city councils.

As people across the state headed to the polls Tuesday, Joe Staniunas found that many had issues of national importance on their minds.

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Full Disclosure Briefing: Economic concerns on the minds of voters

(Credit: Mallory Noe-Payne)

Economic concerns are never far from the minds of voters as they head to the polls.

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

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The 2022 election will have many, new firsts in Virginia

Credit: NPR

Election officials are gearing up for Election Day with some new rules. Michael Pope has this preview.

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Report: COVID-19 pandemic caused “unprecedented disruption” to Virginia classrooms

A new report says it will take time to reverse the learning loss fueled by the COVID-19 pandemic.

As David Seidel reports, lawmakers have a number of recommendations that could help the recovery.

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Va. News: DC Metro expansion, marijuana driving survey

Credit: VPAP

A new survey suggests Virginians may not fully recognize the risks of driving under the influence of marijuana. And, northern Virginia is finally getting its long-awaited extension of the DC Metro.

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 with the Virginia Public Access Project.

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A look at how early votes will be counted in Virginia this year

Early vote counts will work a bit differently this year. Michael Pope has this preview about what to expect after the polls close.

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Pope & Schapiro: The last days of Campaign 2022

The clock is ticking down to Election Day.  And that means candidates and election officials alike are in high gear.

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

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Craft beer is driving demand for barley. Could farmers in southwest Virginia benefit?

Dan Brann is a barley farmer in Riner, Virginia. For eight years he’s been selling barley to a malting company in Charlottesville. The barley in his hand was harvested in June and has aged in a grain silo for several months. (Credit: Roxy Todd / Radio IQ)

The craft brewing industry is driving up demand for barley- which can be used to make malt, one of the main ingredients to make beer. As Roxy Todd reports, a new effort is underway to help more farmers grow malt barley in southwest Virginia.

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Can election systems in Virginia be hacked?

Credit: NPR

Can Virginia elections be hacked? Michael Pope reports the experts say not likely.

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One man reflects on almost 30 years as an election worker in Virgini

Jimmy Whitney has served as poll worker for almost 30 years in Roanoke. (Credit: Mallory Noe-Payne)

There are more than 2,000 voting locations across Virginia. And each one is staffed by a handful of dedicated poll workers.

These folks don’t work in elections year round but choose each year to spend a day helping make democracy run.

Mallory Noe-Payne spoke with one man in Roanoke who’s been doing it for almost 30 years. 

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How does Virginia handle guns at polling places?

Early voting locations across the country have been the scene of armed poll watchers, prompting concerns about voter intimidation. Michael Pope has this report about what voters need to know if they see someone armed outside a polling place.

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Scientists say state is not ready to regulate gold mines

When a Canadian company started looking for gold in Buckingham County, area residents were alarmed. 

They knew that activity could threaten their water supply, and they asked the state legislature to step in. 

Lawmakers asked the National Academy of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine to do a report on the possible impacts of gold mining here. 

Today, the report is out, and Sandy Hausman spoke with one of its authors.

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Medicare and Social Security take center stage as midterms loom

As the final day of voting approaches, Republicans and Democrats are clashing over Social Security and Medicare. Michael Pope reports.

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FD Briefing: The Fed’s tightrope walk

The Federal Reserve seems headed toward another big interest rate hike this week.  But inflation has remained stubbornly high and the economy keeps creating new jobs.

Roben Farzad, host of the Full Disclosure podcast, and Weekend Edition host Craig Wright talk about the tightrope regulators have been walking.

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