Archive for May, 2023
New data: productivity in Virginia is down, but hours worked is up
Posted by Nick Gilmore in Virginia's News on May 31, 2023
New numbers from the Bureau of Labor Statistics show a puzzling trend in Virginia’s economy. Michael Pope reports.
With a deadline looming, state lawmakers still don’t have an agreement on the budget
Posted by Nick Gilmore in Virginia's News on May 30, 2023
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.
Finding recovery from addiction by visualizing future events
Posted by dseidelvtedu in Uncategorized on May 30, 2023

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.
Full Disclosure Briefing: Cutting the cord
Posted by dseidelvtedu in Uncategorized on May 30, 2023
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.
Virginia environmental advocates concerned by U. S. Supreme Court ruling
Posted by dseidelvtedu in Uncategorized on May 26, 2023
A recent Supreme Court decision might have environmental impacts in Virginia for years to come.
Michael Pope reports.
Pope & Schapiro: Ambitions, endorsements and cabinet posts
Posted by dseidelvtedu in Uncategorized on May 26, 2023
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.
The fans and critics of Virginia data centers
Posted by Nick Gilmore in Virginia's News on May 25, 2023
Northern Virginia is the global hub of data centers. But Michael Pope tells us that notoriety is causing friction in some communities.
Some prosecutor primaries will be decided next month
Posted by Nick Gilmore in Virginia's News on May 24, 2023
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.
Parole reform wins rare bipartisan support in Virginia
Posted by Nick Gilmore in Virginia's News on May 24, 2023
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.
Partisan endorsements in nonpartisan races
Posted by Nick Gilmore in Virginia's News on May 23, 2023
Members of school boards are elected in nonpartisan elections in Virginia. But, as Michael Pope reports, that doesn’t mean the elections lack partisanship.
Full Disclosure Briefing: How Altria moves forward
Posted by dseidelvtedu in Uncategorized on May 23, 2023
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.
New report: Virginia needs to end “civil commitment”
Posted by Nick Gilmore in Virginia's News on May 22, 2023
A new report calls attention to Virginia’s practice of incarcerating people even after their sentence has been completed. Michael Pope explains.
What is the “value” of an endorsement?
Posted by Nick Gilmore in Virginia's News on May 19, 2023
As the June 20th primary approaches, candidates are receiving a series of endorsements. Michael Pope takes a look at what they mean.
Study looks at how dogs can help fight the spread of spotted lanternflies
Posted by Nick Gilmore in Virginia's News on May 19, 2023

The invasive spotted lanternfly continues to spread throughout Virginia, threatening vineyards. Researchers are training dogs to help sniff them out, as Roxy Todd reports.
Pope & Schapiro: Virginia fears of a national default
Posted by Nick Gilmore in Virginia's News on May 19, 2023
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.
Republicans and Democrats are confused by one Youngkin veto
Posted by Nick Gilmore in Virginia's News on May 18, 2023
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.
North Carolina’s abortion ban will have impacts in Virginia
Posted by Nick Gilmore in Virginia's News on May 17, 2023
North Carolina’s new abortion ban is changing the dynamic here in Virginia. Michael Pope reports.
Adult websites must verify the age of users in Virginia now
Posted by Nick Gilmore in Virginia's News on May 16, 2023
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.
Full Disclosure Briefing: College tuition increases
Posted by dseidelvtedu in Uncategorized on May 16, 2023
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.
Virginia is leaving an election data partnership it helped found
Posted by Nick Gilmore in Virginia's News on May 15, 2023
Virginia is leaving a group of states that share information about voter lists. Michael Pope reports.
Researchers find key to quicker test for Lyme disease by studying patients with lingering symptoms
Posted by Nick Gilmore in Virginia's News on May 15, 2023

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.
Virginia Republicans and their preference for conventions
Posted by Nick Gilmore in Virginia's News on May 12, 2023
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.
Critics wary of new funding for license plate readers
Posted by dseidelvtedu in Uncategorized on May 12, 2023
Who is watching the movement of your car on license plate readers in Virginia?
Michael Pope reports on the latest developments on the technology.
Pope & Schapiro: Republicans pick several candidates in conventions
Posted by Nick Gilmore in Virginia's News on May 12, 2023
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.
The debate over the word “equity” in Virginia politics continues
Posted by Nick Gilmore in Virginia's News on May 9, 2023
Green Bank captures image of supermassive black hole
Posted by Nick Gilmore in Virginia's News on May 9, 2023

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.
Full Disclosure Briefing: The debt ceiling
Posted by dseidelvtedu in Uncategorized on May 9, 2023
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.
Republicans picked several candidates in conventions this past weekend
Posted by Nick Gilmore in Virginia's News on May 8, 2023
Over the weekend, Republicans selected some candidates who will be on the ballot this November. Michael Pope reports.
Millions of dollars are on the table for Virginia to raise awareness of its red flag law
Posted by Nick Gilmore in Virginia's News on May 5, 2023
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.
Support for building solar farms on top of landfills is growing in Virginia
Posted by Nick Gilmore in Virginia's News on May 5, 2023
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.
Changing Virginia’s reputation for gun trafficking
Posted by dseidelvtedu in Uncategorized on May 5, 2023
Federal crime statistics show Virginia has a problem with gun trafficking.
Michael Pope has the details.
Pope & Schapiro: The budget, early voting, diversity, and Youngkin’s plans for next year
Posted by dseidelvtedu in Uncategorized on May 5, 2023
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.
Historic Virginia ferry to cross the James again
Posted by Nick Gilmore in Virginia's News on May 4, 2023

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.
How one UVA student’s tech made parties safer, greener and more fun
Posted by dseidelvtedu in Uncategorized on May 4, 2023

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.
Education advocates: public funds should be for public schools
Posted by Nick Gilmore in Virginia's News on May 3, 2023
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.
Virginia prison chaplain pens powerful accounts of his time on death row
Posted by dseidelvtedu in Uncategorized on May 3, 2023
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.
Several challengers are outraising incumbents in General Assembly races
Posted by Nick Gilmore in Virginia's News on May 2, 2023
Campaign finance numbers are revealing the state of some contested races heading into the June 20 primary. Michael Pope reports.
VMI faculty and students invent weapon to battle ticks
Posted by Nick Gilmore in Virginia's News on May 2, 2023

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.
Full Disclosure Briefing: Going to bat for Minor League Baseball
Posted by dseidelvtedu in Uncategorized on May 2, 2023
It’s becoming a lot more competitive to land, and especially to keep, a minor league baseball team. Case in point: Richmond and its ballpark.
Roben Farzad, host of public radio’s Full Disclosure, and Craig Wright have more on the challenge.
Governor Youngkin, his administration and the word “equity”
Posted by Nick Gilmore in Virginia's News on May 1, 2023

Since he was elected, Governor Glenn Youngkin has tried to remove the term equity from the classroom and the code. Michael Pope reports on the latest developments.
Hundreds of enslaved and free Black laborers helped build Emory & Henry. Students unearthed their buried stories.
Posted by dseidelvtedu in Uncategorized on May 1, 2023
Students at Emory and Henry College in Southwest Virginia have spent the past semester uncovering the names of hundreds of people who were enslaved at the college, before and during the Civil War.
As Roxy Todd reports, they produced a short video, meant as a memorial to those whose stories would otherwise have been overlooked.