A bipartisan group of Virginia lawmakers is demanding answers from the Bureau of Prisons about what they call “troubling conditions” at the two federal prisons in Virginia.

That includes one in Petersburg, where about 200 inmates have tested positive for the virus over the course of the pandemic.

According to the BOP, about 150 of the men have recovered.

Reporter Mallory Noe-Payne has been speaking to family members about conditions there and has this report. 

Voting is underway here in Virginia for the presidency, U.S. Senate and the House of Representatives. 

But there are also two issues on the ballot– proposed amendments to the state constitution. 

Sandy Hausman reports on what they would do.

In Virginia Beach, 70 teachers have resigned since August.

One educator told local officials that teachers are at a tipping point.

But as Mallory Noe-Payne reports, it’s difficult to pin down the situation statewide. 

A Senate panel has rejected efforts to allow public sector employees from getting workers compensation if they contradict COVID-19 while on the job.

Michael Pope reports.

The National Trust for Historic Preservation has named its annual list of the most endangered historic sites in the country.

As Mallory Noe-Payne reports, the list includes a place in central Virginia — the historic capital of the Monacan Indian Nation. 

Health care is poised to be one of the key issues in the presidential race this year.  

And, as Michael Pope reports, it’s also a flashpoint in the race for U.S. Senate. 

For now, Democrats in the House and Senate are deadlocked over policing reform.

Michael Pope reports on what might break the stalemate.

Lawmakers may be on the verge of approving legislation that could transform the criminal justice system in Virginia.

But, as Michael Pope reports, that’s only if lawmakers decide they can afford it.

House and Senate Democrats are united about civilian oversight of police departments.

But as Michael Pope reports, they’re divided over whether sheriff’s offices should be subjected to new review boards that can subpoena documents and fire deputies engaged in wrongdoing. 

Signs offering low cost medications for treating opioid addictions raised some questions in Martinsville. And at least one county started the school year with almost a thousand fewer students than expected.

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.

As residential college campuses become COVID-19 hot spots, Virginia’s community colleges announced Friday they’ll remain mostly online all the way through Spring semester.

Mallory Noe-Payne reports.

Friday members of a House committee advanced a bill that would make the state eligible for federal funds to help establish a work-share program.

Experts say the initiative could ultimately help save jobs in Virginia.

Cat Modlin-Jackson explains how.

Virginians can now vote in the 2020 General Election.

Absentee ballots are being sent out and voters can vote in person at their electoral office. Jahd Khalil reports early voting is getting much more attention this cycle due to the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Immigrants detained at a facility in Farmville where there was an outbreak of COVID-19 this summer are still at risk.

That’s according to a report by the Centers for Disease Control.

Mallory Noe-Payne has more. 

The family of a Charlottesville woman is speaking out today about a tragic death and the need to change how we view our doctors and nurses.

They may be heroes, but they are also human. 

Sandy Hausman reports on how the suicide of Doctor Lorna Breen could help other healthcare providers.

Click here for the Dr. Lorna Breen Heroes’ Foundation

New numbers out today from the Census show that in one year Virginia made greater gains in getting people enrolled in health insurance than any other state.

Mallory Noe-Payne reports. 

Lawmakers are debating a bill that could radically transform the criminal justice system in Virginia.

But Democrats in the House and Senate are divided over how and when to pay for it.

Michael Pope reports.

In the five weeks since Virginia became the first state to launch a COVID-19 exposure app, more than a half-million people have downloaded it.

Those are the latest numbers from the Department of Health.

Mallory Noe-Payne reports. 

A Virginia woman has gotten a painful introduction to one of the state’s few venomous caterpillars…and school buses are back on the road in one county even though they’re not carrying any students.

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.

A Senate panel has rejected a bill ending qualified immunity for law-enforcement officials.  The legal precedent shields police officers from being sued for wrongdoing.

Michael Pope reports.

This summer, tornados and intense rains have devastated some of Virginia’s tiny communities from the Atlantic Coast to mountain valleys.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency or FEMA will be increasing flood insurance premiums next year.

Homeowners are facing emotional decisions, some with hefty price tags, to adapt to the changing climate.

One option is to go high. In this three-part series, Pamela D’Angelo looks at federally-funded solutions.

Virginia’s changing climate has created a flooding problem, and not just on the coast.

In August, homeowners and small businesses in the Shenandoah Valley were hit with not one but two floods. In smaller communities, federal aid is not easy to get.

Throughout Virginia, communities are facing down climate change.

A common symptom – more frequent flooding of their homes. A common fix – state and federal funding.

But it’s not easy to get and the National Flood Insurance Program is shifting the burden to those willing to take the risk of living close to the water.

People in downtown Lynchburg are again being asked to drop coins into meters but this time it’s not for parking… And a complex set of lawsuits in Bristol could be very expensive for either the city or its utilities provider.

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.

Lawmakers are in Richmond trying to figure out how to navigate their way through the pandemic.

And, as Michael Pope reports, one proposal to put a nurse in every school is now sidelined.

Gov. Ralph Northam speaks at Tuesday’s COVID-19 response briefing. (Credit: Governor’s Office Livestream)

At his first press conference on COVID-19 in weeks, Governor Ralph Northam says he won’t be loosening any restrictions ahead of the holiday weekend.

Mallory Noe-Payne reports.

Lawmakers in Richmond are debating how much power they want to put in the hands of prosecutors and judges.

And as Michael Pope reports, even Democrats are divided on a few issues.

Complaints about parking are forcing the city of Hampton to try to figure out the difference between driveways and lawns…and the prevalence of online education is putting some school jobs in jeopardy.

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.

It took months for state officials to begin publishing the names of nursing homes with COVID-19 outbreaks.

Now, an effort to establish mandatory reporting requirements has passed both houses of the General Assembly.

Cat Modlin-Jackson has the story.

Del. Joshua Cole (Credit: House of Delegates)

With thousands of eviction cases sitting in Virginia’s courts and many more likely on the way, lawmakers are attempting to enact a suite of legislation that would prevent evictions or minimize the damage brought on in their wake.

Cat Modlin-Jackson has this report.

Between the coronavirus pandemic and increased attention on police brutality, Virginia lawmakers are trying to figure out how to distribute the state’s available money.

Thursday, a number of Delegates went before a budget committee to make their case for how to spend and save.

Cat Modlin-Jackson has more.

Lawmakers are in Richmond trying to figure out a way to help people caught up in the economic crisis.

Michael Pope reports on a plan to help with utility bills.

Rep. Bobby Scott

Virginia Congressman Bobby Scott helped Democratic Presidential nominee Joe Biden craft a stance on marijuana.  And it isn’t sitting well with the progressive wing of the party.

Correspondent Matt Laslo reports from Washington.

Lawmakers are in Richmond considering a host of criminal justice reform efforts.

As Michael Pope reports, one issue that’s about to be under consideration is allowing people to get old convictions off their records.

Posing across the street from Virginia’s capitol, demonstrators vowed to keep coming back until state prisons are improved, parole restored and good time expanded. (Credit: Sandy Hausman)

About 40 people rallied in Richmond this weekend as part of a national protest against prisons.

Sandy Hausman was there and filed this report.

Lawmakers are considering a bill that would allow some prisoners to be released early if they can demonstrate good behavior.

Michael Pope reports.

Normally Virginia voters need to cast an absentee ballot in the presence of a witness.

But a partial settlement will allow Virginians to vote absentee without a witness signature in the upcoming November election due to the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Jahd Khalil has more.

There’s a movement underway to strike the name of a slaveholder from another public place in Virginia.  But this time the man in question was not a Virginian.

And the issue of which workers deserve bonus pay during the pandemic has gone public in Virginia Beach.

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.

Police departments across Virginia may be on the verge of getting new oversight.

Michael Pope reports.

Sen. Barbara Favola (Credit: Virginia Senate Livestream)

Lawmakers are back in Richmond considering how they should handle the pandemic.

And as Michael Pope reports, one thing they’re not doing is requiring businesses to offer paid sick days, at least not yet.

The graves of Joshua and Nannie Forbes in Richmond’s Evergreen Cemetery. (Credit: Cat Modlin-Jackson)

While many are focused on removing relics of the Confederacy, people across Virginia have been working for years to memorialize volumes of history hidden under sacred ground.

Cat Modlin-Jackson has this look at what increased funds for historic African American cemeteries means to descendants.

With coronavirus spreading a concern in prisons across the country, lawmakers in Virginia are considering a plan that would allow for early release of geriatric prisoners.

Michael Pope reports.

Virginia Commonwealth University’s Siegel Center set up to host the House of Delegates. (Credit: Cat Modlin-Jackson)

In a year of historic firsts, members of the state legislature gathered in Richmond Tuesday, with senators meeting in a science museum and delegates conducting business in a basketball arena.

Months into a global epidemic and national unrest, the General Assembly’s special session kicked off with a rocky start in the House…or rather, in the arena.

Cat Modlin-Jackson has this report.

Gov. Ralph Northam

As workers, parents and students are dealing with a world of uncertainty, the costs of the coronavirus pandemic are becoming clearer in Virginia.

Tuesday, Governor Northam met virtually with leaders of the General Assembly’s money committees to discuss how to revise the budget in the face of an estimated $2.7 billion  revenue shortfall.

Cat Modlin-Jackson has the story.

Under current law, a parking pass hanging on your rear view mirror could be enough to get pulled over. (Credit: Michael Pope)

Do you have rosary beads dangling from your rear view mirror? Maybe a parking pass?

Police officers can use that as a pretext to stop you and ask to search your vehicle.

Michael Pope reports lawmakers may be about to change that.

Psychology Professor Bob Emery offers advice to couples on surviving and thriving during a pandemic. (Credit UVA)

The pandemic poses unique challenges to each of us – whether we’re single, part of a couple or family.

At the University of Virginia’s Center for Children, Families and the Law, psychologist Bob Emery is taking notes and offering advice.

Sandy Hausman spoke with him and filed this report.

Lawmakers are headed to Richmond to consider a long list of proposed criminal justice reforms.

As Michael Pope reports, one of those proposals would change how defendants are sentenced.

As some Virginia school districts prepare to re-open without students in the classroom at least one county is looking at renting out unused school buildings. And the city of Radford will limit gatherings as college students return for the fall semester.

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.

(Credit: Herndon Police Dept.)

Lawmakers are about to consider a proposal that would limit when police officers can serve warrants.

Michael Pope reports.

As a professor at UVA’s Darden School of Business, Roshni Raveendhran has studied productivity and working at home. (Credit: UVA)

With many of us now working from home, managers face a challenge – how to promote productivity when people aren’t in the office.

Some are turning to sophisticated software to track workers’ every move online.  But a business professor at the University of Virginia says that’s the wrong way to go.

Sandy Hausman spoke with her and filed this report.

Virginia is rolling out a coronavirus exposure app, the first of its kind in the country.

David Seidel explains how it works.

Protesters gather around the Lee Monument earlier this summer. (Credit: Mallory Noe-Payne)

A judge in Richmond has given state officials a victory and a blow in two court cases over the Lee statue on Monument Avenue.

The judge dismissed an earlier lawsuit Monday, while at the same time extended an injunction on a second suit.

Mallory Noe-Payne reports.