It’s the morning after the first debate in the 2021 campaign for governor.

As the campaigns spin winners and losers, Jeff Schapiro of the Richmond Times-Dispatch and Michael Pope have some analysis.

The major-party candidates for governor squared off in the first of two debates Thursday night.

Michael Pope has a wrap up.

Virginia Tech is expanding its footprint in northern Virginia, a project that may end up transforming the region by creating a pipeline for careers in technology.

Michael Pope reports.

A federal judge will decide whether online critics of a pipeline project can remain anonymous.   And police in Fredericksburg will explore a new way of dealing with mental health emergencies.

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 employers grapple with new vaccination requirements, one Virginia congressman has a proposal that would create a new mandate for many travelers.

Michael Pope has the story.

Labor Day is traditionally the start of the final sprint in the campaign season.

Jeff Schapiro of the Richmond Times-Dispatch and Michael Pope discuss the status of the campaign for governor and more.

Registrars across Virginia are purging voter rolls of inactive voters.

And, as Michael Pope reports, advocates are concerned that might disenfranchise some voters.

The Supreme Court’s recent decision to allow a Texas abortion law to stand has turned up the heat in the race for governor in Virginia.

Michael Pope explains why.

Seven Black men executed for rape 70 years ago have been pardoned. And a Virginia high school is among the first in the nation to require COVID-19 vaccinations for athletes.

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.

You might be planning a hike or camping trip for this Labor Day weekend. 

Reporter Jahd Khalil enjoys the outdoors, and he’s not the only one. 

The new political boundaries for the General Assembly and Congress will have an important change because of how incarcerated people are counted.

Michael Pope explains.

The Republican running for governor unveiled a big campaign reset this week.  But one old issue also resurfaced.

Jeff Schapiro of the Richmond Times-Dispatch and Michael Pope discuss those developments in their weekly chat about politics and state government.

Tuesday morning, Governor Ralph Northam pardoned seven Black men who were executed in 1951 for the rape of a white woman in Martinsville.

After the announcement, Jahd Khalil spoke with some of the people advocating for the posthumous clemency. 

Now that the federal eviction moratorium is over, many advocates are worried about what will happen in the next few weeks.

Michael Pope reports.

Possible new regulations have pet owners in Waynesboro upset.  And the head of the Virginia Department of Corrections says he needs more money for staffing.

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.

Are Virginia taxpayers willing to pay more?

Michael Pope reports on a new poll from Virginia Commonwealth University that asks that question.

Several polls this week gave a clearer view of the landscape in the race for governor.

Jeff Schapiro of the Richmond Times Dispatch and Michael Pope discuss the implications of that and more.

A long running legal fight over transgender students’ rights to use the restroom aligned with their gender identity has come to a costly end for one rural Virginia county.

Brad Kutner has more.

The Virginia Redistricting Commission has 45 days to draw new state legislative maps, starting Thursday.

An unintended hot-mic moment demonstrates how important it is for communities to speak up. But Jahd Khalil reports the commission has been criticized for its efforts to reach out to them.

Finding housing is an issue for many Virginians, but it’s also presenting an issue for the organizations trying to resettle some of the Afghans coming to the US on special immigrant visas.

Jahd Khalil spoke with a Virginia refugee advocate.

One Virginia city has made some zoning changes as college students return. And a young man from Lynchburg will have quite a story to tell his classmates in kindergarten.

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.

The race for governor is tightening up.

Michael Pope reports on new polling data that shows the race is closer than ever.

Roanoke College Poll

VCU Wilder School Poll

The Wildlife Center of Virginia recently returned three bald eagles to the wild – the last of them in Grottoes’ Grand Caverns Park. 

The recovery of our national bird could be the best conservation story in Virginia, but there’s one thing we must do to ensure their future, as Sandy Hausman reports.

Population changes and voting districts have been in this week’s political headlines.

Jeff Schapiro of the Richmond Times Dispatch and Michael Pope break down the potential impacts of the Census and redistricting.

Tenants across Virginia who are having a hard time making ends meet are about to get some temporary relief.

But, as Michael Pope reports, many people fear what could be coming when those protections expire.

A quick crackdown on masks and the quick confirmation of 8 judges got the attention of the state’s political circles.

Jeff Schapiro of the Richmond Times-Dispatch and Michael Pope talk about this week’s action.

You’ve heard it before. Virginia’s coasts are sinking as sea levels rise and oceans warm, leading to bigger, more frequent weather events and flooding.

The state is now collecting stories from those now bearing the brunt of these changes.

Pamela D’Angelo reports.

Virginia could issue a license plate honoring a Black-owned newspaper that campaigned for racial justice a century ago. And Martinsville City Council has asked the governor to posthumously commute the death sentences of seven Black men executed decades ago.

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.

Governor Ralph Northam did not issue a mask mandate for schools in Virginia.

Instead he argued that legislation passed earlier this year requires masks.

Jahd Khalil has this report about mitigation and litigation.

Members of the House of Delegates and state Senate have struck a deal to spend billions of dollars of stimulus money.

Michael Pope the latest on the negotiations. 

Lawmakers are making progress in a special session to spend federal stimulus money and appoint new appeals court judges.

Jeff Schapiro of the Richmond Times Dispatch and Michael Pope discuss what’s been done so far.

Governor Ralph Northam took a big step Thursday afternoon, requiring state employees to get vaccinated or submit to regular testing.

Jahd Khalil has the details.

The commissioners who will redraw Virginia’s voting districts have said in a number of ways that they still don’t have the help they need, or enough time, to complete their work.

Jahd Khalil reports those concerns were evident at the meeting Tuesday. 

It’s now legal in Virginia to possess small amounts of marijuana, but the only way to get it legally is to essentially grow your own. 

That’s given a big boost to business at local nurseries and garden stores as Sandy Hausman reports.

Lawmakers are back in Richmond for a special session.

And as Michael Pope reports, a Republican effort to end the extended unemployment benefit during the pandemic may get some unexpected support.

An international non-profit is helping a small southwest Virginia town create its first park… And cases involving people with mental health issues may soon be heard in a special court in the Shenandoah Valley.

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 return to the Capitol next week for a special session to spend federal stimulus money and appoint judges to an expanded appeals court.

Richmond Times Dispatch columnist Jeff Schapiro and Michael Pope break it all down for us in a new weekly conversation about Virginia politics and government.

Lawmakers are about to appoint a half dozen new appeals court judges.

Michael Pope reports many legislators want to add some diversity to the bench.

The Virginia Redistricting Commission is about to start drawing new political boundaries for the Commonwealth.

And Michael Pope reports they’re getting an earful.

Almost 50,000 families have gotten rent relief since July of last year.

Jahd Khalil reports that even though Virginia may be doing better than other states, many families are still at risk.

Lawmakers are getting ready for a special session to determine how to spend more than four billion dollars of federal stimulus money.

But as Michael Pope reports, some lawmakers are worried they won’t be able to offer much input.

Lawmakers will be back in Richmond next week to figure out how to spend more than four billion dollars of federal stimulus money.

As Michael Pope reports, they’ll also elect several new judges.

The air children breathe in schools has always been important, but during COVID-19 that importance is especially obvious.

With billions of Federal money coming into Virginia, Governor Ralph Northam proposed a good chunk of that to improve ventilation systems in schools.

Jahd Khalil was in Hopewell for the announcement.

Rockets have been launched from Virginia’s Wallop’s Island for years. Now they may also be made in Virginia.  And five Virginia community colleges are changing their names.

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.

Preventing gun violence is near the top of the agenda for many voters. 

And as Michael Pope explains, it’s already becoming a hot topic in the campaign for governor.

A group that provides free medical services in far Southwestern Virginia has brought advanced COVID-19 treatments to the region. And a Virginia law that requires police to compile data on traffic stops has produced some enlightening information.

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 Congress moves toward approval of a bill to rebuild roads, bridges and water systems in this country, the nation’s civil engineers are calling for billions of dollars to repair aging dams. 

Sandy Hausman reports on four in Virginia that could pose risks to the public.   

Starting July 1st thousands of more Virginians will be eligible for food assistance.

Jahd Khalil has this report on the new requirements and who can qualify. 

Thousands of Virginians with unpaid medical bills are having those debts wiped out. And people in several Virginia counties are being asked not to feed wild 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.

Virginia is on the cusp of reaching President Biden’s goal for Covid-19 vaccinations.

69.6% of adults in the state have gotten at least one dose. Biden wanted 70% to have one by the Fourth of July.

Jahd Khalil reports on the shots that come after this goal.