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. 

The expiration of the federal Farm Bill is coming. And since the bill includes millions in scholarships for students at historically black land grant universities, Virginia State University’s president headed to DC this week.

Jahd Khalil reports on the U.S. House Agriculture Committee’s plans for the scholarship money.  

First it was toilet paper, then yeast, garden gnomes, and gas.

Now, as society reopens, it’s pallets that are in short supply, a behind-the-scenes commodity used to transport goods from factories and farms to distributors, retailers, and us.

Christine Kueter has that story.

Now that Republicans and Democrats have chosen their candidates for attorney general, voters are already seeing a bit of what the fall campaign season will look.

Michael Pope reports.

Charlottesville is home to this country’s only museum of art created by indigenous Australians. 

The Kluge-Ruhe has more than 2,100 paintings, ornaments and tools, but some of those objects are going home after decades in America. 

Sandy Hausman has that story.

A pandemic-related funding cut is affecting some victims of domestic abuse in Virginia.  And Petersburg has had -no- success in trying to get rid of an abandoned hotel.

Those have been among the most read stories over the past week at the Virginia Public Access Project’s V-A News link.

More now from Fred Echols.

Tuesday’s primaries for House of Delegates were unusually competitive for incumbents.

Five lost the nomination for their current seats.

Jahd Khalil has more. 

With Tuesday’s primaries now decided, the general election is already in high gear.

Michael Pope reports on the race for governor.

The Supreme Court of Virginia heard arguments Tuesday from people hoping to block the removal of the Lee Monument from the former Capital of the Confederacy.

Brad Kutner has more from Richmond.

The Virginia Theological Seminary has begun paying annual reparations to the descendants of slaves who built it.  And public water in a Northern Virginia neighborhood is so discolored people are afraid to use it.

Those have been among the most read stories over the past week at the Virginia Public Access Project’s V-A news link.

More now from Fred Echols.

We know that being outside is one of the safest activities during Covid-19.  But last year, restrictions forced most long-distance hikers off the Appalachian Trail.

This year though, they are back probably above pre-pandemic levels.

Jahd Khalil hiked parts of the AT to find out why so many people are on the trail this year.  

The five Democrats running for governor in next week’s primary met for one final debate Tuesday night.

Michael Pope has a recap.

A state-ordered investigation into Virginia Military Institute found institutional racism and sexism are “present, tolerated, and left unaddressed.”

David Seidel says the report’s authors also accuse school administrators of trying to derail the investigation.

As public swimming pools re-open they’re finding it’s not quite so simple as just unlocking the gates. And a group of determined high school students refused to let the pandemic get in the way of their spring musical.

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.

Televised debates often make a splash when a candidate makes a gaffe.

But sometimes it’s the moderator that draws all the attention, as Michael Pope reports.

Virginians are remembering a political giant.

Former U. S. Senator John Warner died Tuesday night at age 94.

David Seidel has more on his life and career.

As the moratorium on evictions draws to a close at the end of next month, many renters are wondering what happens next.

Michael Pope reports.

A state lawmaker is trying to limit the costs of FOIA requests.  And Roanoke is the first city in the Commonwealth to enact a tax on plastic shopping bags.

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’s been a week since Governor Ralph Northam brought Virginia’s Mask guidance in line with the CDC’s. That meant vaccinated people wouldn’t have to wear masks inside in most situations.

Jahd Khalil spoke to a legal expert on how vaccination status could be verified by businesses. 

The Democratic candidates for governor are heading into the final stretch of the primary campaign, and they’re making their closing arguments to voters.

Michael Pope reports.

A new program hopes to connect people in need of rent relief with money that’s already here in Virginia.

Michael Pope explains how.

The Democratic Primary is less than three weeks away, and so far officials say the turn-out for early voting is low.

Sandy Hausman spoke with one expert who is dismayed by the numbers.

The era of virtual government is about to draw to a close, at least at Virginia’s state capitol.

Michael Pope reports.

Now that businessman Glenn Youngkin has secured the Republican nomination for governor, Democrats and Republicans are both trying to create a narrative around a candidate many voters have never heard of.

Michael Pope reports.

Last year, the pandemic forced Indigenous tribes in Virginia to cancel festivals and powwows.

With vaccines, safety protocols, and celebrations taking place outdoors, tribes are making their way back to community events.

Jamestown kicked the effort off with its first Indigenous Arts Day. Pamela D’Angelo was there.

Predicting population growth is a tricky game.

But one Virginia institution has become the go-to source for state population predictions.

Michael Pope reports. 

A community group dedicated to reducing gun violence is looking for more volunteers and more financial support. And the latest numbers show some changes in the list of most popular baby names in Virginia.

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 lifted the indoor mask mandate for most settings a short time ago/Friday afternoon.

Virginia will also end COVID-19 mitigation measures on May 28th.

Jahd Khalil has more. 

Lyme disease is on the rise.  Higher global temperatures are part of the problem, helping ticks thrive. 

But it turns out, the infamous black legged deer tick that carries Lyme bacteria in North America, has a secret weapon that scientists have just identified. 

Robbie Harris reports.

Senators Mark Warner and Tim Kaine are urging the Biden administration to take action to help Virginia whiskey makers.

Michael Pope explains why.

Republicans now have a slate of candidates to head into the fall election season.

And, as Michael Pope reports, you might not have heard their names before.

Republicans are heading into the fall election with a relatively unknown candidate for governor.

Michael Pope reports.

The drama during past Republican nomination contests has played out on the convention floor over hours.

Jahd Khalil reports that this year it’s being measured in rounds.

Republican officials are adding up the convention votes cast in about 40 different polling places over the weekend.

Some of the voters from the 6th Congressional District shared their views on the process with Joe Staniunas.

Foraging for ramps has become a popular, and risky, pastime. And a spacecraft flown long ago in a galaxy far away is in Virginia getting ready for its debut.

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.

Voting has already started for the June Democratic primary, and candidates for governor are moving toward the close of the campaign.

Michael Pope has more from their most recent debate.

In 2019, the state was rocked by two separate blackface scandals.  

Now, as Michael Pope reports, those scandals are playing out in the statewide Democratic primary.

Republicans are getting ready for a multi-location convention, when they’ll select their candidates for statewide office.

As Michael Pope reports, don’t expect results for a few days.

A new plan for in-person education seems to be working well in one of the country’s biggest school systems… And a group from UVA is hoping inmates at the regional jail will benefit from studying Russian literature.

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’s minimum wage will increase on Saturday to $9.50 an hour.

Economists say the trade off to higher wages could be higher unemployment. But Jahd Khalil reports if that happens it might not be for a while. 

Do local governments have a financial incentive for their police officers to make traffic stops?

Michael Pope reports.

For weeks, groups aligned with Republican candidates have been attacking other Republican candidates for governor.

But now, as Michael Pope reports, Democrats are getting involved.

As Amtrak marks its 50^th anniversary Friday, Virginia may be on the verge of finally accomplishing a dream that’s been years in the making– expanding passenger rail into the New River Valley.

Michael Pope reports.

Two new reports suggest Virginia schools are increasingly segregated by race and economic status. 

Sandy Hausman reports for many kids that means less access to educational opportunities.

Virginia education officials are working to reassure families that they aren’t doing away with accelerated math courses.

Jahd Khalil reports on what is going on. 

Scientists at the University of Virginia report what may be an important medical breakthrough. 

Laboratory testing shows the use of two cheap oral drugs can treat a common form of anemia that causes fatigue, headaches and dizziness in millions of patients. 

Sandy Hausman has that story.

The CDC is keeping a nervous eye on COVID-19 – watching for genetic changes that could mean a more dangerous form of the coronavirus is around. 

The analysis is time-consuming, so scientists in Atlanta can only check a small percentage of the cases being diagnosed, but they’re getting help from Virginia as Sandy Hausman reports.

Running for office usually requires a lot of fundraising.

But as Michael Pope reports, sometimes it also involves writing a check to finance your own campaign. 

Virginia will soon be home to one of the largest greenhouses on the east coast. And with changes in marijuana laws this summer many drug sniffing dogs will be headed for retirement.

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.