Archive for category Virginia’s News
The momentum around banning solitary confinement in Virginia continues to grow
Posted by Nick Gilmore in Virginia's News on January 27, 2023
Once again, lawmakers in Richmond are talking about banning the practice of holding incarcerated people in solitary confinement. But, as Michael Pope reports, this year the effort has new momentum.
Where will Virginia’s next casino project end up?
Posted by Nick Gilmore in Virginia's News on January 27, 2023
Lawmakers are about to roll the dice on casinos, and a bill to allow for a referendum in Petersburg has already cleared an early hurdle. Michael Pope has the story.
State lawmakers consider regulations for payday lending apps
Posted by Nick Gilmore in Virginia's News on January 26, 2023
Opponents of payday lending are worried about a bill making its way through the House of Delegates. Michael Pope explains why.
It doesn’t look likely state lawmakers will expand ranked choice voting this year
Posted by Nick Gilmore in Virginia's News on January 25, 2023
Lawmakers will be on the ballot this year and, as Michael Pope tells us, they’ll also be making decisions about how the ballot is organized.
State lawmakers are debating several bills related to public school libraries
Posted by Nick Gilmore in Virginia's News on January 24, 2023
Public school libraries are the focus of several bills in the General Assembly this year. Michael Pope reports.
High school students launch drive to supply period products
Posted by Nick Gilmore in Virginia's News on January 24, 2023

Three years ago, Virginia’s legislature voted to make free tampons and pads available to girls in middle and high school, but the measure did not provide money for that expense.
Now, young women in Albemarle County have mobilized to ensure access to period products, as Sandy Hausman reports.
Smart thermostat legislation cools in Virginia Senate
Posted by Nick Gilmore in Virginia's News on January 23, 2023
Gun control legislation moves forward in Virginia Senate, faces tough odds in the House
Posted by Nick Gilmore in Virginia's News on January 23, 2023
Lawmakers in Richmond are not expected to pass any new legislation to crack down on gun violence this year. But, as Michael Pope tells us, that doesn’t mean they won’t try.
Senate committee strikes down several abortion-related bills
Posted by Nick Gilmore in Virginia's News on January 20, 2023
Governor Glenn Youngkin campaigned on a platform of limiting abortions with a 15-week ban. But Democrats in the Senate are rejecting any new restrictions. Michael Pope reports.
Efforts to roll back voting access have already been struck down
Posted by Nick Gilmore in Virginia's News on January 20, 2023
Virginia Senators defeat effort to further cut the grocery tax, House bills remain
Posted by Nick Gilmore in Virginia's News on January 18, 2023
Last year, members of the General Assembly got rid of the state portion of the grocery tax. Now, as Michael Pope reports, lawmakers are considering several bills to get rid of the rest of it.
Some lawmakers want to limit data center spread
Posted by Nick Gilmore in Virginia's News on January 17, 2023
Loudoun County is known throughout the world for its concentration of data centers, although as Michael Pope reports several lawmakers are trying to prevent them from spreading out into new areas.
Could Virginia drop voter drop boxes?
Posted by Nick Gilmore in Virginia's News on January 17, 2023
In the last few years, Virginia has made many changes to how elections work. Michael Pope has this report on efforts to roll back some of those changes.
An effort to punish drug dealers in fatal overdose cases may already be over
Posted by Nick Gilmore in Virginia's News on January 16, 2023
The governor wants to crack down on dealers who supply drugs that result in fatal overdoses. But, Michael Pope reports some recovery advocates fear that might backfire.
Va. News: Rare Virginia postage stamp, rural hospitals in trouble
Posted by Nick Gilmore in Virginia's News on January 16, 2023
Hospitals in rural Virginia are facing an uncertain financial future. And, a 10-cent postage stamp made in Virginia is expected to sell for quite a bit more than that at auction in New York.
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.
An effort to ban solitary confinement in Virginia is moving forward
Posted by Nick Gilmore in Virginia's News on January 13, 2023
Lawmakers in Richmond are considering a bill that would prohibit people who are incarcerated from being held in solitary confinement. Michael Pope has the story.
Federal authorities making headway in drug battle, but stress continued public health threat
Posted by Nick Gilmore in Virginia's News on January 12, 2023
The drug war continues in Virginia, with the U.S. Attorney for the Western District declaring two victories, but conceding fentanyl and other narcotics are still a major threat to public health. Sandy Hausman has that story.
Abortion will be a hot topic in Richmond this year, just don’t expect much to change
Posted by Nick Gilmore in Virginia's News on January 12, 2023
The 2023 General Assembly session is now underway
Posted by Nick Gilmore in Virginia's News on January 11, 2023
Lawmakers are back in Richmond for the 2023 General Assembly session. And as Michael Pope reports, sparks are already flying.
Changes to Virginia’s behavioral health system will be a major focus of this year’s session
Posted by Nick Gilmore in Virginia's News on January 10, 2023
Lawmakers will return to Richmond Wednesday, where they will be debating hundreds of bills. As Michael Pope tells us, one issue that is likely to be central to the General Assembly session is transforming Virginia’s behavioral health system.
What impacts could special elections have on this year’s General Assembly session?
Posted by Nick Gilmore in Virginia's News on January 9, 2023
Voters in three parts of Virginia will be heading to the polls Tuesday to select new members of the General Assembly. Michael Pope reports.
General Assembly may expand remedial reading program to middle schools
Posted by Nick Gilmore in Virginia's News on January 9, 2023
Kids who were in kindergarten when the pandemic hit will enter fourth grade next year, and many still struggle with reading. Sandy Hausman reports that lawmakers in Richmond will consider a bill to help those students catch up.
Virginia lawmaker calls for roll-back of electric car legislation over cobalt mining
Posted by Nick Gilmore in Virginia's News on January 9, 2023
A lawmaker from Virginia Beach is attacking the requirement that more electric cars be sold here because he says a component of their batteries is mined by slave labor. Sandy Hausman reports.
The governor wants to cut “unnecessary regulations,” but could that hurt housing development?
Posted by Nick Gilmore in Virginia's News on January 5, 2023
Lawmakers are about to return to Richmond for the General Assembly session, and one of the items they’ll be talking about is expanding the stock of new housing. Michael Pope has this preview.
Youngkin touts tax plan, pushing for $1 billion in cuts
Posted by Nick Gilmore in Virginia's News on January 5, 2023

Governor Glenn Youngkin is pushing for an additional one billion dollars in tax relief. He touted his plan during a stop in Salem earlier today/Thursday. Nick Gilmore reports.
One Virginia lawmaker wants to raise jury pay
Posted by Nick Gilmore in Virginia's News on January 4, 2023
By law, employers in Virginia don’t have to pay workers if they are called to serve on a jury, and compensation to serve on one is low.
One lawmaker hopes to change that when the General Assembly convenes later this month. Sandy Hausman has that story.
A look back at the 1998 struggle to elect a Speaker of the House in Virginia
Posted by Nick Gilmore in Virginia's News on January 4, 2023

Congress doesn’t have a stranglehold on drama when it comes to electing a speaker. Back in 1998, the Virginia House of Delegates had a tense standoff that lasted several hours. Michael Pope has this look back.
Should Richmond or Petersburg get a casino? Lawmakers will soon decide
Posted by Nick Gilmore in Virginia's News on January 3, 2023
Lawmakers are about to make an important decision about the future of casinos in Virginia. Michael Pope reports.
Full Disclosure Briefing: What does 2023 hold for the housing market?
Posted by Nick Gilmore in Virginia's News on January 3, 2023
The calendar now says 2023. What will this year look like for the housing market? Roben Farzad – host of public radio’s Full Disclosure – and Craig Wright discuss.
Advocates say mental health push needs separate teams for separate issues
Posted by Nick Gilmore in Virginia's News on January 2, 2023
Lawmakers are about to consider massive new changes to Virginia’s mental health system. But, as Michael Pope reports, part of the discussion will be about isolating the problem.
Saving Northern Neck Ginger Ale
Posted by Nick Gilmore in Virginia's News on January 2, 2023

In Virginia’s Northern Neck, thousands have come together in support of one thing – ginger ale. Coca Cola purchased a beloved, local brand in 2001, but stopped producing it 20 years later. Now, the locals want it back, as Sandy Hausman reports.
Full Disclosure Briefing: A look back at the year that was
Posted by Nick Gilmore in Virginia's News on December 27, 2022
2022 is quickly drawing to a close.
Roben Farzad – host of public radio’s Full Disclosure – and Weekend Edition host Craig Wright discuss the events of the year that was, their economic impact and what lies ahead in 2023.
Va. News: Llama-at-large, Warm Springs bathhouse finally reopens
Posted by Nick Gilmore in Virginia's News on December 26, 2022
The historic bathhouse at Warm Springs is finally open again after more than a year of renovation work. And, a llama-at-large in Fairfax County provided quite a challenge for police before they finally got her back home.
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 VPAP.
Should Virginia localities be able to require a license to own pets?
Posted by Nick Gilmore in Virginia's News on December 26, 2022
The Virginia General Assembly is about to go to the dogs. Michael Pope has this preview.
What the future holds for Richmond’s former Confederate monuments
Posted by Nick Gilmore in Virginia's News on December 23, 2022

Richmond removed the last of its Confederate monuments earlier this year. Heading into 2023, Mallory Noe-Payne has this look at what the future holds for all of the city’s statues now that they’ve come down.
Pope & Schapiro: A gift for Jennifer McClellan in Virginia’s 4th District
Posted by Nick Gilmore in Virginia's News on December 23, 2022
Voters in the 4th Congressional District have given a gift to one state Senator.
Jeff Schapiro, political columnist at the Richmond Times-Dispatch, and Michael Pope recap the week that was in politics and state government.
Analysts: opt-in, automatic absentee ballots could be the difference in close races
Posted by Nick Gilmore in Virginia's News on December 22, 2022
Recent changes to voting might also have an influence over the outcome in close races. Michael Pope reports.
120,000 Virginians quit their jobs in October
Posted by Nick Gilmore in Virginia's News on December 21, 2022
New economic numbers are showing a rising number of people in Virginia quitting their jobs. Michael Pope reports that the Great Resignation is still underway in the Commonwealth.
Richmond receives grant for Shockoe Bottom history site
Posted by Nick Gilmore in Virginia's News on December 20, 2022

Richmond’s efforts to commemorate and educate about the city’s role in the domestic slave trade have received a large financial boost: 16 million dollars from the Mellon Foundation’s Monuments Project. As Mallory Noe-Payne reports, the largest chunk will go towards the creation of a new interpretive center.
Full Disclosure Briefing: Employers and the struggle to get workers back in the office
Posted by Nick Gilmore in Virginia's News on December 20, 2022
While unemployment numbers are low, there are several industries that are having a hard time getting employees back into their workplaces.
Roben Farzad, host of public radio’s Full Disclosure, and Weekend Edition host Craig Wright discuss how employers are feeling about that.
Previewing the 4th District Democrat firehouse primary
Posted by Nick Gilmore in Virginia's News on December 19, 2022
Democrats in Virginia’s 4th District – which includes part of the Richmond area – will head to the polls Tuesday to select a candidate for the special election to replace former Congressman Donald McEachin, who died last month. Michael Pope has a preview.
Roanoke unveils drawings of future Henrietta Lacks statue
Posted by Nick Gilmore in Virginia's News on December 19, 2022
The story of Henrietta Lacks became a best-selling book and a film. Now, the African American woman, whose cancer cells have been used in medical research for 70 years, will soon have a statue in her hometown. The design was unveiled Monday in downtown Roanoke.
Joe Staniunas reports.
Poll: Virginians feel just as safe after criminal justice reforms
Posted by Nick Gilmore in Virginia's News on December 19, 2022
A new poll shows voters support recent changes to criminal justice in Virginia. Michael Pope has the details.
Va. News: Northern Neck Ginger Ale, exotic animal laws
Posted by Nick Gilmore in Virginia's News on December 19, 2022
A Virginia-made soft drink that achieved icon status among its followers has now been out of production for more than two years, but its fans are still working to bring it back. And, recent issues involving exotic animals have one Virginia county looking to change its pet ownership laws.
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 VPAP.
Governor Youngkin announces new task force to help with temporary detention orders
Posted by Nick Gilmore in Virginia's News on December 12, 2022
Governor Glenn Youngkin is creating a new task force aimed at addressing the mental health crisis in Virginia. Michael Pope reports.
Virginia will soon get even more money for expanding broadband access
Posted by Nick Gilmore in Virginia's News on December 12, 2022
Virginia is about to receive another infusion of money to help expand access to the internet. Michael Pope reports.
Va. News: Bay ship accident investigation, bypassed candidates
Posted by Nick Gilmore in Virginia's News on December 12, 2022
The Coast Guard says the pilot of a ship that ran aground in the Chesapeake Bay was distracted by his phone just before the accident. And, thousands of Virginians by-passed the candidates on the ballots in the recent mid-term elections – writing in alternative choices, human and otherwise.
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 VPAP.
Virginia’s 60 and older population is growing; what does that mean for aging in place?
Posted by Nick Gilmore in Virginia's News on December 9, 2022
New research from the University of Virginia is shining a light on aging in place. Michael Pope has the details.
Lawyers representing youth in Virginia climate change lawsuit say they’ll appeal
Posted by Nick Gilmore in Virginia's News on December 9, 2022
A climate change lawsuit on behalf of 13 young people in Virginia was recently dismissed, but lawyers and plaintiffs say, they will appeal that decision. Roxy Todd has more.
The strange phenomena of rising wages and layoffs
Posted by Nick Gilmore in Virginia's News on December 7, 2022
Many workers in Virginia are making more money. But, as Michael Pope reports, that’s only if they can keep their jobs.