Archive for category Virginia’s News

The all-important top ballot position

Credit: Jahd Khalil / Radio IQ

Candidates across Virginia are preparing to snag a spot at the top of the ballot next week. Michael Pope explains.

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More and more Virginia school divisions are starting to unionize

The Fairfax County School Board recently approved a resolution allowing for collective bargaining among public school employees, and the Falls Church School Board is expected to follow suit sometime soon. As Michael Pope reports, school divisions across Virginia are starting to unionize. 

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Redistricting might prevent some state lawmakers from participating in budget special session

Credit: Mallory Noe-Payne / Radio IQ

Members of the General Assembly finished their legislative session without passing a budget, and they are expected to return to the Capitol soon to finish the job. But, as Michael Pope reports, all members of the legislature might not be able to participate.

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Highlighting overlooked stories across Appalachian Virginia

A walking path through a forest in southwest Virginia. (Credit: Roxy Todd / Radio IQ)

Across the Commonwealth, and the country, there have been many debates around monuments, and the stories they tell.  A new project is underway to highlight stories in southwest Virginia that have often been overlooked. Roxy Todd reports.

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Va. News: Same-day registration voting numbers, Charlottesville archeological dig

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Same-day registration and voting – used in Virginia for the first time last November – proved to be especially popular among college students. And, an archeological dig in downtown Charlottesville is producing artifacts by the hundreds.

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.

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Very few veterinarians are Black. These students are trying to change that

Kia Williams and Taylor Emery are students at the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine in Blacksburg. They recently launched a local chapter of the National Association of Black Veterinarians (SNABV). Williams is the chapter’s President. (Credit: Roxy Todd / Radio IQ)

Nationally, only about three percent of all veterinarians are Black, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Students at the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine in Blacksburg are working to change those statistics, as Roxy Todd reports.

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Earned wage access: is it a loan or not?

Are payday loans about to make a comeback in Virginia? Michael Pope has more on the possibility.

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New report: More of Virginia at risk of destructive winds from tropical systems

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The destructive force of wind from tropical weather systems poses an increasing risk to Virginia, according to a new report. Michael Pope has details.

You can see the shifting risk where you live here by typing in your street address.

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State lawmakers are still divided over SCC vacancies

Virginia’s governor is now considering a number of bills aimed at the relationship between regulators and utilities. But, as Michael Pope reports, that’s happening during a time when some key positions remain vacant.

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Pope & Schapiro: Big developments despite the 2023 session wrapping up

The 2023 General Assembly session is over, but that doesn’t mean this week wasn’t light on state government developments.

Michael Pope and Jeff Schapiro – political columnist with the Richmond Times-Dispatch – discuss the week that was.

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Governor Glenn Youngkin garners highest favorability rating in new Roanoke College poll

Virginia’s governor is enjoying some of his best poll numbers ever. Michael Pope has this report on a new survey from Roanoke College.

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Budget negotiators have some time to address education funding shortfall

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As leaders on the money committees of the General Assembly meet in private to nail down budget numbers, they will need to make a determination about how much money needs to go to schools to fix a math error from the Department of Education. Michael Pope reports.

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Education advocates: state leaders still have work to do in addressing funding shortfall

Lawmakers are still haggling over the details of the budget. And advocates say they also still need to fix a $200 million mistake.  Michael Pope explains.

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A possible breakthrough in the treatment of MS

Doctoral student Andrea Merchak and Lab Director Alban Gaultier study the impact of bile salts on laboratory mice with multiple sclerosis. (Credit: UVA)

About a million people in this country suffer from a degenerative disease called multiple sclerosis.  Treatments carry some potentially serious side effects, and there is no cure.

But scientists at the University of Virginia report a breakthrough that could someday mean recovery for people who have MS and other autoimmune disorders. From Charlottesville, Sandy Hausman reports.

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Congressman Scott is hopeful his union legislation can move forward

Congressman Bobby Scott

Virginia Congressman Bobby Scott is about to launch a new effort to protect the right to organize. And, as Michael Pope reports, it has Republican support.

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Va. News: Lacks commemoration, Loudon County honors Union hero

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A Black woman from Roanoke who died 70 years ago will be officially commemorated for her importance to medical research. And Loudon County is honoring the first Black man to fire a shot for the Union in the Civil War. 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.

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What did state lawmakers accomplish during the 2023 session?

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Lawmakers ended their session without approving a budget. But as Michael Pope reports, they were able to claim some other accomplishments.

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UVA explores link between sleep and the aging brain

Does poor sleep lead to dementia, or does dementia cause poor sleep? UVA hopes to find out. (Credit: UVA School of Nursing)

It’s not unusual for older adults to experience problems related to sleep, and one in ten people over the age of 45 report memory problems getting worse. 

At the University of Virginia’s School of Nursing, experts hope to learn how sleep and mental decline are related, and they’re looking for volunteers to take part in a study from the comfort of their own homes. 

Sandy Hausman has that story.

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House Democrats try unsuccessfully to change rules to force abortion rights vote

Democrats are trying to use a change to the rules of the House as a way to spotlight abortion protections. Michael Pope reports.

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This will be the last General Assembly session for many lawmakers

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Many members of the General Assembly will be ending their session for the last time this year. Michael Pope reports.

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State lawmakers unlikely to move forward with a marijuana marketplace this year

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Lawmakers are wrapping up their General Assembly session this year.  Michael Pope reports they are likely to leave town without taking action on creating a retail market for marijuana.

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The effort to allow a casino referendum in Petersburg is dead, but the debate rolls on

Virginia now has four casinos that are up and running or will be soon, and as Michael Pope reports, lawmakers in Richmond are debating where to put a fifth.

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Virginia House and Senate at odds over electric utility regulation

Lawmakers are wrestling with the details of how electric regulation should work and what kind of profit the utility providers should make. Michael Pope reports.

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Will state lawmakers come to a budget agreement this week?

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Members of the General Assembly are expected to end their legislative session this weekend. But, as Michael Pope reports, they might end up leaving town without passing a budget.

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Descendants of Massive Resistance victims may soon be eligible for scholarships

Governor Glenn Youngkin is considering a bill aimed at providing reparations for massive resistance. Michael Pope reports.

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Should kratom products sold in Virginia come with a warning label?

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Lawmakers are considering a bill that would require new warning labels for kratom. Michael Pope reports.

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Pope & Schapiro: A budget standoff and a looming end of session

Time is winding down on the General Assembly session – which is set to adjourn next week.

Michael Pope and Jeff Shcapiro, political columnist at the Richmond Times-Dispatch, discuss what is left on the agenda and the week that was in state politics.

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Could Virginia soon have an official pony?

Virginia may be about to get a new official state pony. Michael Pope reports.

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Who keeps watch over Virginia’s animal shelters?

Former staff and volunteers say the Charlottesville/Albemarle shelter puts dogs into closets and restrooms when space in kennels and crates runs out. (Credit: CASPCA Concerns)

There are 155 animal shelters in Virginia, all of them regulated by the state.  One is currently in the spotlight – the subject of an ongoing protest by former employees and volunteers.  Sandy Hausman reports from Charlottesville.

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Lawmakers unlikely to pass resolution acknowledging a dark chapter in Virginia history

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An effort that would’ve required Virginia to acknowledge the unethical use of Black bodies by medical institutions is on hold for now. Michael Pope explains.

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A bill creating a psilocybin advisory board has failed

Credit: DEA

Lawmakers in Richmond have legalized marijuana although they are still working on creating a retail market. Meanwhile, as Michael Pope tells us, they’re also debating the use of psychedelic mushrooms.

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Virginia leaders to FBI: Build your new headquarters here

State leaders on both sides of the aisle came together Wednesday to make a pitch for Springfield, Virginia. (Credit: Senator Mark Warner’s office)

On Wednesday, Virginia leaders from both sides of the aisle came together with one common goal – convincing the FBI to build its new headquarters in the Commonwealth. Nick Gilmore has details.

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Should bicycles be required to stop at intersections?

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Lawmakers in Richmond are debating how automobiles and bicycles can share the road. Michael Pope reports.

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A bill aimed at transgender youth is expected to die in the state Senate later this week

Lawmakers in Richmond are considering bills aimed at transgender youth. Michael Pope reports.

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A bill protecting medical workers from violence has bipartisan support

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Physicians and health providers may be about to get new protections against violence. Michael Pope explains. 

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Another bill backed by Governor Youngkin is dead for the session

Virginia’s governor may be one of the most powerful governors in the country. But, as Michael Pope reports, he still has to deal with a legislature that can derail his agenda.

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U.S. Attorney ready to go after environmental crime

U.S. Attorney Chris Kavanaugh

At the request of Attorney General Merrick Garland, the justice department is putting greater emphasis on prosecuting environmental crimes, and the U.S. Attorney for Virginia’s Western District says he’s ready. 

Sandy Hausman reports on what that will mean for our national parks, forests and communities.

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Va. News: THC edibles, “Beach Week” warning

Credit: VPAP

Virginia high school seniors are being warned to behave themselves if they plan to celebrate graduation on North Carolina’s Outer Banks this year. And alarming numbers of children in Virginia are getting sick after consuming THC edibles. 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.

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A compromise effort on prison phone calls is moving forward

Members of the General Assembly are debating a bill that would help people who are incarcerated stay connected to their families and their communities. Michael Pope reports.

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The General Assembly has a long way to go on the budget

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As lawmakers move toward the end of their General Assembly session later this month, several key lawmakers will be focused on balancing the books. Michael Pope reports.

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Pope & Schapiro: Crossover Day and the rest of the way

This week saw the halfway point of the 2023 General Assembly session come and go. Michael Pope and Jeff Schapiro, political columnist at the Richmond Times-Dispatch, discuss what lawmakers will be working on the rest of the way.

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The General Assembly debates controversial books

Lawmakers in Richmond are debating what kind of books should be allowed in public school libraries. Michael Pope has the story.

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A bill related to transgender students cleared the House, faces certain death in the Senate

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Republicans in the General Assembly are supporting two bills that transgender activists say could be dangerous. Michael Pope reports.

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State lawmakers can’t agree on which city should get a casino referendum next

Lawmakers are struggling over where to locate Virginia’s next casino. Michael Pope reports.

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A bill protecting bus drivers advances to the Virginia Senate

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Mandatory minimum sentences have been controversial for years, and Democrats have tried to give judges more autonomy to make decisions about individual cases. But Michael Pope reports there’s at least one area where Democrats want mandatory minimum sentences.

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Pope & Schapiro: Education miscalculation, crossover day and utility regulation

News of an accounting error shortchanging Virginia’s public schools sent shockwaves through Richmond this week.

Jeff Schapiro, political columnist at the Richmond Times-Dispatch, and Michael Pope discuss and the week that was in politics and state government.

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State lawmakers say Virginia needs a unified approach to gambling regulation

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Recent years have seen an explosion of legal gambling options in Virginia. And, as Michael Pope tells us, lawmakers are now talking about creating a gambling commission to oversee the industry.

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New report: Many Virginians are moving to other states and rural communities

The University of Virginia is out with another analysis of the state’s population – nearly 8.7 million people.  As Sandy Hausman reports, many of them are leaving expensive, congested areas like northern Virginia and Hampton Roads for other states or for rural communities.

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Virginia abortion-rights opponents march for the first time post-Roe

Thousands of people standing in opposition to abortion rights gathered at the Capitol today. Michael Pope reports.

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State lawmakers are scrambling to balance the budget following education accounting error

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Senior members of the money committees and the House and Senate are working to fix a budgeting mistake that has lawmakers scrambling to balance the books. Michael Pope has the latest.

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