Archive for category Virginia’s News
A gas tax holiday may not lead to savings for Virginia drivers
Posted by Nick Gilmore in Virginia's News on March 30, 2022
Lawmakers will be returning to Richmond next week for a special session. And, as Michael Pope reports, one of the things they’ll be considering is a gas tax holiday.
There continues to be a lot of debate over curriculum in Virginia classrooms
Posted by Nick Gilmore in Virginia's News on March 29, 2022
Education was a hot topic on the campaign trail last year. And, as Michael Pope reports, the issue remains at the forefront of a debate over what students should be learning in classrooms.
How the war in Ukraine could impact Virginia agriculture
Posted by Nick Gilmore in Virginia's News on March 29, 2022
Agricultural industry figures gathered in Richmond Tuesday for the Governor’s Conference on Agricultural Trade. Jahd Khalil reports that even as they highlighted Virginia’s farm exports, the war in Europe cast its shadow on an important import.
Education spending remains one of the biggest budget challenges for Virginia lawmakers
Posted by Nick Gilmore in Virginia's News on March 28, 2022
Lawmakers left the Capitol earlier this month without passing a budget, and House and Senate leaders remain divided on a number of issues. Michael Pope has this look at how education spending is a major budget debate heading into the special session.
Richmond and Henrico Health Districts expand home vaccinations to all
Posted by Nick Gilmore in Virginia's News on March 25, 2022
Over 72% of Virginians are fully vaccinated against COVID-19. That number is even higher for Adults – 82%. Efforts to vaccinate the rest are continuing. Jahd Khalil tells us about a new program in Richmond.
Youngkin will consider hundreds of bills in the coming weeks
Posted by Nick Gilmore in Virginia's News on March 25, 2022
Just how much should Virginians pay for solar energy?
Posted by Nick Gilmore in Virginia's News on March 24, 2022
The dynamics of how solar energy will work in Virginia is far from settled. Michael Pope has this report on a debate over how much people should be charged for it.
State lawmakers remain divided on how to best address gun violence
Posted by Nick Gilmore in Virginia's News on March 24, 2022
Governor Youngkin is urging lawmakers back to the Capitol to finish work on Virginia’s two-year budget. One item still on their to-do list is deciding the most effective way to spend millions earmarked to help reduce gun violence.
As Mallory Noe-Payne reports, Republicans and Democrats don’t agree on which state agency should oversee the funds.
Federal judge sides with parents of high-risk students in masking lawsuit
Posted by Nick Gilmore in Virginia's News on March 24, 2022
One of Governor Glenn Youngkin’s first moves in office was to weaken school mask mandates. Some parents and administrators quickly challenged that move in court. Reporter Jahd Khalil has this update on one lawsuit that stood out from the others.
Will Governor Youngkin sign a police facial recognition bill?
Posted by Nick Gilmore in Virginia's News on March 23, 2022
Police departments across Virginia may soon be using your Facebook photo to see if you are a suspect in a crime. Michael Pope reports.
A look at how reforms to pretrial detention are working in Virginia
Posted by Nick Gilmore in Virginia's News on March 22, 2022
Last year, Virginia made a significant reform that prevented defendants from being automatically held in detention. Michael Pope has this report on how the reform is working.
Governor Youngkin’s pick to run elections in Virginia is already proving controversial
Posted by Nick Gilmore in Virginia's News on March 21, 2022
Virginia has a new elections commissioner who will oversee voting in the Commonwealth. Michael Pope reports the appointment comes with some controversy.
Partisanship marked a 2022 session without any major accomplishments
Posted by Nick Gilmore in Virginia's News on March 18, 2022
Lawmakers ended their General Assembly session without any major accomplishments. Michael Pope has this report on why.
Virginia’s community colleges find a new leader, as Youngkin wants more focus on workforce development
Posted by Nick Gilmore in Virginia's News on March 18, 2022

Virginia’s search for a new head of the state’s community college system ended Thursday. Jahd Khalil reports that Governor Youngkin was not pleased with the process.
State lawmakers must work out a $3 billion difference between House and Senate budgets
Posted by Nick Gilmore in Virginia's News on March 18, 2022
The General Assembly session is done and dusted. But as Michael Pope reports, lawmakers are still negotiating on the budget.
Virginia’s gas tax and the effort to reach a balanced budget
Posted by Nick Gilmore in Virginia's News on March 17, 2022
Gas prices across Virginia are more than four dollars a gallon. As Michael Pope reports, that has consequences for lawmakers trying to balance the budget.
Governor Glenn Youngkin wants lawmakers to suspend the state gas tax for three months
Posted by Nick Gilmore in Virginia's News on March 17, 2022
There are three big players in Virginia’s budget negotiations. On one side are Republicans who control the House and Governor Glenn Youngkin. On the other are Senate Democrats who held up much of the Governor’s agenda. Jahd Khalil reports on one signal about how those discussions are going.
Years-long battle over sacred Monacan site ends in preservation
Posted by Nick Gilmore in Virginia's News on March 16, 2022
Members of the Monacan Indian Nation declared victory Wednesday in a years-long battle to prevent construction on a sacred spot along the James River.
As Mallory Noe-Payne reports, local officials have agreed to an alternative path for a water pipeline; one that archeologists say won’t impact native burial grounds.
A General Assembly rejection of a cabinet pick isn’t without precedent
Posted by Nick Gilmore in Virginia's News on March 15, 2022
Governor Glenn Youngkin’s controversial pick for Cabinet secretary was rejected by lawmakers, although he’ll be sticking around as an advisor. Michael Pope reports that this has happened only one other time in Virginia history.
Virginia students could soon get some say in statewide education decisions
Posted by Nick Gilmore in Virginia's News on March 14, 2022
Public school students across Virginia may soon be getting more input into education policy. Michael Pope reports.
The biggest budget sticking point? What to do about the standard deduction
Posted by Nick Gilmore in Virginia's News on March 14, 2022
Members of the General Assembly concluded their session without passing a budget. Michael Pope reports.
Va. News: High-tech vegetable farm, school preservation efforts
Posted by Nick Gilmore in Virginia's News on March 14, 2022
Efforts are underway to preserve a school built to educate Black children a century ago. And a high-tech vegetable farm will be producing its first crop near Danville later this year. 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.
Despite some opposition, facial recognition measure moves forward
Posted by Nick Gilmore in Virginia's News on March 11, 2022
Governor Glenn Youngkin is considering a bill that would allow police departments to use facial recognition technology. Michael Pope reports.
A scaled back virtual meetings bill is likely moving forward in Richmond
Posted by Nick Gilmore in Virginia's News on March 10, 2022
During the pandemic, many local governments started conducting business virtually. Now as Michael Pope reports, some of that is about to continue into the future.
Poolside Math
Posted by Nick Gilmore in Virginia's News on March 10, 2022

Later this month, college swim teams will take part in the NCAA Championship. The University of Virginia is favored to win many races thanks to high-tech training and advice from one of the world’s leading mathematicians. Sandy Hausman has that story.
Lunch debt legislation headed to Youngkin’s desk
Posted by Nick Gilmore in Virginia's News on March 9, 2022
Governor Glenn Youngkin is now considering legislation that’s passed the House and the Senate. As Michael Pope reports, one of those bills is about school lunch debt.
‘Medical sandbox’ legislation in danger of being dropped for the year
Posted by Nick Gilmore in Virginia's News on March 9, 2022
Members of the Virginia state Senate are considering a bill that would expedite the approval process for prescription drugs and medical devices. Michael Pope reports that some senators have concerns.
Some state lawmakers want to roll back Virginia’s new police documents law
Posted by Nick Gilmore in Virginia's News on March 8, 2022
Virginia has a new law that finally makes some police documents available to the public after the case has been closed. As Michael Pope reports, lawmakers are trying to roll that back.
Localities and natural gas: lawmakers weigh how much power city councils should have
Posted by Nick Gilmore in Virginia's News on March 8, 2022
Lawmakers are debating how much power your local government has to prohibit fossil fuels. Michael Pope has more from Richmond.
Changes are on the horizon for Virginia’s Parole Board
Posted by Nick Gilmore in Virginia's News on March 7, 2022
Last year, Republicans campaigned on cleaning up the Virginia Parole Board. Now, as Michael Pope reports, they’re making some changes.
Tax cuts and a balanced budget: it’s now or never for Virginia lawmakers
Posted by Nick Gilmore in Virginia's News on March 7, 2022
Lawmakers are trying to balance the books before heading out of town Saturday. Michael Pope reports.
A voting measure for some Virginia active military members has been shelved for this year’s session
Posted by Nick Gilmore in Virginia's News on March 4, 2022
The Senate is rejecting a bill that would allow some active duty military to vote in Virginia. Michael Pope reports.
Va. News: Recycled plastic roads, state helpline calls
Posted by Nick Gilmore in Virginia's News on March 4, 2022
Some drivers in the Richmond area have been traveling over recycled plastic since last fall but most would never know. And the pandemic has brought much more work for the staff of a state sponsored helpline.
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.
‘Medical Sandbox’ legislation headed to the Senate floor
Posted by Nick Gilmore in Virginia's News on March 4, 2022
As the pandemic continues to claim lives, lawmakers in Richmond are talking about taking steps to prompt medical innovation. Michael Pope reports.
Lawmakers have again rejected a homeschool sports bill
Posted by Nick Gilmore in Virginia's News on March 3, 2022
Governor Glenn Youngkin was elected on a platform of giving parents more choice. But as Michael Pope reports, homeschool students will not be joining public school sports anytime soon.
State Democrats using last-ditch effort to move forward amendments referendum
Posted by Nick Gilmore in Virginia's News on March 3, 2022
Two significant changes to Virginia’s Constitution are being considered by the General Assembly. But it’s an uphill battle, as Jahd Khalil reports. He has this update on a last-ditch effort by Democrat legislators.
Medical debt bill likely headed to Governor Youngkin’s desk
Posted by Nick Gilmore in Virginia's News on March 2, 2022
Governor Glenn Youngkin may soon consider a bill that would create a statute of limitations for medical debt. Michael Pope reports.
An effort to add party affiliation to Constitutional offices is dead
Posted by Nick Gilmore in Virginia's News on March 2, 2022
Candidates for some offices in Virginia are identified by party affiliation and some are not. Michael Pope has this report on an unsuccessful attempt to add more party affiliation.
Facial recognition measure will soon be on Youngkin’s desk
Posted by Nick Gilmore in Virginia's News on March 1, 2022
Governor Glenn Youngkin will soon be considering a bill allowing local police departments to use controversial facial recognition technology. Michael Pope has details.
Virginia Constitution language banning same-sex marriage will remain
Posted by Nick Gilmore in Virginia's News on March 1, 2022
Voters will not have an opportunity to reject Virginia’s unconstitutional ban on gay marriage. Michael Pope explains why.
The same House subcommittee also killed a proposed referendum on the automatic restoration of voting rights of former felons.
An effort to roll back Virginia’s red flag law is done for the year
Posted by Nick Gilmore in Virginia's News on February 28, 2022
Virginia has a red-flag law designed to combat gun violence. As Michael Pope reports, a Republican effort to overturn the law has failed.
A regulated marijuana marketplace in Virginia likely isn’t happening this year
Posted by Nick Gilmore in Virginia's News on February 28, 2022
The effort to create a regulated marijuana marketplace is going nowhere, at least for this year. Michael Pope has more from the General Assembly.
Va. News: Foster bear moms, decertified police officers
Posted by Nick Gilmore in Virginia's News on February 28, 2022
Almost four dozen police officers have been decertified in Virginia since a new law took effect last year. And wildlife officers are having success finding foster moms for orphaned bear cubs.
Those have been among the most read stories over the past week at the Virginia Public Access Project’s Va. News link.
Some state Senators want protective plexiglass in the chamber removed
Posted by Nick Gilmore in Virginia's News on February 25, 2022

Mask mandates are being lifted in schools across Virginia. And as Michael Pope reports, COVID-19 protocols may also be changing in the state Senate.
Differences of opinion on what to do with Virginia’s grocery tax remain
Posted by Nick Gilmore in Virginia's News on February 25, 2022
Governor Glenn Youngkin campaigned on eliminating the grocery tax. Now lawmakers are debating how much of it they want to eliminate. Michael Pope reports.
One in seven eligible adults have already accessed newly expanded Medicaid dental care
Posted by Nick Gilmore in Virginia's News on February 25, 2022
It’s been a little over six months since Virginians with Medicaid also began receiving dental insurance. Virginia’s Department of Medical Assistance Services estimates that in that time more than 100,000 people have gotten dental care.
As Mallory Noe-Payne reports, the next hurdle is getting more dentists to accept Medicaid.
An effort to end solitary confinement in Virginia is dead for this year’s session
Posted by Nick Gilmore in Virginia's News on February 24, 2022
Lawmakers are rejecting an effort to end solitary confinement. As Michael Pope reports, they’re moving forward with a study instead.
Bill stripping citizen boards of permitting authority headed to House floor
Posted by Nick Gilmore in Virginia's News on February 23, 2022
The House of Delegates is considering a Senate bill that would strip permitting authority from two citizen boards. Michael Pope reports.
The changing role of Cooperative Extension
Posted by Nick Gilmore in Virginia's News on February 23, 2022

In the age of climate change, this country’s land grant universities are working overtime to assure that farmers can feed a growing world population. For Virginia State and Virginia Tech, that means reaching out to cities and to countries around the world. Sandy Hausman has that story.
Republican efforts to roll back voting access officially dead for this year’s session
Posted by Nick Gilmore in Virginia's News on February 22, 2022
House Republicans began the session hoping to roll back some of the new voter access laws Democrats put in place over the last two years. As Michael Pope reports, they have been unable to make any of those changes.