Do LED lights on roadways affect our sleep?

A study by VTTI compared different types and colors of lighting along roadways, to see if they had different effects on melatonin suppression on pedestrians, drivers and those who sleep near roads. (Credit: Rajaram Bhagavathula / Virginia Tech)

There have been several studies over the past decade that show blue lights, like the type in our phones and TVs, can negatively impact our sleep patterns. But what about lighting along our roads? A recent study from Virginia Tech’s Transportation Institute looked at whether LED road lighting affects how well we fall asleep. Roxy Todd explains.

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The effort to include Virginia’s labor history into education standards

Former Governor Bill Tuck

This week, members of the Virginia Board of Education are expected to take up controversial new history standards. And Michael Pope reports union leaders are hoping that labor history will be part of the curriculum.

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Who should own offshore wind turbines in Virginia?

Virginia is about to get a massive new offshore wind farm with 170 turbines. As Michael Pope reports, opinions are divided about how to go about making that happen.

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Full Disclosure Briefing: Shopping malls look to reinvent

Shopping malls once ruled the retail landscape.  Now they’re reinventing themselves, or just trying to stay afloat.

Roben Farzad, host of public radio’s Full Disclosure, and Craig Wright talk about where they’re headed.

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12 Virginia Delegates are hoping to move to the state Senate

Credit: NPR

20 members of the House of Delegates are retiring and saying goodbye to the General Assembly. And as Michael Pope tells us, another 12 delegates are hoping to move over to the Senate.

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Pope & Schapiro: The veto session, abortion, and a diagnosis

The General Assembly finished work on the governor’s amendments and vetoes this week, while a hot-button issue simmered in the background.

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

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Right now, there’s no rush on the state budget

Credit: NPR

Lawmakers now have finished their one-day reconvene session and taken action on all the governor’s amendments and vetoes. But Michael Pope reports the budget remains a work in progress.

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Legislators turn down internet amendment

The entrance to the Virginia state capitol. (Credit: Mallory Noe-Payne)

Governor Glenn Youngkin is now facing a choice of what to do with an internet safety bill.

Michael Pope reports members of the General Assembly rejected an amendment he suggested.

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The General Assembly backs controversial THC amendment

Credit: Mallory Noe-Payne / Radio IQ

Members of the General Assembly are considering amendments from the governor. And as Michael Pope reports, they are giving a stamp of approval to some controversial changes to a bill about marijuana.

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Spreading pest could threaten wild ramps

Ramps with Allium Leafminer eggs at tip of leaves. Photo taken outside Blacksburg, Va. (Credit: Derrek Hennen)

Gardeners who grow onions and leeks, be on the lookout for a growing threat—a pesky little fly that’s spreading through Virginia. Roxy Todd explains.

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The debate over Youngkin’s voting rights decision should only heat up this week

As members of the General Assembly return to the Capitol for the reconvene session this week, the restoration of voting rights is expected to be a major topic of conversation. Michael Pope reports.

Democratic Senator Lionell Spruill of Chesapeake says he’ll be meet with the governor Wednesday morning to talk about the process.

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Here’s what to expect from this week’s veto session

Credit: NPR

Lawmakers are returning to Richmond Wednesday for a spring session of the General Assembly. Michael Pope has this preview.

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UVA team makes key discovery about deadly dengue fever

The dengue virus mixes molecules from its RNA with saliva to suppress the human immune system and ease spread of the disease. (Credit: Emily Faith Morgan / UVA Communications)

A team of scientists at the University of Virginia has made a discovery that could – eventually – save millions of lives. Sandy Hausman reports on what they’ve learned about a virus that threatens half the world’s population.

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A Lynchburg company is developing nuclear rocket fuel for NASA

BWX Technologies, Inc. (BWXT) has reached a critical milestone in the nation’s pursuit of space nuclear propulsion by delivering coated reactor fuels to NASA. The spherical fuel kernels contained in this vial are tiny – about the diameter of a human hair. Made of uranium, they have a special coating to ensure safety and reliability at the extreme temperatures required for nuclear thermal propulsion. Nuclear thermal propulsion is one of the technologies that is capable of propelling a spacecraft to Mars and back. BWXT has been able to leverage its decades of specialty and coated fuel manufacturing experience as well as its existing licensed production facilities to be the first private company to deliver relevant coated fuels to be used in NASA testing. This work was supported by NASA’s Space Technology Mission Directorate (STMD) through the Space Nuclear Propulsion (SNP) project. (Credit: BWXT)

There’s a manufacturing company on the cusp of big things in central Virginia. As Mallory Noe-Payne reports, they’re developing nuclear rocket fuel for NASA. 

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Va. News: Sea level rise, free tuition at Ferrum College

Credit: VPAP

New research shows Norfolk remains at the top of the list of East Coast cities facing the fastest rate of sea level rise. And Ferrum College in Franklin County will begin offering free tuition to qualifying students this fall.

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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A look at Youngkin amendments that deal with internet safety

Lawmakers will be returning to Richmond next week to consider amendments from the governor. Michael Pope tells us about one of the amendments on internet safety.

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Some rural hospitals across Virginia at risk of closing, according to study

Healthcare costs are high – not only for patients, but many rural hospitals are also facing financial strains. Nearly three in 10 rural hospitals in Virginia are at risk of closing, according to a recent report. Roxy Todd explains. 

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Pope & Schapiro: State lawmakers to consider amendments next week

State lawmakers will be back in Richmond next week to discuss amendments from Governor Glenn Youngkin.

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

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New poll: Youngkin is out of step with Virginia voters on cultural issues

Credit: NPR

A new poll from the Schar School of Policy and Government at George Mason University shows Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin to be out of step with Virginia voters. Michael Pope reports.

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In a rare move, Youngkin vetoes bill creating a work group to study loud mufflers

Governor Glenn Youngkin is breaking out his veto pen and taking aim at a bill introduced to crack down on loud cars. Michael Pope reports.

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Bill expanding Massive Resistance fund to become law later this year

Governor Glenn Youngkin is signing a bill that offers reparations for victims of a racist policy that shut down Virginia’s public schools. Michael Pope reports.

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Full Disclosure Briefing: Is a Washington Commanders sale imminent?

It appears a sale of the Washington Commanders could be imminent.

Roben Farzad, host of public radio’s Full Disclosure, and Craig Wright discuss that and where the franchise’s value ranks among other professional sports teams.

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General Assembly candidates must decide this week if they’re running this year

Credit: NPR

This week will see some major news for the 2023 election in Virginia. Michael Pope has this preview.

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Va. News: Spotsylvania County school libraries, gun safe legislation

Credit: VPAP

A Virginia school superintendent’s mention of eliminating libraries to save money is getting some negative reviews, but a gun safety law passed by the General Assembly this year seems to be popular across the board.

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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Utility regulation will be on the agenda for state lawmakers next month

Credit: Mallory Noe-Payne / Radio IQ

Members of the General Assembly will be returning to the Capitol April 12th to consider amendments from the governor. Michael Pope reports that some of the amendments might influence your power bill.

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Pope & Schapiro: Youngkin vetoes and another special election

Governor Glenn Youngkin has issued nearly 80 amendments to legislation and vetoed three bills.

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

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Excited fans gear up for Hokies’ Final Four game

Credit: Virginia Tech Athletics

Virginia Tech’s women’s basketball team will play Friday in the national semifinals. This is the first time the team has made it to the final four, and fans are gearing up ahead of the game, as Roxy Todd reports.

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Youngkin breaks with recent tradition on rights restoration policy

Governor Glenn Youngkin is taking a different approach than previous governors when it comes to restoring the right to vote to people previously convicted of felonies. Michael Pope reports.

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Newly-signed bill puts restrictions on tow companies

Virginia’s governor is signing legislation to crack down on tow truck drivers. Michael Pope reports.

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Governor Youngkin amends THC legislation

Governor Glenn Youngkin is rolling out his amendments to legislation this week. And as Michael Pope reports, one set of amendments is aimed at products with THC currently available on store shelves.

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Full Disclosure Briefing: What’s in store for Virginia’s housing market

Virginia’s housing market may be cooling off, but sale prices remain hot.

Roben Farzad, host of public radio’s Full Disclosure, and Craig Wright have more on what’s influencing the market and what it might mean for the future.

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The governor wants to move forward with nuclear innovation; critics say more info is needed

Is nuclear energy a part of Virginia’s future? Michael Pope reports.

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Virginia ski resorts innovate through warming winters

A ski run at Massanutten (Credit: Mallory Noe-Payne)

Last week the world’s leading climate scientists released another grim report: climate change is worsening.

Mallory Noe-Payne has this look at how Virginia ski resorts are faring as they face an uncertain future.  

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Virginia’s new Superintendent of Public Instruction will face several challenges

Credit: Mallory Noe-Payne / Radio IQ

Governor Glenn Youngkin has a new superintendent in charge of a school system facing budget challenges and rising demand for services. Michael Pope reports.

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Pope & Schapiro: A busy weekend for Youngkin and a big shakeup at VDOE

There’s been a big shakeup at the Department of Education while the governor has a big weekend ahead.

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

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With primaries on the way, advocates worry about losing election officials

(Credit: David Seidel)

Election officials across Virginia say they are trying to do the best they can in very difficult circumstances.

And as Michael Pope reports, some of them are resigning.

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Earned wage access legislation likely to return

A new federal report on earned-wage access is reopening a debate from the General Assembly session earlier this year.

Michael Pope reports.

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President of Botswana visits Virginia Tech

Virginia Tech President Timothy Sands greets Botswana President Mokgweetsi Masisi. To the right is Kathleen Alexander, who leads the Centre for Conservation of African Resources: Animals, Communities, and Land Use, a nongovernmental organization in Botswana. (Credit: Clark DeHart/Virginia Tech)

The President of Botswana visited Virginia Tech Tuesday.

As Roxy Todd reports, he focused on how conservation, democracy, and sustainable development are linked.

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After a year-long wait, Youngkin Administration releases guidance to include environmental justice in permits

Last week, the Youngkin administration released a draft of a new state air, land and water permitting process that incorporates environmental justice.

Pamela D’Angelo has more on how that might impact Virginia’s native Tribes.

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Full Disclosure Briefing: What’s next for banks?

It’s been a nervous week in the banking world, both in the United States and abroad.

Roben Farzad, host of public radio’s Full Disclosure, and Craig Wright talk about what might come next.

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State Police vehicles across Virginia will now have red and blue lights, following safety study

The new lights on Virginia State Police vehicles will be both red and blue on the front and back
\(Credit: Lee Friesland/Virginia Tech)

Don’t be surprised if you begin seeing more state police cars with red, as well as blue, lights.

As Roxy Todd reports, police across Virginia have begun phasing in new lights, based on a study that showed they’ll help prevent crashes.

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ADL: 400+ extremist incidents in Virginia in 2022

Virginia was among the top states for hate and extremist incidents in 2022.

Michael Pope reports.

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Va. News: Term limits & turning out records

Term limits may be on the way in Virginia, at least in one town. And even after 75 years the vinyl record refuses to disappear and a Virginia company is playing a major role in keeping it spinning.

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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Pope & Schapiro: The SCC, signs of a state budget, and saying goodbye to the Senate

There are some signs of movement toward an updated state budget.

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

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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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Full Disclosure Briefing: What to make of the SVB collapse?

The collapse of Silicon Valley Bank shocked both the banking and the tech sectors.

Roben Farzad, host of public Radio’s Full Disclosure, and Craig Wright talk about the longer-term repercussions.

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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)

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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