Virginia Public Radio

Fredericksburg has joined a multi-state program designed to help local governments switch over to clean energy vehicles.

And the Virginia court case that ended bans on interracial marriage will be commemorated with an opera.

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.

Thursday’s report from the state education superintendent painted a dire picture of Virginia’s schools.

Michael Pope reports it’s opened a debate about past decisions and the future.

Editor’s Note: The Virginia Education Association is a financial supporter of Virginia Public Radio.

Virginia Opera and the Richmond Symphony have announced plans to create an original opera. 

As Mallory Noe-Payne reports, the project will tell the real-life story of the Virginia couple whose relationship paved the legal pathway for inter-racial and same-sex marriage.

Virginia’s state budget is weeks past due.  But there are some signs an agreement may be coming.

Jeff Schapiro of the Richmond Times-Dispatch and Michael Pope have more on the week in politics and state government.

184 years ago, James Lindsey Smith, an enslaved man in Northumberland County on Virginia’s Northern Neck, made his way to freedom and eventually to Norwich, Connecticut.

Inspired by that journey and Smith’s determination, a group of men from a Norwich church attempted to retrace his steps.

Pamela D’Angelo went with them for part of the journey.

There’s new intrigue in the tobacco business, and it connects back to Virginia.

Roben Farzad, host of the Full Disclosure podcast, and Craig Wright have more on this merger news.

A growing elk population is creating some challenges in Southwestern Virginia. And students at Virginia Tech are using hip-hop to promote learning.

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.

There were some surprises this week for state workers and for one potential state employee.

Jeff Schapiro of the Richmond Times-Dispatch and Michael Pope have more about the week in politics and the General Assembly.

Four years ago the Upper Mattaponi Tribe received federal recognition.

Since then it has built a health clinic and purchased lands that were recently accepted into federal trust.

Pamela D’Angelo reports on the significance for the Tribe and nearby communities.

Seeing fields full of corn, wheat, or tobacco on a drive through Virginia is not unusual.  But the vistas might increasingly begin to include solar farms.   

Roben Farzad, host of the Full Disclosure podcast, and Craig Wright have more on solar’s present and future.

The future of abortion access has dominated the political discussions in Washington and beyond this week.

Jeff Schapiro of the Richmond Times-Dispatch and Michael Pope have more on where Virginia stands.

Menthol accounts for more than a third of cigarettes sold in the U.S.  And the Food and Drug administration now has a plan to phase out production and sale of the mint flavored cigarettes.

Roben Farzad, host of the Full Disclosure podcast, and Craig Wright have more on the health and business implications of the move.

A new institute at the College of William & Mary is teaching students to solve conservation challenges around the world.

This year, Indigenous people were invited to share their knowledge, including the head of the National Park Service Chuck Sams.

Pamela D’Angelo reports.

While boating accidents are down across Virginia this year there’s an opposite trend at Smith Mountain Lake.  And a celebrity civil trial in Northern Virginia has taken on a circus-like appearance, complete with animals.

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.

There was plenty of political intrigue packed into this year’s one-day reconvene session.

Jeff Schapiro of the Richmond Times-Dispatch and David Seidel, sitting in for Michael Pope, have more on the fallout.

Virginia has started giving prison inmates their own tablets so they can download music, watch TV, take classes and send e-mails.

But there’s one feature missing from their device – a service that could save lives. 

Sandy Hausman has that story.

The U.S. Attorney’s office for the western district of Virginia is pleading with parents to spread the word. 

China is sending chemicals to Mexico, and Mexican cartels are mixing them up to make powerful, and sometimes deadly, pills that look just like what you might get from an American pharmacy. 

Sandy Hausman has that story.

Losers and winners both like to say that elections have consequences. But sometimes they’re delayed.

Jahd Khalil reports on the latest fallout from the Democrats’ losses last November. 

Legislators were back in Richmond to deal with vetoes and amendments. But they also took a key action on a proposed gas tax holiday.

Jahd Khalil was at the capitol and has this report. 

Lawmakers will return to the Capitol Wednesday to consider a host of amendments.

And as Michael Pope reports, one of the most controversial amendments is about marijuana.

With inflation at levels not seen in decades, a lot of families are facing some tough pocketbook decisions.

Roben Farzad, host of the Full Disclosure podcast, and Craig Wright talk about some of the options.

Virginia’s attorney general is calling for greater transparency on the bench. Michael Pope reports.