Virginia Public Radio

Primaries top the list of political topics in the news over the last few days.

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

Until recently, if you do a quick web search on the name Norvel Lee, you’d likely find some of his accomplishments as a boxer.

The Botetourt County native did earn an Olympic gold medal in the sport, becoming the first Black Virginian to receive that honor in the early 50’s. But a state historical marker and recent book about Lee’s life story now offer a much broader perspective on his impact.

Meanwhile, family members say they’re discovering an even greater connection with him, more than 30 years since his passing.

Jeff Bossert has more.

There’s still a lot of unfinished business from the General Assembly Session.

Jeff Schapiro, political columnist at the Richmond Times-Dispatch, and Michael Pope talk about where we’re headed next.

Ever since the U.S. Supreme Court overturned rules barring college athletes from getting paid for the use of their image, states, including Virginia, have been working to develop rules to accommodate the change.

Thursday morning Governor Glenn Youngkin signed a bill that would make such payments easier.

Brad Kutner has more from Richmond. 

Lawmakers were unable to overturn a veto from the governor on a bill that might have helped school construction.

Michael Pope has more on the debate.

Governor Glenn Youngkin tacked a lengthy list of amendments onto a bill that would legalize skill games. 

Now, impacted store owners are pushing back.

Brad Kutner spoke to one such owner south of Richmond. 

Innovative technologies produce gadgets meant to be helpful or simplify our lives. But sometimes, new products are used for unintended, illicit purposes.

Craig Wright has the story of a woman who wasn’t sure how to react to a disturbing alert she received on her phone about one such device.

The General Assembly is parsing through the governor’s many amendments and vetoes.

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

Senator Tim Kaine is out with a new book this week.

And as Michael Pope tells us, it’s not the standard Washington memoir.

Among Governor Glenn Youngkin’s education reforms was the development of a lab school program, linking colleges with local school systems to innovate new education models.

But as Democrats seek increased resources for the rest of the state’s public schools, they’re looking to reduce funding for that experiment in education.

Brad Kutner has more. 

Time is running out for the governor to act on bills from this year’s General Assembly session.

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

Republican Governor Glenn Youngkin is setting new records for vetoing more bills than any other governor in recent years.

Michael Pope has details about one vetoed bill that would have encouraged teaching climate change in public schools.

After some justices of the U.S. Supreme Court suggested they should reconsider precedent protecting access to contraceptives, Virginia Democrats passed a law that would protect such access.

But the governor has yet to sign it, and advocates want him to act, as Brad Kutner reports from Richmond. 

Governor Glenn Youngkin Thursday morning signed a bill that increases punishments for those who manufacture pressed pills that include fentanyl.

Brad Kutner has more from Richmond. 

All this year, Christine Kueter has been crisscrossing Virginia to listen to the stories of the 8.5 million people who call the Commonwealth home.

Today, she introduces us to a horse trainer in Abingdon who creates bonds with trust and understanding.