Virginia Public Radio

Virginia’s outgoing governor has one more chance to cement his legacy—a budget.

Politics analyst Jeff Schapiro and Michael Pope recap the week in politics and state government.

By early 2026, the Trump administration is poised to shift how many and who among the world’s 43-million refugees is eligible to resettle in a country once known as the world’s melting pot.

That’s leaving refugees and refugee advocates in Central Virginia collectively holding their breath, as Christine Kueter reports.

State Senator Schuyler VanValkenburg has filed legislation that would direct Virginia to rejoin the Electronic Registration Information Center — known as ERIC.

It’s a multistate data-sharing consortium the Commonwealth withdrew from in 2023.

Dave Cantor has more.

The United States Capitol now has a new statue representing Virginia.

Michael Pope has more from Capitol Hill.

Changes to student loan programs and the so-called demographic cliff are set to impact Virginia college’s enrollment numbers, according to members of the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia.

Brad Kutner explains.

Rising power bills are causing increasing anxiety across Virginia, although opinions are divided about the reason for the increase and potential solutions. 

Michael Pope tells us about one approach that is expected to be considered Tuesday in Congress.

Towns and cities across Virginia are now required to test for levels of PFAS in public water. But much less is known about whether forever chemicals may be in well water.

A recent study has some answers on this, as Roxy Todd explains.

Recent state reports and the upcoming legislative session could mean changes for how the Virginia Department of Juvenile Justice is operated.

Dave Cantor has more.

In Virginia, every year is an election year. And the primaries for the congressional midterms are only a few months away.

Michael Pope tells us about the bumper crop of candidates challenging Republican incumbents.

Kudzu. Spotted Lanternfly. Blue catfish.

These are just a few of the invasive species that spread fast and outcompete Virginia’s native plants and animals.

Ecology students at Virginia Tech recently hosted a potluck featuring dishes with invasive ingredients.

Roxy Todd stopped by, and she reports the food was …actually quite delicious.

Virginia’s Governor-elect Abigail Spanberger is starting to give us an idea of what her term might look like. 

At an event with Politico Tuesday evening, she answered questions about her interest in working with President Donald Trump.  And the two appear to be on opposite sides of the nation’s issues, as Brad Kutner reports. 

The November election for the House of Delegates saw record-breaking numbers for campaign finance.

Michael Pope has the details.

The State Crime Commission will determine how and when to notify the families of eight individuals executed by the commonwealth whose trials involved Mary Jane Burton.

Burton was the late state forensic scientist who allegedly mishandled evidence and offered inaccurate court testimony.

Dave Cantor has more.

Members of the Virginia General Assembly may be on the verge of debating a contentious labor issue.

Then again, as Michael Pope tells us, they might pass on the opportunity to have a debate at all.

Governor-elect Abigail Spanberger’s cabinet is coming into focus.

Politics analyst Jeff Schapiro and Michael Pope recap the week in politics and state government.

A new poll reveals a partisan dimension to what people think about opinion research. Michael Pope reports.

Scientists in Virginia are seeing an uptick in bears with mange.

This disease is fairly common in other states and has been spreading throughout the Commonwealth in recent years.

Roxy Todd spoke with two experts who are following the spread of this disease, which can kill bears.

A statewide climate assessment recently issued by George Mason University highlights a number of changing environmental issues affecting the state.

Health, the economy and farming will be impacted by higher temperatures, sea-level rise and more precipitation, the report said.

As President Donald Trump’s second term nears the one-year mark, policies he’s implemented will affect how that plays out.

Dave Cantor has more.

As we close the books on November, Governor Glenn Youngkin is moving into the final weeks of his term.

Politics analyst Jeff Schapiro and Michael Pope look ahead to the next General Assembly session.

This is Native American Heritage month where we take time to recognize the history, culture, contributions and achievements of Indigenous people.

For many of the Tribes in Virginia it’s a way to educate the public and to heal centuries of trauma.

Pamela D’Angelo reports.

Ahead of the 2026 General Assembly session, elected officials gathered in different parts of the state to hear budget forecasts this week. Democrats, who are now in control of all three branches of Virginia’s government, are bracing for stark cuts and a slowed economy. Brad Kutner has this report.

Democrats who control the Virginia Senate are rolling out their list of priorities.

Michael Pope has the latest.

Now that November’s election tallies have been finalized, it’s becoming clearer which candidates over-performed, or under-performed, their party’s standard bearer at the top of the ticket.

Michael Pope has more on the numbers.

Endings and beginnings highlighted the political talk over the past few days.

Politics analyst Jeff Schapiro and Michael Pope recap the week in politics and state government.