Two years ago Democrats, then in control of the General Assembly and the Governor’s mansion, changed the legal landscape for those appealing their criminal convictions.

As part of a broader criminal justice reform effort, the Court of Appeals of Virginia had its jurisdiction and bench expanded for the first time since its inception 30 years ago.

Now, lawyers and legislators are looking back on how that’s impacted justice.

Brad Kutner has more from Richmond. 

All 140 seats in the General Assembly are up for election in November.  But just a handful will likely determine which party controls the House of Delegates and the Senate.

Jeff Schapiro, political columnist at the Richmond Times-Dispatch, and Michael Pope give us an idea of what’s going on in these toss-up races.

The United Auto Workers strike, now in its second week, has expanded to include parts distribution centers – and shows no signs of ending anytime soon. 

Roben Farzad, host of Public Radio’s Full Disclosure, and Craig Wright talk about how the production stoppage is likely to affect both auto industry workers and consumers across Virginia. 

According to a report by Virginia State Police, 40 people were arrested for driving while under the influence of marijuana in 2022.

New research out of Virginia Commonwealth University could contribute to even more arrests in the years to come.

Brad Kutner has more from Richmond.

Several invasive insect species are killing trees and plants. Most of these bugs came from Asia, and are now spreading across the United States.

Adelgids are attacking Hemlock trees, spotted lanternfly are going after grapes.

But scientists are also using bugs to help combat the spread of some of these pests?

To learn more, Roxy Todd went to visit Grayson Highlands State Park, just a few miles from North Carolina. It’s home to some of the state’s most rare, and unique, forest ecosystems.

A library in Front Royal that made headlines after fights over LGBTQ content will remain open.

An agreement between Warren County and the Samuels Public Library will keep the facility running past the 2023 election, but the fight is far from over.

Brad Kutner has more. 

Many citizens of Afghanistan who served alongside U. S. soldiers left the country after the Taliban took over in 2021, to avoid being imprisoned or killed. Others tried to leave but couldn’t, or chose not to because they wanted to stay with family.

Seven women who were part of a special military unit did get out and resettled in Blacksburg.

Roxy Todd reports they’re now advocating for their family and colleagues who are still in Afghanistan.

At their annual Sovereignty Conference, federally-recognized Tribes in Virginia welcomed another female chief, discussed green economic development on tribal lands, and a new kind of conservation easement.

Pamela D’Angelo has more.

Researchers at Virginia Tech have found a way to use coal to create a “super material” known as graphene.
Roxy Todd reports visited the lab to see the process at work.

What started off as an idea by a couple of guys in San Francisco who were having trouble paying the rent in 2008 – eventually became what we now know as Airbnb. 

In just fifteen years, the company is now valued at over $90 billion.  But not all cities and neighborhoods are excited about short-term rentals.

Roben Farzad, host of Public Radio’s Full Disclosure, and Craig Wright talk about how new rules and regulations are changing the Airbnb game.

In addition to electing state senators and delegates this fall, many Virginia voters will choose members of local school boards. 

In those races, candidates aren’t listed on the ballot as Democrats or Republicans, but as Sandy Hausman reports, some are attracting sizable contributions from political sources.

A sex scandal is the latest flashpoint for the fall campaign season.

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

There was a rare moment of bipartisanship at the Virginia Capital in Richmond today/Thursday when Glenn Youngkin signed a long overdue, bipartisan budget.

Brad Kutner reports the amendments total over one billion dollars. 

The ongoing labor dispute between the TV and film writers guild and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers may seem miles away from Virginia, but the Commonwealth’s cinematic footprint has grown in recent years.

Brad Kutner has more on how the local film industry is reeling in the face of the months-long work stoppage.

More people are leaving Virginia than moving in.

Michael Pope takes a look at the numbers.

Voters will head to the polls starting later this month to select all 140 members of the General Assembly.

Michael Pope has this report on new polling showing what issues are on their minds.

Pandemic era teacher shortages continued across the Commonwealth. That’s one of the headlines from a new report on Virginia’s K-through-12 teacher pipeline from the nonpartisan Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission, or JLARC. 

Brad Kutner has more on the report released Tuesday morning.

With operations peppered across Virginia, WestRock is in merger talks with Ireland’s Smurfit Kappa that could create a paper and packaging company worth twenty billion dollars.

Roben Farzad, host of Public Radio’s Full Disclosure, and Craig Wright talk about history, future, and big business of paper in The Commonwealth.

Now that Governor Glenn Youngkin is finally considering budget amendments, more details are emerging about the compromise.

Michael Pope has this story about a proposal for an addiction recovery facility.

While medical providers track an increase in the number of COVID-19 cases in humans here in Virginia, animal shelters report a surge of canine influenza. 

Sandy Hausman reports on why so many dogs are coming down with the disease, and what that means for pet owners.

With action taken this week on the state budget, attention now turns to the fall campaign.

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

For many people, gambling is simply an entertainment. But now, wagering is as close as the phone in the palm of your hand – and gambling is no longer confined to Las Vegas and Atlantic City.

Craig Wright looks into the impact as access to gambling continues to grow across the country and in the Commonwealth.

Introduced in January of last year, House Bill 328 became the latest in a long line of efforts to privatize state liquor sales.  It failed. 

Roben Farzad, host of Public Radio’s Full Disclosure, and Craig Wright talk about the industry that generated one-and-a-half billion dollars in sales last year – and why The Commonwealth is so reluctant to let go. 

The stage is set for an update to Virginia’s budget as well as the kickoff to the fall campaign.

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