Archive for February, 2024

The years-long effort to add paid sick leave in Virginia is one step closer to reality

Credit: Mallory Noe-Payne

Members of the Virginia Senate are about to debate a bill that would allow for family and medical leave. Michael Pope reports.

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Could Virginia be on the cusp of small modular reactors?

Credit: NPR

The Virginia General Assembly is considering a bill that would expand nuclear power in Virginia. Michael Pope has the details.

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A bill allowing ADUs has cleared the Virginia Senate

Credit: Mallory Noe-Payne

Members of the General Assembly are considering ways to create more affordable housing in Virginia. Michael Pope has this story on one strategy.

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Virginia House’s legal pot bill heads for final floor vote

In 2020, the Virginia legislature, with Democrats in control of both chambers and the governor’s mansion, decriminalized marijuana. But the second step in that process, creating a legal market, failed to pass when Republicans took control of the House in 2021. With Dems back in control of both chambers, efforts to regulate the marketplace are starting to materialize. Brad Kutner has more on the House effort. 

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Bipartisan effort looks to fund Massive Resistance-era scholarship program

The Barbara Johns statue outside Virginia’s capitol. As a student, Johns helped lead the fight to integrate Virginia’s schools in the 1950’s (Credit: Mallory Noe-Payne)

Both Republicans and Democrats are looking to increase funding for a scholarship fund that benefits the descendants of those impacted by the state’s fight against school integration. 

Brad Kutner spoke with those involved in what’s known as the Brown v. Board Scholarship. 

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Pope & Schapiro: Minimum wage, tax cuts & gambling

We’re closing in on the mid-point of this year’s legislative session at the state capitol.

Jeff Schapiro, political columnist at the Richmond Times-Dispatch, and Michael Pope recap the week at the General Assembly.

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Arena opponents drop in on General Assembly

A trio of opponents to the arena proposal in Alexandria. (Credit: Brad Kutner / Radio IQ)

Lawmakers in Virginia are hearing from opponents of a proposal for a new arena in Northern Virginia. Michael Pope has the story.

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Virginia ban on ‘addictive feeds’ advances over industry pushback

If you’ve ever looked over the shoulder of your son or daughter as they scroll on their phones, you might have noticed how different their social media feeds are – and how hard it seems to pull them away from the screen.

One legislator is hoping to combat that, as Brad Kutner reports from Richmond. 

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Virginia House Democrats block laws that would limit abortion

A pair of bills aiming to make it harder to get an abortion in Virginia were turned back by a House committee late Wednesday evening.

Brad Kutner has more from Richmond. 

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Legislation cracking down on noisy leaf blowers is dead for this session

Credit: Mallory Noe-Payne

Some local governments in Virginia were hoping to adopt new rules on noisy leaf blowers. But, as Michael Pope tells us, that effort has run out of gas this year.

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An assault weapons ban is headed to the governor’s desk

The House and Senate have both passed an assault weapons ban, which is a priority for Democrats. Michael Pope reports.

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Meet Virginia: Robbie Lawson

Robbie Lawson works on a carving at Taylor & Boody Organ Builders near Staunton. (Credit: Christine Kueter)

There are 8.7 million Virginians.  Each one has a story.

This month in our Meet Virginia series, we’re introduced to Robbie Lawson.  He’s a former auto mechanic turned pipe organ builder who’s fashioned a love of working with his hands into an accidental career that’s lasted nearly 30 years.

Christine Kueter has his story.

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State lawmakers may finally rein in Virginia’s loose campaign spending laws

Credit: NPR

Former Congressman George Santos became a poster child for unethical campaign spending in Washington. Now, members of the General Assembly are crafting legislation to guard against campaign finance fraud, as Michael Pope reports.

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House Democrats complicate Virginia’s skill games bet

Virginia officials from both parties supported a seemingly-simple effort to legalize skill games at the start of the General Assembly session. But, Brad Kutner reports the issue recently got a lot more complicated.

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Virginia $15 Minimum wage bill passes House, heads to Senate

An effort to increase Virginia’s minimum wage to $15 an hour by 2026 is on its way out of the Virginia House. Advocates say it’s needed to support low income workers, but Republicans are pushing back. Brad Kutner has more. 

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A bill that would offer additional protections to election workers is gaining traction in Richmond

Credit: Jahd Khalil

Members of the General Assembly are considering legislation aimed at protecting election workers from threats and harassment. Michael Pope reports.

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Deaths of two teens in Blacksburg leads to conversations about dating violence

Friends and family placed flowers and other objects around a statue to remember Serenity Hawley, who died a few days before her 18th birthday in a parking garage in Blacksburg. Photo taken Nov. 10, 2023. (Credit: Roxy Todd)

One in three teenagers will be in an abusive dating relationship before they graduate high school, according to the American Psychological Association.

A tragic event in Blacksburg last year is leading school administrators, parents and other community members to ask, what are the early warning signs that a teen may be in danger? How, and when, should adults step in to help?

Roxy Todd reports.

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Street cruising ATV punishments peel out of Virginia House and Senate

The Virginia House of Delegates voted across party lines Monday to make it easier for localities to impound all-terrain-vehicles that are driven illegally on public streets.

Brad Kutner has more from the capitol.

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Could Virginia soon have its own version of the earned income tax credit?

People struggling to make ends meet in Virginia might be about to get some help. Michael Pope explains why.

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Legislation banning assault-style weapons is likely headed to the governor’s desk

Credit: NPR

The last time Democrats were in control of the General Assembly they failed to pass a bill to ban assault-style weapons. Now, as Michael Pope reports the House and Senate have both approved a ban.

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Bills to ease barrier crimes restrictions on counselors get bipartisan support

An entrance to the state capitol in Richmond. (Credit: Mallory Noe-Payne)

Lawmakers in Richmond are considering lifting restrictions on who is able to work in substance abuse counselor positions or mental health treatment programs.

Michael Pope reports.

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Democrats hope Youngkin would give “Second Look” bill a good look

Lawmakers are considering a way for people who are incarcerated to get a second chance.

Michael Pope reports.

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Price tag threatens expansion of Virginia’s free school meals program

Sen. Danica Roem is carrying the Senate version of the school meals bill. (Credit: Senate of Virginia)

A Virginia Senator is hoping to expand existing free school meal programs across the commonwealth.

But the bill’s eye popping price tag has already caused a hiccup in the House.

Brad Kutner has more. 

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LGBTQ bills shows old and new attitudes at Virginia capitol

Bills that would impact the LGBTQ community in Virginia are moving their way through the state’s legislature.

While a Democratic majority is blocking bills that would reduce rights, some bipartisan votes highlight a possibly changing Commonwealth.

Brad Kutner has more. 

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Pope & Schapiro: College admissions, the car tax, and the State of the City

While Republicans and Democrats are finding common ground in college admissions, they’re not seeing eye to eye on a tax issue.

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

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Parkland shooting survivor David Hogg advocates for stricter Virginia gun laws

School shooting survivor and gun safety advocate David Hogg joins Democratic legislators at the state capitol in Richmond. (Credit: Brad Kutner)

Parkland shooting survivor David Hogg came to Richmond Thursday to help Democrats advocate for new firearm laws.

Brad Kutner has more from the capitol. 

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Bills to end legacy college admissions get broad support

Virginia may soon be the second state to get rid of legacy admissions for state colleges and universities.

Michael Pope tells us the legislation has broad support.

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