Archive for January, 2025

The promise of focused ultrasound in treating Alzheimer’s disease

A painless, bloodless procedure called focused ultrasound reduced amyloid plaque in the brains of Alzheimer’s patients in South Korea. (Credit: Focused Ultrasound Foundation)

A recent study highlights a technology that could improve treatment in people with Alzheimer’s.  It uses sound waves to decrease the amount of amyloid plaque in the brains of patients with the disease. Sandy Hausman has that story.

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State lawmakers to consider another casino project

Will supporters of a Northern Virginia casino strike it rich during the General Assembly session? Michael Pope reports.

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One state lawmaker thinks Southwest Virginians should have more electric utility options

Credit: Appalachian Power

Should Appalachian Power continue to have a monopoly across Southwest Virginia? Michael Pope reports that a senator from Richlands says it’s time to deregulate.

The bill introduced by Senator Hackworth applies only to Appalachian Power, known as Phase One utility – not to the state’s largest electric utility, Dominion Energy, which is a Phase Two utility.

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Pope & Schapiro: The start and stop General Assembly session

The General Assembly took a back seat to running water this week.

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

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Virginia Democrats fear Trump’s a threat to contraception, promise protection with new bill

President-elect Donald Trump has signaled both opposition and support for a federal ban on contraceptives, and Virginia Democrats are saying this puts future access to birth control at risk.

Brad Kutner has more on the bipartisan legislative effort to protect access from last year that will return this General Assembly session. 

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Car tax relief could be headed toward deadlock

The car tax continues to be a hot issue at the General Assembly, where lawmakers are considering a proposal from the governor that would provide some relief.

Michael Pope tells us that the legislative vehicle may be headed for partisan gridlock.

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State lawmakers react to water woes and delayed session start

Richmond’s water woes stretched to the state Capitol, where lawmakers have decided to postpone the General Assembly session start date to Monday. (Credit: Michael Pope)

Members of the Virginia General Assembly gaveled into session Wednesday. But as Michael Pope reports, it wasn’t what anyone expected.

Governor Glenn Youngkin’s State of the Commonwealth address was also postponed to Monday.

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One Virginia lawmaker wants to double the penalty for repeat firearm offenders

Credit: Mallory Noe-Payne / Radio IQ

Using a firearm in the commission of a felony is a crime so heinous, one Republican senator says, that he wants to double the sentence. Michael Pope reports.

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Taxes on tips will be a big subject of debate in Richmond this session

Members of the General Assembly are about to consider a proposal to do away with the tax on tips. Michael Pope reports some lawmakers still have some reservations.

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Broken water system forces closure of Virginia capitol ahead of 2025 legislative session

Richmonders queue for emergency water after a winter storm knocked out the city’s water system. (Credit: Brad Kutner / Radio IQ)

Many of Virginia’s elected officials had already returned to Richmond before a recent snow storm broke the city’s water system. Now, the General Assembly building and Capitol are closed, and Brad Kutner spoke to elected officials who want help and answers.

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Despite the snow, special elections go on as scheduled Tuesday

Voters in some parts of Virginia will go to the polls Tuesday in three special elections for the General Assembly.

And as Michael Pope tells us, the outcome will determine which party controls the House and the Senate.

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Is it time to end Virginia’s odd year elections?

2025 is a big election year in Virginia, which is one of two states that has odd-year elections. Michael Pope reports lawmakers are about to consider the future of this odd tradition.

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Bill would require disclosure to AI campaign ads

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

Many campaign ads are already notoriously negative and manipulative.

That’s why some people are worried AI might make them even worse.

Michael Pope reports.

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Pope & Schapiro: What to expect in the new General Assembly session and from Richmond’s new mayor

It’s a new year and that always means it’s just about time for a new General Assembly session.

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

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Youngkin’s energy legacy may be nuclear

Gov. Glenn Youngkin (Credit: Commonwealth of Virginia)

Governor Glenn Youngkin is entering his final year in office.

And as Michael Pope reports, his approach to energy may have consequences for years to come.

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Metro Richmond Zoo’s new baby pygmy hippo remains unnamed

Metro Richmond Zoo’s unnamed baby pygmy hippo latches on to her mother Iris. (Credit: Brad Kutner)

Move over Moo Deng, there’s a new viral baby pygmy hippo on the internet.  And this one’s in Virginia.

Brad Kutner traveled to the Metro Richmond Zoo where the yet-to-be-named baby is stirring up interest online and in person. 

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In families with food insecurity, moms are more likely to experience anxiety, depression

The number of people who are food insecure tends to be higher among families with children — nearly three in 10 families according to the United States Department of Agriculture. This can have negative impacts on physical as well as mental wellbeing.

A Virginia Tech researcher has been working to learn more about the links between food insecurity among moms and mental health, as Roxy Todd reports.

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Virginia Republicans’ questions on solar siting bill preview 2025 legislative fight

(Credit: Dominion Energy)

The Commonwealth has numerous green energy goals to meet in the coming years. But local pushback on solar projects has slowed those efforts.

Brad Kutner says some legislative efforts to turn the tide of opposition might be coming in the 2025 session. 

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