Archive for April, 2025

New reports suggest U.S., Virginia economies are slowing

H-2B visa seasonal workers at Cowarts Seafood (Credit: Pamela D’Angelo)

A pair of reports released this week show economic growth in Virginia and the country is slowing down. Brad Kutner spoke to a local economist for their thoughts on the news.

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How will Youngkin act on parental notification bill after lawmakers rejected his amendment?

Governor Glenn Youngkin is about to make a decision on legislation outlining parental rights and responsibilities. Michael Pope reports.

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A contraception bill on the governor’s desk is also now a campaign talking point

Republican Governor Glenn Youngkin is considering about a hundred bills that are on his desk right now, and his deadline to take action is at the end of the week. Michael Pope more about one bill that guarantees a right to contraception.

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Solar power takes center stage at central Virginia landfill

UVA civil engineering majors Caroline Maher and Erik Hammerquist got hands-on experience planning the site. (Credit: Sandy Hausman)

By law, Virginia’s largest electric utility must stop emitting carbon by 2045, so Dominion is expanding its solar production. 

One challenge – finding places to put more solar panels. 

Sandy Hausman reports on a novel location in Albemarle County.

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What will Youngkin’s “all of the above” energy strategy look like after this week?

Carolina Power employees work on replacing older powerlines in Richmond’s Southside. (Credit: Brad Kutner / Radio IQ)

Governor Glenn Youngkin is expected to make several key environmental decisions this week. Michael Pope has this preview.

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Virginia’s Right to Work law will again be a big campaign topic this year

Credit: NPR

Labor issues may end up being a big campaign issue in the statewide elections this year. Michael Pope reports on a question that has vexed Democrats for years.

In a written statement, former Congresswoman Abigail Spanberger did not commit to repealing the Right to Work Law. Here is the entire statement from her campaign to Reporter Michael Pope:

“Abigail Spanberger believes that Virginians deserve leaders who are not afraid to stand up for workers and believe in creating jobs, not chaos. Abigail has met with both Virginia labor organizations and Virginia business groups to hear their priorities. As Governor, she will remain focused on getting things done for Virginia’s working families and tackling the ongoing challenges facing Virginia’s workforce and economy.”

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Using fire to save water for rare Shenandoah ponds

Specially trained crews spread flames through a state-owned nature preserve to remove invasive plants and debris that could lead to wildfires. (Credit: Emi Endo / Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation)

Firefighters often use water to put out a blaze, but in Augusta County a team of 11 men and women set a fire to ensure there’s enough water for one of Virginia’s natural features – the sinkhole pond. Sandy Hausman has that story.

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Pope & Schapiro: The November ballot, the budget, and butting heads with Trump

Changes to the November ballot and changes to Virginia’s budget are a few of the political headlines from the past few days.

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

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Advocates want Youngkin to sign African American studies bill; they say it aligns with his first EO

Governor Glenn Youngkin is considering a bill that would expand African American Studies in Virginia public schools. Michael Pope reports.

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Virginia business beats criminal skill games charges with help from Southside Senator

Dozens of convenience store owners gather at the Capitol in yellow shirts in support of legalizing skill games. (Credit: Brad Kutner / Radio IQ)

So-called “skill games” have been popping up around Virginia since their temporary legalization in 2020. Efforts to restrict such games followed. However, one Virginia Senator successfully convinced a Hanover County judge that newer games skirt that law. Brad Kutner has more. 

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Advocates say Youngkin can “put his money where his mouth is” by signing bias training bill

Governor Glenn Youngkin has about 100 bills on his desk that he’s still considering. Michael Pope has this report on one of those bills that will require unconscious bias training for doctors.

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Lack of statewide GOP primary might diminish turnout for down ballot primaries

The sudden withdrawal of Pat Herrity from the Republican primary for lieutenant governor means the GOP will have no statewide primaries in June.

But Michael Pope tells us that Republicans will have ten primaries for House of Delegates seats.

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Youngkin backs Trump’s tariff plans at Virginia Ag Trade Conference

Governor Glenn Youngkin backs President Donald Trump’s tariff policies at the 2025 Virginia Agricultural Trade Conference. (Credit: Brad Kutner)

Governor Glenn Youngkin gave the thumbs up to President Donald Trump’s tariff policies Tuesday.

The remarks came at an agricultural trade conference held in Richmond where the impacts of Trump’s policy were also discussed.

Brad Kutner has more. 

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Cubs raised in captivity bound into the wild

Orphaned bears are cared for at the Wildlife Center of Virginia until they can survive on their own. (Credit: Wildlife Center of Virginia)

Seven bear cubs are enjoying spring in the wild after growing up at the Wildlife Center of Virginia. 

Reporters are not allowed to witness their release, but Sandy Hausman spoke with one staffer who says the yearlings seemed happy to be free.

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Appeals court judge wrote “the book” on a pivotal Virginia figure

The title page of Harvie Wilkinson’s book about Harry Byrd, with a photo of Byrd on the opposite page. (Credit: Michael Pope)

Long before he wrote this month’s federal appeals court decision excoriating the Trump administration’s deportation system, Judge Harvie Wilkinson was a noted historian of a pivotal figure in Virginia history.

Michael Pope explains.

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Virginia Catholics mourn the loss of Pope Francis

A photo of Pope Francis sits in the entry way of Sacred Heart Cathedral in Richmond. (Credit: Brad Kutner)

Catholics around the world are mourning the passing of Pope Francis.

Brad Kutner spent time at a special mass at a cathedral in downtown Richmond. 

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Researcher at Virginia Tech developing technology that could help utility companies put more power lines underground

(Credit: Appalachian Power)

When storms hit, many of us brace, wondering if the power will remain on. Utility companies in Virginia are putting more power lines underground, which can help.

Roxy Todd spoke with a researcher who is looking at whether improved technology may make this cheaper and safer.

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Dem AG primary could become proxy fight between two big donors

The Democratic primary for attorney general might end up being an expensive fight between two big-money rivals.

Michael Pope explains why.

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Pope & Schapiro: Money talk

Lots of money talk this week— campaign money, tariff money and state tax money.

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

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Early campaign finance numbers show Democrats outraising Republican incumbents

Credit: NPR

Campaign finance numbers show the fall campaign season is heating up. And Michael Pope explains a handful of races feature Republican incumbents in districts won by Kamala Harris.

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VMI Board of Visitors elects Gottwald president

Virginia Military Institute’s Board of Visitors selected a new president during a special meeting Wednesday.

The position opened up when two members resigned following a vote by the panel to not extend the contract of Superintendent Cedric Wins, the first Black man to hold the post.

Dave Cantor has more.

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The governor is still mulling a medical debt protections bill

Governor Glenn Youngkin is contemplating what to do with 92 bills on his desk. Michael Pope has this report about one involving medical debt.

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The House and Senate have different opinions on this social media bill; what will Youngkin do?

Governor Glenn Youngkin is still considering how he wants to handle dozens of bills on his desk. Michael Pope has this report about one involving social media.

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She joined the army by accident and couldn’t be happier

Next month, 21-year-old Rebecca Fitch will be commissioned as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army — a post she had not considered until signing up for an ROTC course by accident. (Credit: Rebecca Fitch)

Joining the U.S. military is a big decision – something not taken lightly, but one University of Virginia student admits she signed up by accident. Sandy Hausman reports on how that happened and what it means for her future.

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UVA seeks patients for long COVID study

Credit: CDC

By now, most adults in this country have had COVID, and about seven percent have lingering symptoms that might be related to the virus. 

Scientists at the University of Virginia are now comparing a number of medications that hold promise for treating it, as Sandy Hausman reports.

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Pope & Schapiro: Trump admin actions on tariffs, immigration and education

The Trump administration’s actions on tariffs, immigration and education are making waves in Virginia.

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

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Ranked-choice voting advocates hope gubernatorial veto won’t be a set back

Credit: Jahd Khalil

Advocates for ranked-choice voting are hoping that a recent veto won’t set back their movement. Michael Pope reports.

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Youngkin backs removal of alleged MS-13 gang leader without trial

Governor Glenn Youngkin chimed in on the future of an alleged MS-13 member arrested in Northern Virginia late last month. The defendant’s gun charge was dropped earlier this week. Brad Kutner has more. 

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Inside a Bland County prison, inmates are learning welding

Samuel Gibson holds a welded piece of metal. (Credit: Roxy Todd / Radio IQ)

April is “second chance” month, a national initiative to raise awareness around challenges that incarcerated individuals face after they are released. Finding a job can often be one of the biggest hurdles. There are several programs inside Virginia prisons to teach inmates skills, including a welding course at a prison in Bland County. Roxy Todd went there to observe the class and speak with students.

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Congressman Beyer wants to limit the use of public funds for sports stadiums

Should taxpayers help finance pro sports stadiums? Virginia considered an unsuccessful proposal for a taxpayer-financed sports arena last year. Now, Michael Pope reports about a bill in Congress that would limit how public money could be used for private gain.

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Waynesboro Symphony’s Hollywood debut

The cast and crew of Granite Rapids Moon hiked 82 miles to make their movie without lights, power or showers. (Credit: John Charles Meyer)

One week after its first screening in Los Angeles, a film that features music from the Waynesboro Symphony will be shown in Charlottesville, Richmond and Northern Virginia.  

It was shot in the Grand Canyon during two epic hikes – one in December and another in June.  

Sandy Hausman has this preview of Granite Rapids Moon.

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Northern Virginia officials say they need help from state lawmakers amidst federal job cuts

Fairfax County Board of Supervisors Chairman Jeff McKay speaks to members of the House Emergency Committee at the Virginia Tech Innovation campus in Alexandria. (Credit: Michael Pope)

Members of the House of Delegates’ Emergency Committee on the Impacts of Federal Workforce and Funding Reductions are on the road, and they’re hearing from people in Northern Virginia. Michael Pope is in Alexandria with the latest.

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Virginia’s biggest trade partners among those hit by Trump’s tariffs

Members of VEDP Advisory Committee on International Trade look on at visuals used by President Donald Trump to explain his new tariff policy. (Credit: Brad Kutner / Radio IQ)

Virginia’s international trade totals over $70 billion in annual economic activity. The future of how President Donald Trump’s tariff policies could impact that activity was the subject of a meeting held in Richmond Tuesday. Brad Kutner has more.

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Virginia’s 2025 primaries are now set

The June primary will NOT feature a race at the top of the ticket. Michael Pope reports candidates for governor are now set.

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In big cities and small towns, Virginians voice disapproval of Trump administration actions

Protesters rally behind the Lancaster Union Masonic Lodge in Kilmarnock. (Credit: Pamela D’Angelo)

On Saturday, large protests took place across the U.S. against Trump administration policies.

In one small corner of the rural Northern Neck of Virginia, several hundred people marched on Main Street. Pamela D’Angelo reports.

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State legislators wrestled with AI this session, and likely for years to come

Members of the Virginia General Assembly and the governor are considering how the Virginia code should adapt to the new world of artificial intelligence.

Michael Pope reports.

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Pope & Schapiro: Amendments & vetoes, UVA’s Board of Visitors, and special elections

As the governorship of Glenn Youngkin begins to wind down, what do events in other states reveal about the race to be his successor?

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

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Debate over ALPRs likely to return next year

Credit: David Seidel / Radio IQ

Members of the General Assembly have rejected suggested changes the governor made to a bill on surveillance technology. Michael Pope reports.

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Virginia’s Democratic Delegates blame ‘fear of Trump’ for Youngkin’s vetoes

Virginia’s Democratic members of the House of Delegates picked a specific target when trying to override vetoes by Governor Glenn Youngkin: Republicans’ alleged fear of revenge from President Donald Trump. Brad Kutner reports from the Capitol.

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General Assembly sends fentanyl legislation back to the governor’s desk

Credit: Mallory Noe-Payne / Radio IQ

Members of the Virginia General Assembly were back at the Capitol Wednesday, voting on hundreds of vetoes and amendments from the governor. Michael Pope has this story about one of those amendments on the fentanyl crisis.

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Author of an Atlantic Coast Pipeline history warns the nation will see another gold rush for gas

The Atlantic Coast Pipeline would have wound nearly 600 miles from West Virginia through this part of George Washington and Jefferson National Forests in Virginia, and into North Carolina. (Credit: The Pipeline Air Force)

It’s been nearly five years since Dominion Energy pulled the plug on a $2.8 billion dollar project – the Atlantic Coast Pipeline. Today, the author of a book on that subject shares lessons from the ACP and warns the nation faces another dash for gas. 

Sandy Hausman has that story.

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Virginia’s likely GOP gubernatorial nominee addresses March For Life

Lieutenant Governor Winsome Earle-Sears speaks at the 2025 March for life rally in Richmond. (Credit: Brad Kutner / Radio IQ)

Hundreds gathered in Richmond Wednesday for the annual March for Life. The event included a speech from Virginia’s likely GOP gubernatorial candidate. Brad Kutner has more.

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Immigrant rights groups want lawmakers to reject some of the governor’s amendments

Credit: Mallory Noe-Payne / Radio IQ

Members of the Virginia General Assembly will be back at the Capitol this week. Michael Pope has this report about how lawmakers will be considering legislation related to immigration.

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