It’s been about a year since Andrea Sapone was hired as the state’s first corrections ombudsman, monitoring the Virginia Department of Corrections.

The office recently issued its first strategic plan.

Dave Cantor explains the two-page document outlining both short- and long-term goals for the office.

While the 2025 campaign is heading into the final weeks, some are already looking to 2026.

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

The Virginia Department of Corrections controls most facets of incarcerated peoples’ lives — including when and how communication with the outside world happens.

Dave Cantor has more on Attorney General Jason Miyares voicing support for allowing contraband cellphone jamming at state prisons.

Wise and Scott Counties in Southwest Virginia have some of the highest energy costs proportional to household income in the nation. Many residents here rely on federal energy assistance to afford to cool and heat their homes.

As Katie Burke reports, the decision to cut federal energy assistance could mean life or death for millions of Americans.

This story was supported by the Pulitzer Center and was produced in collaboration with Climate Central.

Early voting has already started in Virginia, although some locations are more likely to have early voters than others. Michael Pope reports.

Early voting started Friday in Virginia.
Brad Kutner was in Henrico County where two opposing statewide candidates made an appearance and he has this report. 

Traveling rural roads in Virginia, it’s not unusual to spot a bald eagle surrounded by vultures devouring road kill.

As hunting season begins, bald eagles will head into the woods to scavenge on the remains of deer, hunters leave after field-dressing them.

But remnants of lead ammunition are sometimes part of that meal and will eventually kill many of these eagles.

Pamela D’Angelo reports.

Legislative staff in Richmond released a first-of-its-kind report Wednesday morning.

Brad Kutner says it paints a grim picture for some populations and some regions of the Commonwealth. 

The invasive insect called Spotted Lanternfly continues its spread through Virginia and is now in Blacksburg and Radford.

Roxy Todd reports a new study looks at whether pet dogs could be successful at sniffing out lanternfly eggs, as one way to combat the infestation.

The Library of Virginia will present a Chesterfield native with its highest honor this weekend.

Brad Kutner spoke with composer Damien Geter and filed this report. 

The murder of Charlie Kirk shocked the nation and Virginia.

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

Parts of Virginia continue struggling with the aftermath of 2024’s Hurricane Helene.

In addition to rainfall-driven incidents, the commonwealth has to consider river and coastal flooding. That’s why the state legislature created the Flood Resilience Advisory Committee last year.

Dave Cantor has more.

With the fall campaigns kicking into high gear, with national issues playing big roles on the race for governor.

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

Voters in Northern Virginia are about to decide on a replacement for the late Congressman Gerry Connolly.

Michael Pope has this preview.

Virginia drivers with autism have a new way to communicate with police if they’re pulled over.

It’s called the Blue Envelope program.  DMV officials were in the capitol with Brad Kutner to explain how it works.

Governor Glenn Youngkin has touted his all-of-the-above approach to energy production in the Commonwealth.

That includes the development of small nuclear reactors, as well as the use of fossil fuels and renewable energy sources.

The Virginia Offshore Wind Development Authority met Wednesday/this week amid new federal uncertainty.

Dave Cantor has more.

Friday marks the 75^th anniversary of a court ruling that made UVA the first university in the South to integrate. 

Sandy Hausman reports on the student who sued for access to a graduate program in the law school.

Osprey are a sentinel species. Scientists look to them for warnings of problems in the environment that could harm other species including us.

This summer, scientists concerned with a continuing decline of osprey chicks in the Chesapeake Bay are crunching data from Maryland to Virginia to try to pinpoint why.

Pamela D’Angelo reports.

Demand for power has never been higher in Virginia, and the growth of data centers is expected to expand that demand exponentially.

Michael Pope tells us that’s part of the push behind nuclear energy.

Just like humans, horses can get skin cancer. Their faces and eyes can be particularly vulnerable.

As Roxy Todd reports, veterinarians recommend horse owners get their animal an eye mask with UV protection.

Redlining was the government sanctioned practice of segregating and devaluing property in Black neighborhoods, often to the benefit of white neighborhoods.

Outlawed in the 60’s, a new study finds more fallout from redlining continues to impact historically Black communities to this day.  

Brad Kutner has more.