Archive for November, 2025

RC: Virginians likely spending less this year on gifts thanks to inflation, tariffs

Credit: Roanoke College

Tis the season for shopping. But will holiday shoppers buy as much as they did last year? Michael Pope has the latest numbers from a new Roanoke College poll.

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Pope & Schapiro: Moving toward the next budget, the next governor, and the next session

As we close the books on November, Governor Glenn Youngkin is moving into the final weeks of his term.

Politics analyst Jeff Schapiro and Michael Pope look ahead to the next General Assembly session.

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13 Republican incumbents won’t be back at the General Assembly in January

Credit: NPR

The Virginia House of Delegates will be losing 13 Republican incumbents when the next General Assembly gavels into session. Michael Pope has this look at the delegates who will be saying goodbye.

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Youngkin honors his last Thanksgiving Tribute Ceremony as governor

Governor Glenn Youngkin and Mattaponi Chief Mark Falling Star Custalow participate in the 348th Virginia Thanksgiving Tribute ceremony. (Credit: Brad Kutner / Radio IQ)

Governor Glenn Youngkin participated in his final Thanksgiving Tribute Ceremony today. The event in its 348th year honors the relationship between Virginia and its indigenous tribes, and it also highlights the more solemn Thanksgiving holiday Virginia celebrated before the Pilgrims. Brad Kutner has this report.

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Youngkin doubts AI bubble, says Democrats’ economic fears are ‘disconnected from the facts’

Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin welcomes Governor-elect Abigail Spanberger during a recent meeting of the Governor’s Advisory Council on Revenue Estimates (Credit: Brad Kutner / Radio IQ)

Recent economic forecasts in Virginia have placed data centers as one of the Commonwealth’s fastest growing economic sectors. And while some worry the artificial intelligence boom those data centers are powering resembles the internet bubble in the late 90s, Governor Glenn Youngkin is more optimistic. Brad Kutner explains.

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Virginia shoppers, store owners see higher prices ahead of holiday season

For many, the holidays come hand in hand with a big feast. But new reports suggest this year’s feast could cost Virginians more than ever. Brad Kutner has this report.

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For Native Americans in Virginia, November is a month of educating and healing

Chickahominy Tribe Chief Stephen Adkins speaks at an event at Virginia Commonwealth University. (Credit: Pamela D’Angelo)

This is Native American Heritage month where we take time to recognize the history, culture, contributions and achievements of Indigenous people.

For many of the Tribes in Virginia it’s a way to educate the public and to heal centuries of trauma.

Pamela D’Angelo reports.

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After Youngkin veto, Democrats set to retry on weatherization task force

Members of the General Assembly are about to gavel back into session. Democrats who will be leading the Senate have an agenda based on the buzz word of this election cycle. Michael Pope tells us about one piece of the affordability agenda.

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Spanberger, Democratic leadership set to inherit drastically different budget thanks to federal cuts

Virginia Governor-elect Abigail Spanberger meets fans at a then campaign stop at JR Tucker High School in Henrico County. (Credit: Brad Kutner / Radio IQ)

Ahead of the 2026 General Assembly session, elected officials gathered in different parts of the state to hear budget forecasts this week. Democrats, who are now in control of all three branches of Virginia’s government, are bracing for stark cuts and a slowed economy. Brad Kutner has this report.

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Do Virginia localities need a “local income tax?”

Credit: NPR

Members of the General Assembly are about to start balancing the books for a new budget. And Michael Pope reports they may consider a proposal that could bring more cash flow to localities across the state.

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Virginia sued over new social media age verification law

During the 2025 legislative session, Virginia’s General Assembly unanimously passed a new law that requires age verification for the use of social media. Advocates say the aim is to protect children damaged by its extended use, but in a new lawsuit, free speech advocates argue it violates the U.S. Constitution. Brad Kutner has this report. 

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Pope & Schapiro: The Spanberger transition

Abigail Spanberger isn’t governor yet, but she’s wasting no time on the gubernatorial transition. Michael Pope and Jeff Schapiro – Radio IQ Politics Analyst – discuss that and the week that was in state politics and government.

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Virginia’s “Right to Work” law could be a big point of discussion in the upcoming session

Credit: NPR

Labor politics might end up being a flashpoint in the upcoming General Assembly session. Michael Pope has this preview.

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Gambling interests are investing heavily in Virginia’s legislative process

Gambling interests are hoping to strike it rich in the next General Assembly session. Michael Pope reports.

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Early bill filings signal Democratic priorities in Senate, House

Democrats who control the Virginia Senate are rolling out their list of priorities.

Michael Pope has the latest.

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Which statewide candidates overperformed their ticket-mates?

A Chesterfield County voter casts their November 2025 ballot at the Stonebridge Recreation Center. (Credit: Brad Kutner)

Now that November’s election tallies have been finalized, it’s becoming clearer which candidates over-performed, or under-performed, their party’s standard bearer at the top of the ticket.

Michael Pope has more on the numbers.

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Proportional committees and the Virginia General Assembly

Credit: NPR

When the next General Assembly goes into session in January, the House of Delegates committees will have more Democrats and fewer Republicans. Michael Pope explains. 

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Pope & Schapiro: Endings and beginnings

Endings and beginnings highlighted the political talk over the past few days.

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

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State lawmakers will likely take a look at Virginia’s tax code in January

As members of the General Assembly prepare for the upcoming session with a new governor, tax policy is likely to be a topic of debate. Michael Pope has a preview.

You can find the report from the Commonwealth Institute here.

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Virginia’s federal employees return to work

After Wednesday night’s vote in Congress, the federal government is on its way to reopening. And that means a return to work for hundreds of thousands of Virginia’s federal employees and federal contractors. Brad Kutner spoke with some of those impacted. 

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Sam Rasoul is no longer the only Democrat to represent Southwest Virginia in Richmond

Delegate Sam Rasoul (left) and Delegate-elect Lily Franklin (Credit: Official Virginia House Portrait / Lily Franklin Campaign)

The politics of Southwest Virginia are shifting in the wake of the election last week. Michael Pope reports.

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Virginia National Guard troops trained for ‘reaction force’

Members of the Virginia National Guard have received special training as part of a “reaction force” that’s expected to quickly respond to civil unrest or natural disasters.

Dave Cantor has more.

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VCU study: Tick-borne meat allergy exploding in Northeast, Southern U.S.

Credit: Mallory Noe-Payne / Radio IQ

Nothing ruins a nature walk like a tick bite, and scientists say concerns from those bites are growing beyond Lyme disease. Brad Kutner has this report on a new study out of Virginia Commonwealth University. 

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Virginia Republicans are soul searching after last week’s elections

In the wake of an overwhelming election loss, Virginia Republicans are looking to the future. Michael Pope reports.

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Virginia is getting older

Virginia is about to get a bit older, according to the latest demographic projections.

Michael Pope has the numbers.

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Spanberger, Virginia senators split on effort to reopen federal government

Governor-elect Abigail Spanberger (Credit: House of Representatives photo)

Governor-elect Abigail Spanberger and the Commonwealths’ two senators are split on a deal working its way through Congress to reopen the government.

Brad Kutner has this story.

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GEDs, per-person funding up in VADOC education programs

A nonpartisan state report issued today/Monday said people who participated in education programs run by the Virginia Department of Corrections were less likely to be rearrested after release.

They also were more likely to find employment and earn a higher wage than those who weren’t enrolled in classes.

Dave Cantor has more.

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Back to the 80’s: The last time Democrats held a 60+ seat House majority

A newspaper headline and photo of A. L. Philpott from his time as Speaker of the House of Delegates.

Speaker of the House of Delegates Don Scott is about to have 64-seat majority.

Michael Pope tells us about the last time Democrats had a majority that large.

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Pope & Schapiro: The transition begins

Now that the election is over, what lies ahead for Abigail Spanberger and Glenn Youngkin?

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

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The Richmond area saw the most flipped seats in Tuesday’s elections

Credit: Mallory Noe-Payne / Radio IQ

Democrats were able to flip 13 House of Delegates seats from red to blue. And Michael Pope tells us that one region saw more action than anywhere else.

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Spanberger, Youngkin share lunch in long-running, Virginia tradition

Virginia’s Governor-elect Abigail Spanberger and outgoing Governor Youngkin after eating lunch. They’re flanked by their spouses Adam and Suzanne. (Credit: Brad Kutner / Radio IQ)

Virginia’s outgoing governor, Republican Glenn Youngkin, had lunch with the Democratic Governor-elect Abigail Spanberger Thursday. It’s part of a long-running tradition that both said was pleasant and part of a healthy transition of power. Brad Kutner has this report. 

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Twin Oaks Community looks to what’s next

Tom Freeman, who goes by the name Tigger, walks past some of the Twin Oaks Community buildings. (Credit: Dave Cantor)

It’s been about a year and half since a fire consumed a building at the Twin Oaks Community that housed its decades-old hammock business.

The destruction of one of the intentional community’s main revenue generators means the Louisa County commune’s been trying to figure out what’s next.

Dave Cantor has more.

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‘This is what a mandate looks like’– Virginia House Democrats beam following historic win

Virginia House Speaker Don Scott speaks to the press following Tuesday’s historic legislative election. (Credit: Brad Kutner / Radio IQ)

Democrats in Virginia’s House of Delegates picked up 13 seats in Tuesday’s election. During a news conference Wednesday morning, leadership in both parties offered their reasons for the dramatic gains. Brad Kutner has this story.

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Northern Virginia now has no Republicans in the General Assembly

Credit: NPR

When the next General Assembly gavels into session in January, Northern Virginia will have zero Republican members.  Michael Pope has more on the fallout from Tuesday’s election.

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Pope & Schapiro: A big night for Virginia Democrats

It was a very good night for Virginia Democrats in last night’s elections. Michael Pope and Radio IQ Politics Analyst Jeff Schapiro discuss the results.

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Democrats sweep Virginia statewide, keep House majority

Governor-elect Abigail Spanberger addressing a crowd of supporters as she claimed victory Tuesday night. (Credit: Spanberger campaign livestream)

Congresswoman Abigail Spangler will become the first female governor of Virginia after a resounding win in Tuesday’s statewide election. She’s led the rest of her ticket, and Democrats expanded their majority in the House of delegates as well. Brad Kutner was in Richmond where the governor-elect claimed victory. 

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Earle-Sears talks about core issues of her campaign in concession speech

Republican hopeful Winsome Earle-Sears giving her concession speech in Leesburg Tuesday night. (Credit: Michael Pope)

Republicans came up short in all three of their statewide races. Michael Pope has this look at how the ticker came up short.

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Early vote soars in Virginia’s 2025 election

An absentee ballot sent out by the City of Richmond’s Office of Elections. (Credit: Brad Kutner / Radio IQ)

Virginians voted early in record numbers for a governor’s race this year. So, what impact might that have on Election Day? Brad Kutner spoke with Virginia politicos for their early voting takes ahead of Election Day. 

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Why does Virginia have odd-year elections?

The timing of the election this week is a relic of the 1850s. Michael Pope explains.

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Federal cuts to food bank program contribute to SNAP worries

A pallet of USDA Foods product on a forklift is moved through a warehouse in Fairfax, VA in January 2025. (Credit: USDA Photo)

On Saturday, more than 800,000 Virginians began to lose out on benefits through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program — a byproduct of the federal government shutdown.

Complicating the issue is that the U.S. Department of Agriculture this spring cut funding and canceled delivery of millions of pounds of food to food banks across the country — including to Virginia.

Dave Cantor explains.

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