Lawmakers will be debating a bill that would allow local governments to set any salary they want for appointed school boards.

Michael Pope reports.

Many people who need a COVID-19 test here in Virginia have encountered long waits.

But state officials say it’s not a supply problem.

David Seidel explains.

The next election for the General Assembly will feature new maps.

And as Michael Pope reports, that will mean many incumbents will have to face each other.

2022 is starting with a lot of highs—high prices for many goods and high values for many stocks.

So will those trends last?

Roben Farzad, host of the Full Disclosure podcast, and Weekend Edition host Craig Wright talk about what may be coming in the year ahead.

Tobacco was once the centerpiece of Virginia’s economy.

Now that fewer cigarettes are sold, lawmakers are trying to figure out how retailers should handle taxing tobacco.

Michael Pope reports.

Dogs are being trained to detect the odor of COVID-19.   And workers failed to find a time capsule said to be in the base of the Lee Monument in Richmond. But they did find something else.

Those have been among the most read stories over the past week at the Virginia Public Access Project’s Va. News link.

More from Fred Echols.

Some gun rights supporters want to make getting a permit to carry a concealed weapon easier to get.

Michael Pope reports.

The calendar year may be drawing to a close. But with a new administration about to take office in Richmond, there’s still plenty of political activity underway.

Jeff Schapiro of the Richmond Times-Dispatch and Michael Pope bring us up to speed on the week in state government and politics.

On the campaign trail, Republicans promised tax cuts.

Now that lawmakers are about to convene in Richmond for the next General Assembly session, they’ll need to figure out how to make it happen.

Michael Pope reports.

The debate about guns may become one of the big themes of the upcoming General Assembly session, thanks to a new Republican majority.

Michael Pope explains one bill.

 Can Virginia’s outgoing governor and his successor see eye-to-eye on the state budget?

Jeff Schapiro of the Richmond Times-Dispatch and Michael Pope recap the week in politics and state government.

While Virginia has been coping with COVID-19, the state has also been overwhelmed by people in need of mental health services. 

As Sandy Hausman reports, hospitals and community programs are unable to meet the need, and the situation could get worse over the holidays.

Over the course of 2021, the Virginia Redistricting Commission received thousands of public comments about the effort to draw new political maps for the state.

Now that the Virginia Supreme court is finishing the job there’s another round of limited public comment.

Jahd Khalil tells us what Virginians had to say about the maps.  

Population data and maps have been dominating Virginia’s political circles for the last few days.

Jeff Schapiro of the Richmond Times-Dispatch and Michael Pope talk about those developments and more.

The Supreme Court of Virginia tasked two experts with the state’s redistricting effort.

Late Wednesday their work was posted online.

Reporter Jahd Khalil has looked into what the proposals mean for Virginia’s future representation. 

Lawmakers are about to debate a bill that would create tax breaks for investors.

Michael Pope reports.

Governor Ralph Northam says teachers have endured numerous challenges during the pandemic.

And so he’ll write a big raise into the budget he’ll submit to the General Assembly shortly before he leaves office.

David Seidel explains.

Restoring the population of native oysters to the Chesapeake Bay began with an executive order by President Obama in 2009.

This week, Governor Ralph Northam gathered with a small group at a rural marina to mark a milestone.

Pamela D’Angelo reports.

The abortion case being considered by the U. S. Supreme Court already has some wondering if changes are on the horizon in Virginia.

Jeff Schapiro of the Richmond Times-Dispatch and Michael Pope recap some of this week’s issues in state government and politics.

In the past few years, Democrats have implemented a host of new gun violence prevention measures.

 Now that Republicans are moving into positions of power in Richmond, many of those new laws may be reevaluated.

Michael Pope reports on one top priority of gun-rights enthusiasts.

A small community in western Virginia is struggling to recover from a devastating flood while cities in Hampton Roads are trying to be better prepared for their next one.

Those have been among the most read stories over the past week at the Virginia Public Access Project’s Va. News link.

More now from Fred Echols.

There’s an old saying that every year is Election Year in Virginia.  And with state candidates running in odd numbered years and federal offices up in even years, that’s true.

So how did we get here?

Jeff Schapiro of the Richmond Times-Dispatch and Michael Pope explore the background of Virginia’s off-year elections.

A substance that provides a marijuana-like high at a much lower price may soon be outlawed in Virginia. And Roanoke is considering a new law that would move campers off the city’s sidewalks.

Those have been among the most read stories over the past week at the Virginia Public Access Project’s Va. News link.

More now from Fred Echols.

Virginia’s next governor continues his victory tour as the debate over how to spend the state’s enormous budget surplus heats up.

Jeff Schapiro of the Richmond Times-Dispatch and Michael Pope bring us up to speed on the week in politics and state government.

The books on the shelves of school libraries have become a new flash point in the culture wars. 

Michael Pope reports on how Spotsylvania County has become the latest example.

Governor-elect Glenn Youngkin will be the one to propose how your tax dollars are spent but he’ll have to go through the Senate and House of Delegates.

Tuesday the House Appropriations Committee met and heard about booming revenues.

Jahd Khalil was there and heard some words of caution, too.

A team at Virginia Commonwealth University is working with scientists at two other medical centers to conduct the world’s largest study of genetic risk factors for depression. 

Sandy Hausman reports on what they hope to learn.

Virginia is home to a pair of innovative projects that may change the way food is produced and supplied.

That’s been a popular topic over the past week at the Virginia Public Access Project’s Va. News link.

More on that now from Fred Echols.

Governor-elect Glenn Youngkin is poised to start working toward one of his campaign promises as soon as the General Assembly session starts.

Michael Pope reports on the future of the Parole Board.

Now that the election is over, lawmakers will be considering a number of bills generated from the campaign trail.

Michael Pope reports on one proposal that was a frequent topic of conversation in the race for attorney general.

We’re learning more about who will be helping Republicans transition into the offices of Governor, Lieutenant Governor and Attorney General.

Jeff Schapiro of the Richmond Times-Dispatch and Michael Pope are already seeing some differences in approach.

Virginia’s beleaguered Employment Commission has been struggling to keep up with unemployment claims since the pandemic hit.

Now Michael Pope tells us about a new report calling for changes to the agency.

The presumptive new Republican majority in the House of Delegates and Governor-elect Glenn Youngkin will inherit a sticky question.

Possession of small amounts of pot is legal, but marijuana sales aren’t.

Reporter Jahd Khalil says a vote Wednesday told us Republicans are still figuring out their stance on the issue. 

As lawmakers plan to return to Richmond in a new era of Republican control, one issue that will be a heavy focus is education.

Michael Pope reports on a big budget promise.

Voters in two Virginia cities surprised some people last week by approving higher taxes and rejecting a casino.

Those have been among the most read stories over the past week at the Virginia Public Access Project’s Va. News link.

More now from Fred Echols.

It’s been a huge week in Virginia politics.

Jeff Schapiro of the Richmond Times-Dispatch and Michael Pope look to the future of a Glenn Youngkin administration and the Democratic Party’s future in Virginia.

Glenn Youngkin will be the next governor of Virginia.

In a stunning upset, Republicans retook the Governor’s Mansion after more than a decade.

Reporter Jahd Khalil was in Chantilly for Youngkin’s Victory Party. 

Democrats are pointing fingers after losing all three statewide races to Republicans.

Michael Pope reports.

About 1.1 million people voted early in this election, 20 percent of all registered voters.

Joe Staniunas talked to some in southwest Virginia who waited until election day to cast their ballots.

One of Virginia’s favorite hiking trails has gotten a little too popular during the pandemic.  And Arlington County wants more of its residents involved in local government planning.

Those have been among the most read stories over the past week at the Virginia Public Access Project’s Va. News link.

More now from Fred Echols.

Virginians are remembering Linwood Holton as someone who chose principle over party.

The former governor died Thursday.

David Seidel has more on his impact.

There’s been plenty of buildup.  And now Election Day is almost here.

Jeff Schapiro of the Richmond Times-Dispatch and Michael Pope discuss the closing days of the race for governor and what we might see in the first days of the transition to a new administration.

New polling in the race for governor shows the election tightening with early voting wrapping up.

Michael Pope explains the results.

President Joe Biden is urging voters in Virginia to reject the Republican ticket and return former Governor Terry McAuliffe to the Executive Mansion.

Michael Pope reports.

Voters in Virginia will choose three statewide offices next month.

As Michael Pope reports, they could end up splitting the ticket.

We’re a week out from the last day of voting in Virginia’s election.

Polls show a tight race, despite Virginia looking bluer and bluer over the past few election cycles.

Jahd Khalil reports that’s got both campaigns focused on turnout, but for different reasons. 

This summer, five state hospitals that serve Virginians with mental illness had to pause admissions due to staffing shortages

American Rescue Plan funding was supposed to help address that, but as Jahd Khalil reports, the situation has continued to worsen at the hospital that treats children.

The University of Virginia will soon require employees to be vaccinated against Covid-19.  And public school staff in Richmond will be getting a break from pandemic stress.

Those have been among the most read stories over the past week at the Virginia Public Access Project’s Va. News link.

More now from Fred Echols.

Virginia’s fall election is breaking new ground.

Jeff Schapiro of the Richmond Times-Dispatch and Michael Pope discuss new voting rules and their impact.

Across Virginia, mental health services are stretched beyond the breaking point.

Michael Pope reports advocates want changes.