Starbucks has grown exponentially in 50 years to more than 15,000 stores in the U.S.   All of this growth and success without union employees.

But now two stores in New York have unionized and petitions for unions have been filed at two stores in Richmond.

Roben Farzad, host of the Full Disclosure podcast, and Craig Wright discuss what’s driving the effort and how it might impact the company.

After his inauguration, Governor Glenn Youngkin removed requirements for masks in schools and vaccination of state employees.

Thursday, he rolled out a new plan to address the state’s vaccination rate and surge in hospitalizations.

David Seidel has more.

Glenn Youngkin took the oath of office as Virginia’s 74^th Governor on Saturday.

Roben Farzad, host of the Full Disclosure podcast, and Weekend Edition host Craig Wright discuss Youngkin’s business background and the role that might play in his term as governor.

A Black woman who unknowingly made a major contribution to cancer research is finally receiving public recognition. And Virginia hospitals are struggling to provide care as more COVID-19 patients are admitted.

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 and Edie Gross.

Virginia’s new governor has asked lawmakers to introduce 59 bills, and he’s submitted 25 budget amendments.

But as Michael Pope reports, one issue is dominating his first few days in office.

As a candidate, Glenn Youngkin spoke about schools and race.

Jahd Khalil reports that in his first few days as Governor, Youngkin and his pick for education secretary are looking to minimize race’s role in developing education policy. 

Members of the General Assembly are prohibited from taking campaign contributions during the General Assembly.

And as Michael Pope reports, some would like to see even more restrictions on where lawmakers are able to get their money.

Glenn Youngkin is starting his first week as governor.

And he outlined a wide-ranging agenda during his inaugural address over the weekend, as Michael Pope reports.

It’s an eventful week at Virginia’s state capitol as one administration ends and a new one begins.

Jeff Schapiro of the Richmond Times-Dispatch and Michael Pope got together in the halls of the capitol to talk about what those changes mean.

Governor Ralph Northam delivered his final State of the Commonwealth address Wednesday night.

David Seidel has more.

Northam’s farewell address did not sit well with the new Republican Speaker of the House.

Michael Pope explains why.

Marijuana is now legal in Virginia in small amounts, but there’s no way to buy it legally because nobody has a license to sell it.

Michael Pope reports that’s a problem lawmakers are trying to fix.

With COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations spiking, Governor Ralph Northam announced a new emergency order Monday.

David Seidel explains what it does and does not do.

A 93-year-old driving to Florida needed 39 hours to get through Virginia. And the man who has shaped Virginia’s response to COVID-19 will be stepping down.

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 and Edie Gross.

Virginia’s outgoing and incoming governors have both been dealing with criticism this week.

Jeff Schapiro of the Richmond Times-Dispatch and Michael Pope have more on that and a preview of the General Assembly session coming next week.

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.