Indian lands across the country are being encroached on by pipelines, fracking, data centers and other industries.

In Virginia, the Rappahannock Tribe joined a handful of Tribal Nations in the U.S. that are recognizing the constitutional rights of nature. Now, they’re ready to defend that right for their river as Pamela D’Angelo reports.

Are federal issues making an impression on Virginia voters?

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

Striped bass are one of the most ecologically and economically important species of the Chesapeake Bay and up and down the Atlantic Coast. Back in the late ‘70s their numbers were decimated in the Bay by overfishing, degradation of their habitat and warming waters. Fisheries managers stepped in and cut harvests and the fish recovered.

But, it’s happening again.

This time, fingers are being pointed and tempers are flaring, as Pamela D’Angelo reports.

The state ombudsman monitoring the Virginia Department of Corrections, held her second public meeting Thursday in Richmond.

Dave Cantor reports she heard from several frustrated families and advocates.

If you’re getting rid of that “gas guzzler” and investing in a more fuel-efficient or even an electric vehicle, you’re probably expecting to see some savings from buying less fuel.  

But Craig Wright says it’s not quite that simple.

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 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.

The Labor Day weekend is traditionally when political campaigns kick into high gear, which means that the political ad season is just beginning.

Michael Pope has a preview of how the race for governor will be frequent fixture your TV screens.

Data centers are the fastest growing industry in Virginia, and that means plenty of opportunity for businesses to find ways to work together.

At a recent conference in Richmond, Brad Kutner found out more about how these industries are meeting and growing locally. 

President Donald Trump, Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin and Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders have one thing in common: they all support the federal government taking shares in some of the country’s biggest private businesses.

And as Brad Kutner found out, those federal acquisitions might come to Virginia sooner than later. 

As summer winds down, political ads on TV are revving up.

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

A new report from Roanoke College has some stark views of the economic outlook.

Michael Pope has details.

Registration of new voters is lagging behind the last election cycle when the governor was on the ballot.

Michael Pope asked some political analysts why.

Governor Glenn Youngkin will leave office with Virginia’s Standards of Learning test results about where he inherited them.

Brad Kutner has this report on what was the term-limited Governor’s last chance to deliver on a campaign promise to improve Virginia’s school test scores.

Humanity has made many scientific discoveries throughout history, many of which have come through sheer luck or coincidence.

Nick Gilmore reports on one such scientific coincidence that is providing vital data to state and federal officials in the New River Valley.

Third-parties have a long history in Virginia, although most of them have not been successful very long.

Michael Pope tells us about the latest attempt.

Roanoke City’s Democratic party has reiterated its support for incumbent Delegate Sam Rasoul.

The endorsement comes after some members of Rasoul’s own party criticized his comments on the conflict in Gaza.

Brad Kutner has this report. 

The Virginia legislature approved state requirements in 2024 for reporting annual deaths in custody numbers. It’s a backstop for a federal law called the Death in Custody Reporting Act.

This summer, the state released its first set of numbers under the new law.

Dave Cantor has more.

Republicans are hoping school choice will be an issue that helps them with voters on the campaign trail this year.

Michael Pope is looking at one district in Lynchburg where the future of public schools will be on the ballot.

Debates between candidates have long been a feature of America’s political campaigns.  But getting candidates to agree to them has become increasingly difficult.

Politics analyst Jeff Schapiro and Michael Pope discuss the impact of that trend on Virginia’s race for governor.

A federal appeals court in Richmond said Virginia’s governor has unfettered discretion when deciding who’s voting rights should be restored. 

Brad Kutner has the details.

Virginia Military Institute has a new superintendent.

VMI’s Superintendent Search Committee conducted interviews this week and a new superintendent was announced late Friday.

Dave Cantor has more.

Virginia’s bottom line and the speeding-up race to November’s election are making headlines.

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

The Virginia Department of Corrections employs more than 11,000 people across the state in positions ranging from nurses to corrections officers.

Getting those positions filled is a challenge, as Dave Cantor reports.

Redistricting is back in the news, just a few years after Virginia completed the process.

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

Over the past weekend, the Rappahannock Indian Tribe gathered with the community of donors, volunteers, federal agencies, conservationists and local people who helped them obtain nearly a thousand acres of ancestral lands high above the river that shares their name.

Pamela D’Angelo reports.

Virginia Commonwealth University’s health system will no longer offer gender-affirming care for minors, according to a recent announcement from the school.

And while other Virginia health care providers may move to restrict care in the future, research shows controversial surgical procedures among trans youth are rare.

Brad Kutner has more.

A judge made his decision, but that doesn’t mean the state’s college leadership controversy is going away anytime soon.

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

The Trump administration’s cuts budget cuts are trickling down to communities in rural Virginia.

In Floyd, the June Bug Center provides afterschool and summer programs for rural kids. But it faces an uncertain future, as Mason Adams reports.

Members of the Chesapeake Bay Commission met Wednesday morning to learn more about managing agricultural land— and how to balance economic and environmental outcomes. 

Dave Cantor has more.

An Eastern Shore multi-use trail project broke ground this spring. And a pair of proposals aim to create more outdoor recreational opportunities across Virginia.

Dave Cantor has more.

Senate Democrats are taking their fight against controversial higher-ed appointments to court.

Michael Pope was in a Fairfax County courtroom and has more on the arguments.