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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

There’s been no shortage of news coming from the capitol in the last few days.

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

With the federal government shut down nearing the one-month mark, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, known as SNAP, runs out of money this Saturday. That’s several days before state emergency funds are poised to fill the gap.

At a Louisa County food bank, there’s no pause in traffic from residents seeking help to put food on the table.

Christine Kueter reports.

Leadership in Virginia’s House of Delegates offered competing versions of the future if Virginia goes forward with a redistricting plan to counter President Donald Trump’s pressure on other states.

Brad Kutner has this report.

Late Tuesday afternoon, Democrats revealed their proposed language to allow Virginia to change its Congressional boundaries.

The proposed change could only be used if other states redistrict outside the normal process that follows every census.  It would also expire in 2030, presumably turning the process back over to the bipartisan redistricting commission.

Meanwhile, partisan finger-pointing was the order of the day in the state senate, as Michael Pope reports.

Virginia Democrats released the language of the proposed constitutional amendment Tuesday.

It could allow the legislature to redraw the Commonwealth’s congressional districts ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.

Brad Kutner has this report.

There have been plenty of October Surprises in this campaign season.   Now the latest surprise is about redistricting.

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

Staffing in Virginia’s two U. S. Attorney offices has seen noticeable changes since the beginning of President Donald Trump’s second term in office. 

Some of that’s to be expected when a new administration begins, though some legal observers say what’s happening is very different.

Dave Cantor has more.

As the government shutdown enters a fourth week, hunger is a growing concern as grocery bills remain high and federal assistance programs run out of money.

Michael Pope reports.

Virginia began legalizing casinos in 2020 with the first wager cast in 2022.

Now, years later, there are three fully functioning casino sites in Bristol, Danville and Portsmouth, and more on the way.

And while recent gambling revenue numbers have dipped across the state, elected officials are holding judgement as more casinos are expected to be considered.

Brad Kutner has this report.

Economists are expecting Virginia’s unemployment to increase.

Michael Pope has the numbers.

The Virginia House of Delegates’ money committee met Monday morning.

While representatives from the governor painted a rosy picture of the Commonwealth’s financial future, uncertainty continues to plague economic forecasts.

Brad Kutner has this report. 

Virginia was among the states that recently lost federal grant funding for a renewable energy program called Solar for All.

The state’s Clean Energy Advisory Board met this week to discuss alternative sources of income for similar projects.

Dave Cantor has more.

A recent tour of a new power solution manufacturing facility in Henrico County is putting the spotlight on just how much power data centers will demand in the near future.

And while both of Virginia’s gubernatorial candidates know the Commonwealth’s economic future is likely linked to growing data center demand, they have different ideas on how to power it.

Brad Kutner has this report 

Candidates for attorney general will meet in Richmond Thursday for a debate.

Michael Pope has this preview.

One high-stakes debate down, another to go.

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

With the per-ounce price of gold exceeding record highs, and silver hitting prices not seen since in almost 50 years, collectors and coin dealers are cashing in.

Christine Kueter reports.

Virginia’s decriminalization of marijuana possession has led to a thriving illicit market throughout the Commonwealth.

Brad Kutner says elected officials are expressing more concern. 

Since October arrived on the calendar, the election has been rocked with several surprises.

The Republican candidate for lieutenant governor is facing allegations of Nazi fetishism. 

And the Democrat running for attorney general faced questions about a reckless driving conviction.

That is, until another October surprise hit, as Michael Pope tells us.  

Experts are calling it a “demographic cliff.” That’s the point in the next few years where a decline in births after 2007 will start to impact college enrollment.

And as Brad Kutner found out Monday morning, elected officials in Richmond are already starting to worry about it. 

Interest groups supporting the gambling industry are making big investments in the Virginia election this year.

Michael Pope reports.

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.