Janine Bell, president and creative director of the Elegba Folklore Society.
(Credit Mallory Noe-Payne)

For generations, the trade of enslaved Africans fueled Virginia’s economy, and Richmond was once the hub of that market.

For those who want to confront that difficult past, there’s the Richmond Slave Trail.

Reporter Mallory Noe-Payne went along on the night time tour, and has this report.

Virginia Republicans are in a state of flux right now, a shift that could have long-term consequences for Virginia politics.

Michael Pope has the story.

Credit Vangie Williams for Congress

Only four women have ever represented Virginia on Capitol Hill, and never a woman of color.

Now a Democratic candidate in Virginia’s 1st Congressional District is hoping to change that.

Mallory Noe-Payne reports.

Sen. Tim Kaine (Credit: U. S. Senate Photo)

Virginia Democratic Senator Tim Kaine surprised many political watchers when he tossed his support behind a new bill to decriminalize marijuana at the federal level.

Matt Laslo has the story from Washington.

Several hundred Richmond seniors who would have spent the summer without air conditioning are getting some relief…  and volunteer rescue squads are struggling to remain viable all across Virginia.

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.

John and Ruby Laury fear the Atlantic Coast Pipeline will rob them of clean air, clean water and the quiet of their rural neirhborhood. (Credit Sandy Hausman)

Opponents of the Atlantic Coast Pipeline have warned of possible harm to the environment and challenged Dominion’s right to take private property for this purpose.

Now, another group is coming forward with a different claim as Sandy Hausman reports.

  Senator Mark Warner speaks to reporters Wednesday outside the Youth for Tomorrow facility in Bristow. (Credit Michael Pope)

Some of the children caught up in the recent immigration policy enforcement are here in Virginia.

Michael Pope went to one facility in Northern Virginia where more than a dozen children from Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador are being housed.

According to a new report from the Union of Concerned Scientists, much of Virginia’s coastline will face persistent and chronic flooding by the end of the century.

As Mallory Noe-Payne reports, a new cabinet member in Virginia is being tasked with fighting the flooding.

One lost opportunity is turning into a new gig for one Virginia judge.

Michael Pope explains.

Smithfield Foods is no longer curing hams in Smithfield. And Richmond’s school superintendent says it’s time for gender-neutral caps and gowns.

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.

Corey Stewart celebrates victory in the Republican primary on June 12. (Credit: Michael Pope)

Voting results in the recent Republican primary for U.S. Senate show some signs that the traditional urban-rural divide may be slipping a bid.

Michael Pope is looking at the numbers.

Cooper Vineyards in Louisa (Credit Virginia Department of Agriculture)

Rolling into the weekend you may have plans to relax at one of Virginia’s many breweries or wineries

Mallory Noe-Payne reports that in the future, thanks to a new law, you may be able to bring your four legged-friend with you.

Richmond’s largest employer and one of the state’s biggest universities is marking a major milestone this summer.

Jason Fuller reports on how it’s changed the physical landscape of the city.

Virginia politicians are responding to reports of physical and emotional abuse of immigrant children detained at a juvenile justice center outside Staunton.

Mallory Noe-Payne reports.

Businesses across the country are about to get major new tax incentives to move to some of the poorest parts of Virginia.

But will it work?

Michael Pope reports.

Rep. Tom Garrett

Leaving Congress can be a liberating time in the life of an elected official, a time when lawmakers don’t have to listen to leadership or donors.

Michael Pope has the story of one Central Virginia congressman who says he lived those values his entire time in office.

(Credit: Lush Cupcakes)

Breweries and wineries are booming in Virginia.

And now, thanks to a change in state law, a new alcohol-inspired industry may soon blossom: boozy baked goods.

Mallory Noe-Payne has more.

  Patrick Welch, a member of VCU’s Hyperloop team, at work at BuildRVA.
(Credit: VCU College of Engineering)

SpaceX, the company run by Elon Musk has made headlines for revolutionizing space travel.

But the company is also focused on travel right here on Earth — a high-speed futuristic train called the Hyperloop.

It doesn’t exist yet, but college students around the world have done their part to inch the Hyperloop closer to reality, by taking part in an international design competition.

As Mallory Noe-Payne reports two of the twenty teams that are worldwide finalists are from Virginia.

Campers will discover not all Civil War soldiers dressed in blue or gray.
(Credit: National Museum of the Civil War Soldier)

Kids heading for summer camp have lots of choice – from conventional outdoor adventures to programs specializing in computers, the science of space travel and plenty of sports.

Here in Virginia, there’s a camp that allows children to experience the American Civil War.

Sandy Hausman traveled to Petersburg to check it out.

Credit: Paul Sableman / Flickr

Governor Ralph Northam will sign a bill Tuesday aimed at making feminine hygiene products more available in prisons and jails in Virginia.

But advocates for menstrual equity say much more needs to be done.

Michael Pope reports.

An intrauterine device is one of the most effective forms of birth control, but without insurance it can cost a $1,000. (Credit Sarah Mirk / Flickr CC)

In Virginia, almost 40-percent of women say their most recent pregnancy was unplanned.

A new pilot program funded in the latest state budget, is hoping to lower that number.

Mallory Noe-Payne reports.

Elementary students in Chesterfield County are about to become the latest in Virginia to experience year-round schools…. and in Salem the consequences of not paying the meals taxes just got a little more serious.

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

Fred Echols has more.

(Credit: Rog Cogswell/Creative Commons)

Republicans in Washington are locked in a debate over what Congress should, or even can do, about immigration reform this election year.

Washington correspondent Matt Laslo reports most Virginia Republicans are sticking to party leader’s script.

Chief Robert Gray stands on the pier in front of the tribe’s now defunct shad fish hatchery. There are no longer enough shad to continue the hatchery that once helped boost the population. (Credit: Pamela D’Angelo)

Three years ago the Pamunkey Indian Tribe gained federal recognition.

Now the tribe is considering opening a casino as a step toward financial independence.

But the idea is not without controversy as Pamela D’Angelo reports.

***Editor’s Note: An earlier version of this story incorrectly attributed the historic document read by Chief Gray to his tribe. In fact, it was from a speech by  the leader of the Onondaga tribe, who spoke on behalf of six nations at the 1744 treaty of Lancaster in Pennsylvania. The Pamunkey were not signatories nor attended this treaty negotiation.

Democrats now have a slate of candidates heading into the fall election that may not be as progressive as some would like.

But Michael Pope reports that might end up helping them in the fall.

Corey Stewart celebrates his nomination Tuesday night. (Credit: Michael Pope)

Corey Stewart beat back two challengers to emerge as his party’s nominee to take on Senator Tim Kaine.

Michael Pope has the story.

About 300 union workers took part in a protest across from the company’s regional offices in Roanoke. The dispute is over the possible loss of 74 jobs at a store in Hampton Roads. (Credit: Joe Staniunas)

A dispute over 74 jobs at a Kroger supermarket in Tidewater prompted a protest in Roanoke by hundreds of union workers this/Tuesday afternoon.

Joe Staniunas reports.

Republicans will head to the polls tomorrow to select a candidate to run against incumbent Senator Tim Kaine.

So how many voters will show up and vote?

Michael Pope gets some predictions.

(Credit: Joe Hall/flickr.com)

Recent years have seen tremendous growth of absentee balloting in Virginia.

Parties and candidates use that data to get out the vote.

But, as Michael Pope reports, the new trend is also making election returns less informative.

Tuesday is Primary Day in Virginia. Voters will be selecting candidates for November’s Congressional midterms.

And as Mallory Noe-Payne reports, officials have been prepping to make sure voting systems are secured against cyber attacks.

America is running short on people who have the skills to fix things. And if you have an E-Z Pass in Virginia you should know that if you don’t use it you could lose it.

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.

Rep. Rob Wittman (Credit: congress.gov)

This week the Senate leader announced he plans to cancel part of their August recess, and a Virginia Congressman thinks the House should stay in session too.

Matt Laslo has the story from Washington.

Governor Ralph Northam speaks at Thursday’s budget signing ceremony. (Credit: Mallory Noe-Payne)

A sense of celebration Thursday at the Capitol in Richmond, as the Governor signed a new two-year budget that includes Medicaid Expansion.

Mallory Noe-Payne has more.

Rep. Scott Taylor speaking at a “State of the Water” forum held by the Virginia Eastern Shorekeeper at the Eastern Shore Community College on May 31. (Credit Pamela D’Angelo)

The fight over offshore drilling is heating up.

Tuesday, Richmond-area Congressman Donald McEachin introduced legislation that would prevent exploration and drilling off the coasts of Virginia, North Carolina, Maryland and Delaware.

Virginia Beach Congressman Scott Taylor has also publicly opposed a White House proposal to allow offshore drilling.

At a recent forum on the state of Virginia’s waters, the Republican had even more to say.

Pamela D’Angelo reports.

Medical marijuana processing may soon bring some much needed jobs to Virginia’s most economically depressed region. And there’s an effort underway in Charlottesville to help mentally ill offenders get community support instead of jail time.

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.

Cape Coast Castle (Credit: Jordy Yager)

A group of more than 50 people traveled from Charlottesville to Ghana earlier this month to learn about the origins of the trans-Atlantic slave trade, and how it can be better taught back here in the U.S.

Jordy Yager joined the group and has this report.

Erosion at Fones Cliffs (Credit: Chesapeake Conservancy)

Developers who illegally cleared over 13 wooded acres for their golf course resort atop the historic Fones Cliffs are in trouble again after heavy rains this month sent trees and soil toward the Rappahannock River.

Pamela D’Angelo reports.

Educators in Norfolk have a plan to introduce economic diversity into pre-school. And a Northern Virginia town is hoping to use excitement about the Washington Capitals hockey team to give itself an economic boost.

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

More now from Fred Echols.

A derelict crab pot washed up on one of Virginia’s miles of shoreline on Chesapeake Bay. Many lost traps lie on the bottom of the bay and its tributaries, according to VIMS. (Credit: Pamela D’Angelo)

Last year, a scientific report put some astounding numbers to crab pots lost by watermen and the subsequent economic loss when they become death traps for crabs that wander in and can’t escape.

Now, a committee of federal and state crab scientists say those numbers were overestimated.

Pamela D’Angelo reports.

This still image taken from the Richmond police body camera shows Richmond Police officer holding a stun gun at Marcus-David Peters approaches him on May 14.

Police in Richmond today released the video of an officer involved shooting that happened 11 days ago.

The video shows an officer killing an unarmed man who appears to be having a mental breakdown.

Mallory Noe-Payne reports.

Credit James Willamore/flickr.com

There has been increased national scrutiny of the cash bail system, which critics say creates a debtor’s prison for those who can’t afford to fork over money to a bail bondsman.

Now that debate has erupted in Virginia.

Michael Pope has the story.

Credit: Creative Commons / Flickr

The Virginia Senate reconvened for a brief budget session Tuesday, just long enough to kick the can down the road for another week.

Mallory Noe-Payne has the latest from the capitol.

  A community meeting in Blackwell, organized by New Virginia Majority, brought policing to the forefront of residents’ minds.
(Credit  New Virginia Majority)

Last week, police in Richmond shot and killed an unarmed man who was charging at an officer. The incident has renewed calls for more transparency around policing.

Earlier this year, Richmond agreed to release monthly data on complaints against officers, as well as use of force by officers.

But as Mallory Noe-Payne reports, some community advocates are asking for more.

The City of Martinsville wants to keep information about a failed attempt to build a medical school secret… and Richmond is now allowing people with mobile phones into its courthouse.

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.

  Credit Bill Lapp / Flickr CC

A coalition of housing advocates is working together to reduce evictions across Virginia.

According to a recent report, five of the top ten large US cities with high eviction rates are in the Commonwealth.

Mallory Noe-Payne has more.

The Campaign to Reduce Evictions will hold its kick off meeting from 3 to 5 p.m. Tuesday at the First Baptist Church, 2709 Monument Avenue.

Rex Tillerson addresses VMI graduates.
(Credit: David Seidel/Radio IQ)

Rex Tillerson has been largely out of the public eye since he was ousted as Secretary of State earlier this year.

But today/Wednesday at Virginia Military Institute, Tillerson told graduates about a crisis of ethics.

David Seidel has more from Lexington.

The Stonewall Jackson House in Lexington is undergoing a $700,000 renovation and expansion. Part of the work will provide deeper understanding of the six people the Jacksons owned as slaves.
(Credit Stonewall Jackson House)

Numerous books have been written about the Confederate general Stonewall Jackson.

But almost nothing was known about the slaves he and his family owned.

Jessie Knadler reports on new research at Jackson’s home in Lexington that now sheds light on the lives of these six individuals.

Activists in favor of expanding Medicaid stage a “die-in” in Richmond.  They say they’ll continue to lobby state senators. (Credit: Mallory Noe-Payne/RadioIQ)

As the June 30th deadline approaches, Virginia lawmakers are back in Richmond to finalize the state budget.

A month ago, The House of Delegates passed a budget that includes Medicaid expansion. Now the Senate is taking its turn.

And as Mallory Noe-Payne reports, it’s unclear if their opposition to Medicaid expansion has waned.

Credit: Amanda C / Flickr

School boards across Virginia are hunkering down over calendars now, trying to come up with a schedule for next year.

And, as Michael Pope reports, school board members have some new flexibility this year to increase recess time.

For years the island town of Chincoteague has been challenged to find fresh drinking water. Now it’s gotten even harder.

And police scanner enthusiasts in Virginia Beach may soon find themselves out of the loop.

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

Fred Echols reports.