A pair of salamanders native to Virginia are up for federal protections under the Endangered Species Act.

But the Trump administration is aiming to redefine how habitat destruction factors into those protections.

Dave Cantor has more on the Eastern Hellbender and the Yellow-spotted woodland salamander.

As the June primaries draw closer, candidates are stepping up their TV ad campaigns.

Virginia Public Radio politics analyst Jeff Schapiro and Michael Pope recap the week in politics and state government.

Ask anyone trying to buy a house in Virginia how the process is going and you’re likely to hear stories of one heartbreak after another.

Brad Kutner found out why it’s so hard to get new housing in Virginia and what both candidates for governor would like to see happen if they win. 

Some of the highest rates of sea level rise in the country are in the Chesapeake Bay region where it’s twice the average annual global rate.

Today, the National Trust for Historic Preservation listed the Pamunkey Indian Tribe’s reservation, on a peninsula in King William County, among its eleven Most Endangered Historic Places in America.

Pamela D’Angelo reports.

By law, Virginia’s largest electric utility must stop emitting carbon by 2045, so Dominion is expanding its solar production. 

One challenge – finding places to put more solar panels. 

Sandy Hausman reports on a novel location in Albemarle County.

Changes to the November ballot and changes to Virginia’s budget are a few of the political headlines from the past few days.

Jeff Schapiro, political columnist at the Richmond Times-Dispatch, and Michael Pope recap the week in politics and state government.

The sudden withdrawal of Pat Herrity from the Republican primary for lieutenant governor means the GOP will have no statewide primaries in June.

But Michael Pope tells us that Republicans will have ten primaries for House of Delegates seats.

Governor Glenn Youngkin gave the thumbs up to President Donald Trump’s tariff policies Tuesday.

The remarks came at an agricultural trade conference held in Richmond where the impacts of Trump’s policy were also discussed.

Brad Kutner has more. 

Seven bear cubs are enjoying spring in the wild after growing up at the Wildlife Center of Virginia. 

Reporters are not allowed to witness their release, but Sandy Hausman spoke with one staffer who says the yearlings seemed happy to be free.

Long before he wrote this month’s federal appeals court decision excoriating the Trump administration’s deportation system, Judge Harvie Wilkinson was a noted historian of a pivotal figure in Virginia history.

Michael Pope explains.

Catholics around the world are mourning the passing of Pope Francis.

Brad Kutner spent time at a special mass at a cathedral in downtown Richmond. 

When storms hit, many of us brace, wondering if the power will remain on. Utility companies in Virginia are putting more power lines underground, which can help.

Roxy Todd spoke with a researcher who is looking at whether improved technology may make this cheaper and safer.

The Democratic primary for attorney general might end up being an expensive fight between two big-money rivals.

Michael Pope explains why.

Lots of money talk this week— campaign money, tariff money and state tax money.

Jeff Schapiro, political columnist at the Richmond Times-Dispatch, and Michael Pope recap the week in politics and state government.

Virginia Military Institute’s Board of Visitors selected a new president during a special meeting Wednesday.

The position opened up when two members resigned following a vote by the panel to not extend the contract of Superintendent Cedric Wins, the first Black man to hold the post.

Dave Cantor has more.

By now, most adults in this country have had COVID, and about seven percent have lingering symptoms that might be related to the virus. 

Scientists at the University of Virginia are now comparing a number of medications that hold promise for treating it, as Sandy Hausman reports.

The Trump administration’s actions on tariffs, immigration and education are making waves in Virginia.

Jeff Schapiro, political columnist at the Richmond Times-Dispatch, and Michael Pope recap the week in politics and state government.

One week after its first screening in Los Angeles, a film that features music from the Waynesboro Symphony will be shown in Charlottesville, Richmond and Northern Virginia.  

It was shot in the Grand Canyon during two epic hikes – one in December and another in June.  

Sandy Hausman has this preview of Granite Rapids Moon.

On Saturday, large protests took place across the U.S. against Trump administration policies.

In one small corner of the rural Northern Neck of Virginia, several hundred people marched on Main Street. Pamela D’Angelo reports.

Members of the Virginia General Assembly and the governor are considering how the Virginia code should adapt to the new world of artificial intelligence.

Michael Pope reports.

As the governorship of Glenn Youngkin begins to wind down, what do events in other states reveal about the race to be his successor?

Jeff Schapiro, political columnist at the Richmond Times-Dispatch, and Michael Pope recap the week in politics and state government.

Fire ants have been in eastern Virginia for many years.

As Roxy Todd reports, a new type of fire ant has now been confirmed in parts of Southwest Virginia.

Centrally located along the I-95 corridor between Richmond and Fredericksburg, Kings Dominion amusement park is about to open for its 50th anniversary season. And with it, a new roller coaster.

Brad Kutner was among the first to take a ride. 

President Donald Trump has set off a number of international trade wars in his first weeks in office.

Some in Virginia’s forestry industry hope steps taken by the president will breathe new life into parts of the Commonwealth they feel have been abandoned.

Brad Kutner went to find out more.

A federal judge in Richmond heard oral arguments in a malicious prosecution lawsuit against Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares Tuesday morning.

Brad Kutner was in the courtroom when the judge suggested the dispute might not end as soon as Miyares wants. 

Hair loss is a common complaint, especially among men.  By the age of 60 about two-thirds are bald or have a bald patch. 

Now, scientists at the University of Virginia are working on a possible path to bring back their lost locks as Sandy Hausman reports.

Virginia Democrats predict dire consequences if Republicans in Washington cut funds to entitlement programs like Medicaid, social security and SNAP, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.

Brad Kutner spoke with some of those potentially impacted and has this report. 

Scientists continue to learn more and more about bacteria that exists naturally inside our gut.

The foods we eat affect that bacteria, but so do other organisms that live inside us.

Roxy Todd spoke with a researcher who recently made a new discovery that could change how we treat chronic illness by changing the bacteria inside our stomachs.

With a major election just months away, both of Virginia’s major political parties are undergoing leadership shake-ups.

Jeff Schapiro, political columnist at the Richmond Times-Dispatch, and Michael Pope recap the week in politics and state government.

Virginia spends more than 1.6 billion dollars a year on its Department of Corrections, and some of that money pays to monitor people who were sentenced to probation. 

Two Republicans in the General Assembly passed a bill that could reduce the time under supervision for those who take certain positive steps.

But the governor has yet to sign it as Sandy Hausman reports.

Moves by the administration in Washington are trickling down to Virginia lawmakers, on both sides of the aisle.

Jeff Schapiro, political columnist at the Richmond Times-Dispatch, and Michael Pope recap the week in politics and state government.

Virginia politicians are starting the feel the fallout from federal budget cuts.

Jeff Schapiro, political columnist at the Richmond Times-Dispatch, and Michael Pope recap the week in politics and state government.

The issue of tracking license plates continues to create controversy as the General Assembly heads into its final days.

Michael Pope has the developments.

The National Institutes of Health fund most of the medical research in the United States.

The Trump administration recently announced a reduction in NIH funding. Meanwhile, universities are watching to see if other federal agencies begin restricting research dollars too.

In addition to the knowledge that would be lost, these changes could have economic impacts on communities like Blacksburg, Roanoke and Charlottesville, as Roxy Todd reports.

The General Assembly session is in its waning days but there’s still work ahead.

Jeff Schapiro, political columnist at the Richmond Times-Dispatch, and Michael Pope recap the week in politics and state government.

President Donald Trump and his advisor Elon Musk are looking to cut billions in federal research funding to organizations across the country.

The issue came up during a feisty debate in the Virginia House of Delegates today/Wednesday.

Brad Kutner has more. 

Virginia law requires oversight of a dog’s history when they enter a shelter, but private pet shops have avoided such scrutiny. That could change if a bill from one Southside Senator gets the okay from the governor.

Brad Kutner has explains. 

Republicans are taking aim at a system that allows some incarcerated people to earn credits toward early release.

And as Michael Pope reports, Democrats are pushing back.

Members of the General Assembly are considering efforts to change how some local governments work and how people are elected to those bodies.

Michael Pope reports.

With the General Assembly session now in its second half, arguments about casinos and skill games are heating up again.

Jeff Schapiro, political columnist at the Richmond Times-Dispatch, and Michael Pope recap the week in politics and state government.

President Donald Trump has long decried the use of wind power.

But billions of dollars have and will flow through Virginia as public-private partnerships help create the nation’s largest offshore wind farm off the coast of Virginia Beach.

Brad Kutner has more. 

Democratic majorities in Virginia’s House and Senate released their budget proposals for the 2025 legislative session Sunday.

Brad Kutner has some of the highlights. 

The plane crash in Northern Virginia and the funeral of a former state senator have tempered the mood in Richmond.

Jeff Schapiro, political columnist at the Richmond Times-Dispatch, and Michael Pope recap the week in politics and state government.

Changes in Washington and revenge in Richmond are among the headlines this week.

Jeff Schapiro, political columnist at the Richmond Times-Dispatch, and Michael Pope recap the week in politics and state government.

Members of the General Assembly are moving forward with three constitutional amendments proposed by Democrats.

But as Michael Pope tells us, they are rejecting an amendment supported by Republicans.

Members of the General Assembly are moving forward with three constitutional amendments proposed by Democrats.

But as Michael Pope tells us, they are rejecting an amendment supported by Republicans.

There are some new insights into the shape of the race for governor.

Jeff Schapiro, political columnist at the Richmond Times-Dispatch, and Michael Pope recap the week in politics and state government.

The 21^st century has already been marked by two events that shook many people’s faith in democracy and the rule of law. 

Violence by white supremacists in Charlottesville and pro-Trump forces attacking Congress left many people asking what can and should be done to restore faith in government. 

One Virginia lawyer – tasked with investigating both events – has some answers in a new book. 

Sandy Hausman spoke with him.

After an unexpected delay, the General Assembly session is underway in earnest this week.

Jeff Schapiro, political columnist at the Richmond Times-Dispatch, and Michael Pope have this analysis.

The General Assembly took a back seat to running water this week.

Jeff Schapiro, political columnist at the Richmond Times-Dispatch, and Michael Pope recap the week in politics and state government.