Nick Gilmore
Everything you possibly could want to know about all things weather
Homepage: http://theweatherzone.wordpress.com
Budget negotiations are happening right now… behind closed doors
Posted in Virginia's News on May 9, 2024

Senior lawmakers on the money committees are working behind closed doors with the governor to strike a deal on the budget. Michael Pope has the story.
Parents of special needs students ask federal appeals court to step into Virginia’s IDEA process
Posted in Virginia's News on May 9, 2024

Two northern Virginia families asked a federal appeals court in Richmond to step into the process used to support special needs students in the state’s school system. As Brad Kutner explains, the parents claim the system is designed for their complaints to fail.
Demand on Virginia’s free clinics continues to rise as funding cuts loom
Posted in Virginia's News on May 8, 2024

Virginia free clinics serve tens of thousands of patients, and many rely on state money for at least a portion of their funding. While the legislature appears poised to give those clinics less money, new numbers show the clinics are in higher demand than ever. Brad Kutner reports.
How unions are playing into this year’s election cycle
Posted in Virginia's News on May 8, 2024

Unions are playing an important role in the primary elections now underway. Michael Pope explains.
How campaigns spend cash in Virginia is often murky
Posted in Virginia's News on May 7, 2024

Campaign finance documents show a handful of competitive primaries for Congress this summer. But as Michael Pope tells us, there’s not a lot of transparency about how the money is used.
State lawmakers are running out of time to reach a budget agreement
Posted in Virginia's News on May 6, 2024

Senior leaders of the General Assembly’s money committees are expected to meet with the governor this week to hash out a budget compromise. Michael Pope reports.
Republicans and their uneven relationship with early voting
Posted in Virginia's News on May 3, 2024

Now that early primary voting has started across Virginia, Republicans are encouraging their voters to get to the polls, even though many of them oppose 45 days of early voting. Michael Pope reports.
Students speak, chant, blow bubbles and eat pizza at Gaza protest
Posted in Virginia's News on May 2, 2024

Students at Virginia Tech, VCU and the University of Mary Washington staged protests earlier this week, prompting the arrest of more than 100 people charged with trespassing. The University of Virginia has, so far, taken a different tack as Sandy Hausman reports.
A new nuclear energy law will likely mean higher utility bills
Posted in Virginia's News on May 2, 2024

Starting this summer, Virginia will have a new law encouraging nuclear energy. Michael Pope has more on how the costs will be covered.
Early voting for June primaries starts on Friday
Posted in Virginia's News on May 1, 2024

Voting for the June primary starts this week. Michael Pope has a preview.
You can find more information about deadlines and other voting details here.
Reaction to college protests rolls in from state lawmakers
Posted in Virginia's News on April 30, 2024

Student protests and resulting arrests have upended life at some of Virginia’s universities in recent days. Michael Pope has more on how the state’s political leadership is lining up around the protests.
VT president says he supports free-speech, but is disappointed with 82 protestors arrested at pro-Palestinian rally
Posted in Virginia's News on April 29, 2024

Virginia Tech Police now say that they arrested 82 people late Sunday night and early Monday when they broke up a days-long protest on campus.
53 are current Virginia Tech students, according to a revised statement. Roxy Todd reports they were charged with trespassing.
How the EPA’s new rules could impact Virginia
Posted in Virginia's News on April 29, 2024

New environmental rules from the federal government may help clear the air here in Virginia. Michael Pope reports.
Virginia using multi-pronged approach to address teacher vacancies
Posted in Virginia's News on April 26, 2024

Virginia wasn’t an outlier in learning or teacher loss in the wake of the pandemic. But new teacher licensure programs, backed with state funds, are hoping to curb the lack of educators parts of the Commonwealth face. Brad Kutner has more from Richmond.
Millions of dollars are flowing into primary contests
Posted in Virginia's News on April 26, 2024

Primaries for Congress are only a few weeks away, and new fundraising numbers are giving an indication of where the race stands. Michael Pope is looking at the numbers.
More lab schools approved, but not without some controversy
Posted in Virginia's News on April 25, 2024

Governor Glenn Youngkin is still looking to spend $100 million on new lab schools across Virginia, and a handful of applications were approved Thursday. But there were concerns about the viability of at least one of the programs. Brad Kutner has more from Richmond.
How AI could help those who care for people with dementia
Posted in Virginia's News on April 24, 2024

Experts have raised alarms about the potential of artificial intelligence to cause problems for humanity, but in the field of medicine it’s already making a positive difference.
At the University of Virginia, for example, computer scientists are experimenting with a way to help caregivers do a difficult and frustrating job – caring for people with Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia. Sandy Hausman has that story.
A nuclear electric utility bill hike may be on the horizon later this year
Posted in Virginia's News on April 24, 2024

This summer, a new law will go into effect, and it may mean you pay a higher electric bill. Michael Pope reports that money will go toward development of nuclear power.
Next year’s lieutenant governor race is already crowded
Posted in Virginia's News on April 23, 2024

The Democratic primary for lieutenant governor is heating up – with two high-profile candidates entering the race this week. Michael Pope has the latest.
Supreme Court of Virginia sides with former inmate on earned sentence credits case
Posted in Virginia's News on April 22, 2024

People who are incarcerated might be able to get out of prison earlier now that the Supreme Court of Virginia is weighing in on how earned sentence credits are calculated. Michael Pope reports.
Youngkin open to changes in skill games amendments
Posted in Virginia's News on April 19, 2024

Virginia’s legislature said no to a host of amendments from Governor Glenn Youngkin to a bill legalizing skill games in the Commonwealth.
But that didn’t end the conversation and lawmakers agreed to work with the governor to find a more palatable bill. Brad Kutner spoke with Youngkin and some pro-skill game activists as those negotiations are kicking off.
A Supreme Court victory for a Richmond man will impact veterans nationwide
Posted in Virginia's News on April 19, 2024

A Richmond man’s victory in the United States Supreme Court is expected to help hundreds of thousands of veterans across the country. Michael Pope explains why.
Who has the upper hand in a Virginia budget standoff?
Posted in Virginia's News on April 18, 2024

Lawmakers are expected to return to the Capitol in Richmond next month for a special session on the budget. Michael Pope has a preview.
Virginia’s budget deal pushed to May after newfound collaboration between Youngkin and legislature
Posted in Virginia's News on April 17, 2024

Virginia’s top elected officials appeared unified around the promise of a real compromise budget during Wednesday’s veto session. Brad Kutner has more from the Capitol.
The fate of skill games is now in the governor’s hands
Posted in Virginia's News on April 17, 2024

Governor Glenn Youngkin is now facing a decision about what happens with slot-machine style machines in convenience stores and truck stops. Michael Pope reports.
Virginia’s legislature hasn’t overridden a veto in more than a decade. Could that change Wednesday?
Posted in Virginia's News on April 16, 2024

Virginia’s legislature returns to Richmond Wednesday to review Governor Glenn Youngkin’s vetoes and amendments. While tension remains high, at least one bill with strong bipartisan support could see Youngkin rebuked. Brad Kutner has more.
A look at what the 2024 reconvene session may hold
Posted in Virginia's News on April 16, 2024

All 140 members of the Virginia House of Delegates and the state Senate will be back in Richmond Wednesday. They’ll take action on all the governor’s amendments, including a historic number of budget amendments. Michael Pope has this preview.
‘Zombie mortgages’ to die for good later this year
Posted in Virginia's News on April 12, 2024

Starting this summer, Virginia will have a new law against so-called “zombie mortgages.” Michael Pope explains.
Governor Youngkin says no to ranked-choice voting legislation
Posted in Virginia's News on April 11, 2024

Ranked-choice voting has gained popularity in recent years. Although, as Michael Pope tells us, it’s not popular at the Executive Mansion.
Youngkin gets mixed reviews on final criminal justice reform actions of 2024 session
Posted in Virginia's News on April 10, 2024

Governor Glenn Youngkin ran on a law and order platform. And while that may have put most criminal justice reform efforts on the chopping block, advocates and elected officials were surprised by what survived his veto pen. Brad Kutner has more.
UVA conference to address health risks linked to hotter weather
Posted in Virginia's News on April 10, 2024

We’ve heard a lot about dangerous weather and rising seas associated with a changing climate, and medical experts say it will also take a toll on public health. That’s why the University of Virginia’s School of Nursing is hosting a conference on the subject this weekend. Sandy Hausman has that story.
State lawmakers are working to reorganize Virginia’s workforce development efforts
Posted in Virginia's News on April 10, 2024

Virginia’s workforce development is in the midst of a reorganization – one designed to make better use of federal money. Michael Pope reports.
‘They have been a godsend’ — Home visiting program brings parenting skills home
Posted in Virginia's News on April 10, 2024

Being a new parent is a learning experience. But accessing resources and help isn’t easy for everyone.
A program in Virginia is helping families build stronger relationships, by visiting with parents and kids in their own homes, as Roxy Todd reports.
Youngkin slashes Democrats’ education budget, vetoes bipartisan school funding bill
Posted in Virginia's News on April 9, 2024

Governor Glenn Youngkin released budget amendments and issued vetoes just hours before Monday night’s deadline. Some of Youngkin’s strikes hit education spending and funding plans crafted by Democrats. Brad Kutner has more from Richmond.
Skill games proponents ponder next steps following Youngkin amendments
Posted in Virginia's News on April 9, 2024

Lawmakers will return to Richmond next week to consider next steps on a number of important bills. Michael Pope reports that they’ll need to make a decision on what to do about skill games.
Youngkin offers over 200 amendments to budget bill
Posted in Virginia's News on April 9, 2024

Governor Glenn Youngkin offered more than 200 amendments to the General Assembly’s proposed budget Monday. The governor struck a more conciliatory tone, opening up the upcoming budget fight on a positive note, but Democratic leadership remained wary, as Brad Kutner found out.
Youngkin adds to veto total with abortion bills
Posted in Virginia's News on April 8, 2024

Abortion remains a key topic as the governor takes his final actions on bills from the General Assembly. Michael Pope has the latest.
Here’s how to safely view the eclipse in Virginia
Posted in Virginia's News on April 3, 2024
Congressional hopefuls are almost out of time to get their paperwork in
Posted in Virginia's News on April 3, 2024

Thursday is a key deadline for primary elections this summer. Michael Pope has details.
Legislator shares her story ahead of Virginia’s first annual Black Maternal Health Week
Posted in Virginia's News on April 2, 2024

For the first time, Virginia will mark Black Maternal Health Week starting Monday. The event comes after a 2023 study showed increased rates of maternal death in Black communities.
One legislator didn’t need a study to show just how bad the problem is. Brad Kutner has more from Richmond.
What impact could the Florida abortion ruling have in Virginia?
Posted in Virginia's News on April 2, 2024

Virginia is expecting an influx of people seeking abortions now that Florida will implement a six-week ban starting May 1st. Michael Pope has the story.
Governor Youngkin passes on retail marijuana market
Posted in Virginia's News on March 29, 2024

Earlier this week, Governor Glenn Youngkin vetoed a plan from Virginia Democrats for a retail marijuana market. It comes years after the state decriminalized the substance, allowing an illicit market to flourish. Brad Kutner has more from Richmond.
As Youngkin arena deal crumbles, the state’s budget hangs in the balance
Posted in Virginia's News on March 29, 2024

Governor Glenn Youngkin’s hopes for a sports arena in northern Virginia may be dead, but politics in Virginia live on. Among deals that still need to happen between the Republican governor and his Democratic counterparts is the state’s budget. Brad Kutner has more.
Cocktails to go will soon become permanent in Virginia
Posted in Virginia's News on March 29, 2024

Governor Glenn Youngkin is putting his signature on a bill legalizing cocktails to go. Michael Pope has the story.
Pope & Schapiro: Death of an arena
Posted in Virginia's News on March 29, 2024

The death of a sports arena deal in northern Virginia grabbed most of the headlines this week. Michael Pope and Jeff Schapiro – political columnist with the Richmond Times-Dispatch – discuss that and all the happenings in state politics and government.
Millions in federal dollars announced to address Virginia’s abandoned coal mines
Posted in Virginia's News on March 28, 2024

A top official at the U.S. Department of the Interior was in Richmond Thursday to announce millions of dollars to help reclaim abandoned coal mines from Wise to Chesterfield Counties. Brad Kutner has more from Richmond.
Tribal leaders discuss consequences of Virginia’s Racial Integrity Act 100 years later
Posted in Virginia's News on March 28, 2024

Last week, as part of its Indigenous Perspectives Exhibit, the Library of Virginia asked four leaders from Tribes in Virginia to discuss the consequences to their cultures of the Racial Integrity Act put in place to preserve white supremacy in the state 100 years ago. Pamela D’Angelo reports.
Youngkin takes action on several gun-related bills
Posted in Virginia's News on March 27, 2024

Governor Glenn Youngkin took action on over three dozen gun bills earlier this week. The actions will stop many new gun laws from going into effect, but efforts he agreed with are ok with Second Amendment activists. Brad Kutner has more.
Bipartisan bill to address ‘abuse-to-prison-pipeline’ awaits Youngkin’s signature
Posted in Virginia's News on March 26, 2024

Combating human trafficking has been a priority for Governor Glenn Youngkin and Attorney General Jason Miyares. And while the administration has been dinging Democrats for not supporting GOP-backed bills, at least one measure to address the issue passed with unanimous support. Brad Kutner has more from Richmond.



