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Full Disclosure Briefing: College tuition increases

After several years of holding the line, most of Virginia’s public universities are raising tuition.

Roben Farzad, host of public radio’s Full Disclosure, and All Things Considered host Craig Wright have more on what’s driving the new round of increases.

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Critics wary of new funding for license plate readers

Who is watching the movement of your car on license plate readers in Virginia?

Michael Pope reports on the latest developments on the technology. 

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Full Disclosure Briefing: The debt ceiling

President Biden and Congressional leaders are scheduled to meet Tuesday to discuss the looming debt ceiling standoff.

Roben Farzad, host of public radio’s Full Disclosure, and Craig Wright dig into why we have a debt ceiling at all and the potential impact of a default.

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Changing Virginia’s reputation for gun trafficking

Federal crime statistics show Virginia has a problem with gun trafficking.

Michael Pope has the details.

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Pope & Schapiro: The budget, early voting, diversity, and Youngkin’s plans for next year

Governor Glenn Youngkin’s plans for diversity and his plans for next year have been making headlines.

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

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How one UVA student’s tech made parties safer, greener and more fun

UVA senior David Roselle set out to make events safer, greener and more fun with an app called DoorList. (Credit: Sandy Hausman)

Great ideas in business often come from personal observation – seeing problems in need of solutions. And simple ideas can make entrepreneurs rich. 

That could be the case for a UVA student who has attended plenty of events that required guests to wear wristbands. 

Sandy Hausman has his story.

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Virginia prison chaplain pens powerful accounts of his time on death row

Authors Russ Ford (R), Todd Peppers and researcher Charles Peppers (L) (Credit: Sandy Hausman)

It’s been nearly two years since Virginia abolished the death penalty, but some people are still dealing with its consequences. 

Russell Ford was a minister who accompanied 28 men to the electric chair, and he’s written a memoir about that experience. 

He sat down with Sandy Hausman to share some of his memories.  And we should mention that some of those stories are graphic.

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Full Disclosure Briefing: Going to bat for Minor League Baseball

It’s becoming a lot more competitive to land, and especially to keep, a minor league baseball team.  Case in point: Richmond and its ballpark.

Roben Farzad, host of public radio’s Full Disclosure, and Craig Wright have more on the challenge.

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Hundreds of enslaved and free Black laborers helped build Emory & Henry. Students unearthed their buried stories.

Students at Emory and Henry College in Southwest Virginia have spent the past semester uncovering the names of hundreds of people who were enslaved at the college, before and during the Civil War.

As Roxy Todd reports, they produced a short video, meant as a memorial to those whose stories would otherwise have been overlooked.

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Pope & Schapiro: Bruising primaries, big donations, and an overseas trip

Two high-profile primaries, one Republican and one Democratic, are heating up.

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

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Pope & Schapiro: Campaign cash & confidence in public education

Money is pouring in for the fall General Assembly campaigns.

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

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Board of Education approves new K-12 history standards

Virginia’s Board of Education discusses the new standards. (Credit: Va. Dept. of Education livestream)

After months of debate, hearings and contentious drafts, Virginia’s Board of Education adopted new K-through-12 history standards Thursday.

David Seidel has more.

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Scientists track bobcats in Virginia, hoping to protect them and other wildlife

Traps can be adjusted to keep cats from moving around so scientists can safely administer a sedative. (Credit: Nicole Gorman/Virginia Tech)

One of the greatest threats to wildlife in Virginia is traffic.  Thousands of animals are killed each year by cars and trucks in collisions that may also cost human lives or cause injuries. 

In an effort to reduce the incidence of roadkill, Sandy Hausman reports on how scientists at Virginia Tech have been trapping, tagging and tracking the travel patterns of bobcats. 

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Full Disclosure Briefing: Shopping malls look to reinvent

Shopping malls once ruled the retail landscape.  Now they’re reinventing themselves, or just trying to stay afloat.

Roben Farzad, host of public radio’s Full Disclosure, and Craig Wright talk about where they’re headed.

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Pope & Schapiro: The veto session, abortion, and a diagnosis

The General Assembly finished work on the governor’s amendments and vetoes this week, while a hot-button issue simmered in the background.

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

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Legislators turn down internet amendment

The entrance to the Virginia state capitol. (Credit: Mallory Noe-Payne)

Governor Glenn Youngkin is now facing a choice of what to do with an internet safety bill.

Michael Pope reports members of the General Assembly rejected an amendment he suggested.

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Pope & Schapiro: State lawmakers to consider amendments next week

State lawmakers will be back in Richmond next week to discuss amendments from Governor Glenn Youngkin.

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

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Full Disclosure Briefing: What’s in store for Virginia’s housing market

Virginia’s housing market may be cooling off, but sale prices remain hot.

Roben Farzad, host of public radio’s Full Disclosure, and Craig Wright have more on what’s influencing the market and what it might mean for the future.

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Virginia ski resorts innovate through warming winters

A ski run at Massanutten (Credit: Mallory Noe-Payne)

Last week the world’s leading climate scientists released another grim report: climate change is worsening.

Mallory Noe-Payne has this look at how Virginia ski resorts are faring as they face an uncertain future.  

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Pope & Schapiro: A busy weekend for Youngkin and a big shakeup at VDOE

There’s been a big shakeup at the Department of Education while the governor has a big weekend ahead.

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

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With primaries on the way, advocates worry about losing election officials

(Credit: David Seidel)

Election officials across Virginia say they are trying to do the best they can in very difficult circumstances.

And as Michael Pope reports, some of them are resigning.

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Earned wage access legislation likely to return

A new federal report on earned-wage access is reopening a debate from the General Assembly session earlier this year.

Michael Pope reports.

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President of Botswana visits Virginia Tech

Virginia Tech President Timothy Sands greets Botswana President Mokgweetsi Masisi. To the right is Kathleen Alexander, who leads the Centre for Conservation of African Resources: Animals, Communities, and Land Use, a nongovernmental organization in Botswana. (Credit: Clark DeHart/Virginia Tech)

The President of Botswana visited Virginia Tech Tuesday.

As Roxy Todd reports, he focused on how conservation, democracy, and sustainable development are linked.

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After a year-long wait, Youngkin Administration releases guidance to include environmental justice in permits

Last week, the Youngkin administration released a draft of a new state air, land and water permitting process that incorporates environmental justice.

Pamela D’Angelo has more on how that might impact Virginia’s native Tribes.

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Full Disclosure Briefing: What’s next for banks?

It’s been a nervous week in the banking world, both in the United States and abroad.

Roben Farzad, host of public radio’s Full Disclosure, and Craig Wright talk about what might come next.

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State Police vehicles across Virginia will now have red and blue lights, following safety study

The new lights on Virginia State Police vehicles will be both red and blue on the front and back
\(Credit: Lee Friesland/Virginia Tech)

Don’t be surprised if you begin seeing more state police cars with red, as well as blue, lights.

As Roxy Todd reports, police across Virginia have begun phasing in new lights, based on a study that showed they’ll help prevent crashes.

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ADL: 400+ extremist incidents in Virginia in 2022

Virginia was among the top states for hate and extremist incidents in 2022.

Michael Pope reports.

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Va. News: Term limits & turning out records

Term limits may be on the way in Virginia, at least in one town. And even after 75 years the vinyl record refuses to disappear and a Virginia company is playing a major role in keeping it spinning.

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 and Edie Gross.

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Pope & Schapiro: The SCC, signs of a state budget, and saying goodbye to the Senate

There are some signs of movement toward an updated state budget.

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

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Full Disclosure Briefing: What to make of the SVB collapse?

The collapse of Silicon Valley Bank shocked both the banking and the tech sectors.

Roben Farzad, host of public Radio’s Full Disclosure, and Craig Wright talk about the longer-term repercussions.

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Very few veterinarians are Black. These students are trying to change that

Kia Williams and Taylor Emery are students at the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine in Blacksburg. They recently launched a local chapter of the National Association of Black Veterinarians (SNABV). Williams is the chapter’s president. (Credit: Roxy Todd)

Nationally, only about three percent of all veterinarians are Black, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Students at the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine in Blacksburg are working to change those statistics, as Roxy Todd reports.

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Charlottesville considers gun buyback program: Is it worthwhile?

During a community forum, one resident urged Charlottesville Police Chief Michael Kochis to organize a gun buyback program. (Credit: Sandy Hausman)

Since September, 14 people have been killed and 22 wounded by gunfire in Charlottesville, prompting police to consider a gun buyback program. 

Richmond and Roanoke have also offered rewards to those who surrender their firearms, but as Sandy Hausman reports, that may not be the best way to prevent gun violence.    

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Should we monitor the mental health and cognition of presidents and candidates?

President Woodrow Wilson had a devastating stroke while in office and suffered from a deep depression.
(Credit: Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library)

The approach of another presidential election in which one or both candidates might be over the age of 80 during their term has prompted more talk about the need for good mental and physical fitness in that job. 

One expert on presidents and health says the nation should be using technology to scan candidates and presidents on a regular basis.

Sandy Hausman spoke with him.

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Pope & Schapiro: Changes in the chambers of the legislature

Plenty of comings and goings at Virginia’s capitol and the nation’s capitol over the past week.

Jeff Schapiro, political columnist at the Richmond Times-Dispatch, and Michael Pope discuss the changes.

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Retirements, redistricting will change the General Assembly

Former House Speaker Eileen Filler-Corn says she will not run for reelection. And state Senator Lynwood Lewis says he won’t either.

As Michael Pope reports, it’s the latest round of retirements in a historic election cycle.

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Whole Milk: A good source of bipartisanship?

Rep. Abigail Spanberger

Virginia’s congressional delegation is working across party lines to make whole milk available at your local public school.

Michael Pope explains why.

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Full Disclosure Briefing: Amazon’s pause on HQ2

Cities all over the country wanted it.  Northern Virginia won it.  But now Amazon is pressing pause on its new second headquarters in Northern Virginia.

Roben Farzad, host of public Radio’s Full Disclosure, and Craig Wright talk about what happened and its potential impact on the Commonwealth.

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Va. News: School solar power and paying jurors

Jurors in Virginia can expect the state to show a little more appreciation for their civic service starting this summer. And Prince William County’s power bill will be more manageable if a solar project works out as expected.

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 and David Poole.

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Full Disclosure Briefing: The cashless trend

More and more venues—from The Diamond ballpark in Richmond to Lane Stadium at Virginia Tech—are going cashless.  And while it may be easier to pay for items electronically, it’s also more expensive in many cases.

Roben Farzad, host of public radio’s Full Disclosure, and Craig Wright have more on this cashless trend.

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Budget bills to be decided by conference committees

Lawmakers will wrap up their legislative session without passing a budget.

And as Michael Pope reports, the rest of the work will happen outside the public view.

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Pope & Schapiro: Unfinished business and big changes at the General Assembly

The last few hours of the General Assembly session are ticking away.  And the legislature will look remarkably different when it convenes next year.

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

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Lviv Orchestra of Ukraine performs at Radford University as part of U.S. tour

The Lviv National Philharmonic Orchestra of Ukraine rehearsing before a performance at Radford University. (Credit: Roxy Todd)

As the war in Ukraine reaches the one-year mark, an orchestra from that country has been performing in the U-S.

Roxy Todd reports the Lviv National Philharmonic Orchestra’s performance at Radford University this week was part of a two-month tour.

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Virginians elect Jennifer McClellan, Virginia’s first Black congresswoman

Jennifer McClellan, Virginia’s newest Congresswoman, hugs her daughter during an election night party. (Credit: Mallory Noe-Payne)

For the first time ever, Virginians elected a Black woman to represent the state in Congress.

Mallory Noe-Payne was at the election night celebration in Richmond Tuesday night and filed this report. 

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Full Disclosure Briefing: Login fatigue

Remember the old adage “membership has its privileges?”

Well, more and more often that privilege is access to content that used to be free as all sorts of services add paid memberships and subscriptions.

Roben Farzad, host of public radio’s Full Disclosure, and Craig Wright talk about the business trend.

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Virginians choose new Congressional representative in special election

(Credit: Mallory Noe-Payne)

It may not be November, but Tuesday is an election day in some parts of the state.

Mallory Noe-Payne reports on the special election in Virginia’s 4th Congressional District.

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Senate considers definition of concealed weapon

Lawmakers in Richmond often consider laws about concealed firearms.

Now, as Michael Pope reports, they are considering laws about concealed switchblades.

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Farmland ownership legislation headed to governor

Governor Glenn Youngkin is considering legislation aimed to preventing foreign adversaries from purchasing farmland in Virginia.

Michael Pope has an update.

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VCU offers drug to delay type I diabetes

Dr. Bryce Nelson heads pediatric endocrinology at Children’s Hospital of Richmond. (Credit: VCU)

Type One diabetes is rare, but it tends to run in families, and if you have a close relative with the disease your lifetime odds are 5 to 7%.

Now, doctors can offer a medication that prevents development for an average of two years. Children’s Hospital of Richmond is helping families to get tested and to come in for treatment, as Sandy Hausman reports.

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Va. News: Healthcare lab school & paying UVA’s fair share

The University of Virginia’s Student Council wants the university to make a financial commitment to help support housing and public education in Charlottesville.  And high school students in Southwest Virginia soon will have access to college-level training.

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 and Edie Gross.

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Full Disclosure Briefing: Variable seat pricing and the Silver Screen

Would you be willing to pay more for a better seat at a movie theater? 

Roben Farzad, host of Public Radio’s Full Disclosure, and Craig Wright have more on what might become standard operating procedure at some theaters.

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