Virginia is increasingly becoming a commonwealth of urban and rural.

And, as Michael Pope reports, those two worlds are growing farther apart.

Researchers at Virginia Commonwealth University found that having a brain injury made it more likely a COVID-19 infection would take your sense of smell or taste.

But is there anything that can help survivors get their senses back?

Jahd Khalil spoke to one of the researchers on that question.

Interacting with city government will soon be less challenging for non-English speakers in one city. And virtually every student currently enrolled in schools in Martinsville and Henry County will have a chance to attend community college at no cost.

These 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.

This week the public can comment on the work of the Virginia Redistricting Commission.

It was widely understood that the Commission would submit two maps to the public – one for the house and one for the senate.

Jahd Khalil reports they failed to do that.

Did the two televised debates between Terry McAuliffe and Glenn Youngkin change the trajectory of the governor’s race?

Jeff Schapiro of the Richmond Times-Dispatch and Michael Pope consider what helped and what hurt the two major party candidates.

The leaders of federally recognized tribal nations in Virginia held their first-ever Sovereignty Conference last week.

Pamela D’Angelo reports on what they hope to achieve.

The campaign for governor is now headed into the final stretch now that the second and final debate has concluded.

Michael Pope reports.

Governor Ralph Northam had sharp words for Virginians who have chosen not to get vaccinated against COVID-19.

But as David Seidel reports, the governor admitted he’s running out of ideas to convince them to get the shot.

Residents of Petersburg will no longer be allowed to carry guns in any public area. And the Danville Police Department, like many, is struggling with an officer shortage.

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.

There are new polling insights into the race for governor this week.  And a new direction for who and what gets memorialized in the former capitol of the Confederacy.

Jeff Schapiro of the Richmond Times-Dispatch and Michael Pope discuss those issues.

Tens of thousands of people came to the US, fleeing Afghanistan after the American military’s withdrawal hastened a collapse of the Afghan government.

Among the refugees are Special Immigrant Visa holders and their families who assisted the military.

Jahd Khalil reports that those working to resettle these Afghans and other refugees put a part of themselves into the effort. 

Republican and Democratic map drawers mostly agreed on a compromise for districts in Southwest Virginia. But they had some questions for the Virginia Redistricting Commission Thursday.

Jahd Khalil reports that after weeks of debating criteria for maps, the redistricting commission is now deciding where to digress.

The race for governor may be tightening up heading into the final few weeks before Election Day.

Michael Pope reports on a new poll that shows the race is deadlocked.

It’s been nearly 20 years since archeologists and tribal nations in Virginia began looking for clues to the people and cultures of Werowocomoco.

It was the political center of the Powhatan chiefdom before and during the early 1600s along the York River in Gloucester. 

Pamela D’Angelo brings us the latest on this important Indigenous town.

A traditional crop and a developing power source are the latest ideas for boosting the economy in Southwestern Virginia.

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.

Anti-abortion rights protestors gathered on Capitol Square Friday for an annual rally.

A new restrictive abortion law in Texas energized many of the people there, but Jahd Khalil reports that organizers and politicians are keeping their distance. 

It’s the morning after the first debate in the 2021 campaign for governor.

As the campaigns spin winners and losers, Jeff Schapiro of the Richmond Times-Dispatch and Michael Pope have some analysis.

The major-party candidates for governor squared off in the first of two debates Thursday night.

Michael Pope has a wrap up.

Virginia Tech is expanding its footprint in northern Virginia, a project that may end up transforming the region by creating a pipeline for careers in technology.

Michael Pope reports.

A federal judge will decide whether online critics of a pipeline project can remain anonymous.   And police in Fredericksburg will explore a new way of dealing with mental health emergencies.

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.

As employers grapple with new vaccination requirements, one Virginia congressman has a proposal that would create a new mandate for many travelers.

Michael Pope has the story.

Labor Day is traditionally the start of the final sprint in the campaign season.

Jeff Schapiro of the Richmond Times-Dispatch and Michael Pope discuss the status of the campaign for governor and more.

Registrars across Virginia are purging voter rolls of inactive voters.

And, as Michael Pope reports, advocates are concerned that might disenfranchise some voters.

The Supreme Court’s recent decision to allow a Texas abortion law to stand has turned up the heat in the race for governor in Virginia.

Michael Pope explains why.

Seven Black men executed for rape 70 years ago have been pardoned. And a Virginia high school is among the first in the nation to require COVID-19 vaccinations for athletes.

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.

You might be planning a hike or camping trip for this Labor Day weekend. 

Reporter Jahd Khalil enjoys the outdoors, and he’s not the only one. 

The new political boundaries for the General Assembly and Congress will have an important change because of how incarcerated people are counted.

Michael Pope explains.

The Republican running for governor unveiled a big campaign reset this week.  But one old issue also resurfaced.

Jeff Schapiro of the Richmond Times-Dispatch and Michael Pope discuss those developments in their weekly chat about politics and state government.

Tuesday morning, Governor Ralph Northam pardoned seven Black men who were executed in 1951 for the rape of a white woman in Martinsville.

After the announcement, Jahd Khalil spoke with some of the people advocating for the posthumous clemency. 

Now that the federal eviction moratorium is over, many advocates are worried about what will happen in the next few weeks.

Michael Pope reports.

Possible new regulations have pet owners in Waynesboro upset.  And the head of the Virginia Department of Corrections says he needs more money for staffing.

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.

Are Virginia taxpayers willing to pay more?

Michael Pope reports on a new poll from Virginia Commonwealth University that asks that question.

Several polls this week gave a clearer view of the landscape in the race for governor.

Jeff Schapiro of the Richmond Times Dispatch and Michael Pope discuss the implications of that and more.

A long running legal fight over transgender students’ rights to use the restroom aligned with their gender identity has come to a costly end for one rural Virginia county.

Brad Kutner has more.

The Virginia Redistricting Commission has 45 days to draw new state legislative maps, starting Thursday.

An unintended hot-mic moment demonstrates how important it is for communities to speak up. But Jahd Khalil reports the commission has been criticized for its efforts to reach out to them.

Finding housing is an issue for many Virginians, but it’s also presenting an issue for the organizations trying to resettle some of the Afghans coming to the US on special immigrant visas.

Jahd Khalil spoke with a Virginia refugee advocate.

One Virginia city has made some zoning changes as college students return. And a young man from Lynchburg will have quite a story to tell his classmates in kindergarten.

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.

The race for governor is tightening up.

Michael Pope reports on new polling data that shows the race is closer than ever.

Roanoke College Poll

VCU Wilder School Poll

The Wildlife Center of Virginia recently returned three bald eagles to the wild – the last of them in Grottoes’ Grand Caverns Park. 

The recovery of our national bird could be the best conservation story in Virginia, but there’s one thing we must do to ensure their future, as Sandy Hausman reports.

Population changes and voting districts have been in this week’s political headlines.

Jeff Schapiro of the Richmond Times Dispatch and Michael Pope break down the potential impacts of the Census and redistricting.

Tenants across Virginia who are having a hard time making ends meet are about to get some temporary relief.

But, as Michael Pope reports, many people fear what could be coming when those protections expire.

A quick crackdown on masks and the quick confirmation of 8 judges got the attention of the state’s political circles.

Jeff Schapiro of the Richmond Times-Dispatch and Michael Pope talk about this week’s action.

You’ve heard it before. Virginia’s coasts are sinking as sea levels rise and oceans warm, leading to bigger, more frequent weather events and flooding.

The state is now collecting stories from those now bearing the brunt of these changes.

Pamela D’Angelo reports.

Virginia could issue a license plate honoring a Black-owned newspaper that campaigned for racial justice a century ago. And Martinsville City Council has asked the governor to posthumously commute the death sentences of seven Black men executed decades ago.

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.

Governor Ralph Northam did not issue a mask mandate for schools in Virginia.

Instead he argued that legislation passed earlier this year requires masks.

Jahd Khalil has this report about mitigation and litigation.

Members of the House of Delegates and state Senate have struck a deal to spend billions of dollars of stimulus money.

Michael Pope the latest on the negotiations. 

Lawmakers are making progress in a special session to spend federal stimulus money and appoint new appeals court judges.

Jeff Schapiro of the Richmond Times Dispatch and Michael Pope discuss what’s been done so far.

Governor Ralph Northam took a big step Thursday afternoon, requiring state employees to get vaccinated or submit to regular testing.

Jahd Khalil has the details.

The commissioners who will redraw Virginia’s voting districts have said in a number of ways that they still don’t have the help they need, or enough time, to complete their work.

Jahd Khalil reports those concerns were evident at the meeting Tuesday. 

It’s now legal in Virginia to possess small amounts of marijuana, but the only way to get it legally is to essentially grow your own. 

That’s given a big boost to business at local nurseries and garden stores as Sandy Hausman reports.