Lawmakers are back in Richmond for a special session.

And as Michael Pope reports, a Republican effort to end the extended unemployment benefit during the pandemic may get some unexpected support.

An international non-profit is helping a small southwest Virginia town create its first park… And cases involving people with mental health issues may soon be heard in a special court in the Shenandoah Valley.

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.

Lawmakers return to the Capitol next week for a special session to spend federal stimulus money and appoint judges to an expanded appeals court.

Richmond Times Dispatch columnist Jeff Schapiro and Michael Pope break it all down for us in a new weekly conversation about Virginia politics and government.

Lawmakers are about to appoint a half dozen new appeals court judges.

Michael Pope reports many legislators want to add some diversity to the bench.

The Virginia Redistricting Commission is about to start drawing new political boundaries for the Commonwealth.

And Michael Pope reports they’re getting an earful.

Almost 50,000 families have gotten rent relief since July of last year.

Jahd Khalil reports that even though Virginia may be doing better than other states, many families are still at risk.

Lawmakers are getting ready for a special session to determine how to spend more than four billion dollars of federal stimulus money.

But as Michael Pope reports, some lawmakers are worried they won’t be able to offer much input.

Lawmakers will be back in Richmond next week to figure out how to spend more than four billion dollars of federal stimulus money.

As Michael Pope reports, they’ll also elect several new judges.

The air children breathe in schools has always been important, but during COVID-19 that importance is especially obvious.

With billions of Federal money coming into Virginia, Governor Ralph Northam proposed a good chunk of that to improve ventilation systems in schools.

Jahd Khalil was in Hopewell for the announcement.

Rockets have been launched from Virginia’s Wallop’s Island for years. Now they may also be made in Virginia.  And five Virginia community colleges are changing their names.

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.

Preventing gun violence is near the top of the agenda for many voters. 

And as Michael Pope explains, it’s already becoming a hot topic in the campaign for governor.

A group that provides free medical services in far Southwestern Virginia has brought advanced COVID-19 treatments to the region. And a Virginia law that requires police to compile data on traffic stops has produced some enlightening information.

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 Congress moves toward approval of a bill to rebuild roads, bridges and water systems in this country, the nation’s civil engineers are calling for billions of dollars to repair aging dams. 

Sandy Hausman reports on four in Virginia that could pose risks to the public.   

Starting July 1st thousands of more Virginians will be eligible for food assistance.

Jahd Khalil has this report on the new requirements and who can qualify. 

Thousands of Virginians with unpaid medical bills are having those debts wiped out. And people in several Virginia counties are being asked not to feed wild birds.

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.

Virginia is on the cusp of reaching President Biden’s goal for Covid-19 vaccinations.

69.6% of adults in the state have gotten at least one dose. Biden wanted 70% to have one by the Fourth of July.

Jahd Khalil reports on the shots that come after this goal. 

The expiration of the federal Farm Bill is coming. And since the bill includes millions in scholarships for students at historically black land grant universities, Virginia State University’s president headed to DC this week.

Jahd Khalil reports on the U.S. House Agriculture Committee’s plans for the scholarship money.  

First it was toilet paper, then yeast, garden gnomes, and gas.

Now, as society reopens, it’s pallets that are in short supply, a behind-the-scenes commodity used to transport goods from factories and farms to distributors, retailers, and us.

Christine Kueter has that story.

Now that Republicans and Democrats have chosen their candidates for attorney general, voters are already seeing a bit of what the fall campaign season will look.

Michael Pope reports.

Charlottesville is home to this country’s only museum of art created by indigenous Australians. 

The Kluge-Ruhe has more than 2,100 paintings, ornaments and tools, but some of those objects are going home after decades in America. 

Sandy Hausman has that story.

A pandemic-related funding cut is affecting some victims of domestic abuse in Virginia.  And Petersburg has had -no- success in trying to get rid of an abandoned hotel.

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

More now from Fred Echols.

Tuesday’s primaries for House of Delegates were unusually competitive for incumbents.

Five lost the nomination for their current seats.

Jahd Khalil has more. 

With Tuesday’s primaries now decided, the general election is already in high gear.

Michael Pope reports on the race for governor.

The Supreme Court of Virginia heard arguments Tuesday from people hoping to block the removal of the Lee Monument from the former Capital of the Confederacy.

Brad Kutner has more from Richmond.

The Virginia Theological Seminary has begun paying annual reparations to the descendants of slaves who built it.  And public water in a Northern Virginia neighborhood is so discolored people are afraid to use it.

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

More now from Fred Echols.

We know that being outside is one of the safest activities during Covid-19.  But last year, restrictions forced most long-distance hikers off the Appalachian Trail.

This year though, they are back probably above pre-pandemic levels.

Jahd Khalil hiked parts of the AT to find out why so many people are on the trail this year.  

The five Democrats running for governor in next week’s primary met for one final debate Tuesday night.

Michael Pope has a recap.

A state-ordered investigation into Virginia Military Institute found institutional racism and sexism are “present, tolerated, and left unaddressed.”

David Seidel says the report’s authors also accuse school administrators of trying to derail the investigation.

As public swimming pools re-open they’re finding it’s not quite so simple as just unlocking the gates. And a group of determined high school students refused to let the pandemic get in the way of their spring musical.

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.

Televised debates often make a splash when a candidate makes a gaffe.

But sometimes it’s the moderator that draws all the attention, as Michael Pope reports.

Virginians are remembering a political giant.

Former U. S. Senator John Warner died Tuesday night at age 94.

David Seidel has more on his life and career.

As the moratorium on evictions draws to a close at the end of next month, many renters are wondering what happens next.

Michael Pope reports.

A state lawmaker is trying to limit the costs of FOIA requests.  And Roanoke is the first city in the Commonwealth to enact a tax on plastic shopping bags.

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.

It’s been a week since Governor Ralph Northam brought Virginia’s Mask guidance in line with the CDC’s. That meant vaccinated people wouldn’t have to wear masks inside in most situations.

Jahd Khalil spoke to a legal expert on how vaccination status could be verified by businesses. 

The Democratic candidates for governor are heading into the final stretch of the primary campaign, and they’re making their closing arguments to voters.

Michael Pope reports.

A new program hopes to connect people in need of rent relief with money that’s already here in Virginia.

Michael Pope explains how.

The Democratic Primary is less than three weeks away, and so far officials say the turn-out for early voting is low.

Sandy Hausman spoke with one expert who is dismayed by the numbers.

The era of virtual government is about to draw to a close, at least at Virginia’s state capitol.

Michael Pope reports.

Now that businessman Glenn Youngkin has secured the Republican nomination for governor, Democrats and Republicans are both trying to create a narrative around a candidate many voters have never heard of.

Michael Pope reports.

Last year, the pandemic forced Indigenous tribes in Virginia to cancel festivals and powwows.

With vaccines, safety protocols, and celebrations taking place outdoors, tribes are making their way back to community events.

Jamestown kicked the effort off with its first Indigenous Arts Day. Pamela D’Angelo was there.

Predicting population growth is a tricky game.

But one Virginia institution has become the go-to source for state population predictions.

Michael Pope reports. 

A community group dedicated to reducing gun violence is looking for more volunteers and more financial support. And the latest numbers show some changes in the list of most popular baby names in 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.

Governor Ralph Northam lifted the indoor mask mandate for most settings a short time ago/Friday afternoon.

Virginia will also end COVID-19 mitigation measures on May 28th.

Jahd Khalil has more. 

Lyme disease is on the rise.  Higher global temperatures are part of the problem, helping ticks thrive. 

But it turns out, the infamous black legged deer tick that carries Lyme bacteria in North America, has a secret weapon that scientists have just identified. 

Robbie Harris reports.

Senators Mark Warner and Tim Kaine are urging the Biden administration to take action to help Virginia whiskey makers.

Michael Pope explains why.

Republicans now have a slate of candidates to head into the fall election season.

And, as Michael Pope reports, you might not have heard their names before.

Republicans are heading into the fall election with a relatively unknown candidate for governor.

Michael Pope reports.

The drama during past Republican nomination contests has played out on the convention floor over hours.

Jahd Khalil reports that this year it’s being measured in rounds.

Republican officials are adding up the convention votes cast in about 40 different polling places over the weekend.

Some of the voters from the 6th Congressional District shared their views on the process with Joe Staniunas.