Rod Parker tests asparagus. Behind him H-2A workers sort and pack asparagus after spending the morning in the field picking it. (Credit Pamela D’Angelo)

Virginia’s farms and seafood processors rely heavily on foreign workers.

But the federal visa system to get them is complicated and doesn’t always work, even when there’s not a global pandemic underway.

Pamela D’Angelo reports on the difficulty with H-2A visas.

Virginia’s farms and seafood processors rely heavily on foreign workers with thousands of visas issued each year.

But Chesapeake Bay seafood processors that pick crabmeat and shuck oysters are limited by a different federal visa system that has a history of problems and this year, the COVID-19 pandemic has made it worse.

Pamela D’Angelo reports on H-2B visas.

As businesses prepare to reopen on Friday, COVID-19 continues to infect Black and Latinx people at disproportionate rates.

Some say the plan is moving too fast and putting communities of color at risk in the process.

Cat Modlin-Jackson has the story.

Covid-19 restrictions are forcing candidates in local elections to come up with new ways of getting their messages out. And summer school in Virginia, if it happens at all, may be different this year.

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 has gotten the green light from federal officials to give extra food money to families in need.

As Mallory Noe-Payne reports, more than half a million children in Virginia qualify.

Voters will be heading to the polls or casting absentee ballots next month in a Republican primary to take on incumbent Senator Mark Warner.

Michael Pope has this look at the candidates.

Governor Ralph Northam speaks during Monday’s news conference in a screen capture from the governor’s video stream.

Some Virginia businesses may be able to open by the end of next week. Governor Ralph Northam made that announcement Monday.

Mallory Noe-Payne has details.

One of the unexpected consequences of people staying at home is more trash going into landfills.  And the first school system in Virginia to shift entirely to a year-round schedule is wondering how the pandemic might affect its plans.

Those have been among the most read stories over the past month at the Virginia Public Access Project’s Va. News link.

More now from Fred Echols.

  Kitty Gray and her family finding ways to stay connected during the pandemic.
(Credit Kitty Gray)

More than half of coronavirus outbreaks in Virginia are at long term care facilities, and those outbreaks can be especially deadly.

Mallory Noe-Payne has this look at why nursing home residents are vulnerable and how their families are coping.

When April First came around, many weren’t able to make rent after being laid off in the wake of COVID-19 pandemic.

Friday is May First and the problem is set to repeat itself.

Jahd Khalil has more on how landlords and tenants are dealing with paying, or not paying, rent.

Covid-19 is disrupting education in ways other than current school closings… and Harrisonburg will have to wait a little longer for a second high school.

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.

  Speaker of the House of Delegates Eileen Filler-Corn speaks at the temporary rostrum.
(Credit Mallory Noe-Payne)

A surreal scene at the state capitol Wednesday.

Almost 100 members of Virginia’s House of Delegates outside under a giant tent for their one day veto session.

Mallory Noe-Payne is there and has this report.

(Credit: U. S. Census Bureau)

The coronavirus pandemic may have stopped a lot of things – but one thing it hasn’t stopped is the Census.

Mallory Noe-Payne has more on what the state is still doing to make sure Virginians fill out that form.

Senators meet inside the Science Museum of Virginia.

The minimum wage in Virginia is about to go up, although the economic crisis is postponing the increase a few months.

Michael Pope reports on one of the actions from Wednesday’s General Assembly session.

The COVID-19 pandemic and changes in Virginia law are forcing local governments to change the way they normally prepare for a presidential election. And with restrictions on gatherings, required public meetings are becoming difficult to manage.

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.

(Credit: Va. Dept. of Juvenile Justice)

Twenty-five young people held in state custody have tested positive for COVID-19. That’s according to the Department of Juvenile Justice.

The numbers amount to about one-eighth of the population at the Bon Air Correctional Facility, outside Richmond.

As Mallory Noe-Payne reports, 21 of the cases were asymptomatic. 

Gov. Ralph Northam

Governor Ralph Northam is extending his executive order that closes many businesses in Virginia.

Mallory Noe-Payne has the latest.

Getting on the ballot is not easy for candidates under normal circumstances.

As Michael Pope reports, it’s now becoming a very difficult hurdle for candidates across Virginia.

Ponies munching on grass near a pond at the refuge. (Credit: Pamela D’Angelo)

Every April, hundreds flock to see the Saltwater Cowboys round up famous wild ponies for a bi-annual health check.

But this year, in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, it will be different.

Pamela D’Angelo reports.

Credit: Flickr CC

It might seem strange, but during this pandemic many doctors and nurses are struggling financially.

Sandy Hausman explains why and what’s being done to help them.

For thousands of Virginians without a place to live, staying at home isn’t an option.

Earlier this month, Governor Northam announced $2.5 million in emergency funding to help those experiencing homelessness.

Cat Modlin-Jackson has the story.

(Credit: CDC)

New models from the University of Virginia show social distancing is helping slow the spread of coronavirus in the state.

Mallory Noe-Payne has the latest.

The COVID-19 outbreak is proving to be especially challenging for schools where internet service is spotty. And while many restaurants are laying off staff during there’s at least one that’s been hiring.

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.

Credit: dcJohn via Flickr.com / CC

Even though schools are closed for the rest of the year, teachers are trying to keep their students engaged through distance learning.

Many districts are going online. But, as Cat Modlin-Jackson found, the shift might be especially challenging for English learners.

The Covid-19 outbreak is disrupting elections at every level as governments and political parties adjust.

Stories about the political process have been among the most read over the past week at the Virginia Public Access Project’s Va. News link.

More now from Fred Echols.

  A sign informs visitors of the closure of the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts in Richmond. It also includes recommendations for social distancing in the museum’s outdoor areas.
(Credit Cat Modlin-Jackson)

Hundreds of museums across Virginia have closed, just as droves of field trippers and after-hours crowds were set to gather for spring events.

So what happens now that the lights are out and would-be visitors are stuck at home?

Cat Modlin-Jackson has the story.

(Credit: CDC)

During the COVID-19 crisis world leaders might do well to consult a professor of public policy at the University of Virginia.  In 2018, he developed a complex game called Pandemic.

Sandy Hausman reports on what that simulation showed.

Under normal circumstances, lawmakers would be preparing to head back to Richmond in a few weeks to consider actions taken by the governor on all the legislation they passed this year.

But, as Michael Pope reports, this year may end up being different.

Three inmates at the Virginia Correctional Center for Women have tested positive for the novel coronavirus along with a contractor at the prison in Goochland.

A guard at the Indian Creek Correctional Center also has the disease, and prisoners around the state are terrified as Sandy Hausman reports.

(Credit: U. S. Census Bureau)

Now that schools and many offices are closed due to coronavirus, families have more time for other activities, like filling out the Census.

And though door knockers are on hiatus, advocates want every resident counted, especially the little ones with a big impact.

Cat Modlin-Jackson has the story.

(Credit: Alexander G via flickr.com / CC)

Many industries are having a hard time right now, and many are seeking help from the federal government.

As Michael Pope reports, the coal industry is no exception.

  Karen Acree with her patient Tyrone Jones.
(Credit: Karen Acree)

Many people with disabilities, or who are elderly, rely on home health care workers to come to their houses and help them stay safe and healthy.

Tens of thousands of people in Virginia work as a home health or personal care aide.

Now those low wage workers are on the front lines of a pandemic. Mallory Noe-Payne reports.

(Credit: CDC)

In just a matter of weeks, life as we have known it has dramatically changed with the arrival of COVID-19.

And while the requirements to self-isolate or stay away from people is challenging our social fabric, people are finding ways to cope.

Robbie Harris has more.

Virginia’s new restrictions on people and businesses begin at midnight Tuesday.

Restaurants can only serve carry out or delivery, gatherings of more than 10 people are banned, and any recreational or entertainment business must close.

Mallory Noe-Payne reports.

Kara Goodrow, a circulation clerk at Northumberland Public Library, disinfects a returned book. (Credit Pamela D’Angelo)

Communities are rolling up their sleeves and coming up with ways to deal with the consequences of social distancing and business closings due to the coronavirus.

Public libraries are at the heart of rural communities. They’re a gathering spot, a portal for internet access and a safe place for teens and neighbors to meet up. But the coronavirus has changed all that.

Pamela D’Angelo reports from one rural library in Virginia’s Northern Neck.

Supervisors in one county are testing the question of whether a locality can overrule the U. S. Postal Service. And a Virginia town must choose between the quality of its mobile phone service and the welfare of two raven hatchlings.

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.

Gov. Ralph Northam speaks at Friday’s COVID-19 briefing.

COVID-19 cases have now been confirmed in every region of Virginia, with at least 114 reported statewide Friday.

David Seidel reports state officials are praising residents and businesses that are respecting limits on gatherings.

Authorities have been urging people to stay home in the coronavirus outbreak.

But many Virginians rely on public transport, including commuting to critical jobs.

Jahd Khalil has more.

Dr. Cassidy Rist teaches at the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Science at Virginia Tech (Credit: Virginia Tech)

By now, most people are aware of the importance of taking precautions to avoid spreading the Coronavirus to other people.

But what about our pets?  Robbie Harris reports.

Unemployment claims are skyrocketing in Virginia, doubling every day this week.

Michael Pope reports.

As the number of COVID-19 cases continues to grow in Virginia, officials are, for the first time, releasing guidelines for daycare centers.

Mallory Noe-Payne has the latest on the virus’ impact to schools and children.

(Credit dcJohn via flickr.com / CC)

Now that Governor Northam has shut down schools to stem the outbreak of COVID-19, there’s a push across the state to make sure children who rely on subsidized meals don’t go hungry.

Cat Modlin-Jackson has the story.

  The plague forced Shakespeare’s theater company to close several times, but it always recovered. The American Shakespeare Center says it will also be back.
(Credit American Shakespeare Center)

There’s a saying in the theater world – the show must go on, but the American Shakespeare Center in Staunton has announced that its curtain will come down for more than two months.  Many other theatres have temporarily closed

As Sandy Hausman reports, the goal is to protect audiences and about 70 employees from the new coronavirus.

(Credit: CDC)

As of mid-day Tuesday, Virginia is now up to 67 cases of COVID-19.

Officials say there’s been community spread of the virus and the state’s first case inside a nursing facility.

Mallory Noe-Payne has the latest.

(Credit: Routledge)

Donald Trump is a frequent target for comedians in this country – more so than any other politician, and that intrigued two Virginia scholars.

They’ve now written a book after reviewing more than 100,000 jokes about the president.

Sandy Hausman reports on what they’ve learned.

(Credit: Sentara Health)

The first drive-through screenings and testing for COVID-19 in the state began Monday in Hampton Roads.

Sentara Healthcare has set up three sites.

They’re in Virginia Beach, Williamsburg and Chesapeake. And as Mallory Noe-Payne reports, officials with the health system say they’re prepared to roll it out at other facilities statewide.

College campuses are deserted as students and faculty adjust to new educational realities because of COVID-19.  And while the virus has hurt many businesses there’s at least one factory in Virginia that has all the work it can handle.

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.

(Credit: CDC)

State officials are urging people to stay home when possible, especially in parts of Virginia with known cases of COVID-19.

That includes Fairfax, Arlington and Loudoun counties in Northern Virginia plus James City County.  The state’s total number of cases stands at 45, with one death, reported Saturday in the Peninsula Health District, a man in his 70’s.

Mallory Noe-Payne has an update:

Ava Gabrielle Wise stands at what she hopes one day will become an innovation park for her community in Northampton. (Credit: Pamela D’Angelo)

Every year since 2008, Congress has authorized more than $30 million in funding to spur economic development in a region referred to as the “Black Belt.”

The region extends through seven states from Virginia to Mississippi and includes the largest concentration of historically black communities in the rural South. Most are economically deprived, a result of slavery and Jim Crow laws.

There are more than 50 Virginia counties that could benefit. But the money never came. Now, one Eastern Shore woman is on a crusade to get it.

Pamela D’Angelo reports.

UVA Professor Kelsey Johnson is crusading against light pollution — hoping to preserve dark skies for star gazing. (Credit: Sandy Hausman)

Climate change has fed awareness of air pollution – the problems caused by greenhouse gases. But there’s another source of pollution that’s taking a toll on humans and wildlife.

As Sandy Hausman reports, a professor at the University of Virginia is calling on local, state and national leaders to act against light pollution.

(Credit: CDC)

With so many unknowns regarding COVID-19, the travel industry has been hit hard by the constantly changing scenario.

Robbie Harris reports.