Archive for category Virginia’s News

Virginia’s election season isn’t over

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The election is not over yet. Two sitting members of the state Senate got new jobs in the U.S. House of Representatives Tuesday, which means at least two special elections. 

Michael Pope has a preview.

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Breaking down some of the contours of Virginia’s 2024 election results

As final vote totals continue to trickle in, some of the contours of the election are emerging from the numbers. Michael Pope is taking a look at the statewide candidates.

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Pope & Schapiro: Breaking down the 2024 election results

Virginians have made their voices heard in the 2024 election. Michael Pope and Jeff Schapiro – political columnist at the Richmond Times-Dispatch – break down the results from across the Commonwealth.

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Vindman claims victory in Virginia’s 7th Congressional district

Democrat Eugene Vindman at his watch party in Fredericksburg. (Credit: Brad Kutner / Radio IQ)

Democrat Eugene Vindman declared victory in Virginia’s 7th District congressional race Tuesday night. Brad Kutner has more from Fredericksburg. 

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The late campaign spree of political ads will soon come to an end

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If you’ve been anywhere near a television recently, you’ve probably seen a flood of political ads. Michael Pope details the spending spree.

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Political analyst says Trump’s visit to Va. may be aimed to boost Republican candidates

Former President Donald Trump is headed to Virginia Saturdayfor a rally in Salem, three days before the election. Roxy Todd spoke with political analyst Karen Hult, who says Trump is likely hoping the move will boost Republican turnout for congressional races.

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The law at the center of Virginia’s voter purge was signed by a Democrat years ago

The law requiring Virginia’s Department of Motor Vehicles to produce a list of suspected noncitizens to strike from the roll of eligible voters was signed by then Governor Tim Kaine almost 20 years ago. Michael Pope has this look at what was happening at the time.

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Researcher says you need not fear Virginia’s state bat

A Virginia big-eared bat (Corynorhinus townsendii virginianus) female in the early spring photographed during a cave survey. (Credit: Larisa Bishop-Boros / Wikimedia)

It’s Halloween, which means it’s time for spooky ghosts and scary bats! But Brad Kutner spoke to one researcher who argues bats, including Virginia’s own state bat, are more helpful than scary. 

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How secure are ballot drop boxes in Virginia?

A ballot drop box sits out front of the Powhatan County’s Registrar’s office. (Credit: Brad Kutner / Radio IQ)

Across Virginia, voters are putting their ballots in drop boxes. Michael Pope has this look at drop box security.

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The role of political action committees and their ad spending

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The airwaves are being flooded with political ads, but many of them are not from the candidates or their campaigns. Michael Pope tells us about outside spending from political action committees.

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Youngkin praises SCOTUS ruling, despite potential impact of purging both legal and potential noncitizen voters

The U.S. Supreme Court sided with Governor Glenn Youngkin Wednesday, and allowed his plan to remove potential noncitizens from Virginia’s voting rolls to resume. Brad Kutner has more. 

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The Electoral College: How does it work, and why is it still a thing?

The Miller Center’s Professor Barbara Perry (Credit: UVA)

When the presidential campaigns are finally over and the votes are counted and certified, there’s one more thing that could change the course of American history. 

It’s called the Electoral College, and we are the only democracy in the world that still has this remnant of an earlier time. 

Sandy Hausman reports on what it is, how it works, and why it’s still a thing.

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Legal voters are being caught up in Youngkin’s controversial voter purge program

Virginia’s governor says his embattled voter purge program is just an effort to keep noncitizens off the state’s voter roll. But, as Brad Kutner found out, many legal voters have been caught in the fray, too.

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Early vote numbers show an edge for Democrats, but Republican numbers are up, too

While Election Day is next week, Virginians have been voting for weeks. Michael Pope has this look at early voting so far.

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Will the Supreme Court take up Virginia’s controversial voter purge program?

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Justices at the United States Supreme Court are deciding whether to consider Governor Glenn Youngkin’s voter purge. Michael Pope has the latest.

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Animal expert offers tips to keep pets safe on Halloween

Credit: Roxy Todd / Radio IQ

With Halloween approaching, pet owners may want to take note: the holiday does pose health risks for animals. Roxy Todd spoke with an animal expert for some advice on making sure your furry friends are safe this Halloween.

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Federal judge blocks voter purge program, Youngkin vows an appeal

A federal judge is ending Governor Glenn Youngkin’s purge of alleged noncitizens from the voter rolls. As Michael Pope reports, the court ruled there’s no evidence that any of the people removed are non-citizens.

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Voter purge program case to be decided Friday

Credit: Jahd Khalil

A federal judge is set to rule on a request to shut down Governor Glenn Youngkin’s controversial voter purge program. Michael Pope reports.

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Virginia agribusinesses shoring up ahead of 2024 election

Regardless of who wins the 2024 presidential election, Virginia’s agribusinesses – think food, fiber and fuel – are expecting things to change. Brad Kutner looked into that uncertainty. 

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A federal judge set to consider voter roll lawsuit

A federal judge in Alexandria will hear a challenge Thursday to Virginia’s effort to remove people from the voter rolls in advance of the election. Michael Pope reports.

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New FBI data: hate crimes are up across Virginia

This graph, compiled using the new data from the FBI, shows reported hate crimes in Virginia. That number is at its highest point in nearly two decades.

The number of reported hate crimes is on the rise in Virginia. Michael Pope reports.

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“DonBot” brings AI to this year’s political cycle in Virginia

8th District Congressman Don Beyer

Artificial intelligence is revolutionizing everything from medicine to entertainment. Michael Pope reports that it’s even making a splash in Virginia politics.

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Early voting turnout favors Republicans so far

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Early voting has already been going on for several weeks, and the turnout is highest in congressional districts held by Republicans. Michael Pope reports.

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New documents: Political ad spending favors Kaine over Cao by a wide margin

Graphs of ad spending in the U. S. Senate campaign, as of Oct. 10, 2024. (Credit: Virginia Public Access Project)

With the election only weeks away, television viewers are seeing a parade of political ads. Michael Pope reports that one race is seeing lopsided ad spending.

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A new report shows a surprising region in Virginia has a struggling economy

The economy in one region of Virginia is facing problems. And it might not be the region you’re expecting. Michael Pope reports.

Here’s a link to the Stephen Fuller Institute report.

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Free speech watchdog dings Youngkin administration for campus intervention

A free speech watchdog group has once again included Virginia in its annual report of America’s Censored Classrooms. Brad Kutner has more.

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The “scarring of trust” continues in Virginia

Researchers are worried that the trust Virginia has in society is eroding. Michael Pope has the details.

You can find the Virginia Trust Index here.

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Cao challenges Kaine on effectiveness; what does the record show?

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How good is Senator Tim Kaine at getting bills passed? His Republican opponent says he’s not very effective, although the record shows several significant accomplishments. Michael Pope reports.

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The Buzz at Black Bear Farm

Beekeeper Chuck Burden with Mountain House Apiaries tends 200 hives in the Shenandoah Valley and this one in Buckingham County. (Credit: Dominion Energy)

Last week was a slow time for solar energy in the Commonwealth, but some arrays have found ways to be productive, even on cloudy, rainy days. Sandy Hausman has that story.

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State watchdog offers Virginia legislators solutions for rising VMSDEP costs

Mitch Rubenstien, with the Virginia chapter of Veterans for Foreign Wars, speaks at a Senate subcommittee in support of a fix to the VMSDEP program. (Credit: Brad Kutner / Radio IQ)

The Virginia Military Survivors and Dependents Education Program, which makes college nearly free for injured vets and their family members, faced controversial cuts earlier this year.

But after public outcry, those cuts were reversed, and now legislators must figure out what to do to keep the program viable amidst rising costs. Brad Kutner has more from Richmond. 

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Virginia interfaith leaders call for peace during contentious election season

As worries of violence hang over this election season, faith leaders are calling for peace at the end of the campaign trail. Michael Pope reports.

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Post-Helene, misinformation spreads even as recovery continues

Governor Glenn Youngkin and First Lady Suzanne Youngkin assesses storm damage caused by Hurricane Helene in Grayson County. (Credit: Christian Martinez / Governor’s Office Photo)

State and federal agencies are working around the clock to get resources to parts of Virginia damaged by Helene, but misinformation is also spreading. Brad Kutner asked Governor Glenn Youngkin about getting reliable information to the public.

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Youngkin, Virginia legislators mull legislative steps in Helene recovery

As southwest Virginia begins to move from response to recovery mode in the wake of Helene, some legislators are already looking ahead to future storms and future costs. Brad Kutner spoke with some of them.

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Election experts explain how votes are counted on election night in Virginia

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Early voting is well underway in Virginia.  So what happens after the polls close on Election Night?

Roxy Todd reports on what actually goes on behind the scenes as election workers process and report the results of each race.

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Skill games continue to be a hot topic of debate

The effort to legalize skill games might be in trouble, even if some of the machines are up and operating across Virginia. Michael Pope has the latest.

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It’s flu season, Virginia. Time to get your flu shot.

Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney (top seat) gets his flu shot alongside state Senator Lamont Bagby (Credit: Brad Kutner / Radio IQ)

Richmond’s mayor and area elected officials got their flu shots Wednesday as part of a statewide push from the Virginia Department of Health. Brad Kutner joined them in that effort, and he has this guide on how to get a painless shot. 

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Organizations in New River Valley organize to help those affected by recent flood

A donation center has been set up at the Newport Community Center until Thursday, Oct. 3. The group is also collecting donations in Blacksburg and Christiansburg over the next several weeks. (Credit: Roxy Todd / Radio IQ)

Initial estimates in Virginia suggest at least 200 homes were flooded across several counties, and that number will likely rise, as officials continue assessing all the damage across southwest Virginia. Roxy Todd was in Giles County, where volunteers are organizing to help people here in Virginia, and across Appalachia.

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Tim Kaine and Hung Cao to meet for debate tonight

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Republican candidate for United States Senate Hung Cao will face off against incumbent Democratic Senator Tim Kaine in what will likely be the only debate of the campaign tonight. Michael Pope has a preview.

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New FBI data: crime figures fell in the second quarter of 2024

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Crime is one of the issues at the center of the presidential campaign, and as Michael Pope tells us, the latest numbers from the FBI show crime is down.

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Effort to end single family zoning suffers blow in recent court ruling

A court ruling in Arlington might have a huge influence in how zoning works across Virginia. Michael Pope explains why.

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‘This was a life-or-death situation’ Va. State Police detail daring helicopter rescue

A Virginia State Police helicopter, part of the agency’s Helicopter Aquatic Rescue Team, or HART, takes part in a rescue mission one the roof of Unicoi County Hospital in Erwin, Tennessee. (Credit: Virginia State Police)

A viral video from Virginia State Police released Friday shows two of the agency’s helicopters rescuing flood victims from the roof of an eastern Tennessee hospital. Brad Kutner spoke with VSP and got the first public account of how the daring mission unfolded. 

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Senator Warner and McConnell join forces to help white oaks

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Senator Mark Warner is working with Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell on a bill to help preserve hardwood trees in Virginia and Kentucky. As Michael Pope reports, the trees are important for the production of furniture and spirits.

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Some Virginia Republicans are backing Harris in this year’s election

Former Republican Congressman Barbara Comstock, left, appears with former Congressman Denver Riggleman at a Harris-Walz event in Old Town Alexandria. (Credit: Michael Pope)

The presidential campaign of Kamala Harris is picking up some Republican support in Virginia. Michael Pope reports that two former members of Virginia’s congressional delegation are now endorsing the vice president.

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Virginia’s $400 million for state-supported child care has run out

Henrico Delegate Rodney Willet helps parents celebrate record state funding for Virginia pre-K and childcare programs. (Credit: Brad Kutner / Radio IQ)

During the last legislative session, Virginia lawmakers expanded childcare and pre-K education, but it came at a price of over $400 million a year. Now, months later, that money is gone and there’s still thousands of families in need. Brad Kutner found out more. 

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Virginia lawmakers want to crack down on the nonconsensual distribution of sensitive images

Next year, members of the Virginia General Assembly will likely consider legislation to crack down on intimate images that are shared without consent. Michael Pope reports on a bipartisan group trying to create a new felony. 

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Federal appeals court appears sympathetic to Virginia felons in disenfranchisement fight

Credit: Jahd Khalil / Radio IQ

Virginia is among the few states to permanently bar convicted felons from voting. A challenge to that ban went before a federal court Tuesday. Brad Kutner has more from Richmond. 

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The politics of taking credit for the economy – both in Virginia and beyond

Republicans are praising Virginia’s governor for job growth while criticizing President Biden for inflation. Michael Pope reports on the complicated politics of economic credit.

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Helping AI developers and future tech leaders practice ethical reasoning as they create new technologies

Credit: Andy Santos / Virginia Tech

Technologies that use artificial intelligence are being developed at a rapid pace. How will they impact people? Will these technologies be good for society?

Roxy Todd spoke with an engineer, and a philosopher, who are both interested in teaching software developers how to include ethical reasoning as they’re creating AI.

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The nature of political ad spending may soon shift

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Now that campaign season has started, television viewers can expect to see political ads during college football and the local news. Michael Pope reports that the ad spending is also moving online.

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Younger people are flocking back to small towns

For many years, young people flocked to big cities. But now, Michael Pope reports that trends are shifting.

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