Archive for category Virginia’s News

Virginia Republicans are leaning into the abortion rights debate this fal

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Republicans are leaning into the issue of abortion rights. Michael Pope explains how that’s impacting the fall campaigns.

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Hanover Girl Scout fights censorship with ‘Banned Book Nooks’

One of Hanover student and Girl Scout Kate’s “Banned Book Nook” at Morr Donuts in Mechanicsville, VA. (Credit: Brad Kutner / Radio IQ)

As Virginia school boards and libraries face debates over the books on their shelves, one Hanover County student is pushing back. This student and Girl Scout is hoping to put banned books in the hands of those she says need them most.

Brad Kutner has more. 

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The irony behind the strategy of some book ban advocates

Parents challenging a long list of books are often using lists compiled by people who oppose book banning. Michael Pope reports.

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A handful of Virginia cities want lawmakers to take another look at pretext law

Some cities in Virginia are asking the General Assembly to revisit a new law aimed at preventing racial profiling. Michael Pope reports.

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UVA doctor offers advice on job burnout

VA Nursing School Professor Julie Haizlip, MD has been studying job-related burnout. (Credit: Christine Kueter / UVA School of Nursing)

For more than 150 years, psychologists have been talking about burnout – a state of emotional, mental and physical exhaustion brought on by prolonged or repeated stress.

At the University of Virginia, one medical expert has been studying the problem – and sharing possible solutions with reporter Sandy Hausman.

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A snapshot of early voting numbers so far

Polls are open across Virginia for all 140 seats of the General Assembly. Michael Pope has this update on the progress so far.

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SCOTUS to weigh in on case with implications for Virginia predatory loan law

The United States Supreme Court is now considering a case that has many people worried about a return of predatory lending in Virginia. Michael Pope explains why.

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Virginia lawsuit over voting rights restoration clears early hurdle

George Hawkins Jr., an ex-felon who’s asking a federal court to bring clarity to Virginia’s voting rights restoration process. (Credit: Brad Kutner / Radio IQ)

A lawsuit against Governor Glenn Youngkin filed by a former felon and Richmond native can continue. Lawyers for George Hawkins Jr. argued in court Friday that the state’s felon voting rights restoration process under the Republican governor had become so opaque it violates his First Amendment rights. Brad Kutner has more. 

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A closer look at fundraising in some tight races this fall

All 140 seats in the General Assembly are up for grabs in November’s election. But as Michael Pope tells us, not all of the races are competitive when it comes to fundraising.

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Climate change brings a growing challenge for wildlife sanctuary

Cedar waxwing babies squawk for their supper. (Credit: Radio IQ)

Science has told us a lot about what climate change will mean for people, but less is known about how a warming planet will impact wild animals.  Already, staffers at a wildlife sanctuary in Nelson County report one big change that’s taking a toll on everything they do. Sandy Hausman has that story.

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New report: Black people are disproportionately incarcerated in Virginia

Credit: Prison Policy Initiative

Virginia’s prison population has racial disparities according to a new report. Michael Pope has details.

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Youngkin’s lab school board advances more applications

College Partnership Laboratory Schools Standing Committee Chair Joan Wodiska (right) and Dr. Pam Moran at a meeting of the committee on Oct. 3, 2023 in downtown Richmond. (Credit: Brad Kutner / Radio IQ)

Governor Youngkin’s Laboratory school program saw two applicants get one step closer to the $100 million in start-up funds Tuesday. Brad Kutner spoke with officials at Germanna Community College near Fredericksburg about their plans. 

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How successful are write-in campaigns in Virginia?

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Voters are already casting ballots for the November election. But as Michael Pope reports, some voters won’t see the names of all the candidates printed on those ballots.

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SCOTUS to take up predatory lending case, as Virginia advocates worry about repercussions

Critics of high-interest loans in Virginia and elsewhere are closely watching a case now before the Supreme Court. As Michael Pope reports, oral arguments are scheduled Tuesday.

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Youngkin seeks agency input on state AI policy

Governor Glenn Youngkin’s administration is hopeful a new directive on artificial intelligence will help build lasting policies for how the state and its partners work with the developing technology.

Brad Kutner has more with Director of the Office of Regulatory Management, Andrew Wheeler. 

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$100 million heads to Virginia passenger rail project

An Amtrak passenger train at the Roanoke station. (Credit: David Seidel / Radio IQ)

Virginia’s U.S. Senators and the Department of Transportation announced $100 million in federal funding for a highly anticipated passenger rail project in Northern Virginia. The announcement comes as the state seeks to expand passenger rail through several federally funded projects. Brad Kutner has more.

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Just how many books are being banned or challenged in Virginia?

Library books and librarians are the targets of unprecedented attacks. Michael Pope has updated numbers from Virginia.

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Pope & Schapiro: Wexton announcement, early voting and a potential federal shutdown

A Virginia Congresswoman won’t seek reelection and early voting for General Assembly races starts today.

Michael Pope and Jeff Schapiro – political columnist for the Richmond Times-Dispatch – talk about the week that was in politics and state government.

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Virginia enters new voter data agreements with a handful of states

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Virginia is entering into new agreements to share voter data. Michael Pope explains why.

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How has Virginia’s early voting change impacted campaigns and fundraising?

Early voting starts this week, although campaign spending is just now starting to ramp up. Michael Pope reports.

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A look at campaign fundraising numbers, with early voting starting this week

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The latest round of campaign finance disclosures show Democrats have a fundraising edge leading into the fall campaign. Michael Pope reports.

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One recent voting change in Virginia could have lasting impacts

Credit: Jahd Khalil / Radio IQ

Virginia has the longest period of early voting in the country. And as Michael Pope tells us, it starts Friday.

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New Census figures shows a declining median household income in Virginia

Some new numbers from the Census Bureau are ringing alarm bells in Virginia. Michael Pope explains what it means for Virginia’s economy.

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New data: child poverty rates in Virginia are ticking up

New Census numbers are raising alarm bells about child poverty in Virginia. Michael Pope explains why.

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Virginia’s sales tax holiday will be back in October

Lawmakers have finally passed budget amendments.  As Michael Pope tells us, the deal was struck too late for the traditional back-to-school sales tax holiday. But, parents and students will still get a break.

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15 Virginia Senators give their goodbyes

Credit: Mallory Noe-Payne / Radio IQ

15 senators are saying goodbye to the General Assembly, a huge change in a chamber that does not usually see that much turnover in a single year. Michael Pope has this report about their last day in session.

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Who “won” the budget agreement, Republicans or Democrats?

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Members of the General Assembly usually hammer out a budget deal in February or March. As Michael Pope tells us, they finished action Wednesday, six months late.

There was another “winner” of the agreement — mental health initiatives, although advocates were hopeful the state would do more. Here’s reporter Michael Pope again:

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How much should Virginians pay for a new Commanders football stadium?

Among line items baked into the new state budget is $250,000 for a study into the future of a new Washington Commanders football stadium in northern Virginia. But, how much should Virginians spend if the team decides to move south of the Potomac? Brad Kutner asked some legislators in Richmond.

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Some details of the budget agreement are clearer, as lawmakers return to Richmond

Credit: Mallory Noe-Payne / Radio IQ

Members of the Virginia General Assembly return to the Capitol Wednesday to finally adopt budget amendments. As Michael Pope reports, some details have become clearer.

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A cap for support staff at Virginia school’s will be up for debate this week

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Lawmakers will return to Richmond September 6th to pass amendments to the budget. Michael Pope has this preview of one of the issues they’ll address.

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Virus season is here. Here’s how to protect against RSV, Flu and COVID

Virus season is here. Yes, already.

Health experts say we can expect to see a rise in cases of RSV, COVID-19, and the flu over the next few months. Getting shots is not among most people’s favorite experiences, but vaccination is still one of the best way to protect yourself, and your family from getting viruses. And there are new vaccines available. Roxy Todd has this explainer.

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Inviting new visitors to Shenandoah National Park

Shenandoah National Park gets plenty of visitors each year – up to 1.8 million, but it’s not a very diverse crowd.  That concerns the nonprofit that helps support the park.  Sandy Hausman tells why and explains what the trust is doing to build popularity with different ethnic groups.

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The future of RGGI in Virginia

By the end of this calendar year, a court may determine if Virginia will remain a member of a multi-state environmental compact. Michael Pope reports.

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Here’s what’s known about the bipartisan budget agreement so far

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Lawmakers will finally return to Richmond next week to pass amendments to a two-year budget that are already two months late. Michael Pope has the latest.

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New poll: former President Donald Trump widely favored by Virginia Republicans despite indictments

The slew of indictments against former President Donald Trump has demanded a lot of media attention lately. And, as Nick Gilmore reports, new polling from Roanoke College shows those criminal charges are on the minds of Virginia voters. 

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Virginia expecting large swath of federal funding for broadband expansion

The goal of universal broadband coverage across Virginia may be becoming a reality soon. Michael Pope reports.

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State lawmakers reach agreement on amendments to Virginia’s current budget

Members of the General Assembly are heading back to the Capitol to pass overdue budget amendments. Michael Pope has the latest.

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Trains are making a slow shift away from diesel. VT researcher is studying what it would take

An Amtrak passenger train backs into the Roanoke station. (Credit: David Seidel / Radio IQ)

Trains are, generally, more fuel efficient than cars or trucks. But in the United States, trains use diesel fuel. A researcher at Virginia Tech’s Transportation Institute has been researching different types of energy that could move them. Roxy Todd reports.

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Pope & Schapiro: A potential budget deal, Miyares weighs in on transgender student guidance

State lawmakers may finally have a deal on budget agreements. And Virginia’s attorney general has issued a legal opinion on the state’s new model guidance for transgender students.

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

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Many General Assembly hopefuls are running unopposed this year

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All of the seats in the General Assembly will be on the ballot this year. But as Michael Pope tells us, that does not mean a contested election in every district.

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Could sound waves be used to treat cocaine addiction? A UVA study aims to find out

By stimulating a part of the brain linked to addiction, UVA scientists hope to eliminate cravings in cocaine addicts. (Credit: UVA)

Doctors can prescribe effective treatments for heroin and opioid addiction, but there’s no medication to help cocaine addicts quit. 

That’s why doctors at the University of Virginia are trying a whole new approach – stimulating part of the brain that’s linked to addiction.  Sandy Hausman has that story.

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Governor Youngkin urges General Assembly to send him budget amendments

House and Senate leaders may be a step closer to finally getting an agreement on budget amendments. Michael Pope has the latest.

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A Virginia airport is taking on a first-of-its-kind renewable energy project

Dominion Energy executives and elected officials from northern Virginia break ground on largest renewable energy project ever developed at a U.S. airport. (Credit: Michael Pope)

Dulles International Airport in northern Virginia is about to take a major step forward for renewable energy. Michael Pope has the story.

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Virginia’s budget and Youngkin’s presidential ambitions

Is the governor’s possible presidential campaign playing a role in the budget impasse? Michael Pope reports the answer isn’t so clear to political observers.

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The Virginia Senate is poised to look very different next year

Credit: Mallory Noe-Payne

All 40 seats in the Virginia Senate are on the ballot this year. And as Michael Pope tells us, the next Senate will have a lot of new faces.

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Local governments hurt the most by budget impasse

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Lawmakers are still at odds over amendments to the state budget. Michael Pope reports, that’s causing problems for local governments across Virginia.

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Why a UVA doctor volunteered in Ukraine

Dr. Connor Berlin (right) made new friends while volunteering to help fellow neurosurgeons like Rostislav Malyi (left) treat serious battle injuries. (Credit: Connor Berlin)

While his colleagues are talking about their summer vacations at the beach or in the mountains, one doctor at UVA Hospital is literally telling war stories.  Connor Berlin took his neurosurgical skills to a large hospital caring for Ukrainian soldiers wounded in battle.  Sandy Hausman has that story.

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A big General Assembly accomplishment is being held up by the budget impasse

The budget impasse seems to have no sign of letting up any time soon, and as Michael Pope reports, that’s holding up a workforce redevelopment effort.

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Spotsylvania County is the first in Virginia to adopt new transgender student guidance

School boards across Virginia are reevaluating their approach to transgender students. Michael Pope has the latest.

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Researchers hope to better understand how to reduce spread of chronic wasting disease in deer

Credit: Meghan Marchetti / Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources

Chronic wasting disease is fatal to deer, and it continues to spread in Virginia. Researchers are trying to learn why, and as Roxy Todd reports, they’re being aided by hunters.

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