Archive for category Virginia’s News

Democrats focus on issues from abortion to gun control ahead of November elections

Credit: Democratic Party of Virginia

Democrats have a slim majority in the state Senate, and they are hoping to keep control this year. Michael Pope tells us how party leaders are trying to outline the issues. 

,

Leave a comment

This year’s legislative elections might be historically expensive

Credit: Mallory Noe-Payne / Radio IQ

This election year is shaping up to be the most expensive legislative election cycle in Virginia history. Michael Pope is following the money.

,

Leave a comment

State lawmakers divided on what to do with budget surplus

Credit: NPR

Virginia’s latest financial forecast shows a growing budget surplus. As Michael Pope reports, that’s changing the ongoing discussion about the budget impasse.

, ,

Leave a comment

Teaching people with autism to drive

A simulator developed here in Virginia with the help of video game creators helps people with autism learn to drive. (Credit: Radio IQ)

One of every 36 kids in this country has been diagnosed with some degree of autism – a developmental disability that affects communication, learning skills and behavior. As these children grow into young adults, many would like to drive, but teaching that complicated set of skills is a challenge. 

Now, a school working with kids in Charlottesville, Roanoke, Lynchburg and Lexington is offering high-tech help, as Sandy Hausman reports.

Leave a comment

New criteria looks like it favors Maryland in FBI headquarters battle

Virginia and Maryland have been fighting to land a new FBI headquarters for more than a decade. But, as Michael Pope reports, recent developments might end up favoring Maryland.

, , , ,

Leave a comment

With General Assembly up for grabs, disclosures show record amounts of campaign cash

Credit: NPR

The latest campaign finance disclosures show the record amounts of fundraising. Michael Pope is looking at the numbers.

, ,

Leave a comment

Virginia forests might be a last hope for Hellbender salamanders

Virginia Tech Professor Bill Hopkins preparing to return a hellbender back to its underwater home in a Virginia stream after taking measurements. (Credit: Lara Hopkins / Virginia Tech)

Hellbender salamanders could be disappearing, and forests in southwest Virginia may be their best hope for survival. New research finds a surprising twist, as Roxy Todd reports.

,

Leave a comment

Reaction to new state guidance on transgender student policies

School boards across Virginia are facing an important decision now that the Virginia Department of Education has issued a new model policy on transgender students. Michael Pope reports.

, ,

Leave a comment

Virginia NAACP pushes for clear guidelines on rights restoration from Youngkin administration

Virginia NAACP President Robert Barnette speaking at a press conference. (Credit: Mallory Noe-Payne / Radio IQ)

Internal documents obtained by the NAACP of Virginia show applicants who are requesting their voting rights be restored are getting denied without being given a reason why. 

Mallory Noe-Payne has the latest on an ongoing attempt by several voting rights groups to get answers about rights restoration under Governor Glenn Youngkin’s administration.

, ,

Leave a comment

Virginia Republicans and Democrats are agreeing on one thing: semiconductors

Governor Glenn Youngkin, right, appears at a summit in Northern Virginia with U.S. Sen. Mark Warner and Virginia Tech President Tim Sands. (Credit: Michael Pope)

Virginia is hoping to become a leader in semiconductor manufacturing, and as Michael Pope reports it’s an issue that’s bringing together Republicans and Democrats.

, ,

Leave a comment

After trying ranked-choice voting, Arlington is returning to the traditional system

Credit: Jahd Khalil / Radio IQ

Voters in one Virginia locality experimented with ranked-choice voting for the primary last month. Now, as Michael Pope reports, they are going back to a more traditional way of casting ballots in the fall.

, ,

Leave a comment

Researchers find simple solution to make stronger tape

Chanhong Lee is a PhD student of mechanical engineering at Virginia Tech. (Credit: Roxy Todd / Radio IQ)

Most of us use tape regularly, from the packages we get in the mail, to moving boxes or even Band-Aids. Now, researchers at Virginia Tech have found a way to make tape stay on longer, as Roxy Todd reports.

, , ,

Leave a comment

AG Miyares shows support for lawsuit challenging CFPB

Attorney General Jason Miyares (Credit: Virginia Attorney General’s Office)

A lawsuit heading to the United States Supreme Court might make dramatic changes to the regulation of financial institutions. As Michael Pope reports, that might help so-called predatory lenders in Virginia.

, ,

Leave a comment

NWS Director talks hurricane prep and new Virginia position

National Weather Service Director Ken Graham fields questions from reporters in Roanoke. (Credit: Nick Gilmore / Radio IQ)

State officials will soon have access to additional federal resources when it comes to weather and emergency preparedness. Nick Gilmore explains. 

, , , , ,

Leave a comment

How should Virginia deal with the fentanyl crisis?

In August 2022, the Drug Enforcement Administration and law enforcement partners seized brightly colored rainbow fentanyl pills in 18 states. (Credit: U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration)

Drug overdoses are the leading cause of unnatural death in Virginia. And as Michael Pope reports, the state government continues to try new strategies to address the fentanyl crisis. 

, , ,

Leave a comment

Scientists are learning more about the most endangered, and cutest, turtle in North America

Credit: J.D. Kleopfer/Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources

Bog turtles are the tiniest turtle in North America, and also the most endangered. Their habitats are disappearing. Roxy Todd went along with biologists who are researching how many of these rare turtles still exist.

, ,

Leave a comment

Culpeper County’s sheriff is still in office despite federal charges

Culpeper County Sheriff Scott Jenkins (Credit: Culpeper County Sheriff’s Office)

The sheriff of Culpeper County remains in office even though he’s facing federal corruption charges. Michael Pope reports.

,

Leave a comment

Governor Youngkin “not interested” in marijuana licensing structure

Virginia started down the road to legalizing marijuana. But as Michael Pope reports, the destination remains out of sight.

, ,

Leave a comment

Next step for Virginia’s gang violence prevention campaign: targeted ads

Attorney General Jason Miyares speaks about Ceasefire Virginia in Richmond. (Credit: Office of the Attorney General)

Virginia is trying to crack down on gang violence. But opinions are divided about the strategy. Michael Pope reports.

, , ,

Leave a comment

Virginia’s first primary with ranked-choice voting garners mixed reviews

Credit: Jahd Khalil / Radio IQ

Republicans and Democrats have been using ranked-choice voting in mass meetings for years to select candidates. But last month saw the first primary election with ranked-choice voting. As Michael Pope reports, reviews are mixed.

,

Leave a comment

Summer break means some children go hungry. These school cafeteria workers feed them

Jessica Morrison, Ethelene Sadler, Teresa Wright and Lisa Price are school nutrition workers in Pulaski County. They prepare meals for children during summer school, and distribute meals at parks, churches and schools during summer. (Credit: Roxy Todd / Radio IQ)

Summer is a time when many families go on vacation or attend summer camp. But for kids who depend on school meals as their main source of nutrition, summer can be filled with hunger.

Roxy Todd spoke with school cafeteria workers who are spending their summer preparing breakfast, lunch, and sometimes dinner.

, , , ,

Leave a comment

A calculation error shortchanging Virginia schools still hasn’t been resolved

Credit: Mallory Noe-Payne / Radio IQ

Lawmakers are still deadlocked over budget amendments for a fiscal year that started on July 1st. And as Michael Pope reports, schools may be taking a hit because of the impasse.

, , ,

Leave a comment

Progressive prosecutors won big in primary contests this week

Credit: NPR

One of the big winners in the recent primary elections was a group known as the Progressive Prosecutors for Justice. Michael Pope reports.

, ,

Leave a comment

‘They brought me a long way’- Veterans with chronic pain find help through PREVAIL program

Mecca Craig is an Army veteran. (Credit: Roxy Todd/Radio IQ)

Last year, doctors at the Salem VA Medical Center began something new to help veterans with chronic pain. Roxy Todd spoke with some of the veterans who went through the program, to learn how, and if, it helped.

,

Leave a comment

Pope & Schapiro: Taking a closer look at primary results

Virginia held primary elections this week – with General Assembly hopefuls now turning their attention to November.

Michael Pope and Jeff Schapiro – political columnist at the Richmond Times-Dispatch – discuss the results from Tuesday’s elections.

, , ,

Leave a comment

Fears about cross party voting in Tuesday’s elections were unfounded

Credit: Jahd Khalil / Radio IQ

Democrats were worried that Republican voters might influence the outcome of party primaries this week. But as Michael Pope tells us, those fears were unfounded.

, ,

Leave a comment

COVID relief and the small town of Scottsville

Scottsville, south of Charlottesville, has 600 residents within the town’s limits. (Credit: Mallory Noe-Payne)

This week we’ve been taking a road trip across the state. We’ve been hearing what local governments have done with their COVID relief dollars. There’s been a new community grocery store, a new elementary school, a new bus line.

We wrap up today with a tour of Scottsville, south of Charlottesville, where the infusion of federal cash showed one small town manager the way things could be… Mallory Noe-Payne has the story.

, , ,

Leave a comment

After this week’s primaries, Virginia is looking at very competitive races this fall

Credit: NPR

Now that all the legislative candidates have been determined in conventions and primaries, both parties are looking ahead to November. Michael Pope reports.

, , ,

Leave a comment

COVID relief and the Afton Express

The Afton Express is the first ever public transportation line over the mountain in central Virginia. It connects cities on the western side, Staunton and Waynesboro, to Charlottesville. (Credit: Mallory Noe-Payne)

All this week we’ve been taking a road trip across Virginia — checking out what localities and state agencies are doing with their COVID relief dollars. One regional planner called it the largest investment from the federal government since the New Deal.

Today, we’ll take a bus ride over Afton Mountain, as Mallory Noe-Payne reports.

, , , ,

Leave a comment

Bristol and ARPA: a new school building

Bristol Superintendent Keith Perrigan (Credit: Mallory Noe-Payne)

We’re taking a road trip across Virginia — checking out what localities and state agencies are doing with their COVID relief dollars.

Today, we go to far southwest Virginia, where officials in Bristol are building a new public school for the first time in more than half a century. More now from reporter Mallory Noe-Payne.

, , ,

Leave a comment

Roanoke and ARPA: a community grocery store

Goodwill Industries of the Valleys is ponying up another $20 million for the store and plans to run it. (Credit: Mallory Noe-Payne)

It’s been more than three years now since COVID-19 ground everything to a halt.

Part of the government response to the pandemic were several massive spending measures – including the Coronavirus Air, Relief and Economic Security – or CARES – Act. There was also the American Rescue Plan, also known as ARPA.

Much of that money flowed straight to state and local governments – in many cases to do with what they thought best. Local governments and planners have called it the new deal of our generation.

We’ll be taking a look at what Virginia has done with the funds – starting in Roanoke.

We’re going to learn a bit about what’s possible when local governments feel flush with cash. And we’re going to start in Northwest Roanoke, where the city chose to invest $10 million of ARPA funding to help build a grocery store. Mallory Noe-Payne reports.

, , ,

Leave a comment

Several senior members of the Virginia Senate face primary challengers

Credit: Virginia Department of Elections

Voters across much of Virginia are headed to the polls this week. As Michael Pope reports, several incumbents in the Senate are facing stiff primary challenges.

Voters are going to the polls this week for legislative and some local primaries.  And the way those primaries are structured worry some party officials.

, ,

Leave a comment

Roanoke and COVID relief: a community grocery store

Goodwill Industries of the Valleys is ponying up another $20 million for the store and plans to run it. (Credit: Mallory Noe-Payne)

It’s been more than three years now since COVID-19 ground everything to a halt. Part of the government response to the pandemic were several massive spending measures – including the Coronavirus Air, Relief and Economic Security – or CARES – Act. There was also the American Rescue Plan, also known as ARPA.

Much of that money flowed straight to state and local governments – in many cases to do with what they thought best. Local governments and planners have called it the new deal of our generation.

All this week we’ll be taking a look at what Virginia has done with the funds – starting in Roanoke, as Mallory Noe-Payne reports.

, , , ,

Leave a comment

Pope & Schapiro: The history of incumbents losing to primary challengers

Virginia’s primary elections are next week.

Michael Pope and Jeff Schapiro – political columnist at the Richmond Times-Dispatch – discuss some historical examples of incumbents who have been unseated in primaries.

, ,

Leave a comment

Study aims to learn what could help babies exposed to opioids

Brittany Howell is an assistant professor in both the Department of Human Development and Family Science and the Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at VTC. (Credit: Virginia Tech)

Researchers are hoping to learn more about what could help children exposed to opioids and other substances before they were born. As Roxy Todd reports, families across southwest Virginia will be included in a study that will follow children over several decades.

,

Leave a comment

AI technology could help reduce car crashes

The NEC technology installed at the Virginia Smart Roads intersection can detect pedestrians, cyclists, vehicles, animals and e-scooters. (Credit: Jean Paul Talledo Villela/Virginia Tech)

Last year, 171 pedestrians in Virginia were killed in traffic crashes, according to the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles. Researchers at Virginia Tech’s Transportation Institute are trying to figure out if Artificial Intelligence might be able to prevent similar deaths. Roxy Todd reports.

, ,

Leave a comment

Environmentalists may challenge Congress on clearance for the Mountain Valley Pipeline

When Congress raised the debt ceiling, it also approved a provision that cleared the way for construction of the Mountain Valley Pipeline.  The measure told federal agencies like the National Forest Service to approve construction permits within 21 days and blocked federal courts from getting in the way. 

Builders of the MVP immediately asked judges to throw out pending lawsuits that could have stopped the project – and environmentalists have until Thursday to object.  Sandy Hausman reports on why they might prevail.

Leave a comment

Long-term stats show a different crime narrative

Fears of rising crime might be widespread. But as Michael Pope tells us, long-term crime statistics tell a different story.

,

Leave a comment

UVA team tracks teacher retention post pandemic

Professor Luke Miller led a team of researchers working with the Virginia Department of Education to study the impact of the pandemic on our public schools. (Credit: Luke Miller)

Virginia teachers returned to their classrooms in record numbers after the pandemic shutdown of 2020, but one year later they set a different record – leaving in droves.  Sandy Hausman reports on research showing why so many left the classroom.

, ,

Leave a comment

Pope & Schapiro: A busy week in environmental news and another shooting in Richmond

It’s been a busy week for environmental-related news in Virginia – with the state’s Air Pollution Control Board voting to remove the Commonwealth from a regional greenhouse gas program.

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

, , ,

Leave a comment

State lawmakers still at odds over Youngkin’s proposed tax cuts

Credit: Mallory Noe-Payne / Radio IQ

Washington’s standoff over the debt ceiling may have ended. But as Michael Pope tells us, the debate over budget amendments in Virginia is still ongoing.

,

Leave a comment

A look at early voting numbers in primary elections later this month

Credit: NPR

Voting is well underway across Virginia for primary elections later this month. Michael Pope has this look at the numbers so far.

You can see the analysis from the Virginia Public Access Project here.

, ,

Leave a comment

‘I can’t count anymore’ A conversation about gun violence following Richmond mass shooting

Credit: Mallory Noe-Payne / Radio IQ

A shooting outside a high school graduation in Richmond has left a father and son dead, and five others injured. It’s a mass shooting, and police believe the shooter was targeting one person he knew. Mallory Noe-Payne spoke with community members about gun violence in the city and has this report.

Mental health support is available from Richmond Behavioral Health. Call 804-819-4100.

,

Leave a comment

What’s next for opponents of the Mountain Valley Pipeline?

Now that the Mountain Valley Pipeline has been given the green light as part of the debt ceiling deal, opponents are considering next steps. Michael Pope reports.

Leave a comment

Air Pollution Control Board to vote on withdrawing from RGGI

Virginia’s governor hopes to fulfill a campaign promise.  Glenn Youngkin claimed joining with ten other states in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative was costing consumers’ money, and we should get out. 

On Wednesday, the state’s Air Pollution Control Board will vote on that, as Sandy Hausman reports.

,

Leave a comment

Full Disclosure Briefing: Virginia says you’re hired, no degree required

Last week, Glenn Youngkin announced that beginning July 1st, state agencies will no longer require degrees, or give preference to those who have them, from job candidates for 90% of state jobs. 

Roben Farzad, host of public radio’s Full Disclosure, and Craig Wright talk about the implications for potential employees – as well as colleges that are already experiencing dwindling enrollments. 

,

Leave a comment

It’s looking unlikely that state lawmakers will pass budget amendments before July 1st

Credit: Mallory Noe-Payne / Radio IQ

Virginia’s next fiscal year is fast approaching. And as Michael Pope tells us, it could start with some uncertainty.

, ,

Leave a comment

How an end to “prison gerrymandering” will impact Virginia elections

Credit: NPR

As voters head to the polls in the June 20th primary, they’ll be casting ballots in new districts with new boundaries. As Michael Pope reports, those new districts will include people incarcerated somewhere else.

, , ,

Leave a comment

A former governor and their controversial union-busting tactic

Former Virginia Governor Bill Tuck

Governor Glenn Youngkin is sending National Guard troops to the southern border in Texas next month, a move that critics say is politically motivated. Michael Pope tells us about a previous governor who used his powers as the commander-in-chief in a way that still invites controversy. 

, ,

Leave a comment

New data: productivity in Virginia is down, but hours worked is up

New numbers from the Bureau of Labor Statistics show a puzzling trend in Virginia’s economy. Michael Pope reports.

, ,

Leave a comment