Archive for category Virginia’s News

Lunch debt legislation headed to Youngkin’s desk

Governor Glenn Youngkin is now considering legislation that’s passed the House and the Senate. As Michael Pope reports, one of those bills is about school lunch debt.

,

Leave a comment

‘Medical sandbox’ legislation in danger of being dropped for the year

Members of the Virginia state Senate are considering a bill that would expedite the approval process for prescription drugs and medical devices. Michael Pope reports that some senators have concerns.

Leave a comment

Some state lawmakers want to roll back Virginia’s new police documents law

Virginia has a new law that finally makes some police documents available to the public after the case has been closed. As Michael Pope reports, lawmakers are trying to roll that back.

Leave a comment

Localities and natural gas: lawmakers weigh how much power city councils should have

Lawmakers are debating how much power your local government has to prohibit fossil fuels. Michael Pope has more from Richmond.

,

Leave a comment

Changes are on the horizon for Virginia’s Parole Board

Last year, Republicans campaigned on cleaning up the Virginia Parole Board. Now, as Michael Pope reports, they’re making some changes.

,

Leave a comment

Tax cuts and a balanced budget: it’s now or never for Virginia lawmakers

Credit: NPR

Lawmakers are trying to balance the books before heading out of town Saturday. Michael Pope reports.

Leave a comment

A voting measure for some Virginia active military members has been shelved for this year’s session

The Senate is rejecting a bill that would allow some active duty military to vote in Virginia. Michael Pope reports.

,

Leave a comment

Va. News: Recycled plastic roads, state helpline calls

Credit: VPAP

Some drivers in the Richmond area have been traveling over recycled plastic since last fall but most would never know. And the pandemic has brought much more work for the staff of a state sponsored helpline.

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 and Edie Gross.

Leave a comment

‘Medical Sandbox’ legislation headed to the Senate floor

Credit: Wellness GM / Flickr, Creative Commons: flickr.com/photos/130100316@N04/15728773073/

As the pandemic continues to claim lives, lawmakers in Richmond are talking about taking steps to prompt medical innovation. Michael Pope reports.

Leave a comment

Lawmakers have again rejected a homeschool sports bill

Governor Glenn Youngkin was elected on a platform of giving parents more choice. But as Michael Pope reports, homeschool students will not be joining public school sports anytime soon.

,

Leave a comment

State Democrats using last-ditch effort to move forward amendments referendum

Two significant changes to Virginia’s Constitution are being considered by the General Assembly. But it’s an uphill battle, as Jahd Khalil reports. He has this update on a last-ditch effort by Democrat legislators. 

,

Leave a comment

Medical debt bill likely headed to Governor Youngkin’s desk

Credit: Wellness GM / Flickr, Creative Commons; flickr.com/photos/130100316@N04/15728773073/

Governor Glenn Youngkin may soon consider a bill that would create a statute of limitations for medical debt. Michael Pope reports.

,

Leave a comment

An effort to add party affiliation to Constitutional offices is dead

Credit: NPR

Candidates for some offices in Virginia are identified by party affiliation and some are not. Michael Pope has this report on an unsuccessful attempt to add more party affiliation.

Leave a comment

Facial recognition measure will soon be on Youngkin’s desk

Governor Glenn Youngkin will soon be considering a bill allowing local police departments to use controversial facial recognition technology. Michael Pope has details.

,

Leave a comment

Virginia Constitution language banning same-sex marriage will remain

Voters will not have an opportunity to reject Virginia’s unconstitutional ban on gay marriage. Michael Pope explains why.

The same House subcommittee also killed a proposed referendum on the automatic restoration of voting rights of former felons.

Leave a comment

An effort to roll back Virginia’s red flag law is done for the year

Credit: NPR

Virginia has a red-flag law designed to combat gun violence. As Michael Pope reports, a Republican effort to overturn the law has failed.

, ,

Leave a comment

A regulated marijuana marketplace in Virginia likely isn’t happening this year

The effort to create a regulated marijuana marketplace is going nowhere, at least for this year. Michael Pope has more from the General Assembly.

,

Leave a comment

Va. News: Foster bear moms, decertified police officers

Credit: VPAP

Almost four dozen police officers have been decertified in Virginia since a new law took effect last year. And wildlife officers are having success finding foster moms for orphaned bear cubs.

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

Leave a comment

Some state Senators want protective plexiglass in the chamber removed

Senator Siobhan Dunnavant says she wants the box around her desk removed by Monday, vowing to remove it herself if it’s not gone by the beginning of next week. (Credit: Virginia Senate livestream)

Mask mandates are being lifted in schools across Virginia. And as Michael Pope reports, COVID-19 protocols may also be changing in the state Senate.

,

Leave a comment

Differences of opinion on what to do with Virginia’s grocery tax remain

Governor Glenn Youngkin campaigned on eliminating the grocery tax. Now lawmakers are debating how much of it they want to eliminate. Michael Pope reports.

,

Leave a comment

One in seven eligible adults have already accessed newly expanded Medicaid dental care

It’s been a little over six months since Virginians with Medicaid also began receiving dental insurance. Virginia’s Department of Medical Assistance Services estimates that in that time more than 100,000 people have gotten dental care.

As Mallory Noe-Payne reports, the next hurdle is getting more dentists to accept Medicaid. 

,

Leave a comment

An effort to end solitary confinement in Virginia is dead for this year’s session

Lawmakers are rejecting an effort to end solitary confinement. As Michael Pope reports, they’re moving forward with a study instead.

,

Leave a comment

Bill stripping citizen boards of permitting authority headed to House floor

The House of Delegates is considering a Senate bill that would strip permitting authority from two citizen boards. Michael Pope reports.

, ,

Leave a comment

The changing role of Cooperative Extension

Cooperative Extension began, more than 100 years ago, as a service to farm families. (Credit: Virginia Tech)

In the age of climate change, this country’s land grant universities are working overtime to assure that farmers can feed a growing world population.  For Virginia State and Virginia Tech, that means reaching out to cities and to countries around the world.  Sandy Hausman has that story.

Leave a comment

Republican efforts to roll back voting access officially dead for this year’s session

Credit: Jahd Khalil

House Republicans began the session hoping to roll back some of the new voter access laws Democrats put in place over the last two years. As Michael Pope reports, they have been unable to make any of those changes.

,

Leave a comment

Does Virginia need tax cuts? The debate is heating up in Richmond

Members of the General Assembly are debating the need for tax cuts, and it’s a conversation that is getting heated. Michael Pope reports on the latest flare up.

, , ,

Leave a comment

House and Senate working to iron out differences in education budgets

Lawmakers are trying to balance the books for the coming year. One part of the budget is a top priority for both parties: education. Michael Pope has more on the newly-released proposals.

,

Leave a comment

Concealed carry law violation bill dies in state Senate

Senate Democrats are standing in the way of House Republicans who want to expand access to guns. Michael Pope reports.

, ,

Leave a comment

Va. News: Pandemic relief water park, Albemarle County rowing team

Credit: VPAP

A Virginia town will have a water park thanks to pandemic relief money. And some Albemarle County teens are trying to make winter a little easier for elderly residents. 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 and Edie Gross.

Leave a comment

State Senators want solar developers to study potential adverse impacts

Credit: Dominion Energy

The growth of solar energy in Virginia is creating concern among many people about solar farms, potentially putting green space in conflict with green energy. Michael Pope reports.

,

Leave a comment

A bill rolling back local employee collective bargaining faces unlikely odds in state Senate

House Republicans are hoping to roll back some of the new labor laws that Democrats put into the code when they were in power. As Michael Pope reports, Senate Democrats are standing in their way.

Leave a comment

Republicans and Democrats at odds over best approach to marijuana licenses

Credit: NPR

The House of Delegates is considering a bill from the Senate that creates new licenses to sell marijuana. Michael Pope reports.

,

Leave a comment

Governor Youngkin signs legislation allowing parents to decide whether kids wear masks in school

Starting next month, masks will no longer be mandated in Virginia schools. Michael Pope has more from the state Capitol.

,

Leave a comment

Effort to move up commercial marijuana sales moves forward in Senate, but future is hazy in the House

Credit: DEA

Legal sales of marijuana could begin as early as September. Michael Pope reports on the potential change of plan.

,

Leave a comment

Record donation should make VCU a world leader in diagnosing and treating liver disease

Dr. Dr. Arun Sanyal (left) and Dr. Todd Stravitz (right); (Credit: Virginia Commonwealth University)

Liver disease is a growing problem in this country, and Virginia Commonwealth University is hoping to fight that trend with the largest donation in its history.  Sandy Hausman has that story.

Leave a comment

Education advocates push lawmakers for higher teacher pay, school infrastructure investments

As lawmakers try to balance the budget, advocates for schools are asking for an investment in public education. Michael Pope reports.

,

Leave a comment

Effort to remove ban on same-sex marriage in Virginia Constitution clears Senate

Gay marriage has been the law of the land for years thanks to a Supreme Court decision. But the Virginia Constitution still bans same-sex marriage.

Michael Pope reports an effort to change that took a step forward Monday. 

The Senate also approved a constitutional amendment to allow the automatic restoration of voting rights for formerly convicted felons. But it also faces an uphill battle in the House of Delegates.

Leave a comment

Va. News: Courts helping veterans, keeping cars safe

Credit: VPAP

Virginia Beach police are putting some extra effort into helping people keep their parked cars safe. And several city and county courts in Virginia are now providing specialized assistance for veterans facing criminal charges.

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 and Edie Gross.

Leave a comment

House Education Committee fast tracks school mask mandate legislation

State Senator Siobhan Dunnavant, who sponsored the Senate version of the bill, spoke at Friday’s hearing. Members of the Virginia Education Association dressed in red sat behind her. (Credit: Jahd Khalil)

Governor Youngkin’s executive order on school masking has met court challenges and resistance from school boards. But, as Jahd Khalil reports, legislation could achieve his goal instead. 

,

Leave a comment

What to do if your car is stolen and how to prevent that from happening


Special agent Peter Lazear etches a car’s VIN onto a window to help prevent theft.

30 years ago, vehicle theft in Virginia was so common that the legislature set up a special program to stop thieves.  Sandy Hausman reports on the program’s success so far and where it may be headed.

Leave a comment

State Republicans working to pull Virginia out of RGGI

Republicans now in control of the House of Delegates want to roll back much of the environmental legislation approved by Democrats when they were in power. But, as Michael Pope reports, they’re going to hit a blue wall in the Senate.

,

Leave a comment

Sexually explicit material notification legislation may be headed for a gubernatorial signature

Governor Glenn Youngkin may soon be receiving a bill that would allow him to deliver on a campaign promise to notify parents when their children will be learning about sexually explicit material. Michael Pope has the latest from the Capitol.

Leave a comment

School mask mandate legislation likely headed to Youngkin’s desk

Credit: NPR

Governor Glenn Youngkin may soon be considering a bill that would prohibit local school boards from issuing mask mandates. Michael Pope reports.

,

Leave a comment

One charter school bill backed by the governor is most likely dead for this year’s session

Governor Glenn Youngkin wants 20 new charter schools in Virginia. Three major bills to get that done have been introduced. Jahd Khalil reports that one bill was sent to the full House of Delegates, but another of the Governor’s bills died Wednesday. 

, ,

Leave a comment

State Senate rejects Andrew Wheeler nomination

Controversial cabinet pick Andrew Wheeler testifies before the Senate Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources Committee last month. (Credit: Michael Pope)

Governor Glenn Youngkin is dealing with a major setback. The state Senate rejected one of his key cabinet nominees Wednesday. Michael Pope reports.

, ,

Leave a comment

Governor Youngkin’s promise of cutting the grocery tax could be in trouble

Credit: NPR

One of the governor’s top priorities for cutting taxes may be in trouble. Michael Pope explains why.

, ,

Leave a comment

Regional charter schools legislation passes House education committee

Key pieces of Governor Glenn Youngkin’s Charter School agenda have been voted down by the state Senate, which is controlled by Democrats. Jahd Khalil has this update on where things stand on the House side. 

,

Leave a comment

House Republicans eyeing new rules for the use of natural gas

Now that Republicans are in control of the House of Delegates, they’re taking a different approach to environmental issues. Michael Pope has this report about potential new rules around natural gas.

, ,

Leave a comment

State lawmakers working to crack down on unsolicited, explicit photos

Lawmakers are considering a bill that would crack down on cyber-flashing, unsolicited pictures that often pop up on smartphones. Michael Pope explains.

,

Leave a comment

State lawmakers mull solutions for complicated absentee voting structure

Credit: Jahd Khalil

The pandemic has upended much of modern life. And as Michael Pope reports, it’s also created havoc with election returns.

,

Leave a comment