Archive for category Virginia’s News

2019 Was a Busy Year for Virginia’s Congressional Delegation

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2019 was a historic year in Washington for many reasons, including the new makeup of the freshmen class that states like Virginia made more diverse than any others. Correspondent Matt Laslo reports that besides making history, the Commonwealth ended the year on a legislative high note.

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Redistricting Debate Likely to Take Center Stage Again Next Month in Richmond

StateSeal00One of the biggest issues in next year’s General Assembly session is likely to be a leftover issue from last year — gerrymandering. Michael Pope reports.

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Some Virginia Congressional Leaders Are Beyond Ready to Shift Focus From Impeachment

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Members of the Virginia congressional delegation are glad that impeachment has moved out of the House, because it distracted from many of their priorities last year.  Correspondent Matt Laslo has the story from the Capitol.

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Legislation to Fix the Virginia Beach Tragedy Fund is Now Law

StateSeal00Before they left town for the holidays, members of Congress and President Trump took action to help victims of the Virginia Beach shooting. Michael Pope reports.

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2019 State of the Commonwealth Report: A Healthy Virginia Economy

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Credit: Old Dominion University

Virginia’s economy continued to expand this year. Nick Gilmore reports that’s the finding of Old Dominion University’s annual State of the Commonwealth report.

You can find the full report here.

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Democratic Gun Control Legislation May Bar Guns From State Capitol

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Gun control is expected to be one of the top agenda items for Democrats as they take control of the General Assembly next month. And, that could include a ban on guns in and around the Capitol. Michael Pope reports.

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Poll Points to Support for Loan Limits

payday_lendingVirginia voters want to see the General Assembly take action on curbing high-interest lending in Virginia.

That’s one finding of a poll that may factor into the upcoming session. Michael Pope reports.

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Bill Aims to Gather Better Data About Internet Service Areas

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Rep. Donald McEachin

Bad data on service and quality from internet service providers is frustrating to many members of Congress on both sides of the aisle.

Now one Virginia congressman is doing something about it. Michael Pope reports.

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Beyer Bill Would Bring Comparison Shopping to Health Care

don_beyer__official_114th_congress_photo_portrait.jpegAs Congress approaches the end of the year, the Democratic House majority is introducing a flurry of new legislation — including reforms to health care.

One bill aims to create more transparency about the cost of care. Michael Pope reports.

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A Look at How Presidential Candidates Get on Virginia’s Primary Ballot

StateSeal00Democrats have set their list of candidates for Virginia’s presidential primary next year, and Republicans are planning a convention. As Michael Pope reports, Virginia makes it particularly difficult for candidates to get on the ballot.

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Education, Environment and Gas Tax: Takeaways from Gov’s Budget Proposal

governor-northam-official-photo_800Fully funding Virginia’s public schools, an increase in the fuel tax, and a new state run health insurance marketplace — those are all on Governor Ralph Northam’s budget wish list. Mallory Noe-Payne reports.

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Despite Impeachment, Congressman Beyer is Finding Success With Animal Testing Bill

Don_Beyer,_official_114th_Congress_photo_portrait.jpegWashington may be bitterly divided over impeachment. But, the tension over President Trump is also providing an opportunity for bipartisan action against animal testing. Michael Pope reports.

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JLARC: Virginia Spent Less Than Expected on Medicaid This Year

StateSeal00More Virginians received health insurance through Medicaid this year while the state actually spent less than expected on the program. As lawmakers learned Monday that’s because of Medicaid expansion. Mallory Noe-Payne has details.

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CNU Poll: Virginians Largely Support Democratic Agenda

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Democrats won majorities in the House and Senate this year by promising a sweeping series of reforms. And now, a new poll indicates widespread support for that agenda. Michael Pope reports.

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National Park Service Needs You; Help I.D. Invasive Animal Species

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A volunteer participates in a BioBlitz at Rocky Mountain National Park. BioBlitz events — an intensive field study in an area that usually lasts for more than 24 hours — can help identify the presence of invasive species in national parks. (Credit: National Park Service)

National Parks in this country are losing native species at an alarming rate and the National Park Service is asking for help to combat the growing problem. Robbie Harris reports.

And there’s an App for that here. Actually, there is a couple of them. Here’s another one.

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Donors to Democratic Candidates Are Going to Want a Return on Their Investment

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Special interest groups that funded many Democratic campaigns are going to be expecting action in the next General Assembly session. Michael Pope reports.

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Despite Democratic Control, Reigning in Predatory Lenders May Still Be Difficult

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Some are hoping this will finally be the year that lawmakers crack down on high-interest lenders now that Democrats are taking control of the General Assembly. Michael Pope reports.

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Interest Groups: Now is the Time to Better Fund Virginia’s Schools

thumbnail_educationNow that the Democrats are seizing power in Richmond, interest groups are already angling for money from the budget. Michael Pope has this preview of a push for more money for crumbling schools.

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The Growing Cost of Virginia Elections

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This year’s election for the House of Delegates was the most expensive ever. Michael Pope reports.

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Virginia’s Congressional Delegation On Opposite Sides of Climate Change Issue

virginia_flag_map_0As the demand to act on climate change mounts, members of the Virginia Congressional delegation are taking a variety of approaches. Michael Pope reports.

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Congressman McEachin’s Effort to Get More Young People Enrolled in Health Insurance

399px-Donald_McEachin_portrait_116th_CongressEver since the Trump administration spiked the individual mandate for health insurance back in 2017, young people have avoiding signing up for health insurance. Now, one Virginia congressman is supporting a proposal aimed at getting more young people in the insurance pool. Michael Pope reports.

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Senator Warner: Let Users Freely Move Their Data From One Social Media Platform to Another

428px-Mark_Warner_113th_Congress_photoShould you be able to move all your cat videos from Facebook to a competing social media platform? Michael Pope explains.

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Could Driver’s Licenses for Undocumented Immigrants Split Democrats in January?

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Should undocumented immigrants be able to get a Virginia driver’s license? As Michael Pope reports, that’s a question members of the General Assembly will be tackling in January.

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Virginia Senators Hope to Pass Legislation That Would Fix Virginia Beach Tragedy Fund

StateSeal00With Congress mired in impeachment, can anything get done in Washington? Michael Pope has this report about one action item both Virginia senators are hoping will happen before the end of the year.

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The ERA’s Passage in Virginia Still Faces an Uphill Battle

ERA YEsAs Democrats prepare to take power in Richmond this January, one of their top priorities will be passing the Equal Rights Amendment. What happens after that? Michael Pope explains.

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At Least Two Virginia Lawmakers Want LGBTQ-Related Questions on the 2020 Census

StateSeal00As 2020 draws closer, the debate in Washington about the Census is heating up. Michael Pope has this report on questions about sexual orientation and gender identity.

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Report: Legalizing Casinos Would Provide Modest Boost

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Virginia could raise hundreds of millions of dollars in new tax revenue if lawmakers choose to legalize casino gambling in several Virginia localities. That’s according to a report presented to lawmakers in Richmond today. Mallory Noe-Payne has more.

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Jens Soering and Elizabeth Haysom Granted Parole, Will Be Deported

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The governor’s office has written what could be the final chapter in a case that’s sparked controversy for more than 30 years. After months of review, Ralph Northam says he will not pardon Jens Soering, but the 53-year-old prisoner will be paroled. The woman convicted as an accomplice to his crime will also be freed. Sandy Hausman reports.

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Gambling in Virginia? Casinos Will Likely Be a Hot Topic for Lawmakers in January

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Lawmakers in Richmond are about to place their bets on casino gambling. They’ll get a much-anticipated report on Monday. Michael Pope reports.

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How the McDonnell Case Could Impact the Impeachment Process

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The case of former Governor Bob McDonnell might end up playing an important role in the impeachment inquiry now playing out in Washington. Michael Pope explains.

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Opponents Think Now is a Good Time for State Lawmakers to Abolish the Death Penalty

virginia_flag_map_0Death penalty opponents are hopeful this is the year they can convince Virginia lawmakers to abolish the death penalty. As Mallory Noe-Payne reports, they’ve spent a decade building a network of support.

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What Research Shows Works, and Doesn’t, With Gun Control

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This week lawmakers gaveled in, and gaveled out, of a reconvened special session. It was an example of how Republican leaders, since losing the majority in November’s elections, have abandoned efforts to pass legislation addressing gun violence. Mallory Noe-Payne reports.

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Could State Democrats Bring Back the Estate Tax?

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About a decade ago, Virginia abandoned the estate tax. Now, some are hoping Democrats bring it back. Michael Pope reports.

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Tax Analysts to Congress: Consider Helping Low-Income Families in Year-End Budget

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As the calendar draws to a close, federal officials in Washington are trying to close out the books. And, that’s creating a whirlwind of jockeying for dollars. Michael Pope reports.

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New Democratic Majority Could Work to Give Local Governments More Authority

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Many General Assembly Democrats campaigned on changing the way guns and environmental issues are regulated. Michael Pope reports part of that change may mean giving more flexibility to local governments.

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Virginia Students in Subsidized Housing Often Have to Attend Low-Performing Schools

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As the price of housing skyrockets in areas with good schools, children who live in areas with low-cost housing are stuck with low-performing schools. Michael Pope reports.

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Immigrants Look Poised to Play an Increasingly Important Role in Virginia’s Economy

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Virginia’s population has one of the largest percentages of immigrants in the country. And, they play a key role in the economy of the Commonwealth. Michael Pope reports.

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Statehouse Elections: Uncontested Races had Lowest Turnout

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According to numbers from the Virginia Public Access Project, turnout in last week’s election was record setting for an off year – nearly 40% of registered voters came to the polls. But those numbers vary across the state. Mallory Noe-Payne reports.

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How Much is Too Much for Virginia’s New Democratic Majority?

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Democrats haven’t controlled the House of Delegates for 20 years, so they have a long list of agenda items for the upcoming General Assembly session. (Credit: Michael Pope)

Democrats have a long list of agenda items they want to tackle when the next General Assembly gavels into session. But, they are going to have to think carefully about what they want to accomplish and when. Michael Pope reports.

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Following a Big Night for Democrats, Governor Northam Looks Ahead

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Governor Ralph Northam addresses members of his cabinet following Tuesday’s statehouse elections. He outlined some of his key priorities for the General Assembly, which Democrats now control for the first time in decades. (Credit: Mallory Noe-Payne / RADIO IQ)

Now that Democrats have unified power in Virginia, they’re looking forward to their legislative agenda. Governor Ralph Northam laid out his priorities at a cabinet meeting Wednesday. Mallory Noe-Payne reports.

The Democratic governor believes his party’s gains on Election Night were largely powered by voters who want common-sense gun laws.

Northam said he plans to push the same gun safety laws he proposed during a special session of the General Assembly earlier this year – a direct response to a May mass shooting in Virginia Beach. Here he is talking about some of those proposals:

Republicans dismissed that special session almost immediately – without deliberating gun safety proposals from Northam and other lawmakers.

The true test for how progressive this new agenda will be comes in January — when the first Democratic-led General Assembly in decades convenes in Richmond.

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Democrats Now Reign Supreme in Northern Virginia

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Tuesday’s election swept Democrats into power in both chambers of the General Assembly. But, it also wiped Republicans off the map in Northern Virginia. Michael Pope has details.

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A Look at Some Million-Dollar State Senate Races

StateSeal00Voters from across Virginia will head to the polls next week in high-stakes races for the state Senate. Michael Pope has this look at their fundraising efforts.

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Spanberger Drug Prices Bill Likely to Become Law

479px-Abigail_Spanberger,_official_116th_Congress_photo_portraitHow much should the public know about how drug prices are calculated? One Virginia congresswoman is hoping to increase transparency. Michael Pope reports.

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National Interest in Virginia’s Statehouse Elections is Drawing Big Fundraising Numbers

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New campaign-finance numbers show certain races for the House of Delegates attracting outsized interest and campaign cash. Michael Pope reports.

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Fairfax Scandal Could Soon Play a Role In General Assembly Campaigns

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The sexual assault scandal surrounding Lieutenant Governor Justin Fairfax has now become part of the election campaign for the General Assembly this year. Michael Pope reports.

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Will Higher Interest Lead to Higher Turnout on Election Day?

voting_rights_3002112985_80b5a719b1It’s election season, but many voters are not tuned into their local races for House of Delegates and state Senate. Michael Pope has this look at what that means for turnout.

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Online Advertising Continues to Be An Important Tool for Virginia Candidates

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If you’ve been on Facebook or YouTube lately, you might have noticed something about an election here in Virginia. Michael Pope explains why.

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Whistleblower: Archeologist Minimized ‘Cultural Richness’ of Site Planned for Water Project

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Credit: Mallory Noe-Payne / RADIO IQ

For centuries, a site in central Virginia was capital of the Monacan Indian Nation. Today it’s owned by Fluvanna and Louisa Counties and officials plan to build a water pump there. They say the infrastructure is needed to provide water to residents and businesses in Zion Crossroads.

Now those plans could be derailed by allegations of misconduct lodged by a former employee of the archaeological firm that tested the site. Mallory Noe-Payne reports.

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A Look at This Year’s General Assembly Political Ads

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A screenshot from the “Chasing Chase” ad. It’s from a California-based political action committee known as Fund Her. (Credit: Fund Her)

If you’ve spent any time in front of a television or a laptop recently, you’ve probably noticed it’s campaign season. Michael Pope reports.

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Census Data: Older Virginians Maintain a Significant Influence Over Elections

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Credit: U.S. Census Bureau

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Credit: U.S. Census Bureau

Voters will head to the polls next month for General Assembly seats all over Virginia, although not all age groups are expected to participate at the same rates. Michael Pope reports.

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