Archive for category Virginia’s News

Republicans Outline Legislative Priorities for 2019 Session

general assembly coverage 2019Even though Democrats may have won every statewide election since 2009, Republicans are in control of the House and the Senate. Michael Pope has this preview of their priorities for this year’s General Assembly session.

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Examining General Assembly Politics in an Election Year

StateSeal00Lawmakers are assembling in Richmond for this year’s General Assembly session. The session is expected to last about two months, but many lawmakers are already looking ahead to November. Michael Pope reports.

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Virginia Board Approves Compressor Station for Atlantic Coast Pipeline

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Opponents of the compressor station express their disagreement by turning their backs to the Air Pollution Control Board. (Credit: Mallory Noe-Payne / RADIO IQ)

A state board gave unanimous approval today to a controversial compressor station for the Atlantic Coast Pipeline. Dominion Energy plans to build the station in a historically African-American community in Buckingham County. Mallory Noe-Payne was there as the board voted, and has this report.

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State Lawmaker Wants to Reconsider Virginia’s Ban on Guns in Churches

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Do guns belong in churches and synagogues? Lawmakers are about to take up that issue in Richmond. Michael Pope reports.

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Dems Say Gun Regulations Could Save Lives

general assembly coverage 2019On Monday, House Democrats outlined a set of legislative proposals dealing with gun safety. They say the measures are focused on saving lives. Mallory Noe-Payne reports.

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At Least One Virginia Lawmaker Wants to Criminalize 3D-Printed Firearms

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The rise of 3D printing is creating a whole new world for manufacturing all kinds of items. But it’s also created new concerns about security at courthouses and airports. Michael Pope reports one Virginia lawmaker is hoping to update the code.

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Fixing Virginia’s School Counselor Ratio May Be Easier Said Than Done

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After several high-profile school shootings, lawmakers are trying to figure out how to make the classroom safer. But, they may be at odds over how much money to spend. Michael Pope reports.

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General Assembly to Consider Giving Teachers a Raise

teachersalaryHow much money should Virginia teachers be paid? That’s an issue that’s about to take center stage in Richmond when the General Assembly meets next week. Michael Pope reports.

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In Lee County, Arming Teachers Seems Like the Only Option Left

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Students at St. Charles Elementary in Lee, Virginia go to school in a building constructed in the 1930’s and don’t have a school resource officer. (Credit: Mallory Noe-Payne / RADIO IQ)

Since the Parkland shooting in Florida lawmakers, teachers and parents are thinking more about school security. But as officials in one Virginia county know, keeping kids safe in remote rural schools can be more difficult than protecting city and suburban schools.

Lee County has 11 schools, but can only afford four resource officers. To help fill the gap they’re turning to teachers and administrators — training them and hoping they’ll get permission from the state to let them carry guns in the classroom.

Mallory Noe-Payne traveled to the far southwestern corner of the state, and has this report.

Mallory Noe-Payne has more on Lee County’s plan to arm teachers.

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Research Suggests Year-End Bonuses May Lead to Unethical Behavior

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Trying to close the books on 2018? New research into human psychology here in Virginia has some tips. Michael Pope reports.

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Equal Rights Amendment Gets Unfriendly Committee Placement

StateSeal00Ahead of this year’s legislative session, Republican leadership in Virginia has assigned the equal rights amendment to committee. It will go before a Republican who has not been supportive in the past. Mallory Noe-Payne reports.

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Analyzing Virginia’s Upside Down Education Funding Model

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How much money should school districts with the poorest students get? That’s an issue that will be debated in Richmond next month. Michael Pope reports.

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New Report: 2018 Brought Virginia Economic Success

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2018 has been a very good year economically for Virginia, according to Old Dominion University’s annual State of the Commonwealth report. Nick Gilmore has details.

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Tradition of AGs Stepping Down to Run for Governor Dates to 1950’s

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Former Virginia Attorney General, Lindsay Almond (Credit: Library of Congress)

For the last 60 years, trying to move from the attorney general’s office to the governor’s mansion has usually meant stepping down — resigning from one office to focus on being elected to the other. Michael Pope has this look at the reasons why.

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Will Virginia’s Medicaid Work Requirements Ever Happen?

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182,000 people are about to get health insurance now that Virginia is finally expanding Medicaid. And, they will not have to meet the work requirement to get those benefits. At least not yet. Michael Pope reports.

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Herring Joins Other Virginia Lawmakers in Refusal of Dominion Money

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Virginia Attorney General Mark Herring says he won’t take campaign contributions from the state’s largest utility, Dominion Energy. (Credit: MDFriendofHilary / Wikimedia Commons / Creative Commons)

The influence of corporate money has long been a staple of American politics. But now a new political trend is emerging in Virginia to resist campaign contributions from major corporations. Michael Pope reports.

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Refund or Credit? Tax Showdown Looms

StateSeal00Virginia’s Democratic Governor and Republican lawmakers may be headed for a tax showdown this upcoming legislative session. The question at hand is what to do with new revenues created by the Trump administration’s tax cuts. Mallory Noe-Payne has details.

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Kaine, Warner Hopeful About Avoiding Government Shutdown

StateSeal00Leaders in Washington may be heading toward yet another government shutdown, although Virginia’s two senators are hopeful Congress can avoid brinkmanship. Michael Pope reports.

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Congress Likely to Pass “Ashanti Alert” Legislation from Virginia Lawmakers

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Democrats and Republicans in Congress may be deadlocked over a potential government shutdown and funding a wall on the southern border. But, they’re also coming together to pass significant bipartisan legislation at the end of the year. Michael Pope reports.

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Virginia’s Unemployment Numbers Show More Women Are Out of Work Than Men

virginia_flag_map_0Gender disparity in employment and salaries is well established. But there is another aspect of the gender gap that has not received as much attention. Michael Pope reports.

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Northam Proposes 5-Percent Teacher Raise

governor-northam-official-photo_800Governor Ralph Northam is proposing a five-percent pay raise for teachers. It’s just one among a list of education priorities the Governor will present to lawmakers next week. Mallory Noe-Payne reports.

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School Divisions Closely Watching Stafford County Policy Decision

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School divisions across Virginia are in the midst of a transformation, one that may have profound consequences for transgender students. Michael Pope reports.

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With 2019 Session Around the Corner, State Lawmakers Already Looking Ahead

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Lawmakers are about to assemble in Richmond for the next session of the General Assembly. But, as Michael Pope reports, many of them are already thinking ahead to the next election.

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Richmond Start-Up Offers “Adventurer” Insurance Plans

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Credit: Sheila Berrios-Nazario of goldenagetrips.com / Flickr

A new start-up in Richmond is looking to fill a gap – insurance for adventurers. Nick Gilmore reports.

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Should Gun Owners Be Liable If Their Guns Are Used in a Crime?

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Gun control is expected to be a major flashpoint in the upcoming session of the Virginia General Assembly, and lawmakers are preparing a long list of potential new laws. Michael Pope reports on one measure in the works.

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Proposed Legislation Would Change the Way Virginia Investigates Child Abuse

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Child abuse investigations are at the center of one bill that’ll be considered next month in Richmond. Michael Pope reports.

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General Assembly May Consider Expanding Attorney General’s Jurisdiction for Hate Crimes

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Virginia Attorney General Mark Herring (Credit: Edward Kimmel via flickr.com / CC)

Virginia’s attorney general is hoping members of the General Assembly will give his office new authority to go after hate crimes. Michael Pope reports.

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A Look at Life Expectancy in Virginia

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Men outnumber women in Virginia until they reach their mid-thirties. After that, women outnumber men until very late in life. Michael Pope reports on the gender gap at the end of life.

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RC Poll: Consumer Sentiment Heavily Dependent on Political Affiliation in Virginia

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How healthy is Virginia’s economy? The answer to that question might just depend on how you vote. Michael Pope reports.

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Yes, There ARE Fewer Stink Bugs This Year

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Have you noticed there are fewer Stink Bugs around this year? Robbie Harris reports on why that it is and what we might expect going forward.

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Millenials Are Leading the Way in Virginia’s Rising Homeownership Rate

homeownershipThe recession ended a decade ago. But in some ways, Virginia’s housing industry is just now starting to recover. Michael Pope reports.

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Auto Loan Delinquencies On the Rise in Virginia

Auto Loan Delinquency in VirginiaIt’s been a decade since the subprime mortgage crisis tanked the global economy. Now, there’s another potential bubble about to burst. Michael Pope reports.

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RC Poll: Virginia Shoppers Looking to Spend This Holiday Season

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Credit: Roanoke College

The holiday shopping season is now officially upon us. And one recent survey of shoppers reveals this is likely to be a lucrative year. Michael Pope reports.

You can find the survey here.

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Even With Medicaid Expansion, There’s Still Debate Over Work Requirements

StateSeal00Democrats have been trying to expand Medicaid for years, and they were unsuccessful until this year when they cut a deal with Republicans to institute work requirements. Now, as Michael Pope reports, those work requirements are creating a new set of difficulties.

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Congress to Consider Beyer’s School Seclusion Bill

399px-Don_Beyer,_official_114th_Congress_photo_portraitMembers of Congress are about to consider a piece of school legislation that has its origins in the Virginia General Assembly. Michael Pope reports.

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State Lawmakers May Soon Consider Ethics of Medicaid Aid in Dying

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Should doctors help terminally ill patients end their lives? That’s a moral debate that’s about to unfold in Richmond. Michael Pope reports.

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Does Virginia Need So Many Occupational Licenses?

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For many jobs in Virginia, workers are required to get a license. But what’s the cost of all those licenses? Michael Pope reports.

You can find the new report here.

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Affordable Housing in Virginia Remains Difficult to Find

rentersThe economy is booming, and Virginia is doing well in a number of areas. But, some are being left behind. Michael Pope reports.

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State Lawmakers Think School Counselors Should Spend More Time Counseling

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What will it take for Virginia schools to be more secure? A panel of lawmakers recently looked at the issue and made a number of key recommendations. Michael Pope reports.

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Environmental Groups Warn of Coal Ash Health Risk at Conservation Area

StateSeal00It could cost billions to recycle toxic coal ash currently sitting in lagoons across Virginia. That’s according to a report Dominion Energy gave to lawmakers this week. At the same time, two environmental groups now say coal ash ponds in Chesterfield could pose a risk to human health. Mallory Noe-Payne reports.

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In Potential New Leadership Role, Scott Planning to Join Fight for 15

BobbyScottAs Democrats plan to take control of the House of Representatives, one Virginia congressman is poised to control a key committee. And he’s already making plans for what he wants to do in that position. Michael Pope reports.

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State Regulators Consider Buckingham Compressor Station

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John and Ruby Laury fear the Atlantic Coast Pipeline will rob them of clean air, clean water and the quiet of their rural neighborhood. (Credit: Sandy Hausman / RADIO IQ)

A state regulatory board is preparing to vote on a key permit for a giant compressor station in rural Virginia. Dominion will use the station to push natural gas through the Atlantic Coast Pipeline.

But opponents say the construction is being thrust on a historically black community. Mallory Noe-Payne reports.

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Virginia Democrats Seem Likely to Take on New Leadership Roles in Congress

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Congressman Bobby Scott, who will likely become the next chairman of the Education Committee. (Credit: US Congress)

Now that Democrats have taken control of the House, Democrats in Virginia’s congressional delegation are about to take on a new and more significant role in the next Congress. Michael Pope reports.

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Women Win Big in Virginia

virginia_flag_map_0Yesterday, Virginians elected three new congress-women to represent the state on Capitol Hill. It was one of the largest gains for women in the country. Mallory Noe-Payne reports.

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Northern Virginia is No Longer a Republican Stronghold

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Northern Virginia was once a bastion of economic conservatism. But now, as Michael Pope reports, the region has only one elected Republican official at the state or federal level.

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Ben Cline Wins 6th District Seat

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Republican Ben Cline gives his victory speech in Roanoke Tuesday evening. (Credit: Nick Gilmore / RADIO IQ)

Virginia’s 6th Congressional District has been represented by a Republican for more than two decades. And, as Nick Gilmore reports, that trend will continue with a new face.

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Justices Hear Arguments Over Virginia Uranium Mining Ban

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The United States Supreme Court (Credit: DBKING via Flickr / CC)

Justices of the United States Supreme Court are now considering a legal challenge to Virginia’s ban on uranium mining. Michael Pope is at the court with the latest.

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What Will Turnout Look Like on Election Day?

midtermturnoutVoters are headed to the polls next week to vote in the midterm elections. But how many are expected to show up? Michael Pope has a forecast.

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Who is Showing Up on Election Day in Virginia?

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Voters are about to head to the polls across Virginia, deciding a U.S. Senate race as well as several hotly contested congressional races. But, the universe of voters who shows up in a mid-term is not the same as a presidential year. Michael Pope reports.

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Algae Bloom Persists in Lake Anna

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Florida has its Red Tide. Virginia’s Lake Anna is dealing with a similar situation. A significant algae bloom has persisted into the Fall, and is the first in the state to earn a human health advisory. Mallory Noe-Payne reports.

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