Archive for category Virginia’s News

Urban Agriculture Taking Root in Richmond

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Nearly a third of Virginia is farmland. But farms don’t always have to be in the countryside, they can on rooftops in cities and in small neighborhood gardens. One group in Richmond is training the next generation of URBAN farmers. As Mallory Noe-Payne reports, they’re now offering a federally-approved certificate in urban farming.

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Virginia Votes: How Do They Feel Now?

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Credit: WVTF / RADIO IQ

After Election Tuesday, we’re catching up with voters we talked to before the Election. One person we spoke with was Trump supporter in Lexington. Jessie Knadler catches up with Jacob Thayer.

Another of the Virginians we talked to, is Christopher Rashad Green — a former felon in Richmond who was able to vote for the first time in more than 20 years. The last time we heard from Green he was undecided, considering voting for a third-party candidate. On Tuesday, he cast his ballot for Hillary Clinton.

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Virginia Elects a New Governor Next Year. Will Voters Seek Another Trump?

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Now that Election 2016 has come and gone, the politics of Election 2017 are already moving into place. And, as Michael Pope reports, the election of Donald Trump as president could have a strong influence on the race for governor next year.

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The Day After: National Frenemies Day

frenemies-dayAfter what may have been one of the most vitriolic elections in American history, a Virginia Tech professor is declaring today, ‘ National Frenemies Day.’ Robbie Harris explains what it is and how to celebrate.

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Hillary Clinton Won Virginia, But is it a Blue State?

Virginia_flag_mapHillary Clinton was able to win Virginia. But it was not as decisive a victory as many Democrats were hoping for. Michael Pope has the story.

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Election Day: Congressional Outcomes in Virginia

We’ve got this overview of the state’s most competitive Congressional races, plus a quick glance at results from the rest of the state.

The 10th District

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Republicans maintained control of the 10th District despite a strong challenge. (Credit: Kelsea Pieters / WVTF / RADIO IQ)

Republican Congresswoman Barbara Comstock will be returning to Congress next year, despite a hotly contested race in Northern Virginia. Michael Pope has the story.

The 4th District

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Newly-drawn lines opened this seat up for Democrats. (Credit: Kelsea Pieters / WVTF / RADIO IQ)

Democrats were able to pick up one congressional seat in Virginia, but only after a lawsuit prompted the boundaries of the congressional districts to be redrawn. Mallory Noe-Payne reports.

The 5th District

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Another state lawmaker will be heading to the national legislature to represent the 5th. (Credit: Kelsea Pieters / WVTF / RADIO IQ)

It was a difficult night for Democrats in the 5th Congressional District, where Republican Tom Garrett scored an impressive win over Jane Dittmar. Sandy Hausman reports on that race and others of regional interest.

Other Results

In less competitive districts, the state’s races played out as expected — with victors winning by large margins. Results are below. Full details can be seen here.

  • District 1 – Robb Wittman (R) beat Matt Rowe (D)
  • District 2 – Scott Taylor (R) beat Shaun Brown (D)
  • District  3 – Bobby Scott (D) beat Marty Williams (R)
  • District 6 – Bob Goodlatte (R) beat Kai Degner (D)
  • District 7- Dave Brat (R) beat Eileen Bedell (D)
  • District 8 – Don Beyer (D) beat Charles Hernick (R)
  • District 9 – Morgan Griffith (R) beat Derek Kitts (D)
  • District 11- Gerry Connolly won

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Report: Virginia’s Schools More Segregated Than a Decade Ago

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A recent report found that Virginia’s public schools are more segregated today than ten years ago. According to the report, students who are poor, black, and Latino in Virginia are increasingly isolated — attending schools with other students like themselves. Mallory Noe-Payne reports.

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About Three in Four Virginia Voters Expected to Show Up on Election Day

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How many voters are expected to show up on Election Day? Michael Pope has this preview.

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Va News Topics: Petersburg Christmas Parade, Arlington to D.C. Gondola

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Credit: Virginia Public Access Project

The cash-strapped City of Petersburg will have a Christmas parade this year, but it was a very close call, and within a few years commuters and tourists may be riding a gondola  from Arlington County to hard-to-reach Georgetown in D.C. Those have been among the most read stories over the past week on the Virginia Public Access Project’s Va News link at vpap.org. Fred Echols reports.

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Trump Transparency Issues Leave Lawmakers Thinking about Future Campaigns

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Credit: Gage Skidmore / Creative Commons

Some Virginia lawmakers are hoping to reform presidential campaign laws after the election. Matt Laslo reports on the red flags critics say Donald Trump’s campaign has raised.

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218 Years for Dealing Drugs? Obama Commutes Sentences of Seven Drug Dealers in Virginia

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Credit: Brandon Giesbrecht / Flickr

During the final months of his administration, President Barack Obama is commuting the sentences in drug -related cases across the United States. Michael Pope has this look at how the president’s actions here in Virginia might be a turning point in the war on drugs.

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Teacher Residency Model Gains National Attention

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Teacher Dana Lockhart is still in training and is a member of VCU’s teacher residency program. Here she teaches while VCU President Michael Rao looks on. (Credit: Mallory Noe-Payne / WVTF / RADIO IQ)

If you want to be a teacher, you can go to school and pay for your master’s in education. Or, you can make a 4-year commitment to teaching in Richmond Public Schools in exchange for a master’s degree through Virginia Commonwealth University, a practically-guaranteed job, and learning through doing. It’s a unique approach — there are only about 20 programs like it in the country. Now, as Mallory Noe-Payne reports, the federal government is taking notice.

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On the Ballot: Virginia Looks to Cement “Right to Work” Culture

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This November, the presidential race is not the only thing on the ballot. There’s also little known — but very important — state constitutional amendment that could have lasting consequences for the relationship between workers and their employers. Michael Pope explains one of this year’s ballot amendments.

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Virginia Votes: Shenandoah Valley Trump Supporters

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Credit: WVTF / RADIO IQ

Virginia has more than 5 million registered voters. In the end, all those voices will be lumped together to decide who gets the state’s 13 electoral votes. Today reporter Jessie Knadler takes us to some communities in the rural Shenandoah Valley—  filled with family farms, rolling hills and plenty of Trump supporters.

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Deadly Ambush of Fairfax Officer Prompted Constitutional Amendment ​on Ballot This Year

Virginia_flag_mapWhen they head to the polls on Election Day, most voters will be focused on the presidential election. But here in Virginia, they’ll also be considering a little-known constitutional amendment — one that had a violent beginning. Michael Pope has the story.

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Shifting Demographics in Chesterfield and Loudoun Create Key Battlegrounds

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It wasn’t all that long ago that Virginia was considered a red state, or at least a state that strongly leaned Republican. Now Democrats have won the last two presidential cycles, and the trend is expected to continue again this year. Michael Pope is digging into the numbers.

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Virginia Transgender Teen’s Case Will Go to Supreme Court

Virginia_flag_mapA transgender teen from Virginia will be fighting to use the bathroom of his choice in front of the Supreme Court. Mallory Noe-Payne reports.

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Va News Topics: Lee-Jackson Day Parade, Controversial Seminar

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Credit: Virginia Public Access Project

Lexington’s traditional Lee-Jackson Day Parade in January will be very different from what the city is accustomed to seeing, and  a Virginia Sheriff is being criticized for organizing a seminar that some say will be unfairly critical of Muslims. Those have been among the most read stories over the past week on the Virginia Public Access Project’s Va News link at vpap.org. Fred Echols reports.

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Presidential Candidates Polar Opposites on Climate Change

chesapeake-journalism-collaborationHillary Clinton and Donald Trump could not disagree more on climate change. Clinton sees it as a real threat. Trump dismisses it as a hoax. So, John Lee got to wondering what the candidates’ views on climate change might mean for the Chesapeake Bay and came up with this report for “Chesapeake: A Journalism Collaborative.”

Chesapeake: A Journalism Collaborative is funded by the participating stations with grant support from the Clayton Baker Trust, The Bancroft Foundation, Michael and Ann Hankin, The Jim and Patty Rouse Foundation, The Rob and Elizabeth Tyler Foundation, and the Mid-Shore Community Foundation.

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How Will the End of Obama’s Term Impact the Commonwealth?

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With President Obama heading out of office soon Virginia Republicans fear he’s preparing a slew of executive orders that could hurt the economy in the Commonwealth. Matt Laslo has that story from Washington.

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Elections Officials Bracing for Armed Poll Watchers

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After the campaign headquarters of Jane Dittmar was visited by armed demonstrators recently, election officials across Virginia began asking about what will happen when people show up on Election Day with firearms. Michael Pope has the story.

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Virginia’s 2017 Harvest of Atlantic Menhaden Will Increase

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Credit: Pamela D’Angelo

At a meeting in Maine this week, Atlantic coast fisheries managers agreed to increase the catch for menhaden, a fish considered crucial to birds, other fish and by commercial watermen to catch crabs. It’s also key to the remaining fish oil plant on the East Coast here in Virginia.  Pamela D’Angelo reports.

 

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Many Congressional Districts in Virginia Don’t Look to Be That Competitive

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When voters head to the polls on Election Day, most will be focused on the presidential race. But every seat in the House of Representatives will be on the ballot too — although you might not have heard much about that. Michael Pope takes us to one of the many congressional districts in Virginia that’s NOT in play this year.

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Mark Warner Says Housing Bailout Should Not Continue to Put Taxpayers at Risk

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Remember when the mortgage loan industry almost brought down the global economy? Virginia Senator Mark Warner says we haven’t fully recovered from that, and he’s working to make long-term change. Michael Pope has more.

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An Influx of Cash Gives Democrats Hope in the 5th District

Virginia_flag_mapOne congressional race is becoming increasingly more competitive, according to newly released campaign finance numbers. Michael Pope is digging into the numbers in the 5th Congressional District – the seat that stretches from Charlottesville to Southside.

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State Board of Health Discusses Abortion Clinic Regulations

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Credit: Virginia Department of Health

Pro-choice advocates in Virginia are celebrating today —the State Board of Health has voted to remove targeted regulations on abortion clinics.

In an 8 hour meeting today the board worked its way through dozens of amendments to regulations affecting clinics. In the end, they decided to roll back building codes and other restrictions that had been approved by former Governor Bob McDonnell 5 years ago. Since being passed, 7 clinics throughout the state have closed down. Mallory Noe-Payne has details.

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Voter Intimidation in Virginia is Nothing New

 

Virginia_flag_mapVoter intimidation in Virginia is nothing new. As Michael Pope reports, the state has a long and complicated history of various forces trying to influence elections.

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Va News Topics: Chesapeake City Council Decision, In-Home Assistance Concerns

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Credit: Virginia Public Access Project

Chesapeake City Council is considering whether to post “In God We Trust” in  City Hall and other public buildings, and people who require in-home assistance say they’re being affected by a state law that prohibits overtime for caregivers paid by Medicaid. Those have been among the most read stories over the past week on the Virginia Public Access Project’s Va News link at vpap.org. Fred Echols reports.

 

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In Virginia, Juveniles Sentenced to Life Without Parole Wait in Limbo

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Jason Clem is 12 years into a life sentence for a murder he committed when he was 16. A nonprofit estimates there are 60 people like Clem in Virginia, serving a life sentence without hope of parole, for a crime they committed when they are under 18. The United States Supreme Court has ruled that’s unconstitutional. But, so far, that’s had little effect for those in Virginia. Mallory Noe-Payne reports.

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Voter Registration Deadline Gets an Extension

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Credit: Virginia Department of Elections

Forget to register to vote by Monday’s deadline? Or have problems trying to do it online? Well — you’ll get a second chance. A federal judge has extended Virginia’s voter registration deadline to Friday. Mallory Noe-Payne explains.

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Feds Take Aim at Opioid Crisis in Southwest Virginia

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Credit: Brandon Giesbrecht / Creative Commons

Some of the most remote parts of Southwest Virginia are about to get help in the opioid crisis. That’s because this month, two counties are receiving a new federal designation. Michael Pope has the story.

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$6 Million House Race in Northern Virginia Dominates Campaign Finance Numbers

Virginia_flag_mapVirginia’s congressional candidates have raised a grand total of $20 million this election cycle. As Michael Pope reports, much of that comes from one or two particularly competitive seats.

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Virginia Votes: Reluctance on Tangier Island

Virginia has more than 5 million registered voters. They come from urban centers, rolling and rural countryside, and increasingly diverse suburbs.

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Credit: WVTF / RADIO IQ

In the end, all those voices will be lumped together in a winner-take-all system to decide where the state’s 13 electoral votes go.

Leading up to election day we’ll be hearing from both voters, and non-voters, across the Commonwealth — in a series we’re calling Virginia Votes. 

We begin on Tangier Island, where people live simply. Church on Sundays, zero alcohol, and you’ll never hear them swear. They hail from some of America’s first settlements. Many have served their country, including the town manager. Of some 470 Tangier residents, 399 are registered to vote this November. And while the majority are Republican and loyal to their party, this year, they’re having a hard time.

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First Presidential Cycle with Online Voter Registration Keeps Election Officials Busy

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Credit: Virginia Department of Elections

Now that the deadline for registering new voters has come and gone, election officials across Virginia are entering the final stretch toward Election Day. Michael Pope has the story.

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Could Hackers Influence the Election?

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With alleged cyber-attacks from Russia on the rise, federal officials are looking at ways to keep foreign operatives from meddling with this year’s elections. Matt Laslo reports from Washington.

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Have You Already Voted? Candidates and Parties Have Your Name on a List

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Many voters are not waiting until Election Day to cast their ballots. Election officials across the state are reporting record amounts of in-person absentee voting. Michael Pope reports.

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Latest Poll: Clinton Leads Trump by 15 Points in Virginia

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Poll results and graphic from Christopher Newport University.

Hailed as a swing state during the past two presidential elections, Virginia looks to be solidly in the blue this time around. A poll out this weekend gives Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton a 15-point lead over rival Donald Trump.

Today is the final day to register to vote in Virginia.

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In Light of Vetoed Bill, Literature Censorship Continues to Be A Concern

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Steve Watkins’ new book, “Great Falls.” (Credit: stevewatkinsbooks.com)

Earlier this year Governor McAuliffe vetoed a bill that would have given parents of public school students a say in assigned readings. Now, it’s up to schools to make that decision. Last week, the administrators of a rural high school, in a conservative county did just that, asking an award-winning author invited to speak to leave. Pamela D’Angelo has more.

Watkins, who lives in Fredericksburg, plans to continue his tour — which includes a presentation October 20th at the Virginia Association of School Librarians Annual Conference. You can read about his books here.

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Va News Topics: Lack of Candidates, Liberty Students Against Trump

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Credit: Virginia Public Access Project

When a Northern Virginia city didn’t have enough candidates on the ballot to fill its city council residents became politically active in a hurry, and a group of students at Liberty University has taken exception to an endorsement of Donald Trump by Liberty’s president, Jerry Falwell, Jr. Those have been among the most read stories over the past week on the Virginia Public Access Project’s Va News link at vpap.org.

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Increased Traffic Growing Concern for Virginia’s Voter Information System

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Credit: Virginia Department of Elections

Registrars throughout Virginia are concerned the computer system that keeps track of voters may not hold up to increased traffic as Election Day approaches. Mallory Noe-Payne reports.

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Once Again, McAuliffe Presses for Medicaid Expansion

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State leaders are divided over the best way to close a $1.5 billion budget shortfall. But Governor McAuliffe is taking the opportunity to once again press for expanding Medicaid. Michael Pope explains.

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Trump Supporters Concerned Campaign Will Pull Out of Virginia

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The presidential campaign may seem endless, but the end is near. That means campaigns are making crucial decisions about how to allocate resources in the final few weeks before Election Day. Michael Pope reports.

 

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How Will Governor McAuliffe Deal With the Budget Shortfall?

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Credit: Kate Wellington / Flickr

Up to 26 state employees may be losing their jobs, and no state employees will be getting previously promised pay raises. That’s because of a budget shortfall this year. As Mallory Noe-Payne reports, Governor McAuliffe today gave specifics on how he plans to close the gap.

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Democrats Hope Trump Turmoil Helps Downballot in Fifth Congressional District

Virginia_flag_mapOne of the hottest congressional races on the ballot this fall is the Fifth Congressional District, which stretches from Charlottesville to Danville. It’s a district currently held by Republicans, but Democrats are hoping the turmoil of the Donald Trump campaign might be giving them new momentum. Michael Pope has the story.

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Republicans Advertise on General Hospital; Democrats Advertise on he Tonight Show

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A still shot from Donald Trump’s latest campaign ad.

Do not adjust your television, there is an election going on — even if you don’t see your airwaves flooded by television advertising the way they’ve been in recent years. Michael Pope has the story.

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Without the She Crab, There Would be No He Crab

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Basket with sponge crabs in all stages of egg development. Taken legally in Virginia in late June. (Credit: Pamela D’Angelo)

The Atlantic Blue Crab, Chesapeake Bay’s signature crustacean, has been through tough times in the last 20 years. Some recent improvement has been credited to restrictions on harvesting females. Yet Virginia still allows the harvest of egg-bearing females, something Maryland banned back in 1917. The reasons why seems to be wrapped up in economics. Pamela D’Angelo reports.

The Chesapeake: A Journalism Collaborative is funded by the participating stations with grant support from the Clayton Baker Trust, The Bancroft Foundation, Michael and Ann Hankin, The Jim and Patty Rouse Foundation, The Rob and Elizabeth Tyler Foundation, and the Mid-Shore Community Foundation.

 

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Virginia Moves Forward with Plans for Slave Site Memorial

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Delegate McQuinn (left) and other state and local politicians plant a tree at the historical site of a slave market and jail in Richmond. (Credit: Mallory Noe-Payne / WVTF)

The architecture firm responsible for the new National Museum of African American History and Culture in D.C. has been brought on board to lead another historical project, this time here in Virginia. Mallory Noe-Payne reports.

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Comstock is First Prominant Virginia Republican to Ask Trump to Step Aside

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Credit: U.S. Congress

Republicans across Virginia are struggling to figure out how to handle their relationship with Donald Trump in the wake of his hot mic moment on the Access Hollywood bus. So far, only one prominent Republican is calling for the candidate to step down. Michael Pope has more.

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Fast Food Workers Protest Handling of Sexual Harassments

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Credit: Mike Mozart / Creative Commons

Forty percent of women who work in the fast food industry are sexually harassed. That’s according a recent survey commissioned by the National Partnership for Women and Families. After the release of the new numbers, low wage workers across the country protested at McDonald’s, including here in Virginia. Mallory Noe-Payne has the story.

 

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Va News Topics: Radford Arsenal Waste, Williamsburg Mega-Resort

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Credit: Virginia Public Access Project

The Army has put a drone in the air to find out what’s being released from waste material as it’s burned in the open at the Radford Arsenal, and promotion of a possible mega-resort complex near Williamsburg has left two boards of county supervisors surprised and annoyed. Those have been among the most read stories over the past week on the Virginia Public Access Project’s Va News link at vpap.org. Fred Echols reports.

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