Archive for category Virginia’s News

Lobbyist spending suggests action on skill games and casinos next month

Credit: Mallory Noe-Payne / Radio IQ

Members of the General Assembly are getting ready for the upcoming session. And as Michael Pope reports, so are lobbyists who represent gambling interests.

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Friends and colleagues remember poet Nikki Giovanni as a beloved mentor and fierce advocate for justice

Nikki Giovanni during her Virginia Tech retirement celebration in 2022. (Credit: Andrew Adkins / Virginia Tech)

One of the most famous American poets, Nikki Giovanni, died Monday. She taught at Virginia Tech for 35 years, and was a prominent figure in the Black Arts and Civil Rights Movements. Roxy Todd has this remembrance.

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Could state lawmakers give themselves a raise next month?

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Members of the General Assembly are considering giving themselves a pay raise. Michael Pope has the details.

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Lawmakers weigh options, as new report shows broadband efforts continue to see delays

Credit: Mallory Noe-Payne / Radio IQ

Many parts of Virginia are still without high-speed internet, and that’s expected to be a major topic of conversation next year during the General Assembly session. Michael Pope has this preview.

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Data center fever ahead of Virginia’s 2025 legislative session

As Virginia inches closer to the 2025 legislative session all eyes are on a state watchdog report on data centers. Brad Kutner spoke with those involved in the debate ahead of the report’s release. 

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Should landlords be required to follow temperature guidelines?

Credit: Mallory Noe-Payne / Radio IQ

Lawmakers are about to return to Richmond and consider hundreds of bills, including some that make requirements on landlords. Michael Pope has this preview.

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RC Poll: Most Virginians are just glad the 2024 presidential election is over

Political anxiety is high among Virginians that responded to the survey, but there’s a stark difference between Republicans and Democrats. (Credit: Roanoke College)

Political anxiety in Virginia is high, although Republicans and Democrats have different views about the future. Michael Pope has details.

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Virginia’s food to alcohol sales ratio likely safe for now thanks to court action

A state law requires restaurants to sell about as much food as they do alcohol – a measure that dates back to the prohibition era. But there was an unsuccessful effort last year to roll that law back. Now, despite momentum, those hopeful for change during the 2025 session might have to wait a bit longer. Brad Kutner has more from Richmond. 

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Virginia licensing reform effort reduces wait time, some professional experience requirements

Brian Wolford, Director of the Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation, speaks before the Virginia Small Business Commission during their December 2024 meeting. (Credit: Brad Kutner / Radio IQ)

Virginia’s regulatory reform efforts may not create eye-popping headlines. But a presentation to the Small Business Commission this week gave Radio IQ’s Brad Kutner some insights into just how much has improved.

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Abortion will again be a significant topic of debate at the General Assembly next month

Credit: Mallory Noe-Payne / Radio IQ

Abortion rights are expected to be top priority for Democrats who control the General Assembly. Michael Pope reports Republicans are trying to push back.

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Legislators float new process that could override localities on solar plant approvals

When legislators passed the Virginia Clean Economy Act in 2020, it set lofty goals for carbon-free power generation across the Commonwealth. And while localities line up to take tax revenue from power-hungry data centers, they’ve been less willing to approve clean energy projects. Brad Kutner has more from Richmond. 

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The effort to close the “rent-a-bank” loophole

Members of the General Assembly are working on legislation to crack down on predatory loans. Michael Pope tells us the focus is on something called rent-a-bank.

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Youngkin backs Trump in anti-fentanyl tariff fight

From left, Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares, Lt. Governor Winsome Earle-Sears, First Lady Suzzane Youngkin, Governor Glenn Youngkin, Sec of Public Safety Terrance C. “Terry” Cole, Secretary of Health and Human Resources Janet Kelly, and Secretary of Education Aimee Rogstad Guidera at a press conference at the Attorney General’s office in late November 2024. (Credit: Brad Kutner / Radio IQ)

Governor Glenn Youngkin threw his support behind President-elect Donald Trump’s tariff promise Tuesday. The support came hours after Mexico’s president promised to match any tariffs Trump adds. Brad Kutner has more from Richmond. 

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Same-day registration was a big hit in this year’s election

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This election cycle was the first presidential election in Virginia that allowed for same-day registration. Michael Pope has the details.

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Ousted Virginia legislators run for new seats

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Post 2024 election shuffling means there’s still some voting to come in Virginia. Brad Kutner spoke with two former Virginia legislators who hope to return to Richmond through these lower-profile elections.

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Two members of Virginia’s Congressional delegation want to address drug shortages

Virginia’s congressional delegation is hoping to make some bipartisan accomplishments in the lame duck Congress. Michael Pope reports on one of the efforts.

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Virginia special elections don’t follow the same rules as regular elections

Across Virginia, voters are participating in firehouse caucuses. Michael Pope tells us what they are, and why they can’t be used in every election.

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Judge rules Youngkin can’t pull Virginia out of RGGI

A judge in Floyd County has ruled that Governor Glenn Youngkin’s effort to pull the state out of the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative – or RGGI – was unlawful. Roxy Todd reports.

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The long-running skill games saga continues in Virginia

Dozens of convenience store owners gathered at the Capitol in yellow shirts earlier this year in support of legalizing skill games. (Credit: Brad Kutner / Radio IQ)

The debate over skill games is moving from the committee room to the courtroom.  Michael Pope has the latest.

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Next year’s gubernatorial field is pretty much already settled

Congresswoman Abigail Spanberger (left) and Lieutenant Governor Winsome Earle-Sears (right) are the likely major party candidates in next year’s gubernatorial contest.

The primary for governor is six months away, although Democrats and Republicans have already essentially selected their candidates. Michael Pope reports.

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A special election will determine control of the Virginia Senate

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Last week, voters elected a state senator from Loudoun to Congress. Now, as Michael Pope reports, the special election to fill that seat will determine control of the Virginia state Senate.

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Virginia legislators debate future of automated license plate readers

Charlottesville Police Chief Michael Kochis speaks before the Virginia State Crime Commission at their November 2024 meeting. (Credit: Brad Kutner / Radio IQ)

Technology to photograph and read your car’s license plate isn’t new, but laws for how Virginia law enforcement agencies use that tech may be after the 2025 legislative session. Brad Kutner has more from Richmond. 

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Millions already distributed to Virginians impacted by Helene

Governor Glenn Youngkin and First Lady Suzanne Youngkin assesses storm damage caused by Hurricane Helene in Grayson County. (Credit: Christian Martinez / Governor Youngkin’s office)

Governor Glenn Youngkin held a press conference to update the state on its ongoing response to Hurricane Helene. Brad Kutner has more from Richmond.

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The role of Virginia’s permanent absentee list in special elections

A recent change to early voting may be helping Democrats in a series of special elections that are about to happen. Michael Pope reports.

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Thousands of tourists flock to far Southwest Virginia to see wild elk

Sharon Pressler, from Chatham, said this is the third time her family has made the trip to Buckhanan County to see elk. (Credit: Roxy Todd / Radio IQ)

If you’re in far southwest Virginia during fall, you might here an elk bugling…

These 700-pound animals used to live throughout the eastern United States, but European colonizers overhunted them, and they went extinct in the 1800s.

Now, elk are coming back. Roxy Todd joined a bus tour of tourists who traveled to see elk in their new habitat.

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Three potential amendments to the Virginia constitution face a long road to passage

Members of the Virginia General Assembly will consider a trio of constitutional amendments when they gavel into session in two months. Michael Pope has a preview.

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Analyzing Virginia’s rural “red wave”

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Turnout in rural parts of Virginia last week was larger than many Democrats expected. Michael Pope has the numbers.

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Youngkin announces new education standards

Virginia Board of Education President Grace Turner Creasey, Governor Glenn Youngkin and Virginia Superintendent of Public Instruction Lisa Coons at a press conference announcing new school standards. (Credit: Brad Kutner / Radio IQ)

Governor Glenn Youngkin gave a name to his new education standards Friday morning. Brad Kutner has more on the new effort and some concerns about its roll out.

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Northern Virginia’s Asian community is playing a bigger role in politics

The Asian community is playing an increasingly large role in shaping the politics of Northern Virginia. Michael Pope reports.

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Virginia’s election season isn’t over

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The election is not over yet. Two sitting members of the state Senate got new jobs in the U.S. House of Representatives Tuesday, which means at least two special elections. 

Michael Pope has a preview.

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Breaking down some of the contours of Virginia’s 2024 election results

As final vote totals continue to trickle in, some of the contours of the election are emerging from the numbers. Michael Pope is taking a look at the statewide candidates.

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Pope & Schapiro: Breaking down the 2024 election results

Virginians have made their voices heard in the 2024 election. Michael Pope and Jeff Schapiro – political columnist at the Richmond Times-Dispatch – break down the results from across the Commonwealth.

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Vindman claims victory in Virginia’s 7th Congressional district

Democrat Eugene Vindman at his watch party in Fredericksburg. (Credit: Brad Kutner / Radio IQ)

Democrat Eugene Vindman declared victory in Virginia’s 7th District congressional race Tuesday night. Brad Kutner has more from Fredericksburg. 

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The late campaign spree of political ads will soon come to an end

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If you’ve been anywhere near a television recently, you’ve probably seen a flood of political ads. Michael Pope details the spending spree.

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Political analyst says Trump’s visit to Va. may be aimed to boost Republican candidates

Former President Donald Trump is headed to Virginia Saturdayfor a rally in Salem, three days before the election. Roxy Todd spoke with political analyst Karen Hult, who says Trump is likely hoping the move will boost Republican turnout for congressional races.

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The law at the center of Virginia’s voter purge was signed by a Democrat years ago

The law requiring Virginia’s Department of Motor Vehicles to produce a list of suspected noncitizens to strike from the roll of eligible voters was signed by then Governor Tim Kaine almost 20 years ago. Michael Pope has this look at what was happening at the time.

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Researcher says you need not fear Virginia’s state bat

A Virginia big-eared bat (Corynorhinus townsendii virginianus) female in the early spring photographed during a cave survey. (Credit: Larisa Bishop-Boros / Wikimedia)

It’s Halloween, which means it’s time for spooky ghosts and scary bats! But Brad Kutner spoke to one researcher who argues bats, including Virginia’s own state bat, are more helpful than scary. 

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How secure are ballot drop boxes in Virginia?

A ballot drop box sits out front of the Powhatan County’s Registrar’s office. (Credit: Brad Kutner / Radio IQ)

Across Virginia, voters are putting their ballots in drop boxes. Michael Pope has this look at drop box security.

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The role of political action committees and their ad spending

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The airwaves are being flooded with political ads, but many of them are not from the candidates or their campaigns. Michael Pope tells us about outside spending from political action committees.

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Youngkin praises SCOTUS ruling, despite potential impact of purging both legal and potential noncitizen voters

The U.S. Supreme Court sided with Governor Glenn Youngkin Wednesday, and allowed his plan to remove potential noncitizens from Virginia’s voting rolls to resume. Brad Kutner has more. 

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The Electoral College: How does it work, and why is it still a thing?

The Miller Center’s Professor Barbara Perry (Credit: UVA)

When the presidential campaigns are finally over and the votes are counted and certified, there’s one more thing that could change the course of American history. 

It’s called the Electoral College, and we are the only democracy in the world that still has this remnant of an earlier time. 

Sandy Hausman reports on what it is, how it works, and why it’s still a thing.

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Legal voters are being caught up in Youngkin’s controversial voter purge program

Virginia’s governor says his embattled voter purge program is just an effort to keep noncitizens off the state’s voter roll. But, as Brad Kutner found out, many legal voters have been caught in the fray, too.

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Early vote numbers show an edge for Democrats, but Republican numbers are up, too

While Election Day is next week, Virginians have been voting for weeks. Michael Pope has this look at early voting so far.

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Will the Supreme Court take up Virginia’s controversial voter purge program?

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Justices at the United States Supreme Court are deciding whether to consider Governor Glenn Youngkin’s voter purge. Michael Pope has the latest.

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Animal expert offers tips to keep pets safe on Halloween

Credit: Roxy Todd / Radio IQ

With Halloween approaching, pet owners may want to take note: the holiday does pose health risks for animals. Roxy Todd spoke with an animal expert for some advice on making sure your furry friends are safe this Halloween.

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Federal judge blocks voter purge program, Youngkin vows an appeal

A federal judge is ending Governor Glenn Youngkin’s purge of alleged noncitizens from the voter rolls. As Michael Pope reports, the court ruled there’s no evidence that any of the people removed are non-citizens.

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Voter purge program case to be decided Friday

Credit: Jahd Khalil

A federal judge is set to rule on a request to shut down Governor Glenn Youngkin’s controversial voter purge program. Michael Pope reports.

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Virginia agribusinesses shoring up ahead of 2024 election

Regardless of who wins the 2024 presidential election, Virginia’s agribusinesses – think food, fiber and fuel – are expecting things to change. Brad Kutner looked into that uncertainty. 

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A federal judge set to consider voter roll lawsuit

A federal judge in Alexandria will hear a challenge Thursday to Virginia’s effort to remove people from the voter rolls in advance of the election. Michael Pope reports.

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New FBI data: hate crimes are up across Virginia

This graph, compiled using the new data from the FBI, shows reported hate crimes in Virginia. That number is at its highest point in nearly two decades.

The number of reported hate crimes is on the rise in Virginia. Michael Pope reports.

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