Virginia Public Radio

Centrally located along the I-95 corridor between Richmond and Fredericksburg, Kings Dominion amusement park is about to open for its 50th anniversary season. And with it, a new roller coaster.

Brad Kutner was among the first to take a ride. 

President Donald Trump has set off a number of international trade wars in his first weeks in office.

Some in Virginia’s forestry industry hope steps taken by the president will breathe new life into parts of the Commonwealth they feel have been abandoned.

Brad Kutner went to find out more.

A federal judge in Richmond heard oral arguments in a malicious prosecution lawsuit against Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares Tuesday morning.

Brad Kutner was in the courtroom when the judge suggested the dispute might not end as soon as Miyares wants. 

Hair loss is a common complaint, especially among men.  By the age of 60 about two-thirds are bald or have a bald patch. 

Now, scientists at the University of Virginia are working on a possible path to bring back their lost locks as Sandy Hausman reports.

Virginia Democrats predict dire consequences if Republicans in Washington cut funds to entitlement programs like Medicaid, social security and SNAP, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.

Brad Kutner spoke with some of those potentially impacted and has this report. 

Scientists continue to learn more and more about bacteria that exists naturally inside our gut.

The foods we eat affect that bacteria, but so do other organisms that live inside us.

Roxy Todd spoke with a researcher who recently made a new discovery that could change how we treat chronic illness by changing the bacteria inside our stomachs.

With a major election just months away, both of Virginia’s major political parties are undergoing leadership shake-ups.

Jeff Schapiro, political columnist at the Richmond Times-Dispatch, and Michael Pope recap the week in politics and state government.

Virginia spends more than 1.6 billion dollars a year on its Department of Corrections, and some of that money pays to monitor people who were sentenced to probation. 

Two Republicans in the General Assembly passed a bill that could reduce the time under supervision for those who take certain positive steps.

But the governor has yet to sign it as Sandy Hausman reports.

Moves by the administration in Washington are trickling down to Virginia lawmakers, on both sides of the aisle.

Jeff Schapiro, political columnist at the Richmond Times-Dispatch, and Michael Pope recap the week in politics and state government.

Virginia politicians are starting the feel the fallout from federal budget cuts.

Jeff Schapiro, political columnist at the Richmond Times-Dispatch, and Michael Pope recap the week in politics and state government.

The issue of tracking license plates continues to create controversy as the General Assembly heads into its final days.

Michael Pope has the developments.

The National Institutes of Health fund most of the medical research in the United States.

The Trump administration recently announced a reduction in NIH funding. Meanwhile, universities are watching to see if other federal agencies begin restricting research dollars too.

In addition to the knowledge that would be lost, these changes could have economic impacts on communities like Blacksburg, Roanoke and Charlottesville, as Roxy Todd reports.