Virginia Public Radio

The Commonwealth has numerous green energy goals to meet in the coming years. But local pushback on solar projects has slowed those efforts.

Brad Kutner says some legislative efforts to turn the tide of opposition might be coming in the 2025 session. 

Paying off tax debt can be difficult for people who are having a hard time making ends meet. And when state tax officials hire private debt collectors the methods get controversial.

Michael Pope reports. 

The 1976 election that put Jimmy Carter in the White House was one in which Virginia was an outlier.

As Michael Pope reports, Virginia was the only southern state to not go Carter’s way.

Dry January is the idea that you take a break from drinking alcohol for a month.

Brad Kutner spoke with researchers who say it’s a good idea, even if you stop for just one month. 

A team of engineers and veterinarians are developing a device that can destroy brain cancer tumors in dogs.

Eventually, they hope to adapt the technology to use the method to help humans too, as Roxy Todd reports.

As 2024 ticks away, many in Richmond and Washington are looking ahead to 2025 political battles.

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

Over the last year, Christine Kueter has crisscrossed Virginia, introducing us to some of the more than eight million people who call the Commonwealth home.

In this final part of the series, we meet Lottie Smith Payne and the tiny town she’s always called home.

The presidential transition in Washington, along with a surprising presidential pardon, have dominated the headlines.

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

Long before COVID-19 hit, Virginia was talking about a nursing shortage. 

The pandemic made it worse, but programs around the state are making progress in drawing new people to the field and keeping those who are already in practice. 

Sandy Hausman has details.

Members of the General Assembly are about to consider legislation aimed at reducing the number of children who are shackled while appearing in court.

Michael Pope has more.

Indigenous Communities throughout the country are reclaiming their languages.

Here in Virginia, eight Tribes are fostering the use of their Powhatan Algonquian language in a cultural renaissance.

Pamela D’Angelo saw the education effort in action at the Rappahannock Indian Tribe Pow Wow this fall.

Nearly one-fifth of crime committed by school-aged kids happens after school hours. That’s why so-called out-of-school programs have been hailed for keeping kids busy between school and dinner time. Representatives from a state-wide out-of-school time program praised its successes in a committee Monday. Brad Kutner has more from Richmond. 

There were some big reveals in Virginia’s political, climate and financial futures over the last few days.

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

The pro-Palestinian protests broken up on Virginia’s college campuses last spring have led to multiple legislative meetings. And a meeting of a House of Delegates committee today/Wednesday added to that list. Brad Kutner has more from Richmond. 

In West Virginia’s most remote mountains are two research facilities that analyze radio waves.

Since the 1950s, the federal government has designated parts of Pocahontas and Pendleton Counties as a National Radio Quiet Zone, meaning radio, TV and other communication signals must operate at low power.

Now, ten West Virginia and Virginia counties are asking the government to change these restrictions, to ensure 9-1-1 calls get to emergency responders.

Roxy Todd reports.

Over the weekend, voters in Loudoun County selected candidates for a special election for the Senate seat vacated by Congressman-elect Suhas Subramanyam.

Michael Pope tells us this election will determine control of the Senate.

It’s been one year since Virginia’s Cannabis Control Authority took over regulating the state’s legal medical dispensaries.

Brad Kutner has details on what the state’s patients have to say about the program and what changes members of the authority might like to see.