Virginia Public Radio

Debates… and lack of debates… are among the political headlines over the past week.

Jeff Schapiro, of the Richmond Times-Dispatch, and Michael Pope discuss the week in politics and state government.

In less than a month voters head to the polls for the Congressional midterms and municipal elections.

Talk to local officials running those elections and they’ll tell you their job has become busier in the past few years and complicated by the fight against misinformation. 

Mallory Noe-Payne has this look at how local registrars are turning to communication pros to help wage that battle. 

Members of the General Assembly are starting to consider what kind of bills they’ll consider next year.

And as Michael Pope reports, many people are calling on them to find a way to increase affordable housing.

Virginia’s income tax hasn’t been updated since 1990.

As Michael Pope reports, that means low-income people shoulder a disproportionate burden.

Virginia is still tracking cases of COVID-19, but other viruses are popping up earlier than usual. 

Sandy Hausman reports on one which puts about 58,000 children and three times as many elderly patients in the hospital each year.

It’s college football season, with all its pageantry and prognostications.  But there’s even more at play.

Roben Farzad, host of the Full Disclosure podcast, and host Craig Wright talk about the big business of college football.

Virginia may be about to roll the dice on casino gambling. But who will benefit the most?

Michael Pope has more on a new state report.

Early votes are already being cast for this year’s Congressional election.  And Election Day is less than a month away.

Jeff Schapiro, political columnist at the Richmond Times-Dispatch, and Michael Pope bring us up to speed on developments in some of Virginia’s most contested races.

Autumn Olive, an Asian plant originally prized for its ability to control erosion and thrive in harsh environments, is quickly choking out native East Coast species.

While it’s likely too late to eradicate it, there are ways to help manage it— one small bite at a time.

Christine Kueter reports.

Campaigns in Virginia and beyond made headlines over the past few days.

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

Can a Virginia-based company re-ignite the e-cigarette market?

Roben Farzad, host of the Full Disclosure podcast, and Craig Wright have more on the business ramifications for Altria Group.

Candidates for Congress in Virginia are debating everything from abortion and the economy to transgender students and gun violence.

Michael Pope reports that they’re also being asked about threats to democracy.

Election season has begun, and voters can either mail in their ballots or deposit them in a drop box.

Michael Pope explains some of the steps taken to ensure security.

Over the past two years several thousand Virginians have received non-binary driver’s licenses. And the City of Winchester has seen parts of its gun ordinance suspended by a judge pending a lawsuit.

Those have been among the most read stories during the past week at the Virginia Public Access Project’s Va. News link.

More now from Fred Echols and Edie Gross.

A recent study found that negligent landlords are a significant predictor of violence in Richmond neighborhoods.

Caitlin Pierce has more on the research and how it might be used in other areas struggling to reverse trends of increasing violence.

As the stock market continues to slide and high inflation seems to hang on, a lot of investors are wondering where to turn.

Roben Farzad, host of the Full Disclosure podcast, and Craig Wright have more on the concerns and the outlook for the future.

At the Chickahominy Tribe’s 70^th Annual Fall Festival and Pow-Wow, the President of William & Mary announced a new tuition initiative to help students most of whom have families earning less than $60,000 a year.

But for Indigenous communities that once inhabited university lands here, is it enough?

Pamela D’Angelo has more.

Many Virginians look forward to fall – a time when the air is cool and trees change color. 

One student at the University of Virginia is a special fan of the season. 

He started a non-profit to plant more trees and has won a national award for his work as Sandy Hausman reports.

Research is underway to make sure planned wind turbines will be safe for birds…and Virginia lawmakers will have to wait a bit longer for new offices and meeting space in Richmond.

Those have been among the most read stories over the past week at the Virginia Public Access Project’s Va. News link.

More now from Fred Echols and Edie Gross.

New school guidelines and new oversight of elections top the political headlines this week.

Jeff Schapiro, of the Richmond Times-Dispatch, and Michael Pope discuss the week in politics and the General Assembly.

For a second year, Virginia’s seven federally-recognized Tribes came together as sovereign nations.

This year the focus was Indigenous-led conservation and reacquiring lands.

Pamela D’Angelo reports.

If you’ve been considering buying a house in the last few months, you know the impact of inflation and rising interest rates.

Roben Farzad, host the Full Disclosure podcast, and Craig Wright talk about the increasing cost of a mortgage.

As the November election draws closer, abortion is becoming a bigger issue in some key Congressional races.

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