Virginia Public Radio

Staffing in Virginia’s two U. S. Attorney offices has seen noticeable changes since the beginning of President Donald Trump’s second term in office. 

Some of that’s to be expected when a new administration begins, though some legal observers say what’s happening is very different.

Dave Cantor has more.

As the government shutdown enters a fourth week, hunger is a growing concern as grocery bills remain high and federal assistance programs run out of money.

Michael Pope reports.

Virginia began legalizing casinos in 2020 with the first wager cast in 2022.

Now, years later, there are three fully functioning casino sites in Bristol, Danville and Portsmouth, and more on the way.

And while recent gambling revenue numbers have dipped across the state, elected officials are holding judgement as more casinos are expected to be considered.

Brad Kutner has this report.

Economists are expecting Virginia’s unemployment to increase.

Michael Pope has the numbers.

The Virginia House of Delegates’ money committee met Monday morning.

While representatives from the governor painted a rosy picture of the Commonwealth’s financial future, uncertainty continues to plague economic forecasts.

Brad Kutner has this report. 

Candidates for attorney general were on stage together Thursday night for a debate in Richmond. Michael Pope reports.

Virginia was among the states that recently lost federal grant funding for a renewable energy program called Solar for All.

The state’s Clean Energy Advisory Board met this week to discuss alternative sources of income for similar projects.

Dave Cantor has more.

A recent tour of a new power solution manufacturing facility in Henrico County is putting the spotlight on just how much power data centers will demand in the near future.

And while both of Virginia’s gubernatorial candidates know the Commonwealth’s economic future is likely linked to growing data center demand, they have different ideas on how to power it.

Brad Kutner has this report 

Candidates for attorney general will meet in Richmond Thursday for a debate.

Michael Pope has this preview.

One high-stakes debate down, another to go.

Politics analyst Jeff Schapiro and Michael Pope recap the week in politics and state government.

With the per-ounce price of gold exceeding record highs, and silver hitting prices not seen since in almost 50 years, collectors and coin dealers are cashing in.

Christine Kueter reports.

Virginia’s decriminalization of marijuana possession has led to a thriving illicit market throughout the Commonwealth.

Brad Kutner says elected officials are expressing more concern. 

Since October arrived on the calendar, the election has been rocked with several surprises.

The Republican candidate for lieutenant governor is facing allegations of Nazi fetishism. 

And the Democrat running for attorney general faced questions about a reckless driving conviction.

That is, until another October surprise hit, as Michael Pope tells us.  

Experts are calling it a “demographic cliff.” That’s the point in the next few years where a decline in births after 2007 will start to impact college enrollment.

And as Brad Kutner found out Monday morning, elected officials in Richmond are already starting to worry about it. 

Interest groups supporting the gambling industry are making big investments in the Virginia election this year.

Michael Pope reports.

Indian lands across the country are being encroached on by pipelines, fracking, data centers and other industries.

In Virginia, the Rappahannock Tribe joined a handful of Tribal Nations in the U.S. that are recognizing the constitutional rights of nature. Now, they’re ready to defend that right for their river as Pamela D’Angelo reports.

Are federal issues making an impression on Virginia voters?

Politics analyst Jeff Schapiro and Michael Pope recap the week in politics and state government.

Striped bass are one of the most ecologically and economically important species of the Chesapeake Bay and up and down the Atlantic Coast. Back in the late ‘70s their numbers were decimated in the Bay by overfishing, degradation of their habitat and warming waters. Fisheries managers stepped in and cut harvests and the fish recovered.

But, it’s happening again.

This time, fingers are being pointed and tempers are flaring, as Pamela D’Angelo reports.

The state ombudsman monitoring the Virginia Department of Corrections, held her second public meeting Thursday in Richmond.

Dave Cantor reports she heard from several frustrated families and advocates.

If you’re getting rid of that “gas guzzler” and investing in a more fuel-efficient or even an electric vehicle, you’re probably expecting to see some savings from buying less fuel.  

But Craig Wright says it’s not quite that simple.

It’s been about a year since Andrea Sapone was hired as the state’s first corrections ombudsman, monitoring the Virginia Department of Corrections.

The office recently issued its first strategic plan.

Dave Cantor explains the two-page document outlining both short- and long-term goals for the office.

While the 2025 campaign is heading into the final weeks, some are already looking to 2026.

Politics analyst Jeff Schapiro and Michael Pope recap the week in politics and state government.

The Virginia Department of Corrections controls most facets of incarcerated peoples’ lives — including when and how communication with the outside world happens.

Dave Cantor has more on Attorney General Jason Miyares voicing support for allowing contraband cellphone jamming at state prisons.

Wise and Scott Counties in Southwest Virginia have some of the highest energy costs proportional to household income in the nation. Many residents here rely on federal energy assistance to afford to cool and heat their homes.

As Katie Burke reports, the decision to cut federal energy assistance could mean life or death for millions of Americans.

This story was supported by the Pulitzer Center and was produced in collaboration with Climate Central.

Early voting has already started in Virginia, although some locations are more likely to have early voters than others. Michael Pope reports.

Early voting started Friday in Virginia.
Brad Kutner was in Henrico County where two opposing statewide candidates made an appearance and he has this report.