Spotsylvania County book controversy gets national attention

Dozens of people spoke at Monday’s school board meeting. (Credit: Spotsylvania County livestream)

The books on the shelves of school libraries have become a new flash point in the culture wars. 

Michael Pope reports on how Spotsylvania County has become the latest example.

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Justin Fuente is out as Virginia Tech football coach

Credit: Virginia Tech Football Twitter Account (@HokiesFB)

Justin Fuente and Virginia Tech have parted ways. Nick Gilmore has more about the football coach’s tenure in Blacksburg and what’s next for the program.

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Virginia has a lot of extra cash, but not as much as it seems

The House of Delegates chamber (Credit: Jahd Khalil)

Governor-elect Glenn Youngkin will be the one to propose how your tax dollars are spent but he’ll have to go through the Senate and House of Delegates.

Tuesday the House Appropriations Committee met and heard about booming revenues.

Jahd Khalil was there and heard some words of caution, too.

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VCU launches huge new study of genetics and depression

A team at Virginia Commonwealth University is working with scientists at two other medical centers to conduct the world’s largest study of genetic risk factors for depression. 

Sandy Hausman reports on what they hope to learn.

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Now that Republicans control the House of Delegates, will the Clean Economy Act be revisited?

Credit: Appalachian Trail Conservancy

Now that Republicans have won control of the Executive Mansion and the House of Delegates, will they be able to roll back some of the new environmental regulations approved by Democrats over the last two years? Michael Pope reports.

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The Virginia Board of Elections certifies November 2nd results

Journalists and analysts called this month’s election for Republicans a few hours after the polls closed, but Monday the Board of Elections met to decide whether it would certify local election boards’ results. Jahd Khalil has this report. 

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Va. News: Innovations in food

Virginia is home to a pair of innovative projects that may change the way food is produced and supplied.

That’s been a popular topic over the past week at the Virginia Public Access Project’s Va. News link.

More on that now from Fred Echols.

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Youngkin promised a new parole board. How quickly can he move on it?

Governor-elect Glenn Youngkin is poised to start working toward one of his campaign promises as soon as the General Assembly session starts.

Michael Pope reports on the future of the Parole Board.

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Can AG-elect Miyares follow through with promise to prosecute

Attorney General-elect Jason Miyares (Credit: Virginia General Assembly)

Now that the election is over, lawmakers will be considering a number of bills generated from the campaign trail.

Michael Pope reports on one proposal that was a frequent topic of conversation in the race for attorney general.

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Pope & Schapiro: Transitions and Transparency

We’re learning more about who will be helping Republicans transition into the offices of Governor, Lieutenant Governor and Attorney General.

Jeff Schapiro of the Richmond Times-Dispatch and Michael Pope are already seeing some differences in approach.

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Advocates say massive change is needed at Virginia Employment Commission

Virginia’s beleaguered Employment Commission has been struggling to keep up with unemployment claims since the pandemic hit.

Now Michael Pope tells us about a new report calling for changes to the agency.

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What’s the path for legal marijuana sales?

(Credit: U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration)

The presumptive new Republican majority in the House of Delegates and Governor-elect Glenn Youngkin will inherit a sticky question.

Possession of small amounts of pot is legal, but marijuana sales aren’t.

Reporter Jahd Khalil says a vote Wednesday told us Republicans are still figuring out their stance on the issue. 

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Charter Schools Appear Poised to Change Dramatically Next Year

The upcoming session of the General Assembly may see some major changes in terms of how charter schools work in Virginia. Michael Pope reports.

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As Attention Turns To Richmond, Hope For A Big Education Budget

As lawmakers plan to return to Richmond in a new era of Republican control, one issue that will be a heavy focus is education.

Michael Pope reports on a big budget promise.

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Va. News: Yes to Higher Taxes and No to High Rollers

Voters in two Virginia cities surprised some people last week by approving higher taxes and rejecting a casino.

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.

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Youngkin Meets Northam As Transition Begins

Credit: Jahd Khalil / RADIO IQ

With voting in Virginia’s gubernatorial election over, a Republican is heading back to Virginia’s Governor’s Mansion. Governor Ralph Northam met Governor-elect Glenn Youngkin there for lunch in the first step of what appears to be a collaborative transition. Jahd Khalil reports.

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The Legality of Next Year’s General Assembly Session Could Be Called Into Question

Credit: NPR

The newly elected House of Delegates will have to deal with a thorny question about its legitimacy. Michael Pope explains.

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Pope & Schapiro: Turnout, Fallout And Looking Forward From Tuesday’s Election

It’s been a huge week in Virginia politics.

Jeff Schapiro of the Richmond Times-Dispatch and Michael Pope look to the future of a Glenn Youngkin administration and the Democratic Party’s future in Virginia.

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How Tuesday’s High Turnout Numbers Impacted the Results

Voters turned out in massive numbers this week, exceeding expectations and setting new records. Michael Pope is taking a look at the numbers.

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Avula: Virginia to Receive Enough Vaccinations for More Than Half of 5-11 Population This Week

The Centers for Disease Control gave final approval to COVID-19 vaccinations for kids aged five to 11 earlier this week. And, Virginia has been preparing for that rollout for some time now. Nick Gilmore reports.

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Sears’ Win is Historic, But Tuesday Leaves the General Assembly with Fewer Black Members

Winsome Sears’ win last night as the Republican Lieutenant Governor candidate was historic. Sears is the first Black woman elected to a statewide office. But, as Michael Pope reports, one of the other outcomes of Tuesday will be fewer Black members in the General Assembly.

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Youngkin, Republicans Sweep Virginia Election

Glenn Youngkin speaks to reporters a few days before the election. (Credit: Michael Pope)

Glenn Youngkin will be the next governor of Virginia.

In a stunning upset, Republicans retook the Governor’s Mansion after more than a decade.

Reporter Jahd Khalil was in Chantilly for Youngkin’s Victory Party. 

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McAuliffe Concedes While Democrats Try To Figure Out What Went Wrong

Terry McAuliffe speaks to supporters on Election Night. (Credit: Michael Pope)

Democrats are pointing fingers after losing all three statewide races to Republicans.

Michael Pope reports.

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Lots of Early Voting And Heavy Election Day Turnout

About 1.1 million people voted early in this election, 20 percent of all registered voters.

Joe Staniunas talked to some in southwest Virginia who waited until election day to cast their ballots.

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Voter Turnout Likely to Play a Big Role in the Outcome of Tuesday’s Elections

When the polls close Tuesday and the vote counting starts, one thing to watch with the election returns is voter turnout. Michael Pope explains why.

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Trump Will Be on the Call for a Telephone Rally Monday Night, Youngkin Declines to Participate

Donald Trump is expected to call into a telephone town hall tonight to speak in favor of Republican candidate for governor Glenn Youngkin. Michael Pope has this preview.

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Va. News: Foot Traffic Jams And Citizen Engagement

One of Virginia’s favorite hiking trails has gotten a little too popular during the pandemic.  And Arlington County wants more of its residents involved in local government planning.

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.

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Holton Rembered As Groundbreaking Governor

Former Governor Linwood Holton speaks at the dedication of Holton Plaza in Roanoke in
October, 2017. (Credit: David Seidel)

Virginians are remembering Linwood Holton as someone who chose principle over party.

The former governor died Thursday.

David Seidel has more on his impact.

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Pope & Schapiro: Closing The 2021 Campaign And Opening The 2021 Transition

There’s been plenty of buildup.  And now Election Day is almost here.

Jeff Schapiro of the Richmond Times-Dispatch and Michael Pope discuss the closing days of the race for governor and what we might see in the first days of the transition to a new administration.

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This Isn’t the First Time Banning Books Has Popped Up in Virginia Politics

Suddenly the campaign for governor has become a referendum on banning books. Michael Pope reports it’s not the first time classroom material has become campaign fodder.

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Another Poll Shows A Neck And Neck Race For Governor

New polling in the race for governor shows the election tightening with early voting wrapping up.

Michael Pope explains the results.

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Biden Headlines Rally for McAuliffe

President Joe Biden speaks at the rally for Terry McAuliffe in Arlington. (Credit: Michael Pope)

President Joe Biden is urging voters in Virginia to reject the Republican ticket and return former Governor Terry McAuliffe to the Executive Mansion.

Michael Pope reports.

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Is Virginia’s Habit Of Ticket Splitting A Thing Of The Past?

Voters in Virginia will choose three statewide offices next month.

As Michael Pope reports, they could end up splitting the ticket.

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Leading, Trailing, or Tied: Turnout and Enthusiasm the “Name of the Game” in 2021 Elections

We’re a week out from the last day of voting in Virginia’s election.

Polls show a tight race, despite Virginia looking bluer and bluer over the past few election cycles.

Jahd Khalil reports that’s got both campaigns focused on turnout, but for different reasons. 

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How Virginia’s Gubernatorial Candidates Are Handling Big Names on the Campaign Trail

Credit: NPR

With just days to go before Election Day, the candidates for governor are taking radically different approaches on bringing in big name supporters. Michael Pope reports.

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ARPA Funds Not Addressing Recruitment at State Hospital for Children

Commonwealth Center for Children & Adolescents (Credit: Dept. of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services)

This summer, five state hospitals that serve Virginians with mental illness had to pause admissions due to staffing shortages

American Rescue Plan funding was supposed to help address that, but as Jahd Khalil reports, the situation has continued to worsen at the hospital that treats children.

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Va. News: Vaccination Mandates And Mental Health Days

The University of Virginia will soon require employees to be vaccinated against Covid-19.  And public school staff in Richmond will be getting a break from pandemic stress.

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.

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Pope & Schapiro: The New Impact Of Early Voting

Virginia’s fall election is breaking new ground.

Jeff Schapiro of the Richmond Times-Dispatch and Michael Pope discuss new voting rules and their impact.

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The Potential Environmental and Racial Justice Implications of the Mountain Valley Pipeline

Credit: Kurt Holtz

State officials are about to make a key decision that could have environmental ramifications for generations to come. But as Michael Pope reports, the decision could also have racial justice implications.

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A Closer Look at the Narrative Surrounding Virginia’s Crime Rate

Credit: NPR

If you’ve seen many political ads this fall, you may have the impression that Virginia is experiencing a crime wave. But, criminal justice advocates say the numbers tell a different story. Michael Pope reports.

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Dominion Settlement Yields Money for Offshore Wind, Smart Meters and Refunds to Consumers

Credit: U.S. Bureau of Ocean and Energy Management

In 2015, Virginia’s General Assembly passed a law that barred state regulators from looking at the financial records kept by the state’s largest utility – Dominion.  This year the books were open, and customers will be paying a little less for power as Sandy Hausman reports.

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State Psychiatric Hospitals Reopened During The Pandemic But Are Still Full

Catawba Hospital in Roanoke County (Credit: Virginia Dept. of Behavioral Health & Developmental Services)

Across Virginia, mental health services are stretched beyond the breaking point.

Michael Pope reports advocates want changes.

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Federal Hemp Survey Could Help Lack of Info in Virginia

Virginia legalized small amounts of marijuana this July, but hemp, which comes from the same plant, has been regulated in the state since 2015. The USDA is asking farmers about their hemp crops for the first time nationwide. The survey could give valuable data to hemp farmers who lack information and for investors looking to build infrastructure for the burgeoning industry. Jahd Khalil has details.

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Congressional Map Gets Chilly Reception

A draft map of Congressional districts (Credit: Virginia Redistricting Commission)

After the process for redrawing new state legislative districts broke down, Virginia’s redistricting commission has moved onto drawing congressional districts.

Jahd Khalil reports the commission avoided a major pitfall of the last process but may have exacerbated another.

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New Report: English Language Learners in Virginia’s Schools Don’t Have Sufficient Support

Virginia ranks among the worst states in the country for graduation rates of students who do not speak English as their native language, a group that is more likely to drop out than go to college.

Michael Pope tells us about a new report identifying some potential solutions.

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Va. News: Cops in Schools and COVID-19 Vaccinations

One Virginia community has changed its mind about removing armed police from schools while another will require its employees to receive COVID-19 vaccinations.

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.

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Pope & Schapiro: Former Presidents Lend Weight And Controversy In Governor’s Race

Former presidents are bringing new attention to the race for governor.

Jeff Schapiro of the Richmond Times-Dispatch and Michael Pope catch us up on those details and some other closely watched House of Delegates races.

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Draft Congressional Maps Include Big Changes For Central And Western Virginia

One of the draft maps reviewed Thursday (Credit: Virginia Redistricting Commission)

After failing to agree on new maps for state legislative districts, Virginia’s Redistricting Commission is moving on to federal Congressional districts.

David Seidel reports the drafts reviewed Thursday included some big changes for southwest and central Virginia.

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Trump Phone Call Roils Race For Virginia Governor

The fallout from the January insurrection at the Capitol isn’t just at the center of Washington politics. It’s also become a flashpoint in the election for governor of Virginia.

Michael Pope reports.

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Cleaning Up Virginia’s Energy Grid Could Have a Hefty Price Tag

The cost of energy is on the rise across Virginia, prompting a debate about the cost of addressing climate change. Michael Pope reports.

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