Virginia Public Radio

Democrats now have a slate of candidates heading into the fall election that may not be as progressive as some would like.

But Michael Pope reports that might end up helping them in the fall.

Corey Stewart celebrates his nomination Tuesday night. (Credit: Michael Pope)

Corey Stewart beat back two challengers to emerge as his party’s nominee to take on Senator Tim Kaine.

Michael Pope has the story.

About 300 union workers took part in a protest across from the company’s regional offices in Roanoke. The dispute is over the possible loss of 74 jobs at a store in Hampton Roads. (Credit: Joe Staniunas)

A dispute over 74 jobs at a Kroger supermarket in Tidewater prompted a protest in Roanoke by hundreds of union workers this/Tuesday afternoon.

Joe Staniunas reports.

Republicans will head to the polls tomorrow to select a candidate to run against incumbent Senator Tim Kaine.

So how many voters will show up and vote?

Michael Pope gets some predictions.

(Credit: Joe Hall/flickr.com)

Recent years have seen tremendous growth of absentee balloting in Virginia.

Parties and candidates use that data to get out the vote.

But, as Michael Pope reports, the new trend is also making election returns less informative.

Tuesday is Primary Day in Virginia. Voters will be selecting candidates for November’s Congressional midterms.

And as Mallory Noe-Payne reports, officials have been prepping to make sure voting systems are secured against cyber attacks.

America is running short on people who have the skills to fix things. And if you have an E-Z Pass in Virginia you should know that if you don’t use it you could lose it.

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.

Rep. Rob Wittman (Credit: congress.gov)

This week the Senate leader announced he plans to cancel part of their August recess, and a Virginia Congressman thinks the House should stay in session too.

Matt Laslo has the story from Washington.

Governor Ralph Northam speaks at Thursday’s budget signing ceremony. (Credit: Mallory Noe-Payne)

A sense of celebration Thursday at the Capitol in Richmond, as the Governor signed a new two-year budget that includes Medicaid Expansion.

Mallory Noe-Payne has more.

Rep. Scott Taylor speaking at a “State of the Water” forum held by the Virginia Eastern Shorekeeper at the Eastern Shore Community College on May 31. (Credit Pamela D’Angelo)

The fight over offshore drilling is heating up.

Tuesday, Richmond-area Congressman Donald McEachin introduced legislation that would prevent exploration and drilling off the coasts of Virginia, North Carolina, Maryland and Delaware.

Virginia Beach Congressman Scott Taylor has also publicly opposed a White House proposal to allow offshore drilling.

At a recent forum on the state of Virginia’s waters, the Republican had even more to say.

Pamela D’Angelo reports.

Medical marijuana processing may soon bring some much needed jobs to Virginia’s most economically depressed region. And there’s an effort underway in Charlottesville to help mentally ill offenders get community support instead of jail time.

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.

Cape Coast Castle (Credit: Jordy Yager)

A group of more than 50 people traveled from Charlottesville to Ghana earlier this month to learn about the origins of the trans-Atlantic slave trade, and how it can be better taught back here in the U.S.

Jordy Yager joined the group and has this report.

Erosion at Fones Cliffs (Credit: Chesapeake Conservancy)

Developers who illegally cleared over 13 wooded acres for their golf course resort atop the historic Fones Cliffs are in trouble again after heavy rains this month sent trees and soil toward the Rappahannock River.

Pamela D’Angelo reports.

Educators in Norfolk have a plan to introduce economic diversity into pre-school. And a Northern Virginia town is hoping to use excitement about the Washington Capitals hockey team to give itself an economic boost.

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

More now from Fred Echols.

A derelict crab pot washed up on one of Virginia’s miles of shoreline on Chesapeake Bay. Many lost traps lie on the bottom of the bay and its tributaries, according to VIMS. (Credit: Pamela D’Angelo)

Last year, a scientific report put some astounding numbers to crab pots lost by watermen and the subsequent economic loss when they become death traps for crabs that wander in and can’t escape.

Now, a committee of federal and state crab scientists say those numbers were overestimated.

Pamela D’Angelo reports.

This still image taken from the Richmond police body camera shows Richmond Police officer holding a stun gun at Marcus-David Peters approaches him on May 14.

Police in Richmond today released the video of an officer involved shooting that happened 11 days ago.

The video shows an officer killing an unarmed man who appears to be having a mental breakdown.

Mallory Noe-Payne reports.

Credit James Willamore/flickr.com

There has been increased national scrutiny of the cash bail system, which critics say creates a debtor’s prison for those who can’t afford to fork over money to a bail bondsman.

Now that debate has erupted in Virginia.

Michael Pope has the story.

Credit: Creative Commons / Flickr

The Virginia Senate reconvened for a brief budget session Tuesday, just long enough to kick the can down the road for another week.

Mallory Noe-Payne has the latest from the capitol.

  A community meeting in Blackwell, organized by New Virginia Majority, brought policing to the forefront of residents’ minds.
(Credit  New Virginia Majority)

Last week, police in Richmond shot and killed an unarmed man who was charging at an officer. The incident has renewed calls for more transparency around policing.

Earlier this year, Richmond agreed to release monthly data on complaints against officers, as well as use of force by officers.

But as Mallory Noe-Payne reports, some community advocates are asking for more.

The City of Martinsville wants to keep information about a failed attempt to build a medical school secret… and Richmond is now allowing people with mobile phones into its courthouse.

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

More from Fred Echols.

  Credit Bill Lapp / Flickr CC

A coalition of housing advocates is working together to reduce evictions across Virginia.

According to a recent report, five of the top ten large US cities with high eviction rates are in the Commonwealth.

Mallory Noe-Payne has more.

The Campaign to Reduce Evictions will hold its kick off meeting from 3 to 5 p.m. Tuesday at the First Baptist Church, 2709 Monument Avenue.

Rex Tillerson addresses VMI graduates.
(Credit: David Seidel/Radio IQ)

Rex Tillerson has been largely out of the public eye since he was ousted as Secretary of State earlier this year.

But today/Wednesday at Virginia Military Institute, Tillerson told graduates about a crisis of ethics.

David Seidel has more from Lexington.

The Stonewall Jackson House in Lexington is undergoing a $700,000 renovation and expansion. Part of the work will provide deeper understanding of the six people the Jacksons owned as slaves.
(Credit Stonewall Jackson House)

Numerous books have been written about the Confederate general Stonewall Jackson.

But almost nothing was known about the slaves he and his family owned.

Jessie Knadler reports on new research at Jackson’s home in Lexington that now sheds light on the lives of these six individuals.

Activists in favor of expanding Medicaid stage a “die-in” in Richmond.  They say they’ll continue to lobby state senators. (Credit: Mallory Noe-Payne/RadioIQ)

As the June 30th deadline approaches, Virginia lawmakers are back in Richmond to finalize the state budget.

A month ago, The House of Delegates passed a budget that includes Medicaid expansion. Now the Senate is taking its turn.

And as Mallory Noe-Payne reports, it’s unclear if their opposition to Medicaid expansion has waned.

Credit: Amanda C / Flickr

School boards across Virginia are hunkering down over calendars now, trying to come up with a schedule for next year.

And, as Michael Pope reports, school board members have some new flexibility this year to increase recess time.

For years the island town of Chincoteague has been challenged to find fresh drinking water. Now it’s gotten even harder.

And police scanner enthusiasts in Virginia Beach may soon find themselves out of the loop.

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

Fred Echols reports.