Cocktails-to-go are here to stay, but there may be some changes next year
Jul 05, 2024
One of Virginia’s new laws as of this month involves cocktails-to-go. Michael Pope has the story.
Pope & Schapiro: VMSDEP and recounts
Jul 05, 2024
From a recount in Virginia’s 5th District to a resolution over a veterans education benefit program – it’s been a busy holiday week in state politics and government. Michael Pope and Jeff Schapiro – political columnist with the Richmond Times-Dispatch – discuss.
Review of Virginia’s state-run investment, college savings agencies offer good news, opportunities
Jul 03, 2024
Credit: Mallory Noe-Payne / Radio IQ
A review of Virginia’s state-run investment plans provided some good news earlier this week, but questions about whether the legislature should step in to reprioritize those funds were raised. Brad Kutner has more.
A measure protecting same-sex marriage in Virginia is now law
Jul 02, 2024
As of the beginning of this month, Virginia put dozens of new laws into effect. Michael Pope tells us about one that protects same-sex marriage.
Good promises recount after state Board of Elections certifies 5th District primary results
Jul 02, 2024
The Virginia Board of Elections certified the results of the 2024 congressional primaries Tuesday. That gives Congressman Bob Good the chance to make good on his promise to ask for a recount in his failed bid against Senator John McGuire. Brad Kutner has more from Richmond.
Virginia Senate whiffs on VMSDEP fix a second time
Jul 01, 2024
President pro tempore of the Virginia Senate Louise Lucas and Majority Leader Scott Surovell during Monday’s special session. (Credit: Brad Kutner)
Senate Democrats in Richmond once again failed to pass a bill to fix issues with a state veterans education benefit program Monday.
It was the second Senate session held to address the issue and dragged into the evening.
Brad Kutner explains what went wrong.
It’s been one year since Pell Grants became available to incarcerated people
Jul 01, 2024
This week marks the one-year anniversary of federal higher education funding that is available to people who are incarcerated in Virginia. Michael Pope explains.
Researcher offers tips for helping people who experience post-traumatic stress disorder during fireworks season
Jul 01, 2024
With the Fourth of July approaching, so is the season for fireworks. But fireworks can be triggering for people with post-traumatic stress disorder. Roxy Todd spoke with a researcher on ways we can help neighbors and family members.
Virginia Senate returns today to take up VMSDEP bill from the House
Jul 01, 2024
Members of the Virginia Senate are expected back at the Capitol again today to reconsider a veterans benefit program. Michael Pope has this preview.
House of Delegates offers up clean repeal of VMSDEP changes
Jun 28, 2024
Credit: Mallory Noe-Payne / Radio IQ
Virginia’s House of Delegates and state Senate are at odds about how to fund an education benefit for the families of veterans. Michael Pope reports.
Pope & Schapiro: A Trump campaign visit and a potential recount
Jun 28, 2024
As Glenn Youngkin prepares to campaign with Donald Trump, there’s a big change underway in the governor’s office.
Jeff Schapiro, political columnist at the Richmond Times-Dispatch, and Michael Pope recap the week in politics and state government.
Virginia House set to take up VMSDEP, but trouble could be on the horizon
Jun 27, 2024
Credit: NPR
Members of the General Assembly are returning to the Capitol Friday to consider a budget question about benefits to veterans and their families. Michael Pope has the latest.
Lightning bugs face threats, says scientist. Here’s how to help them.
Jun 27, 2024
Credit: David Seidel / Radio IQ
Summer is prime time to see lightning bugs. Some anecdotal evidence suggests there may be fewer fireflies than in years past, and these bugs are threatened by human development. As Roxy Todd reports, there are ways to attract more fireflies to your yard.
Last week’s primary results could pave the way for more zoning changes across Virginia
Jun 26, 2024
One of the outcomes of last week’s primary election could mean zoning changes in your neighborhood. Michael Pope explains.
TSA issues a warning as 32 million Americans prepare to fly
Jun 26, 2024
The Transportation Safety Administration reports record travel this summer and is bracing for the busy Fourth of July holiday. TSA expects to screen more than 32 million people from Thursday, June 27 through Monday, July 8th.
The agency also reports another record as some travelers attempt to fly with firearms. Sandy Hausman reports on what happens when people get caught and what excuses they offer for trying to bring contraband on board.
Hundreds of prisoners to be released early, starting July 1st
Jun 26, 2024
On July 1st, the state will launch two major prison reforms.
Sandy Hausman reports on what they’ll mean for inmates and their families.
A recount is likely on the way in Virginia’s 5th District; what does that process look like?
Jun 25, 2024
Congressman Bob Good trails Republican challenger John McGuire by less than 400 votes.
A week after the primary election, the results of the Republican nomination in the 5th Congressional District are still too close to call. Michael Pope has more on what happens next.
After success in Roanoke, fentanyl awareness campaign to roll out statewide later this year
Jun 24, 2024
From left to right, Attorney General Jason Miyares, First Lady Suzanne Youngkin and Cynthia Morrow — director of the Roanoke City-Alleghany Health District — talk up the successful “It Only Takes One” campaign. (Credit: Nick Gilmore / Radio IQ)
Virginia’s First Lady and its Attorney General rolled out a fentanyl awareness campaign in Roanoke earlier this year. And as Nick Gilmore reports, there are positive trends – both in that city and statewide.
No sign of a deal on skill games, despite special session status
Jun 24, 2024
An entrance to the Virginia state capitol (Credit: Mallory Noe-Payne)
Lawmakers will return to the Capitol once again later this week.
And, as Michael Pope tells us, one issue they have yet to resolve involves skill games.
Two years after Dobbs, an abortion access amendment is still on Virginia’s horizon
Jun 21, 2024
Virginia’s abortion laws haven’t changed in the two years since the U.S. Supreme Court overturned federal abortion protections with the Dobbs decision.
But that doesn’t mean they’re not the focus of elected officials and activists.
Brad Kutner has more from Richmond.
New utility cutoff protections for Virginians during extreme heat kick in July 1
Jun 21, 2024
Carolina Power employees work on replacing older powerlines in Richmond’s Southside. (Credit: Brad Kutner)
A heat dome is setting up over Virginia, just a few days shy of a new law that aims to protect those who can’t pay their utility bills.
As Brad Kutner found out, those protections could make a difference in the months ahead.
FBI: DNA evidence conclusively links Shenandoah National Park murders to convicted serial rapist
Jun 20, 2024
Lollie Winans and Julie Williams, in a photo provided by the FBI
The FBI announced Thursday that it had solved a crime that shocked Virginians more than 28 years ago.
DNA has now identified the killer of two young women who were camping in Shenandoah National Park.
Sandy Hausman has that story.
Virginia business brings blockchain to the farm
Jun 19, 2024
A Smart Grow Agritech weather machine stands above a Shenandoah Valley farm. (Credit: Glenn Rodes/Smart Grow Agritech’s Instagram)
Blockchain advocates argue the technology offers a unique and safe way to store data.
And one Virginia company is hoping to see that technology used on farms across the state.
Brad Kutner has more.
Cao wins Republican Senate primary but faces a tough race to unseat Kaine
Jun 19, 2024
One of the big winners in last night’s primary was Republican Hung Cao, who will face incumbent Senator Tim Kaine in November.
Michael Pope talked to two analysts about the race ahead.
Virginia Senate whiffs on VMSDEP, skill games at summer special session
Jun 19, 2024
Col. Monti Zimmerman speaks before the Senate Finance committee during a June 2024 special session. (Credit: Brad Kutner)
The Virginia Senate failed to reach a compromise to fix a veterans’ education benefit program at a special session in Richmond Tuesday.
There was also disagreement over two proposed skill games legalization bills. A Republican effort wasn’t even heard. And a Democratic effort, carried by Senator Louise Lucas, was removed from the docket at her request after Governor Glenn Youngkin said he wouldn’t sign a skill games bill until the veterans program was fixed.
Brad Kutner has more from the capitol.
Virginians cast ballots in primary elections
Jun 18, 2024
Virginia voters are choosing the candidates who will run in the November election.
Joe Staniunas heard what’s on the minds of a few voters in western Virginia on this primary day.
Virginia program shows rare success in addressing problem gambling
Jun 18, 2024
(Credit: Craig Wright)
Virginia has significantly loosened gambling laws in the last 5 years and with it has come a rise in problem gambling.
But some treatment programs are seeing success, as Brad Kutner reports.
Virginia Sentencing Commission debates ‘possibly unconstitutional’ post-release system
Jun 14, 2024
Virginia doesn’t have parole in a traditional sense, but it does offer post-release supervision. Changes in the state code have mixed up who has authority over those released when they violate the terms of that supervision.
Some judges are worried the confusion could violate the constitution.
Brad Kutner had more from Richmond.
Stone quarries prepare for new silica rule, which goes into effect June 17
Jun 14, 2024
The Salem Stone quarry in Dublin, Va. (Credit: Roxy Todd)
On Monday, June 17, a new federal rule goes into effect that lowers how much silica dust is allowed in mines.
The change is expected to save thousands of lives.
As Roxy Todd reports, stone and gravel quarries may be the most impacted.
Pope & Schapiro: Primaries approach
Jun 14, 2024
We’re just a few days away from Virginia’s primary election.
Jeff Schapiro, political columnist at the Richmond Times-Dispatch, and Michael Pope run down some of the high-profile races.
Virginia Senate pitches VMSDEP fix, will reconvene ahead of House
Jun 13, 2024
The Virginia Senate will return to Richmond next Tuesday to address restrictions added to state military education benefits. The fix comes after veterans demanded changes, claiming new rules in the budget had ruined college plans for their children. Brad Kutner has more.
Republicans to pick challenger to Senator Tim Kaine next week
Jun 13, 2024
Credit: NPR
Republicans will be choosing a candidate to go up against incumbent U.S. Senator Tim Kaine in the primary Tuesday, June 18th. Michael Pope has this preview.
Two competing teacher unions in Fairfax County are joining forces
Jun 12, 2024
Virginia’s largest school system, one of the biggest in the country in fact, is about to enter into a collective bargaining agreement. Michael Pope has the details.
‘I don’t like them taking my life for money.’ Residents and activists react to MVP approval
Jun 12, 2024
MVP construction near Elliston in Montgomery County. Photo taken May 20, 2024. (Credit: Penny Artis)
The Mountain Valley Pipeline says it’s preparing to start transporting gas but has not yet said when that will begin. The company says it’s completed all safety checks, but, as Roxy Todd reports, some residents want to see more information about those inspections.
Mountain Valley Pipeline is approved to begin running gas
Jun 12, 2024
Poor Mountain in Montgomery County, Va. along the Mountain Valley Pipeline route. (Credit: Protect Our Water, Heritage Rights)
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission authorized the Mountain Valley Pipeline to begin running gas through its 303 mile pipeline.
Roxy Todd reports.
In first task force hearing, veterans, families decry changes to education program
Jun 12, 2024
Retired Navy Seal Jason Redman speaks at the first hearing of the Virginia Military Survivors and Dependents Education Program taskforce. (Credit: Brad Kutner)
Virginia veterans gave elected officials and their gubernatorial counterparts an earful Monday.
It was part of the first public meeting of a task force designed to determine the fate of an education program for the families of injured vets.
Brad Kutner has more.
Virginia elections and the growing influence of PACs
Jun 11, 2024
One way to judge a candidate is how much money they’ve raised and spent, as Michael Pope tells us about another way to follow the money in this month’s primary.
Update on Social Determinants of Health paints grim picture of Virginia’s health care landscape
Jun 11, 2024
Delegates Bobby Orrock and Keith Hodges at a meeting of the Joint Commission on Health Care in June 2024. (Credit: Brad Kutner / Radio IQ)
Social Determinants of Health are the conditions in which people are born, grow, work, live and age. And a study, requested by the state’s Joint Commission on Health Care, into how Virginia can improve social determinants is about at its midpoint. Brad Kutner has an update.
Many vets are running in this year’s primaries
Jun 10, 2024
Credit: NPR
Polls are open right now in primary elections across Virginia, and Michael Pope tells us many of the candidates on the ballot are military veterans.
What is the future of the Clean Economy Act now?
Jun 07, 2024
Environmentalists are worried about the governor rolling back environmental initiatives. But as Michael Pope reports, they are still hopeful about meeting benchmarks in the future.
Virginia’s legislature sees no short-term fix for congestion on I-81
Jun 07, 2024
A slide from JLARC’s presentation on I-81 traffic and toll feasibility. (Credit: JLARC)
Virginia’s longest stretch of highway, I-81 along the state’s Appalachian spine, is no stranger to traffic backups. Brad Kutner spoke with one legislator who says there’s no quick fix.
Pope & Schapiro: Lots of feuding, including the MAGA family kind
Jun 07, 2024
Feuds between the governor and the legislature – and members of the same party – have made headlines in the last few days. Michael Pope and Jeff Schapiro – political columnist for the Richmond Times-Dispatch – discuss this week in state government and politics.
Just what are the limits of executive authority in Virginia?
Jun 06, 2024
Critics of Republican Governor Glenn Youngkin say he has repeatedly overstepped his authority by taking executive action without consulting the General Assembly. Michael Pope has the story.
I-95 traffic study shows Virginia on the hook for any attempts to fix
Jun 06, 2024
A graph showing the number of lost hours on stretches of I-95 with the southbound lane over the Occoquan River showing a massive spike. (Credit: Virginia Department of Transportation)
The stretch of Interstate 95 that runs just south of Washington D.C. is one of the worst in the country. And investigators with the state’s legislative watchdog agency have bad news about any future attempts to address the problem. Brad Kutner has more from Richmond.
*EDITOR’S NOTE: We’ve updated this story from a previous version to include comment from Transurban.
Youngkin, Miyares: Virginia won’t follow California emissions standards
Jun 05, 2024
Virginia’s governor and its attorney general say the state won’t follow California’s vehicle emissions standards next year. Nick Gilmore has details.
After botched real estate deal, state watchdog recommends changes to VCU Health’s board
Jun 05, 2024
VCU President Michael Rao speaks before elected officials at the June 2024 meeting of Virginia’s Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission. (Credit: Brad Kutner / Radio IQ)
Virginia’s Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission, or JLARC, recommended changes to Virginia Commonwealth University Health’s hospital system leadership Wednesday.
The review came after a botched real estate deal between the city of Richmond and the hospital’s board. Brad Kutner has more.
Democrats hope to make contraception a key election issue
Jun 05, 2024
Credit: NPR
This week, the U.S. Senate failed to pass a bill guaranteeing a right to contraception. As Michael Pope reports, a similar bill was vetoed by Republican Governor Glenn Youngkin last month.
Virginia and its really, really low unemployment rate
Jun 04, 2024
The latest numbers from the Bureau of Labor Statistics has some good news for Virginia. Michael Pope explains.
Following Youngkin veto, legislators look to protect those in mental crisis
Jun 04, 2024
U.S. Coast Guard Lt. Commander Peter Francisco speaks before a House committee in February 2024. (Credit: Virginia House of Delegates livestream)
Virginia legislators passed a bill this session that would’ve given those with behavioral, neurological or cognitive health issues protections when in confrontations with the police. But Youngkin vetoed the effort. Now in summer working groups, Brad Kutner spoke to those hoping to see the problem addressed.