The Virginia Press Room - VPM & VPAP

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**The Virginia Press Room – VPM & VPAP**

The Virginia Press Room is a weekly podcast that brings listeners the latest insights and analysis on Virginia’s most important stories directly from the journalists covering them. Produced in collaboration between VPM and the Virginia Public Access Project, the series is hosted by journalist and author, Michael Pope, and features a rotating cast of reporters from the Virginia press corps. The Virginia Press Room offers a behind-the-scenes look at state politics, policy and the issues shaping communities across the Commonwealth from the people who know it best, helping listeners stay informed about what’s happening in their state from the halls of the Capitol to their local neighborhoods.

Latest Episodes:

Federal Cuts, Campaign Rebrands, and Money Committee Takeaways Aug 18, 2025

Show notes

In this episode of The Virginia Press Room, Michael Pope is joined by:

Kate Seltzer of the Virginian-Pilot, covering the emergency committee convened to study the impacts of cuts to the federal workforce and funding.

Jeff Schapiro of UVA's Center for Politics, covering Lt. Governor Winsome Earle-Sears’ campaign rebrand: "Operation Defend and Deliver."

Jahd Khalil of VPM, covering takeaways from the money committees that met last week.

Plus: the official sports teams of Virginia's reporters, the lack of gubernatorial debates, and Governor Glenn Youngkin's political future.

The Virginia Press Room is a weekly podcast that brings listeners the latest insights and analysis on Virginia’s most important stories directly from the journalists covering them. Produced in collaboration by VPM and the Virginia Public Access Project, the series is hosted by journalist and author, Michael Pope and features a rotating cast of reporters from the Virginia press corps.The Virginia Press Room offers a behind-the-scenes look at state politics, policy and the issues shaping communities across the commonwealth from the people who know it best, helping listeners stay informed about what’s happening in their state from the halls of the Capitol to their local neighborhoods.

Residential Rezoning, Palestine Protests, and Scholarship Language Changes Aug 11, 2025

Show notes

In this episode of The Virginia Press Room, Michael Pope is joined by:

Luke Weir of the Roanoake Times, covering the fight over residential rezoning in Roanoake.

Megan Pauly of VPM News, covering VCU's removal of race-related references from scholarship language under pressure from the Trump administration.

Dan Egitto of ArlNow, covering pro-Palestinian protests targeting a house in Arlington.

Plus: college Boards of Visitors, military language in campaign slogans, and invasive species on the Appalachian Trail.

Minimum Wage Increases, Immigration Enforcement, and the Race for Governor Aug 04, 2025

Show notes

In this episode of The Virginia Press Room, Michael Pope is joined by:

Karri Peifer of Axios Richmond, covering the rise in Virginia's minimum wage.

Markus Schmidt of the Virginia Mercury, covering the latest on Virginia's Homeland Security Task Force.

Jonathan Martin of Politico, covering the latest on Virginia's gubernatorial election--including tensions on the Republican side and the lack of an endorsement from President Trump.

Plus: the latest jobs numbers, Labubu fever, and momentum for Jason Miyares and Abigail Spanberger.

Medicaid Changes, Off-Year Elections, and the Growing Virginia Plan Jul 28, 2025

Show notes

In this episode of The Virginia Press Room, Michael Pope is joined by:

Princess Harrell of WJLA, covering Abigail Spanberger's "Growing Virginia Plan."

Tyler Englander of WRIC, covering disputes over the number of Virginians who will be affected by federal Medicaid changes.

Cameron Thompson of WTVR, covering the debate over whether Virginia's elections should remain off-year elections.

Plus: split-ticket elections, Governor Wilder's predictions, and lowering the voting age.

Ballot Initiatives, Candidate Summer Reading, and the Corrections Ombudsman Jul 21, 2025

Show notes

In this episode of The Virginia Press Room, Michael Pope is joined by:

Charlotte Rene Woods of the Virginia Mercury, covering the status of Virginia's corrections ombudsman office, one year after its creation.

Olivia Diaz of the Associated Press, covering Google partnering with Governor Youngkin to offer AI training to Virginia job-seekers.

Whittney Evans of VPM News, covering how ballot initiatives and recalls work in Virginia.

Plus: federal cuts to public radio, the effect of the Big Beautiful Bill, and what candidates for statewide office are reading this summer.

University Politics, Immigration Arrests, and Civilian Review Boards Jul 14, 2025

Show notes

In this episode of The Virginia Press Room, Michael Pope is joined by:

Kate Seltzer of the Virginian-Pilot, covering the Virginia Homeland Security Task Force's reported arrest of 2500 people.

Andrew Kerley of the Commonwealth Times, covering Senate Democrats considering blocking more of Governor Youngkin's university board.

Dean Mirshahi of VPM News, covering the continued delay of Richmond's civilian police review board.

Plus: avoiding questions, withheld diplomas, and city council meeting woes.

Republican Unity, Fixing Water Problems, and the Big Beautiful Bill Jul 07, 2025

Show notes

In this episode of The Virginia Press Room, Michael Pope is joined by:

Lauren Burke of Black Virginia News (and formerly Pod Virginia), covering last week's Republican unity event--and whether it dispelled rumors of internal tensions.

Chris Saxman of the VIP Podcast, covering the impact of the Big Beautiful Bill on Virginians and upcoming elections.

Rich Meagher of RVA's Got Issues, covering meetings in Richmond and Henrico County to create a regional approach to local water issues.

Plus the summertime money crunch, campaign finance audits, and candidate walk-on music.

Campaign Catch-Up, ICE Controversy, and Pressure on UVA Jun 30, 2025

Show notes

In this episode of The Virginia Press Room, Michael Pope is joined by:

Anna Bryson of the Richmond Times-Dispatch, covering Virginia's GOP ticket holding its first united rally of the campaign.

Brandon Jarvis of the Virginia Scope, covering ICE agents operating out of the Chesterfield court house.

Brad Kutner of Radio IQ, covering how the candidates for governor respond to an immigrant mother concerned about deportation.

Plus: UVA President Jim Ryan's resignation, campaign mishaps for Winsome Earle-Sears, and the continuing battle between Clean Virginia and Dominion Energy.

Primary Takeaways, Data Center Regulation, and AI-Informed Voting Jun 23, 2025

Show notes

In this episode of The Virginia Press Room, Michael Pope is joined by:

Shannon Heckt of the Virginia Mercury, covering Virginia's patchwork data center regulation policies.

Graham Moomaw of the Richmonder, covering how Richmond voters overwhelmingly voted against their former mayor, Levar Stoney.

Teo Armus of the Washington Post, covering some of the top takeaways from last week's primaries.

Plus: man-on-the-street interviews, special primary elections, and using AI to inform voting decisions.

Special Edition: Virginia's 2025 Primary Results Jun 19, 2025

Show notes

In this episode of ⁠The Virginia Press Room⁠, Michael Pope is joined by political analyst Sam Shirazi to break down the results from Tuesday's primaries.

The Virginia Press Room is a weekly podcast that brings listeners the latest insights and analysis on Virginia’s most important stories directly from the journalists covering them. Produced in collaboration by ⁠VPM ⁠and the ⁠Virginia Public Access Project⁠, the series is hosted by journalist and author, Michael Pope and features a rotating cast of reporters from the Virginia press corps.The Virginia Press Room offers a behind-the-scenes look at state politics, policy and the issues shaping communities across the commonwealth from the people who know it best, helping listeners stay informed about what’s happening in their state from the halls of the Capitol to their local neighborhoods.