The Virginia Press Room - VPM & VPAP

Latest Episodes:

Statewide Primaries, Campaign Yard Signs, and Public Radio Personalities Jun 16, 2025

Show notes

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

Margaret Barthel of WAMU, covering what the candidates for lieutenant governor and attorney general have to say about policy issues.

Ryan Murphy of WHRO, covering local primary races that are heating up in Hampton Roads.

Jahd Khalil of VPM News, covering how the candidates for lieutenant governor envision their job description.

Plus: a shift away from NoVA candidates, campaign yard signs, and Dominion Energy versus Clean Virginia.

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.

Immigration Enforcement, Medicaid Cuts, and Tariff Uncertainty Jun 09, 2025

Show notes

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

Sabrina Moreno of Axios Richmond, covering why Virginia is a hotspot for immigration enforcement.

Michael O'Connor of the Virginia Dogwood, covering how federal Medicaid cuts will affect Virginians' coverage and home healthcare workers.

Michael Martz of the Richmond Times-Dispatch, covering the continued uncertainty around President Trump's tariffs.

Plus: difficulty covering campaigns, the cost of the Richmond water crisis, and whether the car tax is ever going away.

Sanctuary Cities, U.S. Attorney Competition, and Richmond's Second Water Crisis Jun 02, 2025

Show notes

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

Elizabeth Beyer of Cardinal News, covering the competition to decide the next U.S. Attorney for Virginia's Western District.

Tyler Englander of WRIC, covering DHS' list of sanctuary cities, including several conservative Virginia counties.

Chris Suarez of VPM News, covering Richmond's second water crisis.

Plus: lingering tensions on the Republican ticket, a lack of FEMA money for flood-struck Virginians, and what it means to be the lieutenant governor.

Recall Petitions, Council Chaos, and Coal County Ventures May 26, 2025

Show notes

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

Karen Graham of the Loudoun Times-Mirror, covering recall petitions in Purcellville.

Bill Atkinson of the Progress Index, covering internal strife and council meetings and financial distress in Hopewell.

Ben Paviour of the New York Times, covering coal magnate-led development projects in Southwest Virginia.

Plus: more budget battles, southern accents, and Virginia's judicial appointment process.

Ticket Diversity, Amendment Rejections, and Non-Traditional Candidates May 19, 2025

Show notes

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

Olivia Diaz of the Associated Press, covering the diversity of Virginia's Republican candidates against the backdrop of a federal crackdown on DEI.

Charlotte Rene Woods of the Virginia Mercury, covering the Virginia House Clerk rejecting three of Governor Youngkin's vetoes.

Brad Kutner of Radio IQ, covering some non-traditional candidates running for office this cycle.

Plus: elevator conversations, housing policy, and looking ahead to primary season.

Intra-Party Chaos, Fraud Accusations, and Americorps Funding Cuts May 12, 2025

Show notes

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

Kate Seltzer of the Virginian-Pilot, covering the ousting of Laura Hughes, former chairwoman for the Virginia Beach Republican Party.

Greg Schneider of the Washington Post, covering accusations of fraud between the Youngkin administration and the Nansemond Indian Tribe over healthcare funding.

Dean Mirshahi of VPM News, covering how federal Americorps funding cuts have impacted Virginia volunteerism.

Plus: award-winning hurricane coverage, Confederate statue removal, and some history of the Richmond Flying Squirrels.

Early Voting, Budget Cuts, and Controversy On The Republican Ticket May 05, 2025

Show notes

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

Laura Vozzella of the Washington Post, covering controversy on the Republican ticket as Governor Youngkin tried to oust Lieutenant Governor John Reid.

Dwayne Yancey of the Cardinal News, covering early voting for both statewide and local primaries around Virginia.

Jeff Schapiro of Radio IQ, covering the state budget with spending cuts in the face of looming federal budget cuts.

Plus: Jeff Schapiro's retirement from daily journalism, FOIAs and surveillance technology, and AG Miyares saving Laura Vozzella's life.

ICE Raid, Right-to-Work, and Trouble in Purcellville Apr 28, 2025

Show notes

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

Hanna Pampaloni of Loudoun Now, covering the scandal surrounding a state police investigation of Purcellville's Vice Mayor.

Luke Weir of the Roanoke Times, covering the Democratic debate for Lieutenant Governor, where all candidates voice support for ending Right-to-Work.

Sean McGoey of VPM, covering the confusing facts and questions surrounding Tavares Floyd's campaign for Richmond City Council.

Plus an ICE raid in an Albemarle County courthouse, campaign finance oversight, and upcoming budget deadlines for localities around the state.

Coal Emissions, Public Housing, and High School Reshuffling Apr 21, 2025

Show notes

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

James Libresco of Theogony, covering the difficulties around Alexandria's City High School's four-campus system--and the school district's new policy mandating Theogony's articles be approved by administration.

Charles Paullin of Inside Climate News, covering President Trump's exemptions for coal emissions, including Dominion Energy.

Whittney Evans of VPM, covering the failed attempt to privatize Gilpin Court, Richmond's largest public housing complex.

Plus struggles to clean up the Chesapeake Bay, a staffing shortage at Virginia's only youth prison, and a rushed vote to transform Alexandria's K-8 system.

Special Edition: The Latest Campaign Finance Numbers Apr 17, 2025

Show notes

In this special episode of The Virginia Press Room, Michael Pope is joined by Ben Tribbett of Pocket Aces Consulting, and Jeff Ryer, former spokesman for the House and Senate Republicans, to break down the latest campaign finance disclosures for the candidates in Virginia's statewide and local races.

VPAP: Q1 Campaign Finance Reports