The Virginia Press Room - VPM & VPAP

Latest Episodes:

Research Cuts, TSA Picketing, and the Bills That Passed Apr 14, 2025

Show notes

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

Sage Tanguay of the Bold Dominion podcast, covering some niche bills passed during the latest General Assembly session.

Michael O'Connor of the Virginia Dogwood, covering Richmond TSA workers picketing to get their union back from the Trump Administration.

Nathaniel Cline of the Virginia Mercury, covering federal cuts to Virginia's research colleges.

Plus local relief for federal workers, railroad infrastructure, and the relationship between journalists and academia.

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.

Budget Dispute, Filing Deadlines, and the Virginia Supreme Court Apr 07, 2025

Show notes

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

Kate Seltzer of the Virginian-Pilot, covering the latest on the filings for the fall ballot.

Joe Dodson of Courthouse News, covering a Virginia Supreme Court ruling an officer not liable for the attempted suicide of a detainee.

Jahd Khalil of VPM, covering Virginia's budget and the dispute over the Earned Income Tax Credit.

Plus speeches in the General Assembly, judicial controversy, and Virginia's relationship with native tribes in the state.

Unemployment Claims, Health Department Cuts, and Record-Setting Veto Numbers Mar 31, 2025

Show notes

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

Karri Peifer of Axios, covering the rising number of unemployment claims in Virginia.

Cameron Thompson of WTVR, covering Governor Youngkin's record-setting number of vetoes pushed through last week (and VPAP has visualized the numbers)

Chris Suarez of VPM, covering $425 million cut to the Virginia Department of Health as the federal government pulls grant funding for COVID-related programs.

Plus 23andMe goes bankrupt, pop-up wrestling matches, and Virginia's state songs.

Education Cuts, Unemployment Claims, and Signature Submissions Mar 24, 2025

Show notes

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

Whittney Evans of VPM News, covering how cuts to the federal Department of Education will impact Virginia's students.

Tyler Englander of WRIC, covering rising unemployment claims in Virginia as President Trump cuts the federal workforce.

Brad Kutner of Radio IQ, covering the signature submissions for Virginia's statewide candidate to appear on ballots.

Plus counterintuitive history, Virginia's voter purge lawsuit, and tonight's deadline for the Governor to sign, amend, and veto the bills from the General Assembly session.

Leadership Changes, Attack Ads, and Education Politics Mar 17, 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 leadership changes in both of Virginia's major political parties.

Chris Saxman of the VIP Podcast, covering how cuts to the federal Department of Education impact Virginia's schools and upcoming elections.

Rich Meagher of RVA's Got Issues, covering Winsome Earle-Sears' first attack ad, which ignores her Republican primary opponents and instead targets Abigail Spanberger directly.

Plus workhorse versus show horse candidates, continued controversy around VMI, and the history of concealed weapons in the General Assembly.

Library Funding, GreenCity Development, and the Governor's Pardon Mar 10, 2025

Show notes

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

Olivia Diaz of the Associated Press, covering Governor Youngkin's pardon of a former police officer convicted of reckless firearm use.

Greg Schneider of the Washington Post, covering Warren County stripping funding for Samuels Public Library.

Lyndon German of VPM News, covering the stalling of Henrico County's GreenCity development.

Plus executive orders on ICE, uncertainty in state and local budgets, and the political dynamics and familiar names as the campaigns for Governor ramps up.

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.

Competitive House Races, Voting Rights Restoration, and the Republican Primary for Governor Mar 03, 2025

Show notes

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

Anna Bryson of the Richmond Times-Dispatch, covering Amanda Chase and Dave LaRock's entry into the Republican primary race for Governor.

Brandon Jarvis of Virginia Scope, covering three competitive state House races--Republican seats that Kamala Harris won last year.

Dean Mirshahi of VPM, covering the drop in the number of people whose voting rights are being restored by the Governor.

Plus, the race to replace Susan Swecker as chair of the state Democratic party, sign-in requirements for reporters bringing their phones to court, and rising thresholds for standardized test scores.

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.

Stalled FOIA Reform, Federal Worker Anxiety, and A Visual Dispatch Feb 24, 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 last-minute stalling of a FOIA reform bill.

Shaban Athuman of VPM, showcasing a visual dispatch from the 2025 General Assembly.

Elizabeth Beyer of Cardinal News, covering Governor Youngkin's acknowledgement of the anxiety among federal workers in Virginia.

Plus a surprising seat opening, veto-watch, and health care uncertainty amid sweeping federal changes.

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.

Sales Tax Surcharge, Residency Issues, and the Latest Casino Bill Feb 17, 2025

Show notes

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

Dave Ress of the Richmond Times-Dispatch, covering bills to establish a legal cannabis market and to impose a sales tax surcharge to pay for schools.

Rich Meagher, political science professor at Randolph-Macon College and the host of VPM's "VA's Got Issues," following Natalie Anderson's reporting on the residency of Senator Christie New Craig.

Nathaniel Cline of the Virginia Mercury, covering the controversial tabling of the latest casino bill.

Plus the key role of interns in Virginia's legislature, the upcoming veto session, and the efforts to help young people transition out of foster care.

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.

Free Clinics, Immigration Enforcement, and Animal Rights Feb 10, 2025

Show notes

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

Keyris Manzanares of VPM News, covering Richmond Public Schools' official resolution on immigration enforcement on school grounds.
Kate Seltzer of the Virginian-Pilot, covering Virginia's free clinics and the possibility of cuts to federal Medicaid funding.
Joe Dodson of Courthouse News, covering a bill to reduce penalties for people with developmental disorders who assault police officers.

Plus FOIA fees, animal-rights bills, and the future of Virginia's detention centers.

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.