Pope & Schapiro: The last days of Campaign 2025, redistricting, and federal financial impacts
Oct 31, 2025
There’s been no shortage of news coming from the capitol in the last few days.
Politics analyst Jeff Schapiro and Michael Pope recap the week in politics and state government.
Louisa food bank bustling as SNAP funding expires
Oct 31, 2025
Mineral resident and LRC volunteer Karen Lansing organizes carts of food for residents. (Credit: Christine Kueter)
With the federal government shut down nearing the one-month mark, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, known as SNAP, runs out of money this Saturday. That’s several days before state emergency funds are poised to fill the gap.
At a Louisa County food bank, there’s no pause in traffic from residents seeking help to put food on the table.
Christine Kueter reports.
RC poll: Significant lead for Spanberger, but the other statewide races are closer
Oct 30, 2025
As Election Day approaches, a new poll shows Democrats poised to win the election for governor. But Michael Pope reports the races for other statewide offices are less clear.
A possible reason to celebrate spotted lanternflies
Oct 30, 2025
Sourwood Farm beekeeper Ryan Williamson says his bees are making honey from what spotted lanternflies produce. (Credit: Sandy Hausman / Radio IQ)
There’s some good news today for those who are tired of spotted lanternflies.
They’ll still be swarming around trees and fruit crops, but it turns out those beautiful, invasive bugs may have an unexpected redeeming quality.
Sandy Hausman has that story.
Governor’s appointments fight heads to Supreme Court of Virginia
Oct 30, 2025
Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s fight with Democrats in the state Senate went to the Supreme Court of Virginia on Thursday. (Credit: Brad Kutner / Radio IQ)
Governor Glenn Youngkin asked the Supreme Court of Virginia to allow him to put a handful of appointees on state college Boards of Visitors Thursday. The brief hearing comes after state senators denied the appointment in a committee meeting and Youngkin claimed more steps were needed. Brad Kutner has this report.
House of Delegates approves redistricting amendment
Oct 29, 2025
Members of the Virginia House of Delegates gather at the beginning of Wednesday’s session. (Credit: Brad Kutner)
Leadership in Virginia’s House of Delegates offered competing versions of the future if Virginia goes forward with a redistricting plan to counter President Donald Trump’s pressure on other states.
Brad Kutner has this report.
Statewide candidates sidelined from the campaign trail by special session
Oct 29, 2025
Republican Lieutenant Governor — and gubernatorial hopeful — Winsome Earle-Sears presides over the Virginia Senate on October 29th, 2025. (Credit: Michael Pope / Virginia Public Radio)
Two statewide candidates are temporarily off the campaign trail and at the Capitol for a special session. Michael Pope reports.
Senators argue over motives behind the special session
Oct 28, 2025
Sen. Scott Surovell speaks on the floor of the Senate during the special session on October 28, 2025. (Credit: Michael Pope)
Late Tuesday afternoon, Democrats revealed their proposed language to allow Virginia to change its Congressional boundaries.
The proposed change could only be used if other states redistrict outside the normal process that follows every census. It would also expire in 2030, presumably turning the process back over to the bipartisan redistricting commission.
Meanwhile, partisan finger-pointing was the order of the day in the state senate, as Michael Pope reports.
Details of proposed redistricting legislation revealed
Oct 28, 2025
Virginia Democrats released the language of the proposed constitutional amendment Tuesday.
It could allow the legislature to redraw the Commonwealth’s congressional districts ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.
Brad Kutner has this report.
Youngkin introduces state nutrition assistance program
Oct 28, 2025
Governor Glenn Youngkin is creating a state-based system to fill the gap for people who are in need of food assistance. Michael Pope reports.
UVA scientists map East Coast’s ghost forests
Oct 27, 2025
UVA scientists say 10 million trees have died, many due to sea level rise. (Credit: Henry Yeung)
If you drive along coast of Virginia or any other state on the eastern seaboard, you might catch sight of ghost forests – large stands of dead trees. Using artificial intelligence, scientists from the University of Virginia have created a map that details the destruction. Sandy Hausman has that story.
Virginia’s Republican Congressional members oppose redistricting effort
Oct 27, 2025
Congressman Morgan Griffin speaks at a press conference with all five GOP members of the Virginia delegation. (Credit: Michael Pope)
Virginia’s Republican members of Congress are speaking out against an effort of Democrats to redraw congressional districts. Michael Pope is at the state capitol with the latest.
Virginia Republicans prep for redistricting fight
Oct 24, 2025
The Virginia House of Delegates during the 2024 legislative session. (Credit: Brad Kutner / Radio IQ)
Virginia Republicans are reacting to news that Democrats in Richmond are planning to redraw the Commonwealth’ s congressional districts. Brad Kutner has this report on what steps they could take to slow down a process that will require a tight timeline to meet federal deadlines.
Just how much will Virginia step in to help SNAP recipients?
Oct 24, 2025
As the government shutdown enters its fifth week, state officials are scrambling to figure out how to keep the most vulnerable fed. Michael Pope reports.
Pope & Schapiro: Redistricting, NOVA House campaigns, and the tightening race for Attorney General
Oct 24, 2025
There have been plenty of October Surprises in this campaign season. Now the latest surprise is about redistricting.
Politics analyst Jeff Schapiro and Michael Pope recap the week in politics and state government.
Virginia Democrats call for special session to redraw the state’s congressional maps
Oct 23, 2025
Credit: NPR
Members of the General Assembly will be returning to Richmond on Monday for a special session on redistricting. Michael Pope tells us Democrats are talking about redrawing the maps as a reaction to Republican-led redistricting efforts across the country.
Virginia’s oldest free clinic needs to sell its building in wake of federal budget cuts
Oct 23, 2025
The Health Brigade’s office in Richmond’s near-west end. (Credit: Brad Kutner / Radio IQ)
Richmond’s Health Brigade, formerly known as Fan Free Clinic, is looking to sell their building in the wake of federal budget cuts. Brad Kutner has this report on what’s next for the health care organization that first opened its doors in 1970 as the first free clinic in Virginia.
Fentanyl, overdoses and this year’s elections in Virginia
Oct 22, 2025
One of the issues that candidates are talking about on the campaign trail is overdose deaths from fentanyl. Michael Pope reports.
“A real loss”– Virginia legal observers worried about staffing changes in federal prosecutor offices
Oct 22, 2025
Staffing in Virginia’s two U. S. Attorney offices has seen noticeable changes since the beginning of President Donald Trump’s second term in office.
Some of that’s to be expected when a new administration begins, though some legal observers say what’s happening is very different.
Dave Cantor has more.
As federal shutdown continues, advocates call for stopgap SNAP funding
Oct 22, 2025
As the government shutdown enters a fourth week, hunger is a growing concern as grocery bills remain high and federal assistance programs run out of money.
Michael Pope reports.
A slow month for Virginia casinos raises concerns about expanded gambling options
Oct 21, 2025
Chris Albrecht with Caesars Virginia presents details about their facility to the Virginia Gaming Commission study committee. (Credit: Brad Kutner)
Virginia began legalizing casinos in 2020 with the first wager cast in 2022.
Now, years later, there are three fully functioning casino sites in Bristol, Danville and Portsmouth, and more on the way.
And while recent gambling revenue numbers have dipped across the state, elected officials are holding judgement as more casinos are expected to be considered.
Brad Kutner has this report.
Weldon Cooper Center forecast sees higher unemployment in Virginia
Oct 21, 2025
Economists are expecting Virginia’s unemployment to increase.
Michael Pope has the numbers.
House budget committee points to more economic uncertainty, though Virginia is “running full speed”
Oct 20, 2025
Members of the House Appropriations Committee -from left: Democratic Delegates David Bulova, Vice Chair Mark Sickles and Chair Luke Torian, and Republican ranking member Del. Terry Austin- sit for their October 2025 meeting. (Credit: Brad Kutner)
The Virginia House of Delegates’ money committee met Monday morning.
While representatives from the governor painted a rosy picture of the Commonwealth’s financial future, uncertainty continues to plague economic forecasts.
Brad Kutner has this report.
Solar energy and the campaign trail
Oct 17, 2025
As power bills rise, the politics of energy are taking center stage in the race for governor. Michael Pope shines some light on the issue.
Pope & Schapiro: Jones and Miyares spar in likely only debate of the AG campaign
Oct 17, 2025
Democrat Jay Jones and Republican Jason Miyares met for a debate in the race for attorney general last night. Michael Pope and Radio IQ Politics Analyst Jeff Schapiro were there and discuss the unusually anticipated debate and the week that was in state politics and government.
Miyares and Jones go on the offensive during AG debate
Oct 17, 2025
Jay Jones (left) and Jason Miyares shake hands at the 2025 Attorney General debate at the University of Richmond. (Credit: Michael Pope)
Candidates for attorney general were on stage together Thursday night for a debate in Richmond. Michael Pope reports.
The latest campaign finance numbers show a tightening race for governor
Oct 16, 2025
Credit: NPR
Candidates are raking in campaign cash up and down the ballot this year. Michael Pope is following the money.
Here’s a look at disclosure numbers for the “A Safer Virginia PAC” from the Virginia Public Access Project.
As federal incentives expire, Virginia Clean Energy Advisory Board works to find a way forward
Oct 16, 2025
Virginia was among the states that recently lost federal grant funding for a renewable energy program called Solar for All.
The state’s Clean Energy Advisory Board met this week to discuss alternative sources of income for similar projects.
Dave Cantor has more.
Richmond area harm reduction boxes mark three months in service
Oct 15, 2025
Richmond City opioid outreach worker Jason Alley restocks one of the city’s new harm reduction vending machines (Credit: Brad Kutner / Radio IQ)
About three months ago the City of Richmond began a new program, offering harm reduction and personal hygiene products for free at vending machines across the city. It got off to a bit of a rocky start. Brad Kutner has this report on how things are going now.
President Trump still hasn’t endorsed Winsome Earle-Sears
Oct 15, 2025
President Donald Trump has yet to endorse Virginia’s Republican candidate for governor. Michael Pope asked what impact that might have.
Some Virginia ballots this fall won’t have any candidates on them
Oct 14, 2025
In addition to statewide races, several local elections will be decided by Virginians this fall – including school boards. However, Michael Pope reports some of those ballots don’t have any candidates on them.
Data center power demand is heating up; here’s where Virginia’s gubernatorial candidates on the issue
Oct 14, 2025
Governor Glenn Younkin gets a tour of the new Hyper Solutions expansion in Henrico County from the company’s co-founder Dennis Strieter. (Credit: Brad Kutner)
A recent tour of a new power solution manufacturing facility in Henrico County is putting the spotlight on just how much power data centers will demand in the near future.
And while both of Virginia’s gubernatorial candidates know the Commonwealth’s economic future is likely linked to growing data center demand, they have different ideas on how to power it.
Brad Kutner has this report
High stakes debate looms in Virginia Attorney General race
Oct 14, 2025
Candidates for attorney general will meet in Richmond Thursday for a debate.
Michael Pope has this preview.
Both gubernatorial candidates are in support of nuclear energy
Oct 10, 2025
One issue that is bringing together Republicans and Democrats is nuclear power. Michael Pope reports.
Pope & Schapiro: Spanberger & Earle-Sears debate, the AG candidate controversy, and the Trump compact
Oct 10, 2025
One high-stakes debate down, another to go.
Politics analyst Jeff Schapiro and Michael Pope recap the week in politics and state government.
New data: Democrats hold fundraising advantage in several key House districts
Oct 10, 2025
More than a billion birds migrated Wed. night, the highest number ever recorded by Birdcast website
Oct 09, 2025
Credit: Logan Wallace / Virginia Tech
Wednesday night marked a new record: the highest number of birds ever recorded migrating in one night in the United States. Over a billion birds were in the skies, according to data recorded by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology’s Birdcast website.
Those migrating birds could also use our help to avoid injury, as Roxy Todd reports.
As gold and silver skyrocket, coin shops and collectors cash in
Oct 09, 2025
A Panda gold piece, made in China, is just shy of one ounce and kept in B&J’s safe (Credit: Christine Kueter)
With the per-ounce price of gold exceeding record highs, and silver hitting prices not seen since in almost 50 years, collectors and coin dealers are cashing in.
Christine Kueter reports.
Virginia’s gubernatorial candidates will debate tonight; here’s what to expect
Oct 09, 2025
The candidates hoping to become Virginia’s next governor are set to meet for a high stakes debate Thursday night. Michael Pope has a preview.
If Virginia legalizes retail weed, should localities be able to opt out?
Oct 07, 2025
(Credit: DEA.gov)
Virginia’s decriminalization of marijuana possession has led to a thriving illicit market throughout the Commonwealth.
Brad Kutner says elected officials are expressing more concern.
The October surprises in Virginia’s election just keep coming
Oct 07, 2025
Since October arrived on the calendar, the election has been rocked with several surprises.
The Republican candidate for lieutenant governor is facing allegations of Nazi fetishism.
And the Democrat running for attorney general faced questions about a reckless driving conviction.
That is, until another October surprise hit, as Michael Pope tells us.
State report on Virginia Community Colleges raises ‘demographic cliff’ questions
Oct 07, 2025
Actual and Projected College Freshmen: Digest of Education Statistics 2016, 2020, 2022. Estimated Number of 18-Year-Olds: U.S. Census Bureau 2017 estimates, 2023 estimates (first to be based on 2020 census data). (Credit: Ruffalo Noel Levitz)
Experts are calling it a “demographic cliff.” That’s the point in the next few years where a decline in births after 2007 will start to impact college enrollment.
And as Brad Kutner found out Monday morning, elected officials in Richmond are already starting to worry about it.
Gambling interests pump donations into Virginia political groups
Oct 06, 2025
Interest groups supporting the gambling industry are making big investments in the Virginia election this year.
Michael Pope reports.
Native Tribes turn to “rights of nature” to protect lands
Oct 06, 2025
Rappahannock oyster lease handover ceremony at Belle Isle (Credit: Pamela D’Angelo)
Indian lands across the country are being encroached on by pipelines, fracking, data centers and other industries.
In Virginia, the Rappahannock Tribe joined a handful of Tribal Nations in the U.S. that are recognizing the constitutional rights of nature. Now, they’re ready to defend that right for their river as Pamela D’Angelo reports.
Pope & Schapiro: The shutdown, military matters, and October surprises
Oct 03, 2025
Are federal issues making an impression on Virginia voters?
Politics analyst Jeff Schapiro and Michael Pope recap the week in politics and state government.
On the Chesapeake Bay, there’s lots of finger-pointing as the iconic striped bass is in trouble again
Oct 03, 2025
Atlantic striped bass (Credit: NOAA)
Striped bass are one of the most ecologically and economically important species of the Chesapeake Bay and up and down the Atlantic Coast. Back in the late ‘70s their numbers were decimated in the Bay by overfishing, degradation of their habitat and warming waters. Fisheries managers stepped in and cut harvests and the fish recovered.
But, it’s happening again.
This time, fingers are being pointed and tempers are flaring, as Pamela D’Angelo reports.
What a federal shutdown could mean for Virginia’s national parks
Oct 02, 2025
(Credit: Blue Ridge Parkway)
Fall is normally the peak season for visitors to Shenandoah National Park, and the Blue Ridge Parkway has drawn two million people during past Octobers. But with the federal government shut down, communities in Virginia that rely on tourism worry those numbers may drop. Roxy Todd has been digging into what will remain open and has the details.
New report shows federal employment in Virginia was already dropping before the shutdown
Oct 02, 2025
A graph detailing federal employment figures in the Washington area. Federal employment reached a peak of 380,000 in December 2024. It has since dropped to just over 353,000 at last check in August. The number of direct federal jobs in the Washington Region in August was effectively on par with the number of jobs regionally in March 2009. (Credit: Stephen Fuller Institute at George Mason University)
As the federal government shutdown continues, a new report shows how many federal workers the government has lost so far this year. And as Michael Pope tells us, the rest of this year is likely to see even more shocking numbers.
Frustrations spill out at Dept. of Corrections ombudsman meeting
Oct 02, 2025
The state ombudsman monitoring the Virginia Department of Corrections, held her second public meeting Thursday in Richmond.
Dave Cantor reports she heard from several frustrated families and advocates.
New donors are largely funding this year’s gubernatorial election in Virginia
Oct 01, 2025
Credit: Virginia Public Access Project
Political ads are flooding the airwaves now that campaign season is in full swing. And, as Michael Pope tells us, those commercials are funded by a lot of new donors.
Here’s the analysis from the Virginia Public Access Project.
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