Virginia House “Emergency Committee” is hitting the road
Mar 04, 2025
Emergency Committee Chairman David Bulova and Vice Chairman Rob Bloxom, center, talk to reporters after the committee’s first meeting in Richmond last month. (Credit: Michael Pope)
Virginia’s emergency committee looking at reductions to the federal workforce is planning a tour across the Commonwealth. Michael Pope has this preview.
Youngkin grants clemency in Fairfax officer case; legal experts weigh in
Mar 03, 2025
Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin is granting clemency to a former Fairfax County police sergeant who killed an unarmed man. Michael Pope reports.
Sierra Club award for forest-saving foundation
Mar 03, 2025
The Piedmont Group of the Virginia Chapter of the Sierra Club honored the work of the 500 Year Forest Foundation at one property being preserved in North Garden. (Credit: Sierra Club Piedmont)
Virginia has about 16 million acres of forested land. About 20% belongs to various government agencies, but nearly 60% is in private hands. Now, a nonprofit called the 500-Year Forest Foundation is trying to persuade individuals and families to preserve their trees, as Sandy Hausman reports.
Tech’s Innovation Campus opens its doors in Alexandria
Feb 28, 2025
Academic Building One sits in National Landing — although some students there are already calling it “Hokie Landing.” (Credit: Virginia Tech)
Virginia Tech has a new campus in Alexandria. Michael Pope talked to some of the graduate students there about what they’ll be studying.
Pope & Schapiro: Federal cuts, bills on the desk, and the GOP field for governor
Feb 28, 2025
Virginia politicians are starting the feel the fallout from federal budget cuts.
Jeff Schapiro, political columnist at the Richmond Times-Dispatch, and Michael Pope recap the week in politics and state government.
Youngkin appointees strike controversial language from new school overdose notification guidelines
Feb 27, 2025
Credit: Jahd Khalil / Radio IQ
Overdoses in Virginia’s schools was one of Governor Glenn Youngkin’s top concerns on the campaign trail.
Thursday morning, the state’s Board of Education voted to approve new guidelines for how schools should inform parents when they happen. But some of the language proved to be too controversial for even members appointed by Youngkin. Brad Kutner has more.
The Republican gubernatorial primary field has suddenly become more crowded
Feb 27, 2025
Lieutenant Governor Winsome Earle-Sears no longer has a lock on the Republican nomination for governor. Michael Pope reports on the campaign shakeup.
Youngkin likely to add to his record number of vetoes
Feb 26, 2025
Youngkin already holds the record for the most vetoes by a Virginia governor. (Credit: VPAP)
Governor Glenn Youngkin already holds the record for most vetoes. And as Michael Pope reports, he’s about to bump up that total with dozens of new vetoes expected in the next few weeks.
Virginia Tech set to open its new Innovation Campus this week
Feb 26, 2025
The Innovation Campus Academic Building One is 11 stories and 300,000 square feet. (Credit: Michael Pope)
Virginia Tech is about to open a new Innovation Campus in Alexandria. The big grand opening is Friday, and Michael Pope has this preview.
Early Roanoke College poll shows 15-point lead for Spanberger over Earle-Sears
Feb 25, 2025
The race for governor is starting to take shape as new polling numbers show where things stand eight months out from Election Day. Michael Pope has the numbers.
Proposed legislation would expand Youngkin’s ban on cell phones in Virginia schools
Feb 24, 2025
School boards across Virginia are about to start cracking down on students using cell phones. Michael Pope has the details.
Youngkin announces new website for Virginia’s fired federal workers
Feb 24, 2025
Governor Glenn Youngkin announces a new website to support Virginia’s federal workers fired by President Donald Trump. (Credit: Screen grab / Governor Glenn Youngkin’s Facebook Page)
Governor Glenn Youngkin traveled to Northern Virginia Monday to announce a new state-run initiative meant to get federal workers fired by the Trump administration jobs in the Commonwealth. Brad Kutner has more.
Virginia Democrats send environmental bills to Youngkin’s desk, where his veto pen likely waits…
Feb 21, 2025
Governor Glenn Youngkin will soon consider a handful of bills aimed at transforming electricity generation. Michael Pope reports.
Pope & Schapiro: As session ends, the attention now turns to Youngkin
Feb 21, 2025
State lawmakers are about to send many bills to Governor Glenn Youngkin’s desk. Michael Pope and Jeff Schapiro – political columnist with the Richmond Times-Dispatch – discuss potential vetoes and the week that was in state government and politics.
Will the governor sign legislation cracking down on junk fees in Virginia?
Feb 20, 2025
Governor Glenn Youngkin will soon consider a bill aimed at cracking down on junk fees. Michael Pope has the details.
Juvenile shackling bill headed to Youngkin’s desk
Feb 20, 2025
Governor Glenn Youngkin is considering a bill that would cut down on the practice of shackling children in court. Michael Pope reports.
State lawmakers consider additional protections for federal contractors
Feb 19, 2025
Senator Jeremy McPike, a Democrat from Prince William, speaks in favor of a bill extending unemployment benefits for federal contractors. (Credit: Michael Pope)
Members of the General Assembly are debating ways to protect Virginians from reductions to the federal workforce. Michael Pope reports.
Could Virginia finally rein in its loose campaign finance laws?
Feb 19, 2025
Credit: Mallory Noe-Payne / Radio IQ
Members of the General Assembly are considering reforming Virginia’s campaign finance system. Michael Pope reports.
Should Virginia police be allowed to lie to children?
Feb 18, 2025
When is it OK for law enforcement officers to lie to children? Michael Pope reports.
Virginia lawmakers weigh social media restrictions for kids
Feb 18, 2025
Senator Schuyler VanValkenburg speaks about his bill limiting social media for children during a press conference this week. (Credit: Michael Pope)
Members of the General Assembly are debating what kind of restrictions they want to put on social media for children. Michael Pope reports.
Senate committee advances license plate reader bill, with some changes
Feb 17, 2025
A Flock Safety automated camera (Credit: Flock Safety)
The issue of tracking license plates continues to create controversy as the General Assembly heads into its final days.
Michael Pope has the developments.
Research funding cuts could mean an economic hit to communities surrounding research universities
Feb 17, 2025
Bella, a child with a genetic condition known as CASK gene mutation, at work with therapist Dory Wallace during a visit to the Fralin Biomedical Research Neuromotor Research Clinic. The clinic is funded in part by the National Institutes of Health. (Credit: Clayton Metz/Virginia Tech)
The National Institutes of Health fund most of the medical research in the United States.
The Trump administration recently announced a reduction in NIH funding. Meanwhile, universities are watching to see if other federal agencies begin restricting research dollars too.
In addition to the knowledge that would be lost, these changes could have economic impacts on communities like Blacksburg, Roanoke and Charlottesville, as Roxy Todd reports.
Pope & Schapiro: The last days of the General Assembly session
Feb 13, 2025
The General Assembly session is in its waning days but there’s still work ahead.
Jeff Schapiro, political columnist at the Richmond Times-Dispatch, and Michael Pope recap the week in politics and state government.
After years of work, Virginia’s new gambling authority in limbo
Feb 13, 2025
Ever since Virginia expanded gambling options, legislators have been working to create a new state entity to regulate the industry. A bill to create a new Virginia Gaming Commission sailed out of subcommittee earlier this month only to be killed and instead have its language added to the budget. Brad Kutner spoke to legislators involved to find out why.
Contraception access likely to remain a hot issue beyond General Assembly session
Feb 13, 2025
Democrats in the General Assembly are taking several tracks in an effort to secure the right to contraception. And, as Michael Pope reports, they’re also hoping to take the issue on the campaign trail.
NIH funding cut fight boils over in Virginia House
Feb 12, 2025
The Virginia House of Delegates (Credit: Brad Kutner)
President Donald Trump and his advisor Elon Musk are looking to cut billions in federal research funding to organizations across the country.
The issue came up during a feisty debate in the Virginia House of Delegates today/Wednesday.
Brad Kutner has more.
New law to fight puppy mills likely on the way to Governor Youngkin’s desk
Feb 12, 2025
Virginia law requires oversight of a dog’s history when they enter a shelter, but private pet shops have avoided such scrutiny. That could change if a bill from one Southside Senator gets the okay from the governor.
Brad Kutner has explains.
Republican legislators blast earned sentence credits
Feb 12, 2025
Republicans are taking aim at a system that allows some incarcerated people to earn credits toward early release.
And as Michael Pope reports, Democrats are pushing back.
Bills could change at-large representation in some local governments
Feb 12, 2025
Members of the General Assembly are considering efforts to change how some local governments work and how people are elected to those bodies.
Michael Pope reports.
Controversial license plate reader bill survives Virginia Senate committee… for now
Feb 10, 2025
An example of a Flock Safety camera. (Credit: Flock Safety)
Legislators in Richmond kept alive a bill expanding the use of automated license plate readers on Virginia’s roadways Monday. Despite an earlier vote killing it, the bill will now face new negotiations. Brad Kutner has more.
The debate over crimes involving fentanyl continues in Richmond
Feb 10, 2025
Members of the General Assembly are debating ways to crack down on fentanyl crimes in Virginia. Michael Pope has the details.
Efforts to reform Virginia’s campaign finance laws have died again this year
Feb 10, 2025
Members of the Virginia General Assembly are currently engaged in a number of debates about public policy issues. But as Michael Pope reports, some of the important issues are NOT being debated.
Virginia legislature looks to further embrace the blockchain
Feb 07, 2025
Blockchain technology is back at Virginia’s legislative session in 2025. An effort to allow businesses to use high tech to conduct transactions is the newest trend that elected officials are considering, just as one of the industry’s biggest fans enters the White House. Brad Kutner has more.
Regulations for air conditioning in Virginia prisons are gaining steam in Richmond
Feb 07, 2025
The Senate of Virginia is considering a bill to help inmates of prisons avoid extreme heat. Michael Pope reports.
Pope & Schapiro: Crossover, casinos and skill games
Feb 07, 2025
With the General Assembly session now in its second half, arguments about casinos and skill games are heating up again.
Jeff Schapiro, political columnist at the Richmond Times-Dispatch, and Michael Pope recap the week in politics and state government.
Millions of dollars for Virginia clinics still in limbo following Trump’s funding freeze
Feb 06, 2025
Most people don’t think too much about how their local health clinic is funded, but recent shakeups in Washington D.C. may force Virginians to do just that. As part of President Donald Trump’s federal funding freeze, Virginia’s federally qualified health centers are currently missing millions of dollars. Brad Kutner has more.
Virginia’s senior groups advocate in Richmond
Feb 06, 2025
Eastern Shore senior advocates Dianne Davis and Donna Smith arrive at the General Assembly Building to advocate. (Credit: Brad Kutner / Radio IQ)
Aging isn’t easy. About 200 senior citizens traveled to Richmond Wednesday to ask the legislature for funding on issues they say will improve their quality of life, but also the lives of those coming up behind them. Brad Kutner has more.
Virginia Democrats look to lift funding cap on school support staff
Feb 06, 2025
Senator Maimie Locke speaks with advocates who want to see the school support staff cap raised. (Credit: Brad Kutner / Radio IQ)
Back in 2008 when the country entered a recession, states like Virginia took austerity measures to help balance their books. But some of those cost-saving measures live on today, even as the Commonwealth collects billions in surplus funds. Brad Kutner has more on the bipartisan effort to see the school support staff cap removed.
The General Assembly is in a heated debate over immigration enforcement
Feb 06, 2025
Credit: Mallory Noe-Payne / Radio IQ
Virginia’s Republican governor is clashing with Democrats who run the General Assembly over the budget. And as Michael Pope reports, one of the flashpoints is immigration enforcement.
Virginia lawmakers are already working to respond to funding decisions in Washington
Feb 06, 2025
As the new administration in Washington plans to slash the federal workforce and freeze federal funding, members of the General Assembly are trying to figure out how to respond. Michael Pope reports that the Speaker of the House of Delegates is taking action.
Financial aid advisors say FAFSA applications are going smoother this year
Feb 06, 2025
Kymn Brewer (Credit: Roxy Todd / Radio IQ)
Students hoping to go to college this fall may want to complete their Free Application for Federal Student Aid – or FAFSA –application soon. Many schools and universities have deadlines in March for students to be eligible to get the most student assistance as possible. And, as Roxy Todd reports, parents have to complete the application too.
Virginia’s offshore wind industry faces new hurdles under Trump
Feb 06, 2025
(Credit: Dominion Energy)
President Donald Trump has long decried the use of wind power.
But billions of dollars have and will flow through Virginia as public-private partnerships help create the nation’s largest offshore wind farm off the coast of Virginia Beach.
Brad Kutner has more.
Bipartisan contraception coverage bill flies out of Virginia House
Feb 05, 2025
Credit: Mallory Noe-Payne / Radio IQ
If Virginia’s House of Delegates gets its way, contraception might be cheaper in the Commonwealth, or at least easier to get. The effort got 70 votes to pass the chamber Tuesday, Brad Kutner has more from Richmond.
Legislation creating a marijuana marketplace continues to make progress, but will Youngkin sign it?
Feb 05, 2025
Last year, Governor Glenn Youngkin vetoed a bill that would have created a way for people to sell marijuana in Virginia. Now, as Michael Pope tells us, lawmakers are planning to send a similar bill to his desk again.
Virginia advocates debunk oyster month myth
Feb 05, 2025
Delegate Shelly Simonds eats an oyster shucked by the Eastern Shore’s own Revel Walker with Walker Seafood. (Credit: Brad Kutner / Radio IQ)
Virginia’s oyster industry has exploded in recent years thanks in part to environmental cleanup and other supports from the state’s General Assembly. Brad Kutner was on site for oyster day in Richmond Wednesday morning and filed this report.
It’s the halfway point of the General Assembly session; what’s happened so far and what lies ahead?
Feb 05, 2025
Speaker Don Scott speaks at a press conference on the Capitol steps, accusing Republicans of avoiding discussion of President Donald Trump. (Credit: Michael Pope)
Members of the General Assembly are halfway through their session, causing them to take stock of the situation and plan out a strategy for the remaining two weeks. Michael Pope reports.
A bill paving the way for a new casino in Fairfax County is moving on with an uncertain future
Feb 04, 2025
Senator Saddam Salim represents the part of Fairfax County where a developer wants to build a new casino. (Credit: Michael Pope)
A bill that might lead to a new casino in Fairfax County got over a major hurdle Tuesday. Michael Pope reports.
Virginia Senate allows Youngkin school accountability effort to move forward
Feb 04, 2025
Credit: Mallory Noe-Payne / Radio IQ
The Senate of Virginia is rejecting an effort to hit the pause button on a major education initiative of the governor. Michael Pope has the latest from the Capitol.
Former Afghan soldiers and their families in limbo after suspension on refugee programs
Feb 04, 2025
Azizgul Ahmadi (Credit: Heather Rousseau / The Roanoke Times)
Three-and-a-half years ago, the United States abruptly left Afghanistan, leaving thousands of Afghans who had served along the American military in limbo, and in danger. Some did get out, through the U.S. refugee resettlement program.
Now, that President Trump has suspended refugee resettlement programs, it’s left many of those still waiting to get out, and their families, with fewer options. Roxy Todd reports on how this has impacted one former Afghan solider, who lives in Blacksburg.
After years of trying, Roem’s FOIA fees limit bill is moving forward
Feb 03, 2025
Members of the House of Delegates are now considering a bill that would create new limits on how much government agencies can charge for a public records request. Michael Pope has the details.
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