A nuclear electric utility bill hike may be on the horizon later this year
Apr 24, 2024
This summer, a new law will go into effect, and it may mean you pay a higher electric bill. Michael Pope reports that money will go toward development of nuclear power.
Gold medalist boxer from Virginia won landmark 1949 Civil Rights case
Apr 24, 2024
Norvel Lee state historical marker, dedicated in 2022 (Credit: Jeff Bossert)
Until recently, if you do a quick web search on the name Norvel Lee, you’d likely find some of his accomplishments as a boxer.
The Botetourt County native did earn an Olympic gold medal in the sport, becoming the first Black Virginian to receive that honor in the early 50’s. But a state historical marker and recent book about Lee’s life story now offer a much broader perspective on his impact.
Meanwhile, family members say they’re discovering an even greater connection with him, more than 30 years since his passing.
Jeff Bossert has more.
Next year’s lieutenant governor race is already crowded
Apr 23, 2024
The Democratic primary for lieutenant governor is heating up – with two high-profile candidates entering the race this week. Michael Pope has the latest.
Supreme Court of Virginia sides with former inmate on earned sentence credits case
Apr 22, 2024
Credit: Jahd Khalil
People who are incarcerated might be able to get out of prison earlier now that the Supreme Court of Virginia is weighing in on how earned sentence credits are calculated. Michael Pope reports.
Youngkin open to changes in skill games amendments
Apr 19, 2024
Dozens of convenience store owners gather at the Capitol in yellow shirts in support of legalizing skill games. (Credit: Brad Kutner / Radio IQ)
Virginia’s legislature said no to a host of amendments from Governor Glenn Youngkin to a bill legalizing skill games in the Commonwealth.
But that didn’t end the conversation and lawmakers agreed to work with the governor to find a more palatable bill. Brad Kutner spoke with Youngkin and some pro-skill game activists as those negotiations are kicking off.
A Supreme Court victory for a Richmond man will impact veterans nationwide
Apr 19, 2024
A Richmond man’s victory in the United States Supreme Court is expected to help hundreds of thousands of veterans across the country. Michael Pope explains why.
Pope & Schapiro: Plenty of unfinished business
Apr 19, 2024
There’s still a lot of unfinished business from the General Assembly Session.
Jeff Schapiro, political columnist at the Richmond Times-Dispatch, and Michael Pope talk about where we’re headed next.
Who has the upper hand in a Virginia budget standoff?
Apr 18, 2024
Lawmakers are expected to return to the Capitol in Richmond next month for a special session on the budget. Michael Pope has a preview.
Youngkin signs student athlete compensation bill
Apr 18, 2024
Governor Glenn Youngkin signs a bill allowing colleges to pay student athletes for their name, image and likeness. He’s flanked to the left by Del. Terry Kilgore, Sen. Aaron Rouse and Del. Terry Austin. (Credit: Brad Kutner)
Ever since the U.S. Supreme Court overturned rules barring college athletes from getting paid for the use of their image, states, including Virginia, have been working to develop rules to accommodate the change.
Thursday morning Governor Glenn Youngkin signed a bill that would make such payments easier.
Brad Kutner has more from Richmond.
Even with some Republican support, Senate can’t override Youngkin’s veto of school construction tax option
Apr 17, 2024
Virginia Middle School in Bristol was built in 1916. (Credit: Bristol Public Schools)
Lawmakers were unable to overturn a veto from the governor on a bill that might have helped school construction.
Michael Pope has more on the debate.
Virginia’s budget deal pushed to May after newfound collaboration between Youngkin and legislature
Apr 17, 2024
Members of the Virginia General Assembly gather in the House of Delegates for the 2024 veto session. (Credit: Brad Kutner / Radio IQ)
Virginia’s top elected officials appeared unified around the promise of a real compromise budget during Wednesday’s veto session. Brad Kutner has more from the Capitol.
The fate of skill games is now in the governor’s hands
Apr 17, 2024
Governor Glenn Youngkin is now facing a decision about what happens with slot-machine style machines in convenience stores and truck stops. Michael Pope reports.
Virginia’s legislature hasn’t overridden a veto in more than a decade. Could that change Wednesday?
Apr 16, 2024
Virginia’s legislature returns to Richmond Wednesday to review Governor Glenn Youngkin’s vetoes and amendments. While tension remains high, at least one bill with strong bipartisan support could see Youngkin rebuked. Brad Kutner has more.
A look at what the 2024 reconvene session may hold
Apr 16, 2024
All 140 members of the Virginia House of Delegates and the state Senate will be back in Richmond Wednesday. They’ll take action on all the governor’s amendments, including a historic number of budget amendments. Michael Pope has this preview.
A gubernatorial amendment on bullying might get the boot later this week
Apr 15, 2024
Credit: Mallory Noe-Payne / Radio IQ
All 140 members of the Virginia General Assembly will return to Richmond this week for a brief session to consider the governor’s amendments and vetoes. Michael Pope tells us one of the amendments they’ll be considering involves bullying in schools.
Virginia convenience stores protest Gov. Youngkin’s skill games amendments
Apr 15, 2024
Convenience store owner Jarnail Singh participates in a protest over Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s proposed amendments to legislation that would legalize skill games in the Commonwealth. (Credit: Brad Kutner)
Governor Glenn Youngkin tacked a lengthy list of amendments onto a bill that would legalize skill games.
Now, impacted store owners are pushing back.
Brad Kutner spoke to one such owner south of Richmond.
AirTags: Useful tool or potential privacy risk?
Apr 15, 2024
Innovative technologies produce gadgets meant to be helpful or simplify our lives. But sometimes, new products are used for unintended, illicit purposes.
Craig Wright has the story of a woman who wasn’t sure how to react to a disturbing alert she received on her phone about one such device.
‘Zombie mortgages’ to die for good later this year
Apr 12, 2024
Starting this summer, Virginia will have a new law against so-called “zombie mortgages.” Michael Pope explains.
Pope & Schapiro: Parsing the governor’s amendments and vetoes
Apr 12, 2024
The General Assembly is parsing through the governor’s many amendments and vetoes.
Jeff Schapiro, political columnist at the Richmond Times-Dispatch, and Michael Pope recap the week in politics and state government.
Governor Youngkin says no to ranked-choice voting legislation
Apr 11, 2024
Credit: Jahd Khalil
Ranked-choice voting has gained popularity in recent years. Although, as Michael Pope tells us, it’s not popular at the Executive Mansion.
Youngkin gets mixed reviews on final criminal justice reform actions of 2024 session
Apr 10, 2024
Governor Glenn Youngkin ran on a law and order platform. And while that may have put most criminal justice reform efforts on the chopping block, advocates and elected officials were surprised by what survived his veto pen. Brad Kutner has more.
UVA conference to address health risks linked to hotter weather
Apr 10, 2024
We’ve heard a lot about dangerous weather and rising seas associated with a changing climate, and medical experts say it will also take a toll on public health. That’s why the University of Virginia’s School of Nursing is hosting a conference on the subject this weekend. Sandy Hausman has that story.
State lawmakers are working to reorganize Virginia’s workforce development efforts
Apr 10, 2024
Virginia’s workforce development is in the midst of a reorganization – one designed to make better use of federal money. Michael Pope reports.
‘They have been a godsend’ — Home visiting program brings parenting skills home
Apr 10, 2024
A family who participated in home visiting through People Incorporated in southwest Virginia. (Credit: People Incorporated)
Being a new parent is a learning experience. But accessing resources and help isn’t easy for everyone.
A program in Virginia is helping families build stronger relationships, by visiting with parents and kids in their own homes, as Roxy Todd reports.
Youngkin slashes Democrats’ education budget, vetoes bipartisan school funding bill
Apr 09, 2024
Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin sits next to state Secretary of Education Aimee Rogstad Guidera while the two hear about poor SOL test scores. (Credit: Brad Kutner / Radio IQ)
Governor Glenn Youngkin released budget amendments and issued vetoes just hours before Monday night’s deadline. Some of Youngkin’s strikes hit education spending and funding plans crafted by Democrats. Brad Kutner has more from Richmond.
Skill games proponents ponder next steps following Youngkin amendments
Apr 09, 2024
Lawmakers will return to Richmond next week to consider next steps on a number of important bills. Michael Pope reports that they’ll need to make a decision on what to do about skill games.
Youngkin offers over 200 amendments to budget bill
Apr 09, 2024
Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin speaks to the press after announcing his “common ground” budget. (Credit: Brad Kutner / Radio IQ)
Governor Glenn Youngkin offered more than 200 amendments to the General Assembly’s proposed budget Monday. The governor struck a more conciliatory tone, opening up the upcoming budget fight on a positive note, but Democratic leadership remained wary, as Brad Kutner found out.
Tim Kaine’s new book: Walk Ride Paddle
Apr 09, 2024
(Credit: Michael Pope)
Senator Tim Kaine is out with a new book this week.
And as Michael Pope tells us, it’s not the standard Washington memoir.
Youngkin adds to veto total with abortion bills
Apr 08, 2024
Abortion remains a key topic as the governor takes his final actions on bills from the General Assembly. Michael Pope has the latest.
Among Governor Glenn Youngkin’s education reforms was the development of a lab school program, linking colleges with local school systems to innovate new education models.
But as Democrats seek increased resources for the rest of the state’s public schools, they’re looking to reduce funding for that experiment in education.
Brad Kutner has more.
Pope & Schapiro: Time is running out for 2024 bills
Apr 05, 2024
Time is running out for the governor to act on bills from this year’s General Assembly session.
Jeff Schapiro, political columnist for the Richmond Times-Dispatch, and Michael Pope recap the week in politics and state government.
Advocates disappointed by veto of climate change classroom materials bill
Apr 04, 2024
Republican Governor Glenn Youngkin is setting new records for vetoing more bills than any other governor in recent years.
Michael Pope has details about one vetoed bill that would have encouraged teaching climate change in public schools.
Advocates deliver 37,000+ signatures in support of contraception protections
Apr 04, 2024
Sen. Gazala Hashmi, center, holds the over 37,000 signatures collected supporting an effort to ensure access to contraception in the Commonwealth. She was joined, from left, by Rae Pickett, Virginia League for Planned Parenthood, Lara Bury and Penny Blue of Red Wine and Blue, Delegates Rae Cousins and Destiny LeVere Bolling, Tyanna Haynes of Birth in Color and Delegate Mike Jones. (Credit: Brad Kutner)
After some justices of the U.S. Supreme Court suggested they should reconsider precedent protecting access to contraceptives, Virginia Democrats passed a law that would protect such access.
But the governor has yet to sign it, and advocates want him to act, as Brad Kutner reports from Richmond.
Youngkin signs new fentanyl punishments
Apr 04, 2024
Gov. Glenn Youngkin, flanked from the left by Senators John McGuire and Mark Obenshain, signs a law increasing penalties for fentanyl-related production. Attorney General Jason Miyares and Delegates Buddy Fowler, Mike Cherry, Todd Gilbert and the families of overdose victims look on. (Credit: Brad Kutner)
Governor Glenn Youngkin Thursday morning signed a bill that increases punishments for those who manufacture pressed pills that include fentanyl.
Brad Kutner has more from Richmond.
Here’s how to safely view the eclipse in Virginia
Apr 03, 2024
A mother and son viewing the partial eclipse on Virginia Tech’s campus in Blacksburg in 2023. (Credit: Kristofer Rau)
Next Monday, April 8, Virginians can see a partial solar eclipse, and most state parks are planning watch parties. Roxy Todd has tips for how to view the eclipse safely.
Congressional hopefuls are almost out of time to get their paperwork in
Apr 03, 2024
Thursday is a key deadline for primary elections this summer. Michael Pope has details.
Meet Virginia: Cindy Patterson
Apr 03, 2024
Cindy Patterson and her horse Royale (Credit: Christine Kueter)
All this year, Christine Kueter has been crisscrossing Virginia to listen to the stories of the 8.5 million people who call the Commonwealth home.
Today, she introduces us to a horse trainer in Abingdon who creates bonds with trust and understanding.
Legislator shares her story ahead of Virginia’s first annual Black Maternal Health Week
Apr 02, 2024
Senator Lashrecse Aird, flanked by (from left) Birth-in-Color’s Galina Varchena, Kenda Sutton-El and Dana Williams, Delegate Destiny LeVere Bolling and Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney (Credit: Brad Kutner / Radio IQ)
For the first time, Virginia will mark Black Maternal Health Week starting Monday. The event comes after a 2023 study showed increased rates of maternal death in Black communities.
One legislator didn’t need a study to show just how bad the problem is. Brad Kutner has more from Richmond.
What impact could the Florida abortion ruling have in Virginia?
Apr 02, 2024
Virginia is expecting an influx of people seeking abortions now that Florida will implement a six-week ban starting May 1st. Michael Pope has the story.
Governor Youngkin passes on retail marijuana market
Mar 29, 2024
Earlier this week, Governor Glenn Youngkin vetoed a plan from Virginia Democrats for a retail marijuana market. It comes years after the state decriminalized the substance, allowing an illicit market to flourish. Brad Kutner has more from Richmond.
As Youngkin arena deal crumbles, the state’s budget hangs in the balance
Mar 29, 2024
Governor Glenn Youngkin speaks at a news conference, as Senators Louise Lucas and Mamie Locke watch from the background. (Credit: Brad Kutner / Radio IQ)
Governor Glenn Youngkin’s hopes for a sports arena in northern Virginia may be dead, but politics in Virginia live on. Among deals that still need to happen between the Republican governor and his Democratic counterparts is the state’s budget. Brad Kutner has more.
Cocktails to go will soon become permanent in Virginia
Mar 29, 2024
Governor Glenn Youngkin is putting his signature on a bill legalizing cocktails to go. Michael Pope has the story.
Pope & Schapiro: Death of an arena
Mar 29, 2024
The death of a sports arena deal in northern Virginia grabbed most of the headlines this week. Michael Pope and Jeff Schapiro – political columnist with the Richmond Times-Dispatch – discuss that and all the happenings in state politics and government.
Millions in federal dollars announced to address Virginia’s abandoned coal mines
Mar 28, 2024
Acting Deputy Secretary of the Interior Laura Daniel-Davis stands with Governor Glenn Youngkin’s Director of the Department of Energy, former Delegate Glenn Davis, at a press event Thursday (Credit: Brad Kutner / Radio IQ)
A top official at the U.S. Department of the Interior was in Richmond Thursday to announce millions of dollars to help reclaim abandoned coal mines from Wise to Chesterfield Counties. Brad Kutner has more from Richmond.
Tribal leaders discuss consequences of Virginia’s Racial Integrity Act 100 years later
Mar 28, 2024
Tribal leaders discussed the act’s impact 100 years later. From left: Gregory Smithers, professor of American History, VCU; Assistant Chief Lou Wratchford, Upper Mattaponi Indian Tribe; Wayne Adkins, First Assistant Chief of the Chickahominy Indian Tribe; Chief Lynette Allston, Nottoway Indian Tribe of Virginia; Chief Robert Gray, Pamunkey Indian Tribe (Credit: Pamela D’Angelo)
Last week, as part of its Indigenous Perspectives Exhibit, the Library of Virginia asked four leaders from Tribes in Virginia to discuss the consequences to their cultures of the Racial Integrity Act put in place to preserve white supremacy in the state 100 years ago. Pamela D’Angelo reports.
Youngkin takes action on several gun-related bills
Mar 27, 2024
Governor Glenn Youngkin took action on over three dozen gun bills earlier this week. The actions will stop many new gun laws from going into effect, but efforts he agreed with are ok with Second Amendment activists. Brad Kutner has more.
Bipartisan bill to address ‘abuse-to-prison-pipeline’ awaits Youngkin’s signature
Mar 26, 2024
Del. Vivian Watts holds information related to her bipartisan effort to protect child victims of human trafficking. (Credit: Brad Kutner / Radio IQ)
Combating human trafficking has been a priority for Governor Glenn Youngkin and Attorney General Jason Miyares. And while the administration has been dinging Democrats for not supporting GOP-backed bills, at least one measure to address the issue passed with unanimous support. Brad Kutner has more from Richmond.
The governor’s proposed digital sales tax may apply to businesses too
Mar 26, 2024
Governor Glenn Youngkin is considering a proposal from the General Assembly that would increase taxes on businesses. Michael Pope has the report.
New school funding sales tax ballot initiative likely coming to a Virginia locality near you
Mar 25, 2024
Bristol officials are using ARPA funds to build a new school – the first one in more than half a century. (Credit: Mallory Noe-Payne)
While the Virginia legislature and Governor Glenn Youngkin continue to bicker over future school funding, one bill aimed at giving localities more authority to raise funds for school construction is likely to be signed in the coming weeks.