Virginia Public Radio

Last week, the United States Department of Homeland Security published a list of 33 sanctuary cities in Virginia. Michael Pope reports that the list has now disappeared.

The Department of Homeland Security is identifying 20 counties and 13 cities in Virginia they call “sanctuary jurisdictions.” Michael Pope explains. Several localities, including Martinsville, Hanover County and Tazewell County have publicly questioned why they were included on the list, arguing they cooperate with federal enforcement whenever requested.

President Trump's pardons reach into Virginia. Radio IQ politics analyst Jeff Schapiro and Michael Pope recap the week in politics and state government.

Congressman Morgan Griffith is celebrating a win for the rubber tire manufacturing businesses in Virginia. But, as Michael Pope tells us, environmentalists are worried about the consequences.

Special interests are hoping to strike it rich next year in Richmond. Michael Pope reports on the shifting political landscape for a proposed Tysons Corner casino. 

Virginians started voting early in the June 2025 primaries in early May. And with about three weeks left, Democrats are on track to smash their primary early voting record. Brad Kutner has more from Richmond. 

President Donald Trump has issued a pardon to Culpeper County Sheriff Scott Jenkins. Michael Pope reports this is not the first time convictions for corruption have been set aside. 

A few dozen people gathered at the state capitol in Richmond on Saturday to protest alleged abuses at Wallens Ridge and Red Onion state prisons. Dave Cantor has more.

Governor Glenn Youngkin will leave office next year with at least one distinction among his predecessors. Michael Pope tells us about a record that he has already broken.

Casino gambling and convenience store slot-style machines are becoming a flashpoint in the Democratic primary for lieutenant governor. Michael Pope explains why.

Over 1.2 million Virginians will hit the road this weekend. Virginia State Police want every one of them wearing a seat belt in line with a new state law. Brad Kutner has more. 

Safety officials suggest anyone planning on getting out on the water this Memorial Day weekend to make sure they have a proper life jacket. Roxy Todd reports 16 people died last year in Virginia who weren't wearing proper safety gear.

The Democratic-led legislature and the Republican governor are still at odds over how federal cuts will impact Virginia. Radio IQ politics analyst Jeff Schapiro and Michael Pope recap the week in politics and state government.

Passed during a Democratic trifecta in 2020, the Virginia Clean Economy Act was viewed as a monumental step toward modernizing the state's dirty power generation. But in the face of President Donald Trump's alternative energy funding cuts and data center-fueled power demand, the most powerful Democrats in Virginia's legislature appear open to reviewing the law. […]

River cruises are popular around the world.  But for two Virginia men they are also a chance to honor a forgotten part of the Commonwealth's history – to recall how one boat changed the fate of the state.   Sandy Hausman has their story.

Former Congresswoman Abigail Spanberger made a campaign stop in ruby red Hanover County Wednesday morning. The Democratic gubernatorial candidate was there to discuss her plans to address healthcare costs, but she found more than just the press and local supporters. Brad Kutner has more.

Northern Virginia Congressman Gerry Connolly died Wednesday morning after a battle with cancer. Connolly served as chairman of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors before being elected to Congress in 2008. Michael Pope reports on the life and legacy of the congressman.

The pharmaceutical industry generates about 300 million tons of plastic a year to package its products.  The University of Virginia got to thinking about that problem and has arrived at a partial solution, as Sandy Hausman reports.

Governor Glenn Youngkin visited a women's behavioral health center Tuesday morning as part of an effort to recognize Maternal Mental Health Awareness Month. Brad Kutner has more on what the governor called successes from his administration and what legislators called a good start to a long-running problem. 

Candidates for state office are about to get some new restrictions about how they can use campaign cash. Michael Pope has the details.

A pair of salamanders native to Virginia are up for federal protections under the Endangered Species Act. But the Trump administration is aiming to redefine how habitat destruction factors into those protections. Dave Cantor has more on the Eastern Hellbender and the Yellow-spotted woodland salamander.

Governor Glenn Youngkin plans to ignore claims by Virginia's House Clerk that some of his final actions in the 2025 legislative session were done improperly. As Brad Kutner found out, it’s not as uncommon as you might think. 

Congress is considering a bill that could leave Virginia, and every other state, powerless to regulate artificial intelligence. Michael Pope reports.

Will changes in Washington cause more people to leave Virginia than arrive? Michael Pope has the forecast.

As the June primaries draw closer, candidates are stepping up their TV ad campaigns. Virginia Public Radio politics analyst Jeff Schapiro and Michael Pope recap the week in politics and state government.

Early vote data shows local primaries are driving turnout, at least at this point. Michael Pope is digging into the numbers.

Ask anyone trying to buy a house in Virginia how the process is going and you're likely to hear stories of one heartbreak after another. Brad Kutner found out why it’s so hard to get new housing in Virginia and what both candidates for governor would like to see happen if they win. 

Between May and July, the Wildlife Center of Virginia gets lots of calls about what people assume are abandoned fawns.  In fact, experts say, female white tails usually leave their babies in what they think is a safe area and spend much of the day feeding.  As Sandy Hausman reports, the fawns are usually fine.

Families that are in poverty and struggling to make ends meet might be cut off from social welfare benefits if Congress moves forward with a funding proposal now under consideration. Michael Pope has the latest.

First it was John Reid, the first openly gay Republican candidate running for statewide office in Virginia. Now, two more candidates had their lifestyles thrown into the spotlight. Brad Kutner spoke to them and has this report on what they say is the changing face of politics in the Commonwealth. 

The Weldon Cooper Center for Public Service is looking into the future with an economic forecast. Michael Pope has the numbers.

Republican Governor Glenn Youngkin is working with Democrats who control the General Assembly to increase renewable energy. Michael Pope has the details.

The latest unemployment numbers are showing where Virginia’s economy might be headed. Michael Pope is looking at the data.

As the sun begins to set on Governor Glenn Youngkin's time in office, what his legacy will be is starting to take shape. Michael Pope and Radio IQ Politics Analyst Jeff Schapiro discuss that and more from this week in state politics and government.

This year's campaign season is now underway, and that includes all those ads on TV. Michael Pope reports on the first ones headed to a screen near you.

Among the bills Governor Glenn Youngkin signed in the last week was a Democrat-led effort to add new limits to social media for kids. Similar laws have faced legal challenge. But Brad Kutner reports the bill's author hopes to see Virginia's effort survive. 

Republican Governor Glenn Youngkin is working with Democrats who control the General Assembly to craft some rules for license plate readers. Michael Pope reports.

Some of the highest rates of sea level rise in the country are in the Chesapeake Bay region where it's twice the average annual global rate. Today, the National Trust for Historic Preservation listed the Pamunkey Indian Tribe's reservation, on a peninsula in King William County, among its eleven Most Endangered Historic Places in America. […]

Democrats in Virginia's legislature tried once again to roll back tax exempt status for confederate heritage organizations this year, and Governor Glenn Youngkin once again vetoed the effort. But even if it were to pass, First Amendment scholars fear the action may not hold up in court. Brad Kutner has more. 

Republican Governor Glenn Youngkin is working with Democrats who control the General Assembly to put new restrictions on debt collectors seeking money for hospitals and doctors. Michael Pope reports.

Governor Glenn Youngkin has again vetoed legislation Virginia Democrats say will protect abortion access from future U.S. Supreme Court action. Republicans feared it would open up doctors to legal liability, but the bill's authors disagree. Brad Kutner has more.

Republican Governor Glenn Youngkin and Democrats who run the General Assembly are working together to go after junk fees. Michael Pope reports.

After several days of meetings that began Friday, the Virginia Military Institute Board of Visitors selected new leadership. It also voted in an acting superintendent to replace Major General Cedric Wins whose contract was not renewed earlier this year after criticism of DEI initiatives he supported. Dave Cantor has more.

Spending on public education in Virginia is falling behind the rest of the country. Michael Pope has the latest numbers from the Census Bureau.

Governor Glenn Youngkin signed the 2025 state budget Friday. The governor says many shared priorities were funded, but some items were removed to account for quote “short term disruptions” anticipated from President Donald Trump's federal actions. Brad Kutner has more.

Controversy surrounding the Republican nominee to be Virginia's next lieutenant governor has been one of the top stories this week. Michael Pope and Radio IQ Politics Analyst Jeff Schapiro discuss that and the week that was in state politics and government.

Friday is the first day of early voting for statewide and local primaries. Michael Pope has this preview.

Two members of Virginia's congressional delegation discussed future Medicaid cuts this week. As rumors of over 800 million dollars in cuts swirl, Republican Morgan Griffith downplayed concerns, while Democrat Don Beyer warned of people losing their health care. Brad Kutner has more.

A pair of reports released this week show economic growth in Virginia and the country is slowing down. Brad Kutner spoke to a local economist for their thoughts on the news.

Governor Glenn Youngkin is about to make a decision on legislation outlining parental rights and responsibilities. Michael Pope reports.

Republican Governor Glenn Youngkin is considering about a hundred bills that are on his desk right now, and his deadline to take action is at the end of the week. Michael Pope more about one bill that guarantees a right to contraception.