Virginia Public Radio

Members of the Virginia General Assembly may be on the verge of debating a contentious labor issue. Then again, as Michael Pope tells us, they might pass on the opportunity to have a debate at all.

Governor-elect Abigail Spanberger's cabinet is coming into focus. Politics analyst Jeff Schapiro and Michael Pope recap the week in politics and state government.

A new poll reveals a partisan dimension to what people think about opinion research. Michael Pope reports.

Paid family and medical leave is one of the issues at the top of the agenda for Democrats who run the Virginia Senate. Michael Pope reports.

Virginia decriminalized marijuana possession back in 2021 with the hopes of creating a legal market the year after. But with Governor Glenn Youngkin opposed, the effort languished and an illegal market flourished. Now, heading into the 2026 legislative session with a sympathetic Governor-elect in Abigail Spanberger, an early version of a new legal market bill […]

Are AI bots snagging up the best seats in the house? Michael Pope has this report about a member of the House of Delegates who wants to crack down on algorithms that buy tickets in bulk.

Artificial intelligence will be one of the major issues in the upcoming session of the Virginia General Assembly. Michael Pope has this preview of one bill taking aim at AI.

Scientists in Virginia are seeing an uptick in bears with mange. This disease is fairly common in other states and has been spreading throughout the Commonwealth in recent years. Roxy Todd spoke with two experts who are following the spread of this disease, which can kill bears.

A statewide climate assessment recently issued by George Mason University highlights a number of changing environmental issues affecting the state. Health, the economy and farming will be impacted by higher temperatures, sea-level rise and more precipitation, the report said. As President Donald Trump's second term nears the one-year mark, policies he's implemented will affect how […]

Tis the season for shopping. But will holiday shoppers buy as much as they did last year? Michael Pope has the latest numbers from a new Roanoke College poll.

As we close the books on November, Governor Glenn Youngkin is moving into the final weeks of his term. Politics analyst Jeff Schapiro and Michael Pope look ahead to the next General Assembly session.

The Virginia House of Delegates will be losing 13 Republican incumbents when the next General Assembly gavels into session. Michael Pope has this look at the delegates who will be saying goodbye.

Governor Glenn Youngkin participated in his final Thanksgiving Tribute Ceremony today. The event in its 348th year honors the relationship between Virginia and its indigenous tribes, and it also highlights the more solemn Thanksgiving holiday Virginia celebrated before the Pilgrims. Brad Kutner has this report.

Recent economic forecasts in Virginia have placed data centers as one of the Commonwealth's fastest growing economic sectors. And while some worry the artificial intelligence boom those data centers are powering resembles the internet bubble in the late 90s, Governor Glenn Youngkin is more optimistic. Brad Kutner explains.

For many, the holidays come hand in hand with a big feast. But new reports suggest this year's feast could cost Virginians more than ever. Brad Kutner has this report.

This is Native American Heritage month where we take time to recognize the history, culture, contributions and achievements of Indigenous people. For many of the Tribes in Virginia it's a way to educate the public and to heal centuries of trauma. Pamela D'Angelo reports.

Members of the General Assembly are about to gavel back into session. Democrats who will be leading the Senate have an agenda based on the buzz word of this election cycle. Michael Pope tells us about one piece of the affordability agenda.

Ahead of the 2026 General Assembly session, elected officials gathered in different parts of the state to hear budget forecasts this week. Democrats, who are now in control of all three branches of Virginia's government, are bracing for stark cuts and a slowed economy. Brad Kutner has this report.

Members of the General Assembly are about to start balancing the books for a new budget. And Michael Pope reports they may consider a proposal that could bring more cash flow to localities across the state.

During the 2025 legislative session, Virginia's General Assembly unanimously passed a new law that requires age verification for the use of social media. Advocates say the aim is to protect children damaged by its extended use, but in a new lawsuit, free speech advocates argue it violates the U.S. Constitution. Brad Kutner has this report. 

Abigail Spanberger isn't governor yet, but she's wasting no time on the gubernatorial transition. Michael Pope and Jeff Schapiro – Radio IQ Politics Analyst – discuss that and the week that was in state politics and government.

Labor politics might end up being a flashpoint in the upcoming General Assembly session. Michael Pope has this preview.

Gambling interests are hoping to strike it rich in the next General Assembly session. Michael Pope reports.

Democrats who control the Virginia Senate are rolling out their list of priorities. Michael Pope has the latest.

Now that November's election tallies have been finalized, it's becoming clearer which candidates over-performed, or under-performed, their party's standard bearer at the top of the ticket. Michael Pope has more on the numbers.

When the next General Assembly goes into session in January, the House of Delegates committees will have more Democrats and fewer Republicans. Michael Pope explains. 

Endings and beginnings highlighted the political talk over the past few days. Politics analyst Jeff Schapiro and Michael Pope recap the week in politics and state government.

As members of the General Assembly prepare for the upcoming session with a new governor, tax policy is likely to be a topic of debate. Michael Pope has a preview. You can find the report from the Commonwealth Institute here.

After Wednesday night’s vote in Congress, the federal government is on its way to reopening. And that means a return to work for hundreds of thousands of Virginia's federal employees and federal contractors. Brad Kutner spoke with some of those impacted. 

The politics of Southwest Virginia are shifting in the wake of the election last week. Michael Pope reports.

Members of the Virginia National Guard have received special training as part of a “reaction force” that's expected to quickly respond to civil unrest or natural disasters. Dave Cantor has more.

Nothing ruins a nature walk like a tick bite, and scientists say concerns from those bites are growing beyond Lyme disease. Brad Kutner has this report on a new study out of Virginia Commonwealth University. 

In the wake of an overwhelming election loss, Virginia Republicans are looking to the future. Michael Pope reports.

Virginia is about to get a bit older, according to the latest demographic projections. Michael Pope has the numbers.

Governor-elect Abigail Spanberger and the Commonwealths' two senators are split on a deal working its way through Congress to reopen the government. Brad Kutner has this story.

A nonpartisan state report issued today/Monday said people who participated in education programs run by the Virginia Department of Corrections were less likely to be rearrested after release. They also were more likely to find employment and earn a higher wage than those who weren't enrolled in classes. Dave Cantor has more.

Speaker of the House of Delegates Don Scott is about to have 64-seat majority. Michael Pope tells us about the last time Democrats had a majority that large.

Now that the election is over, what lies ahead for Abigail Spanberger and Glenn Youngkin? Politics analyst Jeff Schapiro and Michael Pope recap an eventful week in politics and state government.

Democrats were able to flip 13 House of Delegates seats from red to blue. And Michael Pope tells us that one region saw more action than anywhere else.

Virginia's outgoing governor, Republican Glenn Youngkin, had lunch with the Democratic Governor-elect Abigail Spanberger Thursday. It's part of a long-running tradition that both said was pleasant and part of a healthy transition of power. Brad Kutner has this report. 

It's been about a year and half since a fire consumed a building at the Twin Oaks Community that housed its decades-old hammock business. The destruction of one of the intentional community's main revenue generators means the Louisa County commune's been trying to figure out what's next. Dave Cantor has more.

Democrats in Virginia's House of Delegates picked up 13 seats in Tuesday’s election. During a news conference Wednesday morning, leadership in both parties offered their reasons for the dramatic gains. Brad Kutner has this story.

When the next General Assembly gavels into session in January, Northern Virginia will have zero Republican members.  Michael Pope has more on the fallout from Tuesday’s election.

It was a very good night for Virginia Democrats in last night's elections. Michael Pope and Radio IQ Politics Analyst Jeff Schapiro discuss the results.

Congresswoman Abigail Spangler will become the first female governor of Virginia after a resounding win in Tuesday's statewide election. She's led the rest of her ticket, and Democrats expanded their majority in the House of delegates as well. Brad Kutner was in Richmond where the governor-elect claimed victory. 

Republicans came up short in all three of their statewide races. Michael Pope has this look at how the ticker came up short.

Virginians voted early in record numbers for a governor's race this year. So, what impact might that have on Election Day? Brad Kutner spoke with Virginia politicos for their early voting takes ahead of Election Day. 

The timing of the election this week is a relic of the 1850s. Michael Pope explains.

When the General Assembly goes into session in January, members will have to balance the books on the next budget. Michael Pope reports on one idea advocates say should be considered.

After the Senate of Virginia approved a redistricting constitutional amendment Friday afternoon, the chamber's Republicans pushed a message for Virginia voters: you can stop redistricting by voting next week. Brad Kutner has this report. 

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.