Virginia Public Radio

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.

Are federal issues making an impression on Virginia voters? Politics analyst Jeff Schapiro and Michael Pope recap the week in politics and state government.

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. […]

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 […]

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.

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.

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.

If you’re getting rid of that “gas guzzler” and investing in a more fuel-efficient or even an electric vehicle, you’re probably expecting to see some savings from buying less fuel.   But Craig Wright says it’s not quite that simple.

Election season isn’t just flooding the airwaves this year. Michael Pope tells us about the latest trend in direct mail.

It's been about a year since Andrea Sapone was hired as the state's first corrections ombudsman, monitoring the Virginia Department of Corrections. The office recently issued its first strategic plan. Dave Cantor explains the two-page document outlining both short- and long-term goals for the office.

Trial attorneys are cleaning up on eviction fees, raking in money on people who are struggling to make ends meet. Michael Pope has more from a new report.

While the 2025 campaign is heading into the final weeks, some are already looking to 2026. Politics analyst Jeff Schapiro and Michael Pope recap the week in politics and state government.

Virginia law requires the Commonwealth to collect and report data on abortions that occur in the state. And while that data is usually sent to the Centers for Disease Control to be included in an annual report, Brad Kutner found out the agency is no longer accepting that data and the annual report may not […]

All 100 seats of the House of Delegates are on the ballot this year, although most of the money and attention are going to a dozen or so competitive races. Michael Pope has this report on some of the rural Democrats that are not receiving as much attention.

The Virginia Department of Corrections controls most facets of incarcerated peoples' lives — including when and how communication with the outside world happens. Dave Cantor has more on Attorney General Jason Miyares voicing support for allowing contraband cellphone jamming at state prisons.

Wise and Scott Counties in Southwest Virginia have some of the highest energy costs proportional to household income in the nation. Many residents here rely on federal energy assistance to afford to cool and heat their homes. As Katie Burke reports, the decision to cut federal energy assistance could mean life or death for millions […]

President Donald Trump told the nation this week a common drug has been linked to an increase in autism and ADHD in newborns when used during pregnancy. But for Virginians who are members of and advocate for the autism community, the statement meant something much more. Brad Kutner has this report. 

The politics of power are on the ballot this year as voters determine what approach Virginia will take to handling increased demand on the energy grid. Michael Pope reports about how that issue is playing out in one of the most competitive House races on the ballot this year.

At the end of the 2025 legislative session, Governor Glenn Youngkin vetoed language that would have expanded weight loss drug access to those on Medicaid. Now, he's promising a negotiated fix to the problem. Brad Kutner has more. 

Affordability has become one of the hottest issues on the campaign trail. And Michael Pope tells us housing advocates are worried about people who are “rent burdened.”

A Virginia native is part of NASA's latest class of soon-to-be astronauts. Nick Gilmore spoke with him and filed this report.

Federal prosecutors in Virginia are seeing some record turnover. Michael Pope has the story.

Early voting has already started in Virginia, although some locations are more likely to have early voters than others. Michael Pope reports.

Early voting started Friday in Virginia.Brad Kutner was in Henrico County where two opposing statewide candidates made an appearance and he has this report. 

Virginians will weigh in on statewide offices this fall – as early voting for the November elections gets underway. Michael Pope and Radio IQ Politics Analyst Jeff Schapiro discuss that and the week that was in state politics and government.

The latest round of campaign finance numbers are showing the state of the race so far. Michael Pope tells us about money in the race for lieutenant governor.

Traveling rural roads in Virginia, it's not unusual to spot a bald eagle surrounded by vultures devouring road kill. As hunting season begins, bald eagles will head into the woods to scavenge on the remains of deer, hunters leave after field-dressing them. But remnants of lead ammunition are sometimes part of that meal and will […]

Legislative staff in Richmond released a first-of-its-kind report Wednesday morning. Brad Kutner says it paints a grim picture for some populations and some regions of the Commonwealth. 

The invasive insect called Spotted Lanternfly continues its spread through Virginia and is now in Blacksburg and Radford. Roxy Todd reports a new study looks at whether pet dogs could be successful at sniffing out lanternfly eggs, as one way to combat the infestation.

Campaign finance numbers are revealing the shape of Virginia politics heading into this year’s election for governor. Michael Pope reports the latest disclosures show Democrat Abigail Spanberger has more than twice as much cash on hand heading into the fall election season.

Early voting starts on Friday. Michael Pope has this preview.

The Library of Virginia will present a Chesterfield native with its highest honor this weekend. Brad Kutner spoke with composer Damien Geter and filed this report. 

Members of the General Assembly are about to face a choice: Either find a way to fix errors in SNAP benefits or pay the price. Michael Pope reports.

The murder of Charlie Kirk shocked the nation and Virginia. Politics analyst Jeff Schapiro and Michael Pope recap the week in politics and state government.

A bipartisan committee of Virginia's House of Delegates met Thursday morning to release a report on impacts from federal budget cuts on Virginia. As Brad Kutner found out, the sobering meeting included multiple warnings from officials in leadership. 

Virginia is seeing a rise in data centers just as demand for power is at unprecedented levels. Michael Pope reports one way to power them on-site.

Parts of Virginia continue struggling with the aftermath of 2024's Hurricane Helene. In addition to rainfall-driven incidents, the commonwealth has to consider river and coastal flooding. That's why the state legislature created the Flood Resilience Advisory Committee last year. Dave Cantor has more.

Polling showed Virginians' top concern ahead of the 2026 legislative session is housing affordability. Industry advocates praised recent legislative success and asked for more solutions at a Virginia Housing Commissionmeeting this week. Brad Kutner has this report.

The latest Census numbers have some positive key indicators. But as Michael Pope reports, some are concerned about where those indicators may be heading next year.

Richmond Mayor Danny Avula and Governor Glenn Yougnkin were on Mayo Island Tuesday. They were announcing Richmond's purchase of the overgrown and unkempt land, putting it in a conservation trust which should see it maintained as a city park in perpetuity. Brad Kutner has this report. 

Local government employees in Virginia’s largest jurisdiction are about to launch a new union. Michael Pope has details.

Three musicians are creating a digital map about the history of clawhammer banjo players of Southwest Virginia. Roxy Todd has their story.

Vaccines are back in the news in the wake of Health and Human Services Secretary Robert Kennedy expressing doubt over their effectiveness at recent hearings. The comments come as Florida's surgeon general asks his state to roll back vaccine mandates in schools and Virginia reported its fourth case of measles this year. Brad Kutner has this […]

Democrats are setting their sights on two Republican-held Virginia congressional districts they want to flip from red to blue in 2026. Michael Pope reports on one of those, the First Congressional District. 

If you've been thinking of getting bees to help your garden or to produce honey, you can apply for a free beehive. As Roxy Todd reports, Virginia agriculture officials offer the hives as a way to help support declining bee populations. Applications are due September 10th. You can find more information here.

Voters have more choices than ever in terms of when and how they cast their ballots. One of the recent changes is that voters can now register and cast a ballot on the same day. Michael Pope explains.

Gun violence has become all too familiar for students across Virginia. That's the message Brad Kutner found at a Students Demand Action walkout protest Friday afternoon. 

With the fall campaigns kicking into high gear, with national issues playing big roles on the race for governor. Politics analyst Jeff Schapiro and Michael Pope recap the week in politics and state government.

Voters in Northern Virginia are about to decide on a replacement for the late Congressman Gerry Connolly. Michael Pope has this preview.

Virginia drivers with autism have a new way to communicate with police if they're pulled over. It's called the Blue Envelope program.  DMV officials were in the capitol with Brad Kutner to explain how it works.

Governor Glenn Youngkin has touted his all-of-the-above approach to energy production in the Commonwealth. That includes the development of small nuclear reactors, as well as the use of fossil fuels and renewable energy sources. The Virginia Offshore Wind Development Authority met Wednesday/this week amid new federal uncertainty. Dave Cantor has more.