Virginia Public Radio

Amid deportations, visa processing freezes, and the forthcoming trial of an Afghan refugee suspected of shooting two National Guard soldiers, an Afghan man living in Central Virginia reflects on his time helping U.S. Special Forces and where his allegiances lie. Christine Kueter spoke with him.

Until recently, Virginia was a state where voters had to have a reason to vote early. Now, as Michael Pope reports, the General Assembly is debating ways to make voting easier.

For decades anglers, scientists, conservationists and commercial fishermen have debated whether an Atlantic menhaden industrial fishing fleet is fishing sustainably in the Chesapeake Bay. But without solid data, fishing continues. This year, there are several new pushes to get those numbers, as Pamela D'Angelo reports.

Members of the Virginia General Assembly are debating crime and punishment – including the use of mandatory minimums. Michael Pope has the latest from the Capitol.

Even before federal agents shot and killed a second U.S. citizen in Minnesota over the weekend, Democrats in Virginia were looking to limit future agreements between federal agencies and state and local law enforcement when immigration is involved. Brad Kutner has this report on efforts made public over the weekend. 

Labor politics are at the center of a debate over collective bargaining. Michael Pope has the latest from the Capitol.

Democrats and Republicans across Virginia are divided about affordability. Michael Pope has the latest from the Capitol.

The new governor and the General Assembly are wrapping up their first full week by preparing for this weekend's storm. Radio IQ politics analyst Jeff Schapiro and Michael Pope recap the week in politics and state government.

Advocates for gun violence prevention are at the Capitol and demanding action. Michael Pope reports.

Virginia has a state tree and a state bird and even a state pollinator. Now, Michael Pope tells us about an effort to add a native state pollinator.

Virginia is on track to get one of its nastiest winter storms in years, but fear of another ICE, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, is on the mind of immigrant Virginians. Governor Abigail Spanberger tried to address those concerns this, as Brad Kutner reports.

The Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative is a multi-state compact that aims to pool resources to address climate change and build resiliency. Former Governor Glenn Youngkin took Virginia out of the agreement, but one of his department heads, kept on by Governor Abigail Spanberger, spoke in favor of rejoining the pact Wednesday morning. Brad Kutner has […]

Environmental issues were one of the hottest topics on the campaign trail last year. Now, the winners of that election are hoping to put those words to action. Michael Pope reports.

Virginia has five historically Black colleges and universities. Three are private and two public. Now, Michael Pope tells us they have new advocates in the halls of power.

Virginia has one of the longest early voting periods in the country. And Michael Pope tells us that it’s here to stay.

Democrats and Republicans from Southwest Virginia agree: Appalachian Power ratepayers have seen unsustainable bill increases and something has to be done. Brad Kutner has this report. 

Courthouses across Virginia have been the scene of arrests made by federal immigration officials. But Michael Pope tells us that members of the Virginia General Assembly are hoping to crack down on that.

Over the last three years, the number of men who hunt in Virginia declined by about 10,000, reflecting national trends. At the same time, about a thousand more women across the Commonwealth took up the sport, as Christine Kueter reports. And a note to listeners, this story does include the sound of a gunshot.

Newly inaugurated Governor Abigail Spanberger spoke to a joint assembly of the House and Senate Monday afternoon. Michael Pope tells us she was focused on affordability.

Members of the Virginia state Senate are considering a bill that would prevent abortion rights opponents from blocking access to clinics. Michael Pope is at the Capitol with the latest.

Virginia law requires restaurants that sell liquor to sell an almost equal amount of food. Efforts to change that so-called food to booze ratio have faced hurdles, but many longtime opponents in the legislature are gone and a bipartisan, younger crop of lawmakers is looking to make changes. Brad Kutner has this report. 

A new administration is settling into the governor's office. Politics analyst Jeff Schapiro and Michael Pope recap the inauguration of Abigail Spanberger and her first acts as governor.

Governor Abigail Spanberger was inaugurated Saturday, and with it issued a series of day one executive orders. Among them is one giving her the option to end a relationship initiated by former governor Glenn Youngkin between Virginia State Police and Immigration and Customs Enforcement, or ICE. Brad Kutner has this report. 

Over the weekend, Abigail Spanberger was inaugurated as Virginia’s 75th governor. Michael Pope was there and has this report about her inaugural address.

In the first three days of the General Assembly, Democrats passed four constitutional amendments. Michael Pope tells us they’ll go to voters later this year.

It's a time of transition at the State Capitol. Politics analyst Jeff Schapiro and Michael Pope recap the week in politics and state government.

The ombudsman who monitors the Virginia Corrections Department completed two investigations into a pair of prisons during fiscal year 2025. Dave Cantor has more.

Members of the Virginia General Assembly are back in session this week. And as Michael Pope tells us, they are debating the merits of affordability.

Governor Glenn Youngkin is saying goodbye to the Executive Mansion, delivering his last speech to a joint meeting of House and Senate members. Michael Pope tells us about his message to the General Assembly.

Virginia's House of Delegates advanced four constitutional amendments Wednesday, but not without some interesting votes from members of both parties. Brad Kutner has this report. 

Virginia Democrats won 64 House of Delegates seats last fall. Wednesday morning, they celebrated their wins and outlined how they'll govern over the 60-day General Assembly session. Brad Kutner was there and has this report.

Members of the Virginia General Assembly are back in Richmond and back in session. Michael Pope is at the Capitol with the latest.

Governor Glenn Youngkin will make his final State of the Commonwealth address tonight. Michael Pope and Radio IQ Politics Analyst Jeff Schapiro discuss what the outgoing governor's legacy will be.

Senate Democrats are putting a spotlight on kitchen table issues. Michael Pope has a preview of their agenda, as the General Assembly session starts Wednesday.

Across parts of Appalachia, some people don't trust their water, or their water isn't safe to drink. So they turn to bottled water, even for cooking in some cases. But as a recent study points out, this is costing low-income families a lot of money, as Roxy Todd reports.

Governor-elect Abigail Spanberger has set her sights on a number of health-related, cost saving measures leading up to Virginia's 2026 legislative session. And elected officials from both parties are working on efforts to earn her signature. Brad Kutner has this report.

Abigail Spanberger is about to be sworn in as Virginia’s 75th governor. Michael Pope tells us about how fundraising for her inauguration is breaking records.

The ACLU of Virginia is claiming that the state's corrections department is “over-detaining a significant number of people” as a result of earned sentence credits being improperly applied to individuals' sentences. Dave Cantor has more.

One of the items on the affordability agenda for Virginia Democrats this year is the Equal Pay Act. Michael Pope explains.

Governor-elect Abigail Spanberger takes office next weekend, shortly after Democrats in Virginia's legislature are expected to pass a mid-decade redistricting amendment. And while Virginia governors usually have little influence on the constitutional amendment process, the timing required for the proposed redraw to have any impact will require the governor-elect, who’s lukewarm on the concept, to […]

Glenn Youngkin is heading into the last week of his term as governor, while Abigail Spanberger is putting her administration together. Politics analyst Jeff Schapiro and Michael Pope recap the week in politics and state government.

As members of the Virginia General Assembly prepare to gavel into session next week, the word to watch is affordability. Michael Pope reports.

Public records are theoretically available to the public. But as Michael Pope reports, local and state governments often deny access by charging large sums of money.

As a sovereign nations, Tribes in Virginia have the right to consult with state agencies on certain environmental permits and reviews. This week, the Rappahannock Tribe said that didn't happen with two projects related to the Rappahannock River.  Pamela D'Angelo reports.

A hundred years ago, pianos were a fixture in many American homes.  More than 300,000 of them were sold in 1925, but today the number has fallen to under 18,000.   Electronic keyboard sales outnumber acoustics ten to one.  They're cheaper and easier to maintain.  But one man in Virginia says he still keeps busy ensuring existing instruments […]

Virginia disability advocates will ask for additional funds they say governor Glenn Youngkin failed to include in his outgoing budget. And a federal judge may affirm that need at a hearing Wednesday. Brad Kutner has this report.

Virginia is about to get a new governor next week, and that will come with a new outlook on environmental policy. Michael Pope has this preview.

Democrats have big plans for the first few days of the General Assembly session next week. Michael Pope reports.

For some, it's an inconvenience.  But for others, it could make or break their case. A bill in the General Assembly could change what you can bring into a courthouse. Michael Pope explains.

We wrap up some political loose ends from 2025 while setting the stage for a new administration in 2026. Politics analyst Jeff Schapiro and Michael Pope recap the week in politics and state government.

As Governor-elect, Abigail Spanberger appoints more people to positions of power than any other state in the country. Michael Pope explains why it happens that way.