Virginia Public Radio

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.

A recent College Board survey found the majority of high schoolers use Generative A-I tools, such as Chat GPT, for schoolwork, even though nearly half of American schools restrict its use. As educators struggle to keep pace with AI, one rural Virginia school system is embracing it. Christine Kueter explains.

The future is looking bright for solar energy in Virginia. Michael Pope reports about one initiative members of the General Assembly are about to consider.

On New Year's Day, parking is free at all Virginia State Park locations, and there are there are nearly 90 guided hikes and other events planned across the Commonwealth. Roxy Todd has the details.

Artificial intelligence is just about everywhere these days, and that includes inside – and outside – Virginia classrooms. As legislators head to Richmond, they have a myriad of issues to tackle, including how the Commonwealth’s schools and colleges should use or encourage the tool's use. Brad Kutner has this report. 

The highest-profile Republican hoping to take on incumbent Senator Mark Warner is out of the race. Michael Pope explains.

The Federal Communications Commission voted this fall to hike rate caps for phone and video calls that incarcerated people and their families can be charged. It rescinded a reform implemented under the Biden administration. While Virginia's rates sit below those limits, prison reform advocates say communications costs are still too high. Dave Cantor has more.

The year is coming to a close, but the last full week of 2025 has had quite a bit of activity in state politics and government. Michael Pope and Radio IQ Politics Analyst Jeff Schapiro discuss.

Members of the General Assembly are about to consider several bills aimed at affordability. Michael Pope has this preview of one involving debt.

Virginia's outgoing governor has one more chance to cement his legacy—a budget. Politics analyst Jeff Schapiro and Michael Pope recap the week in politics and state government.

By early 2026, the Trump administration is poised to shift how many and who among the world's 43-million refugees is eligible to resettle in a country once known as the world's melting pot. That's leaving refugees and refugee advocates in Central Virginia collectively holding their breath, as Christine Kueter reports.

Governor-elect Abigail Spanberger rolled out new details about her policy agenda Thursday. Brad Kutner was in the room at the state Capitol and has this report. 

Members of the General Assembly are about to consider dozens of bills aimed at improving public education. Michael Pope has this preview about some legislation dealing with students who speak English as a second language. Here’s a link to the report.

Members of the General Assembly are about to consider a bill aimed at addressing some of the concerns about ICE raids across Virginia. Michael Pope reports.

Governor Glenn Youngkin won’t be in office come next month, but he still gets to propose one final budget before leaving office. And Wednesday morning he did just that. Brad Kutner has this report.

State Senator Schuyler VanValkenburg has filed legislation that would direct Virginia to rejoin the Electronic Registration Information Center — known as ERIC. It's a multistate data-sharing consortium the Commonwealth withdrew from in 2023. Dave Cantor has more.

The United States Capitol now has a new statue representing Virginia. Michael Pope has more from Capitol Hill.

Changes to student loan programs and the so-called demographic cliff are set to impact Virginia college's enrollment numbers, according to members of the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia. Brad Kutner explains.

Rising power bills are causing increasing anxiety across Virginia, although opinions are divided about the reason for the increase and potential solutions.  Michael Pope tells us about one approach that is expected to be considered Tuesday in Congress.

Towns and cities across Virginia are now required to test for levels of PFAS in public water. But much less is known about whether forever chemicals may be in well water. A recent study has some answers on this, as Roxy Todd explains.

A company that makes license plate readers is hoping that the General Assembly will let them operate on interstates, although many lawmakers are skeptical. Michael Pope reports.

Governor-elect Abigail Spanberger is piecing together her cabinet before her inauguration next month. Michael Pope and Radio IQ politics analyst Jeff Schapiro discuss that and more in state politics and government.

Virginia’s complicated history of racial disparities still has consequences today. Michael Pope reports on that new report from the Commonwealth Institute.

Recent state reports and the upcoming legislative session could mean changes for how the Virginia Department of Juvenile Justice is operated. Dave Cantor has more.

In Virginia, every year is an election year. And the primaries for the congressional midterms are only a few months away. Michael Pope tells us about the bumper crop of candidates challenging Republican incumbents.

Kudzu. Spotted Lanternfly. Blue catfish. These are just a few of the invasive species that spread fast and outcompete Virginia's native plants and animals. Ecology students at Virginia Tech recently hosted a potluck featuring dishes with invasive ingredients. Roxy Todd stopped by, and she reports the food was …actually quite delicious.

Virginia's Governor-elect Abigail Spanberger is starting to give us an idea of what her term might look like.  At an event with Politico Tuesday evening, she answered questions about her interest in working with President Donald Trump.  And the two appear to be on opposite sides of the nation's issues, as Brad Kutner reports. 

Young people are becoming more interested – and more active – in Virginia politics. Michael Pope tells us about one group of college students who worked to turn out the vote this year.

The November election for the House of Delegates saw record-breaking numbers for campaign finance. Michael Pope has the details.

The State Crime Commission will determine how and when to notify the families of eight individuals executed by the commonwealth whose trials involved Mary Jane Burton. Burton was the late state forensic scientist who allegedly mishandled evidence and offered inaccurate court testimony. Dave Cantor has more.

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.