Virginia Public Radio

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.

As Election Day approaches, a new poll shows Democrats poised to win the election for governor. But Michael Pope reports the races for other statewide offices are less clear.

There's some good news today for those who are tired of spotted lanternflies. They'll still be swarming around trees and fruit crops, but it turns out those beautiful, invasive bugs may have an unexpected redeeming quality. Sandy Hausman has that story.

Governor Glenn Youngkin asked the Supreme Court of Virginia to allow him to put a handful of appointees on state college Boards of Visitors Thursday. The brief hearing comes after state senators denied the appointment in a committee meeting and Youngkin claimed more steps were needed. Brad Kutner has this report. 

Leadership in Virginia's House of Delegates offered competing versions of the future if Virginia goes forward with a redistricting plan to counter President Donald Trump's pressure on other states. Brad Kutner has this report.

Two statewide candidates are temporarily off the campaign trail and at the Capitol for a special session. Michael Pope reports.

Late Tuesday afternoon, Democrats revealed their proposed language to allow Virginia to change its Congressional boundaries. The proposed change could only be used if other states redistrict outside the normal process that follows every census.  It would also expire in 2030, presumably turning the process back over to the bipartisan redistricting commission. Meanwhile, partisan finger-pointing […]

Virginia Democrats released the language of the proposed constitutional amendment Tuesday. It could allow the legislature to redraw the Commonwealth's congressional districts ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. Brad Kutner has this report.

Governor Glenn Youngkin is creating a state-based system to fill the gap for people who are in need of food assistance. Michael Pope reports. You can find more information here.

If you drive along coast of Virginia or any other state on the eastern seaboard, you might catch sight of ghost forests – large stands of dead trees. Using artificial intelligence, scientists from the University of Virginia have created a map that details the destruction. Sandy Hausman has that story.

Virginia’s Republican members of Congress are speaking out against an effort of Democrats to redraw congressional districts. Michael Pope is at the state capitol with the latest.

Virginia Republicans are reacting to news that Democrats in Richmond are planning to redraw the Commonwealth’ s congressional districts. Brad Kutner has this report on what steps they could take to slow down a process that will require a tight timeline to meet federal deadlines. 

As the government shutdown enters its fifth week, state officials are scrambling to figure out how to keep the most vulnerable fed. Michael Pope reports.

There have been plenty of October Surprises in this campaign season.   Now the latest surprise is about redistricting. Politics analyst Jeff Schapiro and Michael Pope recap the week in politics and state government.

Members of the General Assembly will be returning to Richmond on Monday for a special session on redistricting. Michael Pope tells us Democrats are talking about redrawing the maps as a reaction to Republican-led redistricting efforts across the country. 

Richmond's Health Brigade, formerly known as Fan Free Clinic, is looking to sell their building in the wake of federal budget cuts. Brad Kutner has this report on what's next for the health care organization that first opened its doors in 1970 as the first free clinic in Virginia. 

One of the issues that candidates are talking about on the campaign trail is overdose deaths from fentanyl. Michael Pope reports.

Staffing in Virginia's two U. S. Attorney offices has seen noticeable changes since the beginning of President Donald Trump's second term in office.  Some of that's to be expected when a new administration begins, though some legal observers say what's happening is very different. Dave Cantor has more.

As the government shutdown enters a fourth week, hunger is a growing concern as grocery bills remain high and federal assistance programs run out of money. Michael Pope reports.

Virginia began legalizing casinos in 2020 with the first wager cast in 2022. Now, years later, there are three fully functioning casino sites in Bristol, Danville and Portsmouth, and more on the way. And while recent gambling revenue numbers have dipped across the state, elected officials are holding judgement as more casinos are expected to […]

Economists are expecting Virginia’s unemployment to increase. Michael Pope has the numbers.

The Virginia House of Delegates' money committee met Monday morning. While representatives from the governor painted a rosy picture of the Commonwealth's financial future, uncertainty continues to plague economic forecasts. Brad Kutner has this report. 

As power bills rise, the politics of energy are taking center stage in the race for governor. Michael Pope shines some light on the issue.

Democrat Jay Jones and Republican Jason Miyares met for a debate in the race for attorney general last night. Michael Pope and Radio IQ Politics Analyst Jeff Schapiro were there and discuss the unusually anticipated debate and the week that was in state politics and government.

Candidates for attorney general were on stage together Thursday night for a debate in Richmond. Michael Pope reports.

Candidates are raking in campaign cash up and down the ballot this year. Michael Pope is following the money. Here’s a look at disclosure numbers for the “A Safer Virginia PAC” from the Virginia Public Access Project.

Virginia was among the states that recently lost federal grant funding for a renewable energy program called Solar for All. The state's Clean Energy Advisory Board met this week to discuss alternative sources of income for similar projects. Dave Cantor has more.

About three months ago the City of Richmond began a new program, offering harm reduction and personal hygiene products for free at vending machines across the city. It got off to a bit of a rocky start.  Brad Kutner has this report on how things are going now. 

President Donald Trump has yet to endorse Virginia’s Republican candidate for governor. Michael Pope asked what impact that might have.

In addition to statewide races, several local elections will be decided by Virginians this fall – including school boards. However, Michael Pope reports some of those ballots don't have any candidates on them.

A recent tour of a new power solution manufacturing facility in Henrico County is putting the spotlight on just how much power data centers will demand in the near future. And while both of Virginia's gubernatorial candidates know the Commonwealth's economic future is likely linked to growing data center demand, they have different ideas on […]

Candidates for attorney general will meet in Richmond Thursday for a debate. Michael Pope has this preview.

One issue that is bringing together Republicans and Democrats is nuclear power. Michael Pope reports.

One high-stakes debate down, another to go. Politics analyst Jeff Schapiro and Michael Pope recap the week in politics and state government.

Democrats are outraising Republicans in key races for the House of Delegates. That’s according to a new analysis from the Virginia Public Access Project. Michael Pope reports.

Wednesday night marked a new record: the highest number of birds ever recorded migrating in one night in the United States. Over a billion birds were in the skies, according to data recorded by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology's Birdcast website. Those migrating birds could also use our help to avoid injury, as Roxy Todd […]

With the per-ounce price of gold exceeding record highs, and silver hitting prices not seen since in almost 50 years, collectors and coin dealers are cashing in. Christine Kueter reports.

The candidates hoping to become Virginia's next governor are set to meet for a high stakes debate Thursday night. Michael Pope has a preview.

Virginia's decriminalization of marijuana possession has led to a thriving illicit market throughout the Commonwealth. Brad Kutner says elected officials are expressing more concern.