VPM Daily Newscast

Read more from VPM News:  Richmond police extend contract with Flock Safety for license plate readers  Henrico EDA head Tretina outlines vision for growth  Richmond-area faith leaders speak out on federal immigration enforcement  On the agenda: Budget discussions for Richmond and Charlottesville schools    Other links:  For some neighborhoods, it's covenants — not zoning — that decides what gets built (The Richmonder)  At General Assembly, defense of Confederate statues sparks outrage (The Virginian-Pilot)  Army Corps plans to fast-track infrastructure priorities, including in Virginia (Virginia Mercury)  Novartis settles with estate of Henrietta Lacks over use of 'stolen' cells (The Associated Press)  Our award-winning work is made possible with your donations. Visit vpm.org/donate to support local journalism. 

In this episode we chat with VPAP's Executive Director Cat Anthony about crossover in the General Assembly, how each side is faring in policy advancements, and the continued challenges facing efforts to redistrict Virginia ahead of the November elections.

VPM News Host Lyndon German and BizSense Reporter Jack Jacobs discuss the Richmond region's top business stories of the week, starting with Richmond city council's multimillion dollar loan to the EDA to purchase Sports Backers Stadium, a water utility upgrade in Chesterfield County and proposed law change that could change how Virginia Bars and restaurants operate.

Read more from VPM News:  Virginia's return to Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative picks up steam  Chesterfield County creates new plant medicine committee  Other links:  Squirrels claim Richmond owes them $6.5 million for ballpark costs (Richmond Times-Dispatch)*  New all-electronic tolling system goes live on Richmond routes this weekend (The Richmonder)  Louisa County among fastest-growing localities in Virginia, UVA estimates show (29News)  Attorney General Jay Jones joins multistate coalition challenging Trump's birthright citizenship executive order (WRIC)  Spotsylvania settles on data center rules (The Free Lance-Star)*  Our award-winning work is made possible with your donations. Visit vpm.org/donate to support local journalism.

Read more from VPM News:  The future is uncertain for some Virginia farmers after VSU researchers fired  Virginia Museum of History and Culture to add Barbara Johns statue to its collection  Powhite Parkway tolls are about to be a thing of the past in Chesterfield    Other links:  In Democratic rebuttal, Spanberger accuses Trump of driving up costs and chaos (Virginia Mercury)  Virginia lawmakers push for action after massive Potomac sewage spill (WRIC)  Homeless shelter operator will serve three years in prison for defrauding Richmond and HUD (Richmond Times-Dispatch)  Lynchburg council votes to go to court over redistricting referendum (Cardinal News)    Our award-winning work is made possible with your donations. Visit vpm.org/donate to support local journalism. 

Read more from VPM News:  Most artificial intelligence legislation in Virginia was tabled until 2027  Scenes from the Virginia State Capitol 2026: a dispatch    Other links:  At Longwood, a journey toward racial reckoning (Virginia Center for Investigative Journalism at WHRO)  After federal funding upheavals, Richmond nonprofits say they are bruised but not broken (The Richmonder)  What is ‘performance-based regulation', and how can it lower utility bills? (Virginia Mercury)  DOJ reaches settlement with CarMax over illegal repossession of servicemembers' vehicles (WTVR)  CASA seeks to secure first state funding increase since 2008 amid rising demand for services (Cardinal News)  Our award-winning work is made possible with your donations. Visit vpm.org/donate to support local journalism. 

Read more from VPM News:  Data center tax break takes center stage in Virginia budget plans  General Assembly passes bill containing new congressional map, primary date  Charlottesville City Council tweaks zoning ordinance  On the agenda: It's budget season in Central Virginia    Other links:  Lawmakers question how Rosie's was approved to add more gambling machines in Richmond (The Richmonder)  RPD liaison, police discuss preventative measures after Shockoe Bottom shooting (WRIC)  A school suspended 323 students after ICE protest. They protested again. (The Washington Post)

VPM News Host Lyndon German and BizSense Reporter Mike Platania discuss the Richmond region's top business stories, starting with an update on Virginia's legal marijuana market and ending with news of a new housing development coming to Arthur Ashe Blvd.

Read more from VPM News:  With 300-dwelling development looming, nearby Chesterfield residents concerned  Other links:  Tazewell judge temporarily blocks Democrats' redistricting referendum (Associated Press)  Virginia Gov. Spanberger to deliver Democratic response to Trump's State of the Union address (Virginia Mercury)  Virginia Del. Barry Knight, a retired hog farmer from Virginia Beach, dies at 71 (Virginian-Pilot)  John McGuire would rather not talk about redistricting in Virginia (The Daily Progress)*  Dominion Energy Riverrock announces music lineup, venue change for 2026 (WRIC)  Veterans sue over Trump's planned 250-foot arch, citing cemetery views (The Washington Post)*  *Paywall Our award-winning work is made possible with your donations. Visit vpm.org/donate to support local journalism. 

Read more VPM News:  Virginia Democrats zero in on final affordability package UVA School of Nursing faculty say new federal report has an error Hanover County unveils $427M budget proposal for fiscal year 2027    Other links:  How much revenue did the City of Petersburg bring in during casino's first days? (The Progress-Index)*  Albemarle County Public Schools proposes draft budget request (29 News)  PWC supervisors collect nearly $300K in campaign donations – mostly from data center interests (The Prince William Times)  Petition to recall Martinsville mayor moves forward (WDBJ)  *This outlet has a paywall.  Our award-winning work is made possible with your donations. Visit vpm.org/donate to support local journalism. 

Read more from VPM News: 'Right to repair' bills die in Virginia House subcommittee  Richmond's General Assembly agenda has been a mixed bag so far        Other links:  Our award-winning work is made possible with your donations. Visit vpm.org/donate to support local journalism. 

Read more from VPM News: A $15 minimum wage for Virginia is within reach  Scenes from the Virginia State Capitol 2026: a dispatch    Other links:  After police reforms, Virginia traffic stops increase (VCIJ at WHRO)  Former Attorney General Miyares faces two wrongful firing lawsuits (WRIC)  In First Months as Governor, Abigail Spanberger Kicks Up Heat From the Right (The New York Times)*  Paid sick leave bill passes Virginia House of Delegates (Virginia Mercury) Dominion plans $1 billion super-high voltage line through Piedmont Virginia (Richmond Times-Dispatch)*  Our award-winning work is made possible with your donations. Visit vpm.org/donate to support local journalism. 

Read more from VPM News: Supreme Court of Virginia greenlights redistricting referendum  Hanover school board approves 2026–27 budget plan  On the agenda: Diamond District, RVA Pay, Charlottesville school budget    Other links:  Bill to create a Prescription Drug Affordability Board clears House of Delegates (Virginia Mercury)  Petersburg's temporary casino makes $4.7 million in first 10 days (Richmond Times-Dispatch)*  Virginia measles cases this year already surpass 2025 total, VDH data shows (29News)  Spring fire season and state-wide burning law begin (CBS19)  *Paywall link Our award-winning work is made possible with your donations. Visit vpm.org/donate to support local journalism. 

VPM News Host Lyndon German and BizSense Reporter Jonathan Spiers discuss the Richmond region's top business stories. This week they cover the closure of the Saks Fifth Avenue retail store in Stony Point, a Charlottesville restaurant coming to the Manchester area and new housing developments under development in several parts of the city.

Read more VPM News:  Reforming public university boards is a hot topic at the General Assembly  Richmond Free Press ceases publication after 34 years  Chesterfield teacher's union warns about preparations for ICE confrontations    Other links:  Charlottesville sees decline in opioid overdose calls, though doctors say concerns remain (29 News)  Attorney General Jay Jones joins multistate lawsuit challenging Trump's changes to loan forgiveness rules (WRIC)  Va. unemployment claims jump 71%. Those don't include nearly 700 looming Amazon layoffs. (Richmond Times-Dispatch)  After sale of Virginia nursing home, data shows 911 calls spiked by 70% (WTVR)  Our award-winning work is made possible with your donations. Visit vpm.org/donate to support local journalism. 

Read more VPM News:  Charlottesville school board agrees to 10.5% raise for support professionals  Traveling CPR kiosk brings hands-on training to communities across Virginia  Delegates rework bills related to Virginia Military Institute    Other links:  Pruitt drops out of congressional race, blames Democratic redistricting (The Daily Progress)  Overwhelming majority of Central Virginia ICE detainees continue to be non-criminals, data shows (WRIC)  DHR launches project for special markers at Virginia lynching sites (CBS19)  Senate panel advances $48 hike in weekly unemployment benefits (Richmond Times-Dispatch)  Our award-winning work is made possible with your donations. Visit vpm.org/donate to support local journalism. 

Read more VPM News:  Senate bill would shield Dominion customers from some data center-related costs  Richmond audit finds city didn't follow Affordable Housing Trust Fund rules  Virginia's college internship program rebrands under state economic development agency    Other links:  Virginia celebrates 20 years of 211 service for health and human needs (WRIC)  Virginia House votes to end Confederate tax breaks, license plates (Richmond Times-Dispatch)  ‘It was not about me': Halifax centenarian rejects House honor she never approved (Virginia Mercury)  Griffin booted from committees; Democrats say he disrespected subcommittee chair (Cardinal News)  Our award-winning work is made possible with your donations. Visit vpm.org/donate to support local journalism. 

Read more VPM News:  House subcommittee advances bill to ban herbicide tied to Parkinson's disease  State regulators OK Dominion project near Hallsley area of Chesterfield    Other links:  Defying administrators' orders, Chesterfield students and employees walked out Friday to protest immigration enforcement (The Richmonder)  UVa faculty accuse Beardsley of 'bribing' students for their support (The Daily Progress)  State lawmakers want to lift local caps on housing grants for government employees (Virginia Mercury)  Remembering King Salim Khalfani: Civil rights activist, former executive director of Virginia NAACP has died (WTVR)  Maymont Mansion reopens in March after being closed for two years (Richmond Times-Dispatch)  Our award-winning work is made possible with your donations. Visit vpm.org/donate to support local journalism.   

Read more VPM News:  General Assembly considers $36M expansion of gun violence prevention program  Hundreds gather at The Valentine to celebrate Bill Martin's life and legacy  Spanberger signs bill moving redistricting vote one step closer  Amended cannabis market bill passes despite split among Senate Democrats  On the agenda: Richmond City Center, school board budget meetings    Other links:  House panel advances bills limiting ICE activity in Virginia (Virginia Mercury)  Frank S. Royal Sr., Richmond medical leader and VUU board chair, dies at 86 (Richmond Free Press)  Our award-winning work is made possible with your donations. Visit vpm.org/donate to support local journalism. 

‘Policy Matters' is your window into Virginia politics with VPAP. It's our monthly roundup of the top political headlines from across Virginia, powered by VPAP's daily e-newsletter, VaNews. In this episode we learn about VPAP's new Executive Director Cat Anthony and how she came to the Virginia Public Access Project. Also, a preview some of what to expect out of this year's General Assembly session, and touch on Democrats' plan to redistrict Virginia via constitutional amendment. You can follow along and stay up to date on the latest developments at vpap.org.

VPM News Host Lyndon German and BizSense Reporter Jackie DiBartolomeo discuss the Richmond region's top business stories. This week they discuss a deal to buy Sports Backers Stadium, a round of a layoffs and Swedish Match and new housing coming to the Manchester neighborhood.

Read more VPM News:  Virginia Democrats propose potential 10–1 congressional map for 2026 midterms  Proposal would let students take Brown v. Board scholarships out of state  Chesterfield touts $1.3B growth in commercial real estate value   Other links:  Rent stabilization bills backed by Richmond fail in Virginia General Assembly (The Richmonder)  Renting in Richmond is only about 20% cheaper than owning (Axios Richmond)  Richmond, Henrico County extend CARITAS shelter contract due to winter weather (WRIC)  Boar's Head reopens Virginia deli meat plant tied to deadly listeria outbreak (Associated Press)  Virginia is slowly expanding access to community solar (WHRO News)  Our award-winning work is made possible with your donations. Visit vpm.org/donate to support local journalism. 

Read more VPM News:  Spanberger orders state law enforcement to exit federal immigration agreements  Virginia Court of Appeals asks SCOVA to take over redistricting case  Immigration policy takes center stage at Richmond school board meeting  Charlottesville carries out Point in Time Count despite icy conditions  Central Virginia delays, closures for Thursday, Feb. 5    Other links:  Bezos orders deep job cuts at 'Washington Post' (NPR)  Senate looks beyond Capitol Square to stored Confederate statues (Richmond Times-Dispatch)  Our award-winning work is made possible with your donations. Visit vpm.org/donate to support local journalism. 

Read more:  General Assembly considering measure that could end state funding for VMI  Anne Holton, former state education chief, named to Richmond school board  Central Virginia closures, delays for Wednesday, Feb. 4   Scenes from the Virginia State Capitol 2026: a dispatch  Other links:  As ICE seeks to expand footprint in Va., Youngkin's final-day prison sale directive draws scrutiny (Virginia Mercury)  More than 5,000 acres surrounding Shenandoah National Park to be protected (29News)  Squirrels providing 'over $10 million' as CarMax Park project plows through weather (Richmond Times-Dispatch)*   *This outlet utilizes a paywall.  Our award-winning work is made possible with your donations. Visit vpm.org/donate to support local journalism. 

Read more VPM News:  Virginia House OKs electric grid review bills  Texas-based monks bring ‘Walk for Peace' through Chesterfield  Central Virginia closures, delays for Tuesday, Feb. 3    Other links:  As ice lingers in Richmond, Avula asks residents for a few more days of patience (The Richmonder)  Crashes involving cars and pedestrians rising at VCU, despite years of work to stop them (Richmond Times-Dispatch)  5 poems for troubled times, from Virginia's new Lt. Governor (The Washington Post)  Richmond native ‘Mad Skillz' takes home Grammy for best spoken word poetry album (WRIC)  Our award-winning work is made possible with your donations. Visit vpm.org/donate to support local journalism.   

Read more   VPM News:  International enrollment in Virginia postgraduate programs falls by 13%  STEPS program bridges the gap for refugee women in Charlottesville  Updated: Hanover County facility sought by ICE is no longer for sale  Melissa Vaughn, longtime WRIR president, was ‘fierce advocate' for public radio  Central Virginia closures, delays for Monday, Feb. 2    Other links:  Four Richmond public housing tenants flagged in federal review of residents' immigration status (The Richmonder)  All-electronic tolling coming to Richmond expressways, ramps (WRIC)  Our award-winning work is made possible with your donations. Visit vpm.org/donate to support local journalism. 

Read more VPM News:  Bill aims to address "benefits cliff" for subsidized child care  Hanover County supervisors oppose proposed ICE facility Weather-related links:   Central Virginia closures, delays for Friday, Jan. 30 VDH winter safety tips⁠  Virginia's Insurance Marketplace⁠  Richmond International Airport website⁠  National Weather Service forecasts: ⁠Richmond⁠ | ⁠Charlottesville⁠ | ⁠Harrisonburg⁠  Other links:  Virginia isn't in a recession — but it's on the cusp of one, ODU economists say (WHRO News)  Virginia Democrats seek emergency halt to ruling that blocks redistricting (The Washington Post)*  Lawmakers, Va. Native tribes pitch education, sovereignty reforms to address historic injustices (Virginia Mercury)  Richmond crime dropped in 2025, but police puzzled over continued rise in domestic assaults (Richmond Times-Dispatch)*  Legal Aid Justice Center finds 32 active immigration enforcement agreements across Virginia (29News)    *This outlet uses a paywall.  Our award-winning work is made possible with your donations. Visit vpm.org/donate to support local journalism. 

Read more VPM News: Richmond teachers union calls for audit after budget draft cuts $22M  Hanover County supervisors oppose proposed ICE facility  Federal judge orders widespread voting rights restoration for Virginians ⁠Central Virginia closures, delays for Thursday, Jan. 29⁠  Weather-related links: VDH winter safety tips⁠  Virginia's Insurance Marketplace⁠   Richmond International Airport website⁠   National Weather Service forecasts: ⁠Richmond⁠ | ⁠Charlottesville⁠ | ⁠Harrisonburg⁠  Other links:  Democrats push restrictions on federal immigration enforcement in Virginia (Virginia Mercury)  Senate panel approves gun liability measure by party-line vote (Richmond Times-Dispatch)*  Buddhist monks on Walk for Peace enter Virginia this week (WTVR)  NTSB blames 'deep' systemic failures for deadly midair collision near Washington, D.C. (NPR)   *This outlet uses a paywall.  Our award-winning work is made possible with your donations. Visit vpm.org/donate to support local journalism.

Read more VPM News:  Tazewell judge rules against Virginia Democrats' redistricting amendment  Youngkin pardoned Fairfax police officer in 2023 Tysons Corner shooting  Central Virginia closures, delays for Wednesday, Jan. 28    Weather-related links:  VDH winter safety tips  Virginia's Insurance Marketplace  Richmond International Airport website  National Weather Service forecasts: Richmond | Charlottesville | Harrisonburg    Other links:  Virginia Senate panel advances gun safety bills once vetoed by Youngkin (Virginia Mercury)  Data: Richmond teachers are making more than neighboring counties this school year (The Richmonder)  Petersburg opens 'life-saving' 24-hour warming center at bus station during freezing temperatures (WTVR)  Blood couriers move a mysterious and priceless commodity from donor to recipient (Cardinal News)  Our award-winning work is made possible with your donations. Visit vpm.org/donate to support local journalism. 

Read more VPM News:  Central Virginia travel still affected despite dodging worst of winter storm  Open enrollment in Virginia's health insurance marketplace is lagging  Virginia school closures, delays for Tuesday, Jan. 27  Resources, hotlines for ‘catastrophic' winter storm  Scenes from the Virginia State Capitol 2026: a dispatch  Weather-related links:  VDH winter safety tips GRTC service alerts: GRTC.com, Facebook, Instagram  Virginia's Insurance Marketplace  Richmond International Airport website  National Weather Service: Richmond | Charlottesville | Harrisonburg   Other news:  Virginia to consider joining states creating volunteer cyber civilian corps (Virginia Mercury)  MORE REMOVAL REQUESTS: Residents urge council to relocate Confederate statue (Bristol Herald Courier)*  *This outlet uses a paywall  Our award-winning work is made possible with your donations. Visit vpm.org/donate to support local journalism. 

VPM News Host Lyndon German and BizSense Reporter Mike Platania discuss the Richmond area's top business stories. This week's stories include new plans for Henrico County's long-desired arena district, starting with the demolition of the old Best Products building. Platania also runs through a full-plate of new restaurants coming to the region.

Editor's note: Ahead of the winter storm forecast, VPM will be automating its radio operations on Monday and Tuesday, Jan. 26–27. The projected severe weather may impact the VPM Daily Newscast during those days; visit vpm.org for the latest information.  Read (and watch) more VPM News:  Gov. Abigail Spanberger is keeping 'relentless focus' on affordability  Central Virginia resources for the incoming winter storm  Watch Gov. Abigail Spanberger's Jan. 22 storm press conference  Huguenot High students walk out to protest immigration enforcement  Virginia Democrats aim for April 21 redistricting ballot  Other links:  Here's what Richmond police Chief Rick Edwards asked ChatGPT about ICE, snowstorms (Richmond Times-Dispatch)*  Winter road salting is a growing source of pollution. Virginia officials want alternatives (WHRO News)  With Youngkin gone, Democrats see opening on housing reform (Virginia Mercury)  *This outlet uses a paywall  Our award-winning work is made possible with your donations. Visit vpm.org/donate to support local journalism. 

Read (and watch) more VPM News: Lt. Gov. Ghazala Hashmi is ready to 'elevate' Virginians' voices Artificial intelligence is a hot topic for Virginia state legislators Video: Spanberger's Executive Order 10 (YouTube) | TikTok | Facebook  Other links: Work resumes on Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind project after court order ends federal pause (Virginia Mercury) Hampton Roads Flock cameras surveil Black communities more intensely than white ones (WHRO) Lindsey Halligan, Trump's former personal attorney, exits Virginia prosecutor's office (NPR) Hampton Roads lost more than 6,000 federal civilian jobs in 2025, report finds (The Virginian-Pilot)* Preserving John Marshall's boyhood home: The Hollow inches closer to park status (The Prince William Times) *This outlet uses a paywall. Our award-winning work is made possible with your donations. Visit vpm.org/donate to support local journalism.

Read more from VPM News:  Attorney General Jay Jones says he'll be 'putting Virginia first'  Virginia's 1924 racial segregation law targeted Native Americans for decades Maryland's Wes Moore looks forward to working with Spanberger  Hanover Planning Commission nixes Hunting Hawk Technology Park proposal  Charlottesville residents explore where their tax dollars go  Other links:  A big snow is coming (probably). Here's what we know so far. (The Richmonder)  Hampton Roads lost more than 6,000 federal civilian jobs in 2025, report finds (The Virginian-Pilot)*  DOGE cuts wiped out years of growth in Virginia's federal civilian jobs (Virginia Center for Investigative Journalism at WHRO)  Preserving John Marshall's boyhood home: The Hollow inches closer to park status (The Prince William Times) 

Read (and) watch more VPM News  Spanberger makes policy promises in first General Assembly address Watch: The Joint Assembly Address (YouTube) Watch: Gov. Abigail Spanberger discussing affordability (YouTube) On the agenda: Richmond traffic safety grants, Charlottesville housing  Other links In historic first for Virginia, Adam Spanberger becomes first gentleman (The Washington Post)* DOJ sues Virginia for not providing voter data (The Hill) Rocky Mount unveils monument to Black Civil War soldiers (Cardinal News) Planned James City County missile factory to be fully operational in 2028 (WHRO)  *This outlet utilizes a paywall.  Our award-winning work is made possible with your donations. Visit vpm.org/donate to support local journalism. 

Read (and watch) more VPM News about the inauguration  Abigail Spanberger sworn in as Virginia's 75th governor  Attorney General Jones, Governor Spanberger flex powers on Day 1  Here are the 10 executive orders Gov. Abigail Spanberger signed Day 1  Gallery: Scenes from the Spanberger–Hashmi–Jones inauguration  Watch inaugural interviews with Abigail Spanberger, Ghazala Hashmi and Jay Jones  Multiple UVA board members resign at Spanberger's request  ICYMI: Watch Saturday's historic inauguration and parade (VPM on YouTube) Other, non-inauguration news On the agenda: This week in Central Virginia meetings Bernice King sees 'saving grace' of MLK Day in today's political climate (The Associated Press)  Our award-winning work is made possible with your donations. Visit vpm.org/donate to support local journalism. 

Read (and watch) more ⁠Events and road closures for Gov. Abigail Spanberger's inauguration weekend⁠ Virginia lawmakers propose a bevy of data center reform bills What happens to bills when their patrons leave the Virginia General Assembly? VPM livestreams on YouTube | VPM PBS livestreams Virginia's 1924 racial segregation law targeted Native Americans for decades 5 candidates apply for Richmond School Board vacancy in 6th District   Other links City officials apologize for pausing rent assistance program without announcing it to the public (Richmond Times-Dispatch)* Rev. ‘Tee' Turner, who spearheaded Richmond's Slave Trail and worked towards racial reconciliation, died this week (The Richmonder)  How to claim Verizon's $20 credit for Wednesday's service outage (Engadget) *This outlet uses a paywall. Our award-winning work is made possible with your donations. Visit vpm.org/donate to support local journalism.

Read (and watch) more Virginia House committee advances 4 proposed constitutional amendments  Gov. Glenn Youngkin: Virginia is stronger 'by every single metric'  Delegate-elect Virgil Thornton wants to get back to ‘the community over the chaos' WATCH: 2026 State of the Commonwealth Address (VPM on YouTube) Other links Former DPU director April Bingham sues city for $1M, claiming she was smeared after water crisis (The Richmonder)  Central Va. hospitals recommend masking in health care centers as flu, COVID-19 cases surge (Virginia Mercury)  Breaking News: CarMax lays off hundreds more, including many in Richmond (Richmond BizSense)*  *This outlet uses a paywall.  Our award-winning work is made possible with your donations. Visit vpm.org/donate to support local journalism.     

Del.-elect Mark Downey: Elected doctor seeks healthier futures for Virginians  UVA rector meets with state lawmakers about Jim Ryan's exit    Other links:  Tazewell judge denies GOP push to block redistricting plan (Richmond Times-Dispatch)  Pending land sale to state delegate on hold as Richmond officials debate process (The Richmonder)  Spanberger names new education leaders to ‘strengthen' state's schools (Virginia Mercury)  Former Del. Gooditis aims to unseat Cline in Congress (The Winchester Star)  Virginia colleges resist disclosing athletic revenue-sharing (Cardinal News)  Our award-winning work is made possible with your donations. Visit vpm.org/donate to support local journalism. 

Read more:  Del.-elect Elizabeth Guzman: Data centers, businesses should ‘pay their fair share'  Updated: Who in Virginia is running for US Senate in 2026?  Updated: Who's running to challenge Rob Wittman in Virginia's 1st US House District?    Other links:  Washington National Opera leaves Kennedy Center, joining slew of artist exits (NPR)  Federal Prosecutor Is Fired Amid Further Turmoil in Comey Case (The New York Times)  Smith Mountain Lake seeing lowest levels in nearly a decade (The Roanoke Times)  Hopewell says goodbye to 'tornado' City Councilor Yolanda Wyche Stokes (The Progress-Index)  Our award-winning work is made possible with your donations. Visit vpm.org/donate to support local journalism. 

Read more Jessica Anderson: Funding education makes communities economically 'robust'  Review period underway for Hanover County real estate assessments  On the agenda: This week in Central Virginia public meetings  Other links Virginia researchers reveal widespread coastal 'ghost forests' (WHRO News) Southwest Va. ‘resilience hubs' aim to support communities during disasters (Cardinal News) Stafford sees first Black Board of Supervisors majority in county history ‘This is war': In texts, U-Va. board members plot with Youngkin, decry DEI (The Washington Post)* Buddhist monastery relinquishes its claim to VMFA masterpiece, resolving ownership questions (Richmond Times-Dispatch)*

VPM News Host Lyndon German and BizSense Reporter Jackie DiBartolomeo discuss the Rixhmons region's top businesses stories. This week's discussion includes the one year anniversary of Richmond's water crisis, RRHA's Grace Street renovation, and GameStop closures nationwide.

Read more  Kacey Carnegie: We're all more alike than we think      Other links:  Our award-winning work is made possible with your donations. Visit vpm.org/donate to support local journalism. 

Mitchell Cornett: Southwest Virginia needs ‘wins in Richmond'  Allegations of racism, retaliation at Red Onion State Prison deemed ‘inconclusive'  Chesterfield County School Board chooses new leaders — with some dissent    Other links:  Judge Orders Trump Loyalist to Explain Why She Has Kept U.S. Attorney Title (The New York Times)  Virginia's job openings on the rise with 255,000 vacancies: report (WRIC)  Venezuela strike sharpens war powers debate among Virginia lawmakers (Virginia Mercury)  Still no resolution from sheriff on Turnstile pepper spray controversy (The Richmonder)  Our award-winning work is made possible with your donations. Visit vpm.org/donate to support local journalism. 

Read more:  Curious Commonwealth asks: Why is there a herd of elk in North Chesterfield?  Avula, Richmond officials detail progress at main water treatment plant  Democrats Jones, Schmidt win Richmond-area General Assembly seats  Other links:  VDOT pauses minority-, women-owned businesses program activities amid federal changes (Virginia Mercury)  For the fourth straight year, 'Vision Zero' deaths were above the 2017 baseline (The Richmonder)  Data center zoning amendment up for final approval in Campbell County (Cardinal News)  Hegseth rails against cost overruns while touring Newport News Shipbuilding (WHRO News)  Our award-winning work is made possible with your donations. Visit vpm.org/donate to support local journalism.