VPM Daily Newscast

The Chesterfield County charter has had an extraordinary journey over more than 275 years — disappearing multiple times along the way before ending up in the library's hands in 2017.

Plus: why a special election hasn't been called yet to replace the late Northern Virginia Rep. Gerry Connolly; a new House Minority Leader is chosen; and other stories 

A feature with U.S. Rep. Jennifer McClellan    NEWSLETTER In the podcast: US Rep. Jennifer McClellan on potential cuts to Medicare and Medicaid. 

‘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.

VPM Host Lyndon German and BizSense Reporter Jonathan Spiers discuss the top business stories across the Richmond region. This week's stories include Henrico County's GreenCity development, a luxury real estate agency return to Richmond and the international expansion of a local waterproofing company.

Plus: Chesterfield County rezones land for new data centers; Nightingale Ice Cream expands; and other stories 

In the podcast: Localized, boil water advisories will end if two water compliance tests come back negative — likely Thursday afternoon.

The City of Richmond issued a boil water advisory for parts of the city Tuesday after issues with the filtration system. Potable tap water could be available in those areas by Thursday — at the earliest.    Click or tap here for the latest information on our website.  Click or tap here for the latest from Richmond City's official website. 

Virginia Republican Rep. Rob Wittman voted in support of “One Big Beautiful Bill Act,” promising that it protects vulnerable people and ensures the government-funded insurance program will be sustainable for people who are in need in the future.     Wittman spoke with Adrienne Hoar McGibbon about the legislation shortly after his vote on Thursday.

VPM Host Lyndon German and BizSense Reporter Jack Jacobs discuss the top business stories across the Richmond region. This week's stories include the closing of a Carytown brewery, the Byrd Theatre seat replacement project, VCU Health's Chesterfield County expansion and a proposed subdivision in Goochland County.

Plus: Virginia loses out on EV chargers; Gov. Youngkin touts 1000 undocumented immigrant arrests; and other stories.     NEWSLETTER In the podcast: Richmond must hire 55 new multilingual teachers to comply with new state law; plans for new EV stations in Virginia get scrapped.  

Plus: Richmond's interim CAO is out; more on VCU's DEI; and other stories    In the podcast: Henrico's data center growth; Richmond's interim CAO to resign. 

The latest installment of Curious Commonwealth explores who Humphrey Calder was.

Plus: A look at economic impacts in Southwest Virginia; school zone speed cameras are now active in Charlottesville; and other stories.    In the podcast: Graduation season has commenced, with traffic impacts expected in and around the Greater Richmond area. 

This story contains references to intimate partner violence, also known as domestic violence.    Today's episode accompanies an article that first published on May 13.    VPM News is also asking our audience, "How are federal immigration policies affecting Virginians?"     Visit vpm.org/inmigracion for more information. (We're also asking en YouTube and Instagram!) 

VPM Host Lyndon German and BizSense Reporter Mike Platania discuss the the top business stories across the Richmond region. Platania delivers a deep dive on a legal dispute over the sale of the historic Dixie Restaurant in Petersburg in which a paperwork error may end up costing the former owners a significant sum.

Plus: The City of Charlottesville has a new City Attorney; Recent rains have been good for easing drought conditions; and other stories.

The new tech in Chesterfield schools will cost $2.8 million. The county's decision comes after a January pilot project at Meadowbrook High and Robious Elementary where students had to walk through metal detectors over two days. In other news: Albemarle County is surveying damage after storm flooding, Hanover is redistricting schools in 2026 — and more Central Virginia news.

Richmond's inspector general, who is appointed by the council, had been in the position since 2019. Did you know VPM News is posting video shorts about Central Virginia news? Check out Tuesday's episode, which may sound familiar: "Where did German School Road get its name?" You can find VPM News Shorts on Instagram, TikTok and YouTube!

Plus: the University of Virginia will acquire the Federal Executive Institute instead of Charlottesville City Schools; An update on tax rebate checks from the City of Richmond; and other stories.

The University of Virginia's Manning Institute for Biotechnology is set to be a “catalyst” for innovation in Virginia and beyond when it opens in 2026. 

VPM News Host Lyndon German and Richmond BizSense Reporter Jackie DiBartolomeo, discuss the top business stories of the week. This week they cover the purchase of the former head Feed More headquarters in Richmond, Powhatan County approving a rezoning request for private school campus and VCU Health's expansion to downtown children's hospital set to open next year.

Plus: Richmond reacts to the first American pope; invasive fire ants spotted in Albemarle County; RPS Superintendent Jason Kamras' contract extended; and other stories.

VPM higher education reporter Megan Pauly speaks to former staff members of Virginia Commonwealth University's Division of Inclusive Excellence.     In the podcast: VPM News reporter Megan Pauly speaks to former staff of VCU's shuttered diversity office. 

Plus: A feature from our partner station WMRA on Virginia Humanities losing federal grants for cultural programs.

The US Department of Government Efficiency directed the federal agency for community service and volunteerism to make the changes. Program directors and organization heads impacted told VPM News the sudden cuts left them hurt, confused and scrambling to find answers.    More than 160 members in Virginia were cut due to the grants ending, according to a count from the Richmond nonprofit Fit4Kids.    Read more: Trump's AmeriCorps cuts end Virginia community service grants  

Virginia's first youth-specific alternative to emergency rooms is now 1 year old. In other news: It's still state budget season, there are more federal funding freezes impacting Virginians — and other Central Virginia news. 

VPM Host Lyndon German and BizSense's Jonathan Spiers discuss problems at Richmond's water plant, housing nonprofits teaming up on modular apartment project in East End, and a lawsuit filed by Henrico County's Economic Development Authority's in connection with the county's GreenCity development deal.

In an interview with Phil Liles, journalist Tara Roberts unpacks how the ocean helped her discover her history.    In the podcast: VPM News is undergoing maintenance that may be impacting your radio signal or HD2 stream. 

Plus: Charlottesville City Schools to acquire Federal Executive Institute property; Richmond Mayor Danny Avula to overhaul the city's P-card program; and other stories.    In the podcast: Richmond Mayor Danny Avula wants to overhaul the city's purchasing card program for city employees. 

Plus: Richmond City Council approves budget amendments; Gov. Youngkin appointed to FEMA council.

Congressman Rob Wittman (R–1st) declined to attend a town hall organized by some of his constituents. They still gathered to voice their concerns.  In other news: Recent federal policy changes could open Virginia's national forests up for logging, “Medicaid is not the home of fraud” — and other Central Virginia news. 

Plus: the University of Virginia and Charlottesville City Schools want to acquire the Federal Executive Institute property, now considered government surplus, in Charlottesville.

‘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.

Virginia transit officials recommended funding for 14 transportation projects in the Richmond region through SMART SCALE, a U.K.-based parent company of local insurance firm sells its U.S.-based business, and a global toy store plans to open in Henrico County's Olde Town Shopping Center.

An experimental aircraft crashes at Langley-Eustis Air Force base; The University of Richmond holds a ceremony for a new memorial honoring enslaved people who worked the land that now belongs to the university, a public defender says ICE detained client during unrelated court hearing.        In the podcast: Experimental aircraft crashes at Langley, University of Richmond honors enslaved people buried on property. 

Central Virginians gathered outside the Albemarle County Courthouse on Wednesday to protest an alleged immigration raid that was publicized on Tuesday.     In other news: Gov. Glenn Youngkin's office recently publicized that the newly created state-level immigration task force has arrested more than 500 migrants in the last two months. 

Plus: a proposed amendment in Richmond's budget could ban new tobacco and cannabis shops in the city; Virginia's decrease in jobs; a commemoration of Hanover students who integrated schools in 1963; and other stories.

From bikes and toys to one reporter's pants, Repair Cafe RVA works to keep Richmonders using their favorite items longer.

Plus: possible solutions for reducing the number of youth incarcerated at the Bon Air Juvenile Correctional Center; How pay for Hanover County's boards and commissions compares to neighboring localities; and other stories.    In the podcast: The latest update from VPM News' “Idleness and boredom” series; VMI appoints an interim president. 

Prominent Richmonders challenge a North American railroad company in a million-dollar lawsuit; a Goochland County brewery prepares to reopen after a yearlong hiatus; and Virginia Housing looks to build a new $15 million parking deck in Richmond.

International students and alumni in Virginia have their visas or visa eligibility terminated. In other news: Virginians can save on power bills with power grid improvements —and more Central Virginia news.    VPM's Spring 2025 membership campaign has been extended to April 20. Right now, several challenges are ongoing that can double your support of our mission. Click or tap here to learn more. 

VPM News editor Whittney Evans digs in to answer this Curious Commonwealth: What does the data tell us about how much Virginia recycles? Submit your own question at vpm.org/curious.   VPM's Spring 2025 membership campaign ends on April 18. Right now, several challenges are ongoing that can double your support of our mission. Click or tap here to learn more. 

Early voting in Virginia's 2025 primary kicks off on May 2. In other news: Hanover County honors its local integration history, some Virginians have automatic state+federal tax extensions — and more Central Virginia news.    VPM's Spring 2025 membership campaign ends on April 18. Right now, several challenges are ongoing that can double your support of our mission. Click or tap here to learn more.    In the podcast: Both the state and federal tax deadlines are May 1 — for some Virginia localities. 

St. Mary's Hospital expansion proposal; Henrico planning for change in water infrastructure; UVA Foundation announces new CEO

Bachman captures audio from thunderstorms, floods and the quiet of nature and integrates it into his work.

Richmond officials break ground on a portion of the Diamond District development and explore redevelopment options for the city's shuttered coliseum behind the scenes. Meanwhile, Hanover staff review a revamped proposal from a developer seeking to build a data center campus that spans across the borders of the county and the town of Ashland.