VPM Daily Newscast

More from VPM News:  Chesapeake Bay osprey populations are struggling  ICYMI, Amending Virginia: Reproductive Rights Why is Virginia's Reproductive Rights Amendment? (YouTube)  Listen to the Team No perspective  Listen to the Team Yes perspective   Other links:  Analysts predict Newport News lacks room to build Trump's battleships (WHRO)  Public housing board member resigns, citing ‘loss of confidence in leadership' (Richmond Times-Dispatch)*  Fired RPS facilities director is hired by one of the district's contractors (The Richmonder)  Henrico teen launches statewide water quality, lead pipe risk tool (Axios Richmond)  Montgomery County rejects agreement with MVP aimed at stalled compressor station permit (The Roanoke 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:  Voters will decide reproductive rights' future four years after Roe  WATCH: Amending Virginia    Other links:  Federal judge rules in favor of Shenandoah students over Confederate school names (WMRA)  Oak Grove hands out 350 book bags to Richmond families 'to put people first' (WTVR)  Janet Howell, trailblazing Virginia state senator, dies at 82 (The Washington Post)*  SCC chair recused herself from earlier NextEra case (Richmond Times-Dispatch)*  Governor seeks participants for new corrections council to help shape Va. prison reforms (Virginia Mercury)  Virginia communities race to get 1% sales tax for school construction on the ballot (Cardinal News)  *This outlet uses a paywall.  Our award-winning work is made possible with your donations. Visit vpm.org/donate to support local journalism. 

More from VPM News:  How Virginia keeps tabs on cybersecurity threats as AI takes hold  Charlottesville sets deadline to clear Free Bridge encampment  On the agenda: This week in Central Virginia public meetings  'Unprecedented': Spanberger to intervene in Dominion–NextEra merger  Watch ICYMI: VPM's New RVA Headquarters (YouTube)   (Note: Dominion Energy is a VPM sponsor.)  Other links:  Richmond mayor promises DPU billing fixes after errors, long wait times: 'Give us some time' (WTVR)  Contentious meeting ends with approval for Shockoe Valley street plan (The Richmonder)  ACLU of Virginia lawsuit alleges King George School Board blocked LGBTQ+ student club (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 more from VPM News:  New VPM HQ adds momentum to revival efforts on Richmond's Broad Street  Study estimates $1.7B cost to expand subsidized childcare, raise teacher pay  The Auricular's new website is a treasure trove of Richmond music content    Other links:  Memo: Most urgent violations at Imperial Village fixed, but 'long path ahead' to full compliance (WTVR)  Kaine pitches reforms for drug pricing program supporting underserved patients, safety net providers (Virginia Mercury)  As student loan repayments restart, Virginia sees increase in borrower defaults (WHRO)  Chesterfield's own Li'l Sebastian? Miniature horse is currently at large (The Richmonder)  *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:  Updated: Quadaire Patterson wants full citizenship for people convicted of felonies  911 transition to Richmond Ambulance Authority going 'smoothly'  ICYMI: Who's on the ballot for Central Virginia's congressional seats in 2026?    Other links:  SCC orders Dominion to develop tariff to assign more transmission costs to data centers (Virginia Mercury)  Virginia hemp businesses sue Spanberger in hopes of blocking new law (Richmond Times-Dispatch)*  UR has a pile of money set aside for the children of Hungarian Reformed Church ministers. It can't find any takers (The Richmonder)  'No drama' in Northern Virginia's 2026 primary elections (WAMU)  Norfolk hit by ‘1 in 100-year' rainfall event, officials say (The Virginian-Pilot)*  *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:  Who's on the ballot for Central Virginia's congressional seats in 2026?  Result: Shannon Taylor to take on Rob Wittman in Virginia's 1st  Result: It's McGuire vs. Perriello in Virginia's 5th District    Other links:  Retired general Bert Mizusawa claims GOP Senate primary, will face Warner (Richmond Times-Dispatch)*  Incumbent LeQuan Hylton wins special election to Chesterfield Board of Supervisors (The Richmonder)  Voluntary water restrictions lifted for Richmond-area localities (WRIC)  Richmond re-considers parking restrictions near stop signs after 280% ticket spike (WTVR)  How to take advantage of Virginia's sales tax holiday weekend (WHRO)  *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:  Seven Democrats jockey for position in 1st Congressional District primary  Candidates in 4th Congressional District prepare for November general election  Frustration with McGuire drives both sides of 5th Congressional District primary  Harding, Ollivant, Smithers vie for GOP nomination in 7th Congressional District  Who in Virginia is running for US Senate in 2026?    Other links:  City firetrucks, buses will soon get green lights on demand. Ambulances won't. (Richmond Times-Dispatch)*  Richmond sheriff withholds investigation report 10 months after teen pepper-sprayed at concert (WTVR)  Valley Link project will produce harmful radiation, scientific research nonprofit says (The Daily Progress)*  Judge rejects bid from Virginia, other states to block Medicaid work rules (Virginia Mercury)  As $43 million for Southwest flood relief remains unspent, residents who can't afford to fix their homes wait for help (Cardinal News)  *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:  Pilot program connects childcare centers with substitute teachers via app  How Charlottesville's trees are faring on the Downtown Mall, 50 years later On the agenda: Albemarle schools investigation, Charlottesville housing grants  WATCH: Happy Primary Day, (most of) Virginia! (TikTok)   Other links:  Virginia senators request special session to act on 'deeply alarming' groundwater report (Virginia Mercury)  Appalachian Power sees ‘explosive' growth from data centers, other big customers (Cardinal News)  Richmond DPU misses deadline to fix billing problems (WTVR)  U.S. Drought Monitor shows Richmond area drought conditions easing (Richmond Times-Dispatch)*  *This outlet uses a paywall. 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.

VPM News Host Lyndon German and BizSense Reporter Jack Jacobs discuss the Richmond region's top business stories starting with the expansion of the Massachusetts-based pharmaceutical firm Thermo Fisher, the Westover Place redevelopment, a drive-thru soda shop near Regency Mall and the owner of Baltik's Bagel new property.

Read more from VPM News:  Spanberger has restored voting rights to more than 66,000 Virginians  Virginia 'assault weapons' ban on hold until US Supreme Court hears gun cases    Other links:  Backers of Family Justice Center to seek $2 million from city for startup costs next year (The Richmonder)  Virginia's disability services gap persists despite progress, leaves young adults vulnerable (Virginia Mercury)  Harrisonburg City Council votes to end contract with Flock Safety (29News)  Report reveals cause of fireworks malfunction at Flying Squirrels game (WTVR)  Ticks are taking over in Virginia. Could ODU's 'tick robot' help? (WHRO)  *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:  Henrico supervisors greenlight 2045 planning blueprint  ICYMI: Committees lay groundwork to campaign on constitutional amendments  VPM News congressional primary previews: 1st District | 4th District | 5th District | 7th District | US Senate    Other links:  Waynesboro residents question operations permit for Northrop Grumman (WMRA)  Uninsured ER visits in Virginia spike nearly 50%, experts warn it could get worse (WTVR)  Workers installing drywall at LEGO site: we're not paid for overtime (Richmond Times-Dispatch)*  Va. education department seeks new student assessment vendor (Virginia Mercury)  Louisa residents prepare for state review of proposed Valley Link transmission line (WRIC)  Google to use electric cooling instead of water in at least 1 of 3 data centers on Botetourt campus (Cardinal News)  *This outlet uses a paywall.  Our award-winning work is made possible with your donations. Visit vpm.org/donate to support local journalism. 

More from VPM News:  Chesterfield residents call for more transparency on Google data centers Indigenous food program to bring culturally appropriate lunches to Virginia schools Royal Farms opens newest Virginia location in Chester  WATCH: 

More from VPM News: Richmond advances 1% school funding tax question to local ballots Committees lay groundwork to campaign on constitutional amendments WATCH: Who foots the bill for Shoosmith Landfill cleanup? (YouTube)    Other links:  Spanberger admin to resume nursing home oversight board: 'The stories we're hearing concern me' (WTVR)  Following Council vote, Richmond transfers medical 911 calls back to ambulance authority (The Richmonder)  Virginia's new pay transparency law changes the rules for job postings (Virginia Mercury)  How Trump's rush to build an arch is rewriting construction rules in historic places (WAMU)  Baltik's Bagel owner buys former Alamo BBQ spot in Church Hill for potential second shop (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.

Read more from VPM News:  Lawmakers move forward with plans for childcare center for state employees  Richmond council to vote on 1% sales tax hike for school construction  On the agenda: Richmond sales tax referendum, East End mural  Other links:  Fourth Circuit creates circuit split over handling of detained pro-Palestinian scholars (Courthouse News)  VDH, Hopewell clear Bailey Bay for swimming after sewage spill (The Progress-Index)*  Emails show how Virginia regulators downplayed data center health concerns (E&E News)  Guns, militias and a long-running Virginia debate (Virginia Center for Investigative Journalism at WHRO)  *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:  Chesterfield officials scramble for solutions to Shoosmith cleanup conundrum  Summer meal programs help Charlottesville students stay fed while school's out  Who in Virginia is running for US Senate in 2026?    Other links:  Minimal oversight allows hazards in legal hemp products (WMRA)  ‘The worst it has ever been': Virginia immigration lawyers, former immigration judges warn of a court system in crisis (Charlottesville Tomorrow)  Albemarle County School Board to hold special meeting discussing independent investigation (29News)  150+ adoptees sought original birth certificates in 2 weeks after Virginia law change (WSET)  *This outlet uses a paywall.  Our award-winning work is made possible with your donations. Visit vpm.org/donate to support local journalism.

More from VPM News: Hanover plans local cannabis rules ahead of 2027 retail market  WATCH: RVA dating advice for people on the spectrum (YouTube)    Other links: Chesapeake City Council approves 8-month hold on data center applications (WHRO)  GRTC: Service cuts may be necessary after private fundraising push finds few takers (The Richmonder)  Suetterlein, McNamara want special session to extend time Virginia has to review Dominion-NextEra merger (Cardinal News)  Charlottesville approves $320k to fund school zone camera program amid revenue shortfall (29News)  Mary File Clem, Health Brigade co-founder, dies at 79 (Richmond Times-Dispatch)*  Richmond Planning Commission moves forward with Lumpkin's Slave Jail Pavilion project (WRIC)  *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:  Local governments grapple with spiking energy costs   Other links:  Chesapeake Bay Watershed Agreement delays decision on including Virginia's tribes (Inside Climate News)  VA-01 Democrats escalate dispute with state party over primary neutrality (Virginia Mercury)  Seibert's Towing seeks fuel surcharge as costs rise, asks for $250 fee to handle damaged electric vehicles (The Richmonder)  Virginia lawmakers call for probe into Albemarle schools handling of child sex abuse cases (29 News)  Documents reveal details on several data center projects in Petersburg's pipeline (Richmond BizSense)*  Youth rescue camp aims to inspire Virginia's next generation of first responders (Cardinal News)  *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:  Netflix-inspired camp helps Richmonders build social confidence  ICYMI: Curious Commonwealth asks why Hanover County tomatoes are famous    Other links:  Congress could open Chesapeake Bay oyster sanctuaries for commercial harvest (WHRO)  Alfred Holland Sr., “Give Me the Ball” (Roanoke Rambler)  ‘Whimsical' Chesapeake business turns trash into handmade treasures (The Virginian-Pilot)*  Data center power line dispute sees potential resolution as Loudoun County settlement talks with Dominion Energy progress (WUSA)  Owner's research finds hidden pieces of history (The Farmville Herald)*   Caroline schools celebrate literacy program designed to create a ‘print-rich environment' (Fredericksburg Free Press)  *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:  Powhatan recovery home receives settlement after yearslong federal lawsuit  WATCH: Why is Hanover, Virginia, famous for its

VPM News Host Lyndon German and BizSense Reporter Mike Platania discuss the Richmond region's top business stories. This week they take a deep dive on a swath of improvements coming to Richmond International Airport, as the regional body that governs the sets the airlines long- and short-term goals, convenes for its annual retreat.

More on VPM.org:  NextEra–Dominion merger filings start 6-month clock on regulatory review  Mending a torn safety net: an investigation into Nelson County social services    Other links:  Report finds ‘substantial disparities' in Virginia Beach contracts with minority-owned businesses (Virginian-Pilot)*  How a Roanoke school's new playground is neurodevelopmentally inclusive (Roanoke Times)*  House committee questions Va. prosecutor in closed-door deposition (Washington Post)*  About time? Richmonders weigh-in on possible permanent daylight saving time (WTVR)  GOP Senate hopefuls face long odds in race to challenge Mark Warner (Virginia Mercury)  Mending a torn safety net: lagging salaries, lapsed communication at Nelson DSS (WMRA)  Mending a torn safety net: systemic challenges in social services (WMRA)  *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:  Dominion Energy moves forward with plans for Cumberland natural gas plant  Cooling resources for Central Virginia's latest heat wave    Other links:  American Red Cross of Virginia: Emergency Blood Shortage  Legal challenge seeking to block Va.'s reproductive rights constitutional amendment dismissed (Virginia Mercury)  Demolition begins on Mayo Island as city plans new park (Richmond Times-Dispatch)*  Major Richmond apartment operator hit with multistate fair housing complaint (The Richmonder)  Red Cross of Virginia urges blood donations as emergency shortage strains national supply (WRIC)  Rotary Club places Imagination Library shipments on hold, cites funding shortfalls (29 News)  *This outlet uses a paywall.  Our award-winning work is made possible with your donations. Visit vpm.org/donate to support local journalism.

More from VPM News:  Curious Commonwealth asks: Why are Hanover County tomatoes famous?  Richmond housing advocates put forth anti-displacement agenda  WATCH: Swords into Plowshares announces winning design (Instagram) Other links:  Henrico registrar criticizes Trump purge of election panel (Richmond Times-Dispatch)*  Virginia's highest-paid public employees have whistles or corner offices (Virginia Center for Investigative Journalism at WHRO)  Richmond group petitions to put zoning overhaul to public vote (12 On Your Side)  Hopewell leaders shut down data center study report rumors (WRIC)  Spanberger: $7.3 million to be disbursed to rebuild housing damaged by Helene (Cardinal News)  *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:  Frustration with McGuire drives both sides of 5th Congressional District primary  WATCH: Richmond Coliseum's days are officially numbered (YouTube)    Other links:  Cyclosporiasis Surveillance and Investigation (Virginia Department of Health)  Virginia needs more nurses. Training them requires more than adding classroom seats (WHRO)  Efforts to reform federal drug pricing program 340B continue with new report, proposed CMS rule (Virginia Mercury)  Documents: Former RPS facilities director was paid for six weeks after investigation due to rejected resignation (The Richmonder)  New Kent leaders poised to strike down proposed data center district (Richmond Times-Dispatch)*  ‘Oyez, oyez.' Supreme Court's last official crier is dead at 102. (The Washington Post)*  Virginia approves historical marker to the song that inspired a generation of rock stars (Cardinal News)  *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:  Virginia Democrats question DOJ's plan to monitor primaries in two counties  MASS Design Group chosen as winner of Swords into Plowshares project  Virginia Holocaust Museum launching portrait series  On the agenda: Richmond City Council retreat, budget talks    Other links:  Preventable Missed Court Hearings Cost Virginia More Than $3 Million Per Year (Pew Research Center)  State may have inadvertently created a 1-year gap with no cannabis laws, but language was fixed after concerns arose (Cardinal News)  Richmond police accessed public housing surveillance cameras 827 times in 11 months (Richmond Times-Dispatch)*   *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 Jonathan Spiers discuss the Richmond region's top business stories starting with an update on the Gilpin Court redevelopment, the merger of two local printing firms and the planned expansion of Morty's Market & Deli.

Read more from VPM News: Seven Democrats jockey for position in 1st Congressional District primary  State commission pauses vote on closing Petersburg medical facility Other links: Richmond's safety-net clinics squeezed by surge in uninsured patients (The Richmonder) Judge rules Virginia gun law injunctions apply statewide (12 On Your Side) An ICE detainee sought treatment for mental illness. He died in a struggle with guards. (The Washington Post)* Virginia's new liquor law reshapes rules for Richmond bar-restaurants (Richmond Times-Dispatch)* Virginia budget expands Medicaid access to sickle cell gene therapy (WHRO)  *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:  Candidates in 4th Congressional District prepare for November general election  Hashmi asks state regulators to postpone Dominion–NextEra merger    Other links:  49 people were arrested in a joint operation between the Greene County Sheriff and ICE, a week before a new state law would have restricted cooperation (Charlottesville Tomorrow)  Virginia ranks among top states for highway safety and mobility benefits, but challenges remain (Virginia Mercury)  The City Council ordered a change to medical 911 calls in 30 days. The Avula administration wants more time to prep (The Richmonder)  Trump pardons for Jan. 6 rioters don't apply to DC pipe bomb suspect (The Associated Press)  Hoping to see Maymont's river otters? Now you can do so from home (Richmond Times-Dispatch)*  *This outlet uses a paywall.  Our award-winning work is made possible with your donations. Visit vpm.org/donate to support local journalism. 

More from VPM News Harding, Ollivant, Smithers vie for GOP nomination in 7th Congressional District WATCH: Cville Downtown Mall's 50th Anniversary (YouTube) Other links  Culpeper's free clinic starts peer recovery program (WMRA) Rare corpse flower blooms at Norfolk Botanical Garden (WHRO) Richmond officials pursue voter referendum on new sales tax for schools (The Richmonder) Virginia joins multistate push against ICE rollback on detainee death reporting (Virginia Mercury) CSX begins to remove grain from James River following derailment (Richmond Times-Dispatch)* Petersburg federal prison to close low security unit (The Progress-Index)*  *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:  Extreme heat foils July 4th fireworks at Dogwood Dell  Democrats Hylton, Crosby vie to complete Chesterfield board term    Other links:  How Virginia became the world's data center capital and how it's going (Virginia Mercury)   City Council could weigh referendum to establish new tax to fund school construction (Richmond Times-Dispatch)*  Former historic Black church tied to Richmond's Civil Rights Movement destroyed by fire (WTVR)  Va. Supreme Court panel denies request to combine assault weapons ban cases (12 On Your Side)  Styrofoam food containers now banned at all Virginia restaurants (WHRO)  *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:  State budget delivers unexpected $15M for Richmond Coliseum demolition  Two Central Virginia school districts exit Head Start  On the agenda: This week in Central Virginia public meetings    Other links:  Vindman, Spanberger secure federal Disaster Declaration for Virginia growers affected by ‘unprecedented' spring freezes (Fredericksburg Free Press) John Adams despised one Virginian in particular, calling him ‘obscene,' ‘profane' and ‘impious.' It wasn't Jefferson. (Cardinal News) America Made in Virginia: 250 Years Together (PBS) How Metro got its groove back (The 51st)  *This outlet uses a paywall.  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 chat with VPAP's Executive Director Cat Anthony about the newly approved state budget, the retail cannabis market, new guns laws, and the upcoming election. You can follow along and stay up to date on the latest developments at vpap.org.

Read more from VPM News:  Charlottesville celebrates a half-century of the Downtown Mall  How to beat the heat during Central Virginia's early July heat wave  WATCH: Virginia's Budget Deal in 60 Seconds? (YouTube)   More from VPM PBS for America's 250th:  Declarations: Black Americans and the Revolutionary War  Liberty or Death  Wilder: An American First  Witness to a Century  *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:  Richmond region enacts voluntary water restrictions amid ongoing drought  Questions linger as Richmond's Code Refresh nears final stages    Other links:  Cochiloco pauses World Cup watch parties after large crowd prompts Richmond police response (WTVR)  Valley Link transmission line proposal advances despite pushback from rural Virginians (12 On Your Side)  Mary Baldwin on probation, accreditation at risk over finances (Staunton News Leader)*  Virginia budget funds long-awaited research on menhaden in the Chesapeake Bay (WHRO)  Richmond was a hotbed of peach innovation in the late 1800s, but many are now lost to history (The Richmonder)  *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:  Virginia rejoins regional carbon emissions marketplace  Capital Trees helps Henrico engage with residents on climate goals    Other links:  More red light cameras coming to Richmond as citations, warnings rack up (WRIC)  Voluntary water conservation in Richmond starts July 1 amid statewide drought (WTVR)  Virginia's law books swell with hundreds of new measures on July 1 (Richmond Times-Dispatch)*  County With 37 Data Centers Asks Schools to ‘Conserve Electricity' (404 Media)*  US Supreme Court upholds transgender athlete ban in women and girls' sports (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 from VPM News:  Lawmakers accept Spanberger's budget amendments, averting state funding crisis  Virginians on PrEP to gain protections from life insurance discrimination    Other links:  Chesterfield robbery case leads Supreme Court to restrict geofence warrants (NPR)  Opponents of Code Refresh launch legal challenge of city-wide rezoning effort (Richmond Times-Dispatch)*  Because of delayed primary, there's no early voting location on Richmond's Southside (The Richmonder)  Virginia Task Force 1 conducts rescue missions in Venezuela following earthquakes (WAVY)  Manatee spotted swimming in Appomattox River: 'It's like a unicorn' (WTVR)  *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:  Virginians are feeling the effects of spiking health insurance premiums Hanover supervisors mull raising equipment taxes on data centers On the agenda: Richmond zoning appeals, Hanover community meeting    Other links:  Virginia joins initiative to create three-year bachelor's degree model (Virginia Mercury)  Spanberger proposes digital team to tackle tech challenges facing state agencies (Richmond Times-Dispatch)*  Duke's ends 'Hot Tomato Summer' after five-year run (The Richmonder)  Richmond moves closer to new affordable housing development in Shockoe Bottom (WRIC)  *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:  State budget would eliminate Child Care Subsidy Program waitlist  New regulations beef up data centers' required water use reporting    Other links:  An exodus at the US Attorney's Office for the Western District of Virginia (The Roanoke Times)*  Va. budget bill would allocate $7 million towards homeless services in Charlottesville (29News)  Henrico 'keeping an eye on' low James River levels amid statewide drought warning (Henrico Citizen)  Background checks for private firearm sales to resume July 1 (Cardinal News)  Measles outbreak expands to include Cumberland (WRIC)  *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:  Voting rights court battle drags into primary election  Negotiations stall between Richmond Public Schools, teachers union    Other links:  Henrico confirms fifth rabies case this year after bat tests positive (WRIC)  Federal government scouts for interest in mineral mining off Virginia shores (Virginia Mercury)  Greene County Sheriff's Office stages mass immigration detention in concert with federal officials (C-Ville Weekly)  Local farms face worker shortage as ICE raids continue (Daily News-Record)*  The unending compromise of the Electoral College (Virginia Center for Investigative Journalism at WHRO)  *This outlet uses a paywall.  Our award-winning work is made possible with your donations. Visit vpm.org/donate to support local journalism.

More from VPM News:  Curious Commonwealth asks: Are bears living among Virginians?  Virginia spent millions before shutting down child support system project  Chesterfield taps Kalamazoo's Kevin Catlin for county leadership    Other links:  Richmond conservation group buys last piece of Mayo Island, plans to transform site move forward (WRIC)  “It's just so heart-wrenching”: Luray pastor speaks out after recent ICE arrests (29News)  100K tons of rubble from HRBT expansion will go onto artificial reefs in the Chesapeake Bay (WHRO)  Demo underway on Sports Backers Stadium, clearing way for Diamond District (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. 

Read more from VPM News:  State lawmakers send compromise budget to Spanberger  Google's $9B bet on a trio of Chesterfield data center campuses  America 250 event to light up the Virginia Museum of History and Culture    Other links:  City, RRHA announce agreement on framework for Gilpin Court redevelopment with one-for-one replacement (The Richmonder)  Local bowler attempting world record for longest 10-pin bowling marathon (WDBJ)  Virginia's technical workforce faces uncertainty as funding runs out for middle school program (Cardinal News)  Virginia Medical Imaging sues Mary Washington Healthcare for $2.25M (Fredericksburg Free Press)  *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: Lawmakers reach two-year, $207B budget compromise On the agenda: This week in Central Virginia public meetings  Other links: WATCH: The 1944 Student Bus Protest that Challenged Jim Crow (NOVA Parks) Norfolk channel reaches 55-foot depth, making it the East Coast's deepest port (WHRO News) Albemarle County Public Schools finalizes severance with former superintendent (29 News) City Hall is making its own news, and paying the RTD to distribute it (The Richmonder) Delegate Kent Highlights Legislative Wins (News on the Neck) County plans new Revolutionary War memorial for America 250 celebration (The Prince William Times)* New CEO: Goochland-based CarMax is growing again, but the fix isn't finished (The Richmond Times-Dispatch)*  *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 Jack Jacobs discuss the Richmond region's top business stories, starting with: the potential sale of Short Pump. Town Center, an Amazon warehouse coming to New Kent County, a new housing developing in Southside and Dutch Bros coming to a spot near Willow Lawn.

Read more from VPM News:  Two VCU medical school students push for expanded childcare access  Virginia tribes unite to protect Henrico birthplace of Chief Powhatan  Who's running in Virginia's 1st Congressional District in 2026?  Who's running in Virginia's 5th Congressional District in 2026?   Other links:  Two more city properties, including former school once earmarked for Planned Parenthood, could be surplused for affordable housing (The Richmonder)  Plans for new hospice in Southwest Virginia halted by federal Medicare freeze (Cardinal News)  Baby giraffes found safe after disappearing from Natural Bridge Zoo (WDBJ)  *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:  Bluntly: Virginia legislators, Spanberger add retail weed to state budget  Spanberger sides with House in Virginia budget dispute WATCH: Protecting RVA's Historic Black Cemeteries (YouTube)   Other links:  Joe Morrissey announces run for office, three years after saying he was done with politics (WTVR)  DPU suspends water cutoffs as billing glitches continue (The Richmonder)  Swords into Plowshares reaches out to Black residents, unhoused community for input on recasting Robert E. Lee statue into new public art (Charlottesville Tomorrow)  Baby giraffes found safe after disappearing from Natural Bridge Zoo (WDBJ)  Petersburg casino revenue bounces back in May (The Progress-Index)*  *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:  Who's running in Virginia's 4th Congressional District in 2026?  Who's running in Virginia's 7th congressional District in 2026?  Who in Virginia is running for US Senate in 2026?  ICYMI: VPM was at SailFest! (Instagram)  Other links:  Uwill Mental Health Wellness – Carter G. Woodson Middle School  Uwill Mental Health Wellness – Hopewell High SchoolIndian Health Service payment delays are limiting dental care for Native American patients (WHRO News) Republicans throw out results of Lynchburg firehouse primary that picked council nominees (Cardinal News)  Lavender Hill owner sues city, City Council over SUP denial (The Richmonder)  Morale on decline within Albemarle County Police Department, survey says (The Daily Progress)*  Police find grenades, cannonball in home of Chesterfield man accused of killing police K-9 (WRIC)    *This outlet uses a paywall.  Our award-winning work is made possible with your donations. Visit vpm.org/donate to support local journalism.