Podcast appearances and mentions of Michael Pope

Until recently, Virginia was a state where voters had to have a reason to vote early. Now, as Michael Pope reports, the General Assembly is debating ways to make voting easier.

Members of the Virginia General Assembly are debating crime and punishment – including the use of mandatory minimums. Michael Pope has the latest from the Capitol.

Labor politics are at the center of a debate over collective bargaining. Michael Pope has the latest from the Capitol.

Democrats and Republicans across Virginia are divided about affordability. Michael Pope has the latest from the Capitol.

The new governor and the General Assembly are wrapping up their first full week by preparing for this weekend's storm. Radio IQ politics analyst Jeff Schapiro and Michael Pope recap the week in politics and state government.

Virginia made history this week, swearing in its first female governor. Democrats now hold the House, the Senate, and the governor's office. A new legislative session is also getting underway, and from affordability issues to a major redistricting fight, there's a lot on the agenda. Michael Pope of The Virginia Press Room Podcast and Virginia Public Radio joins us to explain this session.  Want some more DC news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter Hey DC. You can text us or leave a voicemail at: (202) 642-2654. You can also become a member, with ad-free listening, for as little as $10 a month.  Learn more about the sponsors of this January 22nd episode: Folger Shakespeare Library Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE.

Virginia has a state tree and a state bird and even a state pollinator. Now, Michael Pope tells us about an effort to add a native state pollinator.

Advocates for gun violence prevention are at the Capitol and demanding action. Michael Pope reports.

Environmental issues were one of the hottest topics on the campaign trail last year. Now, the winners of that election are hoping to put those words to action. Michael Pope reports.

Virginia has five historically Black colleges and universities. Three are private and two public. Now, Michael Pope tells us they have new advocates in the halls of power.

Newly inaugurated Governor Abigail Spanberger spoke to a joint assembly of the House and Senate Monday afternoon. Michael Pope tells us she was focused on affordability.

Members of the Virginia state Senate are considering a bill that would prevent abortion rights opponents from blocking access to clinics. Michael Pope is at the Capitol with the latest.

A new administration is settling into the governor's office. Politics analyst Jeff Schapiro and Michael Pope recap the inauguration of Abigail Spanberger and her first acts as governor.

Over the weekend, Abigail Spanberger was inaugurated as Virginia’s 75th governor. Michael Pope was there and has this report about her inaugural address.

It's a time of transition at the State Capitol. Politics analyst Jeff Schapiro and Michael Pope recap the week in politics and state government.

In the first three days of the General Assembly, Democrats passed four constitutional amendments. Michael Pope tells us they’ll go to voters later this year.

Governor Glenn Youngkin is saying goodbye to the Executive Mansion, delivering his last speech to a joint meeting of House and Senate members. Michael Pope tells us about his message to the General Assembly.

Members of the Virginia General Assembly are back in session this week. And as Michael Pope tells us, they are debating the merits of affordability.

Members of the Virginia General Assembly are back in Richmond and back in session. Michael Pope is at the Capitol with the latest.

Governor Glenn Youngkin will make his final State of the Commonwealth address tonight. Michael Pope and Radio IQ Politics Analyst Jeff Schapiro discuss what the outgoing governor's legacy will be.

Senate Democrats are putting a spotlight on kitchen table issues. Michael Pope has a preview of their agenda, as the General Assembly session starts Wednesday.

Abigail Spanberger is about to be sworn in as Virginia’s 75th governor. Michael Pope tells us about how fundraising for her inauguration is breaking records.

One of the items on the affordability agenda for Virginia Democrats this year is the Equal Pay Act. Michael Pope explains.

Glenn Youngkin is heading into the last week of his term as governor, while Abigail Spanberger is putting her administration together. Politics analyst Jeff Schapiro and Michael Pope recap the week in politics and state government.

As members of the Virginia General Assembly prepare to gavel into session next week, the word to watch is affordability. Michael Pope reports.

Public records are theoretically available to the public. But as Michael Pope reports, local and state governments often deny access by charging large sums of money.

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.

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.

Democrats have big plans for the first few days of the General Assembly session next week. Michael Pope reports.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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.