Podcast appearances and mentions of Michael Pope

Speaker of the House of Delegates Don Scott is about to have 64-seat majority. Michael Pope tells us about the last time Democrats had a majority that large.

Now that the election is over, what lies ahead for Abigail Spanberger and Glenn Youngkin? Politics analyst Jeff Schapiro and Michael Pope recap an eventful week in politics and state government.

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.

Republicans came up short in all three of their statewide races. Michael Pope has this look at how the ticker came up short.

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.

The timing of the election this week is a relic of the 1850s. Michael Pope explains.

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.

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.

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

One week from today is election day in Virginia, and early voting has already started. Every seat in Virginia is on the ballot this November including the high-profile race for whether Democrat Abigail Spanberger or Republican Winsome Earle-Sears will replace Glenn Youngkin as Governor. Now, this is one of the most important and closely watched in the country, and it's also gotten a lot tighter and a lot more scandal-plagued. Michael Pope, a reporter for Virginia Public Radio and host of the Press Room podcast, is following why all eyes are on Virginia this election season. 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 October 28th episode: United Healthcare Double Exposure Investigative Film Festival Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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. 

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.

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

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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

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

Since October arrived on the calendar, the election has been rocked with several surprises. The Republican candidate for lieutenant governor is facing allegations of Nazi fetishism.  And the Democrat running for attorney general faced questions about a reckless driving conviction. That is, until another October surprise hit, as Michael Pope tells us.  

Interest groups supporting the gambling industry are making big investments in the Virginia election this year. Michael Pope reports.

Are federal issues making an impression on Virginia voters? Politics analyst Jeff Schapiro and Michael Pope recap the week in politics and state government.

As the federal government shutdown continues, a new report shows how many federal workers the government has lost so far this year. And as Michael Pope tells us, the rest of this year is likely to see even more shocking numbers.

Political ads are flooding the airwaves now that campaign season is in full swing. And, as Michael Pope tells us, those commercials are funded by a lot of new donors. Here’s the analysis from the Virginia Public Access Project.

Election season isn’t just flooding the airwaves this year. Michael Pope tells us about the latest trend in direct mail.

Trial attorneys are cleaning up on eviction fees, raking in money on people who are struggling to make ends meet. Michael Pope has more from a new report.

While the 2025 campaign is heading into the final weeks, some are already looking to 2026. Politics analyst Jeff Schapiro and Michael Pope recap the week in politics and state government.

All 100 seats of the House of Delegates are on the ballot this year, although most of the money and attention are going to a dozen or so competitive races. Michael Pope has this report on some of the rural Democrats that are not receiving as much attention.

The politics of power are on the ballot this year as voters determine what approach Virginia will take to handling increased demand on the energy grid. Michael Pope reports about how that issue is playing out in one of the most competitive House races on the ballot this year.

Federal prosecutors in Virginia are seeing some record turnover. Michael Pope has the story.

Early voting has already started in Virginia, although some locations are more likely to have early voters than others. Michael Pope reports.

Virginians will weigh in on statewide offices this fall – as early voting for the November elections gets underway. Michael Pope and Radio IQ Politics Analyst Jeff Schapiro discuss that and the week that was in state politics and government.

Every ending carries within it the seed of a beginning. To leave something behind—whether it's a beloved job, a familiar city, or the comfort of a community—requires not only courage but also an embrace of uncertainty. In this first episode of Season 11, we step directly into that tension: the sacred space between goodbye and a new hello.Carrie Fox sits down with nonprofit leader Mike Pope and theater founder Elisa Pupko at the very edge of a new chapter. Together with their two young children, they're leaving behind steady careers, a home in Brooklyn, and the familiarity of everyday life to embark on a yearlong journey around the world. It's a leap that began with a fleeting thought on a run and grew into an intentional act of re-imagining what family, leadership, and community might look like.As Mike reflects on stepping aside from his nonprofit after 15 years, he asks what it means to honor an organization by knowing when to let go. Elisa, meanwhile, navigates the delicate balance of letting her company grow stronger in her absence while choosing presence with her family. And together, they invite us to consider what it means to say yes—not when the plan is complete, but when the possibility feels alive.Their story is not only about travel; it's about perspective. About the way children learn to smile at strangers on playgrounds in foreign cities. About how leaders discover strength in stepping back. About how the question “what if?” can open doors we didn't realize were waiting.With this conversation we invite you to wonder what might happen if we—all of us—leaned into the space between goodbye and hello, and allowed it to teach us something new.Follow along with Elisa and Mike and their whole family at https://twokidsoneworld.com/. (00:00) - Welcome to Mission Forward (04:24) - "What would happen if we just ... left?" _____This episode is supported by The Johnson Foundation at Wingspread. At their Frank Lloyd Wright–designed campus, Wingspread brings leaders and communities together to turn dialogue into action. Learn more at johnsonfdn.org or wingspread.com.This episode is also brought to you by Positively Partners. When HR starts to slow down your mission, it's time for a better solution. Positively HR is the fully outsourced HR partner that understands nonprofits—and acts like part of your team. Learn more at PositivelyPartners.org.

The latest round of campaign finance numbers are showing the state of the race so far. Michael Pope tells us about money in the race for lieutenant governor.

Campaign finance numbers are revealing the shape of Virginia politics heading into this year’s election for governor. Michael Pope reports the latest disclosures show Democrat Abigail Spanberger has more than twice as much cash on hand heading into the fall election season.

Early voting starts on Friday. Michael Pope has this preview.

Members of the General Assembly are about to face a choice: Either find a way to fix errors in SNAP benefits or pay the price. Michael Pope reports.

The murder of Charlie Kirk shocked the nation and Virginia. Politics analyst Jeff Schapiro and Michael Pope recap the week in politics and state government.

Virginia is seeing a rise in data centers just as demand for power is at unprecedented levels. Michael Pope reports one way to power them on-site.

The latest Census numbers have some positive key indicators. But as Michael Pope reports, some are concerned about where those indicators may be heading next year.