VPM Daily Newscast

Read more from VPM News:  Congress earmarks $850K for stormwater improvements in Shockoe watershed  Hanover supervisors nix Mountain Road data center project  ICYMI: On the agenda: RPS budget cuts, Richmond resident planning commission    Other links:  Virginia lawmakers are set to return to Richmond as budget deadline nears (Virginia Mercury)  Code refresh opponents air AI-generated ad showing wo...

Read more from VPM News:  Lawmakers surprised by Spanberger's veto of higher ed governance bills  Recent rains aren't enough to reverse Virginia's severe drought status  Higher ed union rift deepens amid failed collective bargaining expansion  On the agenda: RPS budget cuts, Richmond resident planning commission    Other links:  Spanberger’s veto spree turns many in her own party against her (The...

‘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 scuttled redistricting effort, which bills Governor Abigail Spanberger vetoed, and data from the end of the lobbying year. You can fo...

VPM News Host Lyndon German and BizSense Reporter Jackie DiBartolomeo discuss the Richmond region's top business stories starting with an update on the Diamond District, Swift Creek Mill Theatre operations and a new bike shop in Church Hill.

Plus: A look at how Henrico County groups are trying to slow the growth of invasive plant species. Read more from VPM News:  A growing invasion: Henrico’s effort to track and contain invasive plants  Federal nutrition benefit cuts hit Charlottesville's immigrant communities hard  Gov. Spanberger ousts Virginia Tech Rector John Rocovich    Other links:  After years of no penalties, Richmond DPU wan...

Plus: Quadaire Patterson hopes Virginians vote “yes” to restore rights of returning citizens. Read more from VPM News: Quadaire Patterson wants full citizenship for people convicted of felonies  Chesterfield planners wave caution flag on Southside Speedway relaunch  Hanover planning commission advances US-1 redevelopment proposal    Other links: Spanberger: Reviving vetoed bills in a budget would...

The nickname was built on casino operators’ clever use of a legal loophole.   Read more from VPM News:  Curious Commonwealth asks: Why was Colonial Beach known as “Las Vegas on the Potomac”?  Spanberger signs mandatory paid sick leave into law  Cyclists and business owners push for trail improvements in Chesterfield    Other links:  Third draft of code refresh to be rolled out in phases starting i...

More from VPM News:  Virginia War Memorial adds 4 names to Shrine of Memory  Inside one woman’s effort to bring tiny homes to Richmond  On the agenda: Chesterfield administrator candidates, Richmond bag tax update  ICYMI: Spanberger's split decision on immigration bills draws praise, frustration  ICYMI: Novel set in 2020 Richmond explores personal change during social unrest    Other links:  Richm...

More from VPM News:  Charlottesville group builds community with resettled Afghan, Syrian women  WATCH: 🚭 Virginia Maintains Retail Can't-abis Market 🚭    Other links:  VPM is Bound for Downtown! (Instagram)  Notes from the Square: What a week, Virginia (Cardinal News)  City considers relocating Pantops encampment amid concerns (CBS19)  Lewis Ginter's $31 million expansion is now open (WTVR)  Ne...

VPM News Host Lyndon German and BizSense Reporter Jack Jacobs discuss the Richmond region's top business stories starting with Gov. Abigail Spanberger's veto to a bill that would have legalized retail marijuana sales beginning in 2027, Dominion Energy's merger with NextEra, and Shamin Hotels' expansion in the Richmond.

Read more from VPM News:  Chickahominy Nation plans child development center in Charles City County  Scale Up Henrico invests in local businesses without traditional funding  Novel set in 2020 Richmond explores personal change during social unrest   Other links:  Council committee punts on transparency measures after shutting down discussion (The Richmonder)  Dave Kennedy drops out of 6th District...

More from VPM News:  Virginia tries to balance regulating AI and avoiding Trump blowback  Virginia closes loophole in invasive plant law  WATCH: 🏠 Virginia Affordable Housing Solutions? 🏠    Other links:  Richmond schools highlighted nationally for reading recovery, literacy gains (The Richmonder)  Preservation, environmental groups say Valley Link transmission line risks Va.’s natural resources...

Read more from VPM News:  Spanberger vetoes retail weed market bill, despite campaign pledge  Richmond outlines 4 steps to build trust amid ongoing immigration fears  Habitat for Humanity project brings innovative affordable housing to Staunton  Cooling centers open in Central Virginia to help beat the heat    Other links:  Va. Senate pushes back on governor as budget showdown looms (Richmond Time...

Read more from VPM News:  'Assault weapons' ban OKed by Spanberger met with immediate legal challenges  Florida-based NextEra agrees to $67B Dominion Energy acquisition    Other links:  GRTC commits to another year of fare-free service (The Richmonder)  Spanberger directs new revenue forecast to aid budget talks (Richmond Times-Dispatch)*  Parents frustrated over broken AC at Henrico elementary sc...

Union members have called the veto a “betrayal.” Also: The US Supreme Court denied a request to intervene in Virginia's redistricting fight. Read more from VPM News:  Spanberger’s collective bargaining veto tests relationship with labor  Hanover broadband expansion on track for completion by end of 2026  ICYMI: US Supreme Court declines to intervene in Virginia redistricting On the agenda: Richmon...

VPM News Host Lyndon German and BizSense Reporter Mike Platania discuss the Richmond region's top business stories starting with the recent sale of the historic Richmond Free Press building, a pizzeria opening in Northside and Stella's new storefront in Chesterfield County.

Read more from VPM News:  Richmond judges press city councilors on poor conditions at John Marshall building  Richmond Virtual Academy to close amid budget constraints    Other links:  Why Richmond may move polling locations away from city schools (WTVR)  NAACP asks US Supreme Court to overturn Virginia redistricting decision (Virginia Mercury)  ‘Chill’ bear tranquilized after journey into Oregon...

A developer offered the city $7 million in cash for the Southside site. Read more from VPM News:  Enrollment still open for Virginia Preschool Initiative  2026 Dominion Energy Riverrock road closures    Other links:  Hyperscale, Hyperspeed: North Carolina residents worry about rate hikes to power AI data centers (WUNC)  Virginia students continue to struggle in reading but show signs of recovery (...

Read more from VPM News:  Spanberger signs landmark paid family and medical leave bill into law  Richmond School Board votes to surplus Southside property marked for development    Other links:  Richmond's top judge orders City Hall to justify failure to improve downtown courthouse (Richmond Times-Dispatch)*  Deal inked to sell Richmond Free Press building to local developer for $2.4M (Richmond Bi...

Read more from VPM News:  Richmond councilors sign off on $3.5B budget for FY27  Updated: Virginia Democrats ask US Supreme Court to step in on redistricting case Dominion Energy plans for state’s biggest gas plant in Cumberland (VPM News)  New study highlights importance of home repair assistance programs    Other links:  City seeks dismissal of water crisis lawsuit from former DPU director (Rich...

Read more from VPM News:  Democrats ask SCOVA to halt order nullifying redistricting vote  New law will require Virginia colleges to ask students if they're parents  Virginia politicians react to SCOVA overturning redistricting vote  On the agenda: Budget votes for City of Richmond, Chesterfield schools    Other links:  Questions linger in wake of FBI raid of Sen. Lucas, Norfolk CBD shop (The Virg...

Read more from VPM News:  Questions remain around FBI search linked to Sen. L. Louise Lucas  Henrico expands support to Salvation Army’s Northside Richmond shelter    Other links:  Justice Department launches civil rights probe into prosecutor in Virginia (The Washington Post)*  Virginia Beach works to woo tourists after curfew, 2 recent shootings (Virginian-Pilot)*  Charlottesville ‘Roots of Care...

Read more from VPM News:  FBI searches Virginia Sen. Louise Lucas' office, businesses in Portsmouth Community groups question Richmond police’s use of Flock Safety cameras    Other links:  VCU expands nursing programs as Virginia faces statewide shortage (WRIC)  Menhaden board punts vote to increase Virginia reduction fishery quota restrictions (Virginia Mercury)  Historic USS Gerald Ford deployme...

More from VPM News:  Greater Richmond celebrates National Bike Month with multimodal solutions Charlottesville’s ‘State of Homelessness’ report identifies greater need Watch RVA Bike Month Kick(stand)s Off (YouTube) Other links: RVA Bike Month calendar Historic USS Gerald Ford deployment takes toll on military families (WHRO for NPR) Spring Valley Orchard to be closed for the 2026 season (CBS 19)...

Read more from VPM News:  Chesterfield students turn to generative AI for problem solving  ICYMI: Central Virginia public meetings for the week of May 4    Other links:  Report: Pricey transmission upgrades stalling much-needed Virginia energy projects (WHRO)  Richmond expands no-parking rules for bike lanes to include buffer zones (The Richmonder)  Can a carbon price lower power bills? Virginia i...