Virginia Public Radio

Amid deportations, visa processing freezes, and the forthcoming trial of an Afghan refugee suspected of shooting two National Guard soldiers, an Afghan man living in Central Virginia reflects on his time helping U.S. Special Forces and where his allegiances lie. Christine Kueter spoke with him.

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.

For decades anglers, scientists, conservationists and commercial fishermen have debated whether an Atlantic menhaden industrial fishing fleet is fishing sustainably in the Chesapeake Bay. But without solid data, fishing continues. This year, there are several new pushes to get those numbers, as Pamela D’Angelo reports.

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.

Even before federal agents shot and killed a second U.S. citizen in Minnesota over the weekend, Democrats in Virginia were looking to limit future agreements between federal agencies and state and local law enforcement when immigration is involved. Brad Kutner has this report on efforts made public over the weekend. 

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.

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

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.

Virginia is on track to get one of its nastiest winter storms in years, but fear of another ICE, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, is on the mind of immigrant Virginians. Governor Abigail Spanberger tried to address those concerns this, as Brad Kutner reports.

The Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative is a multi-state compact that aims to pool resources to address climate change and build resiliency. Former Governor Glenn Youngkin took Virginia out of the agreement, but one of his department heads, kept on by Governor Abigail Spanberger, spoke in favor of rejoining the pact Wednesday morning. Brad Kutner has […]

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.

Virginia has one of the longest early voting periods in the country. And Michael Pope tells us that it’s here to stay.

Democrats and Republicans from Southwest Virginia agree: Appalachian Power ratepayers have seen unsustainable bill increases and something has to be done. Brad Kutner has this report. 

Courthouses across Virginia have been the scene of arrests made by federal immigration officials. But Michael Pope tells us that members of the Virginia General Assembly are hoping to crack down on that.

Over the last three years, the number of men who hunt in Virginia declined by about 10,000, reflecting national trends. At the same time, about a thousand more women across the Commonwealth took up the sport, as Christine Kueter reports. And a note to listeners, this story does include the sound of a gunshot.

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.

Virginia law requires restaurants that sell liquor to sell an almost equal amount of food. Efforts to change that so-called food to booze ratio have faced hurdles, but many longtime opponents in the legislature are gone and a bipartisan, younger crop of lawmakers is looking to make changes. Brad Kutner has this report. 

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.

Governor Abigail Spanberger was inaugurated Saturday, and with it issued a series of day one executive orders. Among them is one giving her the option to end a relationship initiated by former governor Glenn Youngkin between Virginia State Police and Immigration and Customs Enforcement, or ICE. Brad Kutner has this report. 

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

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.