VPM Daily Newscast

Plus: a proposed amendment in Richmond’s budget could ban new tobacco and cannabis shops in the city; Virginia’s decrease in jobs; a commemoration of Hanover students who integrated schools in 1963; and other stories.

From bikes and toys to one reporter’s pants, Repair Cafe RVA works to keep Richmonders using their favorite items longer.

Plus: possible solutions for reducing the number of youth incarcerated at the Bon Air Juvenile Correctional Center; How pay for Hanover County’s boards and commissions compares to neighboring localities; and other stories.    In the podcast: The latest update from VPM News’ “Idleness and boredom” series; VMI appoints an interim president. 

Prominent Richmonders challenge a North American railroad company in a million-dollar lawsuit; a Goochland County brewery prepares to reopen after a yearlong hiatus; and Virginia Housing looks to build a new $15 million parking deck in Richmond.

International students and alumni in Virginia have their visas or visa eligibility terminated. In other news: Virginians can save on power bills with power grid improvements —and more Central Virginia news.    VPM's Spring 2025 membership campaign has been extended to April 20. Right now, several challenges are ongoing that can double your support of our mission. Click or tap here to learn more. 

VPM News editor Whittney Evans digs in to answer this Curious Commonwealth: What does the data tell us about how much Virginia recycles? Submit your own question at vpm.org/curious.   VPM's Spring 2025 membership campaign ends on April 18. Right now, several challenges are ongoing that can double your support of our mission. Click or tap here to learn more. 

Early voting in Virginia’s 2025 primary kicks off on May 2. In other news: Hanover County honors its local integration history, some Virginians have automatic state+federal tax extensions — and more Central Virginia news.    VPM's Spring 2025 membership campaign ends on April 18. Right now, several challenges are ongoing that can double your support of our mission. Click or tap here to learn more....

St. Mary’s Hospital expansion proposal; Henrico planning for change in water infrastructure; UVA Foundation announces new CEO

Bachman captures audio from thunderstorms, floods and the quiet of nature and integrates it into his work.

Richmond officials break ground on a portion of the Diamond District development and explore redevelopment options for the city's shuttered coliseum behind the scenes. Meanwhile, Hanover staff review a revamped proposal from a developer seeking to build a data center campus that spans across the borders of the county and the town of Ashland.

Plus: staffing shortage at Bon Air youth prison; VCU considering tuition increase; GRTC likely to extend free fare program; Ukrop’s 10K road closures    In the podcast: Trump order could affect RGGI; staffing shortage at youth prison 

The approved budget is not official yet, as Gov. Glenn Youngkin has until May 2 to make changes to the state's budget. In other news: Charlottesville City Schools delay school zone speed cameras; new superintendents voted in for Goochland and Hanover counties; and other news.

Days after being confirmed as the Democratic Party candidate for governor, Spanberger visited Central Virginia to endorse some legislative priorities on behalf of Virginians.    In other news: Dr. Karen Shelton publicly addressed the federal “COVID grant” cuts in front of a state advisory panel, WMRA provides a local look at the weekend’s “Hands Off!” protests, andVPM News brought home six awards...

Plus: Scuttled data center legislation and a Charlottesville bike lane plan    In the podcast: Tribal sovereignty and fundraising in the Virginia governor’s race 

Plus: Virginia's former state health commissioner is now warning that the U.S. Health and Human Services Department’s recent decision to cut federal funding for COVID-related grants makes Virginians more susceptible to future pandemics — and “horrific consequences.”    In the podcast: Virginia is the top state to survive an alien invasion; Sens. Kaine and Warner’s candidates for the U.S. Attorney...

Chesterfield Sports Enterprise will kick off construction in the coming days on an 89,000-square-foot facility that is set to feature two professional-level ice rinks; The Novelis plant on Reymet Road in Chesterfield County will close May 30 as part of the company’s overall restructuring; New brunch spot Sassy's is set to open this summer in the former Butterbean Market & Café in Southside Richmon...

Richmond releases final water crisis assessment; mail problems at city hall; a new tool to tamp down on speeding; and Brown Grove residents won’t appeal Wegmans’ case to the state supreme court    In the podcast: Updates from VPM News' “Idleness and boredom” series; the Nansemond Indian Nation sues Virginia over withheld Medicaid reimbursements. 

Today’s podcast episode has been updated to include Jahd Khalil’s summary of the single-day veto session for state lawmakers in Richmond.    All in all, there were about 300 bills for lawmakers in the Democrat-controlled chambers to consider overriding or further amending. Bills with rejected amendments now return to Youngkin, who can decide whether to veto or sign bills, and he can veto budget it...

Curious Commonwealth is a VPM News series that explores audience questions about Virginia — its quirks, its policies and its communities. Today, Phil Liles interviews Billy Shields about how his reporting answered the question, "What happened to the German school that led to German School Road?" A VPM News audience member who works in the area asked about the Southside Richmond landmark's history....

Tomorrow is session reconvene at the General Assembly, so we’ve included a few veto and amendment highlights that are likely to come up in Richmond.    In other news: Richmond is set to consider some waste reduction measures during April — aka Earth Month — and VPM News would like to issue a correction. 

Later this week, VPM News will be publishing the full transcript of our conversation with Dr. Norman Oliver. You can read that and more about VDH funding cuts at vpm.org.

‘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.

The Capital Region Airport Commission recently voted to increase the daily parking rates and rental car fees at Richmond International Airport; CK Bosworth Construction is suing New York City-based Ash Hotels for work performed on the Shenandoah Mansions hotel; and the former Gusti Restaurant Equipment and Supply warehouse on West Broad Street is coming down, six years after the Gusti family reloc...

Plus: Gov. Youngkin’s plans to appoint former state AG Ken Cuccinelli to UVA’s Board of Visitors; Chestefield County’s budget; and other stories.

Plus: A burn ban in effect through the end of the week in Henrico; funding for Richmond’s combined sewer overflow projects; and other stories    In the podcast: New funding included in Youngkin’s amendments for Richmond’s CSO; Henrico burn ban in effect