VPM Daily Newscast

Plus: Youngkin vetoes a bill that would have streamlined planning around energy efficiency programs in Virginia.    In the podcast: Sen. Warner discusses Signal leak and Richmond council considers downtown infrastructure study   

Plus: a Dominion Energy “near miss;” an update on Virginia’s basketball teams in March Madness; and other stories.

Did it feel like last Thursday–Friday was filled with breaking news, or was that just us? Get caught up on the latest about VCU’s DEI office, the US Department of Education, the upcoming state budget amendments — and more Central Virginia news. 

Henrico is looking to acquire the Best Products property; Jonathan Spiers tours the new ball park; Petersburg breaks ground on a new casino; and a New York developer is seeking to build a high-rise in downtown Richmond.

Reporter Dean Mirshahi speaks with Maj. Michael LaRocca, a Virginia Military Institute professor. Note: This episode discusses mental health, illness and suicide. Mental health and suicide prevention resources In emergency situations, call 988 or 911. National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255 Deaf or Hard of Hearing? 1-800-799-4889 En Español: 1-888-628-9454 Mental Health America of Vir...

A federal judge in Maryland has temporarily ordered the reinstatement of grants for teacher preparation programs. A long-standing program at Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond is one of them.  In other news: Remembering a longtime Virginia judge who recently died; Hanover County to weigh expansion of Ashcake Road Landfill; Gov. Glenn Youngkin has signed 180 bills — and more Central Virgi...

One reader's question about Richmond's water quality turned into the latest edition of Curious Commonwealth.

Plus: Hanover residents lose appeal over Wegman’s development and Trump changes FBI HQ plans    In the podcast: Richmond budget, FBI headquarters and Wegmans’ distribution center   

Two mobile home residents in Richmond opened their doors to Mayor Danny Avula, who is weighing whether a fund for mobile home repairs will be part of his first city budget for fiscal year 2026.  In other news: a VDOE executive resigns, Henrico’s GreenCity development is over — and more Central Virginia news. 

The multimillion dollar agreement between Chesterfield County and Competitive Racing Investments ushers in a new era of racing for the longtime stock car racetrack that’s been closed since 2020; The JXN Project was recently awarded $75,000 through the Virginia Museum of History and Culture’s Commonwealth History Fund to assist in its effort to rebuild the Skipwith-Roper Cottage; The Hadad family i...

Plus: a book band study and study abroad grantees in limbo    In the podcast: Veterans Affairs employees in Richmond let go; GoochlandCares CEO discuss career; Dominion to test AI.   

Plus: Hadad's Lake up for auction; prescribed burns at the Washington and Jefferson National Forests; and other stories

Plus: Albemarle County Public Schools’ speed cameras; a new president for Randolph-Macon; and other stories.    In the podcast: Southside Speedway set to return, new president for Randolph-Macon College. 

Plus: Virginia's future in RGGI, bacterial meningitis at UVA and other stories.

The move, first widely publicized by The Wall Street Journal on Friday, requires University President Jim Ryan to report back on compliance within 30 days. In other news: Happy "spring forward" for Daylight Saving Time! This is when the DST-observing commonwealth switches to EDT (Eastern Daylight Time). We'll "fall back" to Eastern Standard Time on Nov. 2. Did you know VPM News is taking one criti...

Plans for Henrico's GreenCity development have fallen through amid defaults on payments, and the City of Richmond has officially finalized the sale of land for part of the redevelopment of the Diamond District.

Sen. Tim Kaine discusses a potential federal order to dismantle the U.S. Department of Education; another man sets himself on fire at a state prison; Chesterfield eyes two data center projects; and one barrier to VMFA building a new storage facility is removed.    In the podcast: A death at Red Onion, Chesterfield data center and VMFA rezoning 

Plus: Sub Rosa Bakery's plans to reopen; Henrico GreenCity plans are up in the air; the FY26 Richmond Public Schools budget; and other stories

Did you know that one of the biggest influences on Virginia government was a legal paper by an Iowa Supreme Court Justice?

Plus: Applications for the Richmond Health Equity Fund are now open; Chesterfield's Southside Speedway could be racing again over the next few years; Charlottesville's newest historical marker unveiled; and other stories.  

Plus: VMI's board chooses to not renew current superintendent's contract; free trees in Charlottesville; more solar projects could be headed to Virginia; and other stories.

‘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 Diamond District development is facing a new lawsuit from a former partner in the venture; Henrico County has proposed a new fiscal year budget focused on improving water service after a failure in early January; and Richmond has unveiled a new Business Portal to register businesses and renew existing licenses.

In an executive order, which was signed Thursday, Youngkin asks for law enforcement to identify people currently incarcerated in Virginia jails and prisons who are flagged for potential deportation. 

State Sen. Stella Pekarsky (D–Fairfax) carried SB 1212 this session, which would require companies to disclose any hidden fees before consumers pay.    Plus: Former Del. Dave LaRock has filed to run for governor — potentially setting up a GOP primary against Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears.    In the podcast: Richmond DPU hires permanent director and former Del. Dave LaRock files to run for governor....