VPM Daily Newscast

Richmond’s search for its preferred development team for the seemingly stagnant City Center redevelopment project is said to be down to one team and in final negotiations as the slow-moving process enters a third year; VCU Athletics’ new hub near The Diamond took a step closer to becoming reality last week; and a startup that was spun out of MIT is planning to build what it hopes will be the world...

Plus: the state Department of Corrections is investigating Red Onion State Prison; the City of Richmond is negotiating with a City Center developer and potentially record-breaking travel numbers. 

During his budget presentation Wednesday, the Republican governor unveiled a series of amendment proposals that would finance three years of tax rebates. Also: Charlottesville City Schools is adding two mental wellness days to its calendar, Virginia’s population is getting older, faster – and more Central Virginia news. 

The commonwealth’s electors met Tuesday to cast their votes for president. In other news: Hanover County is considering its options for the former Henry Clay ES site, Richmond is looking at multiple land sales – and more Central Virginia news.

Plus: a Republican candidate has been nominated to fill Del.-Elect John McGuire’s state senate seat; legislation to legalize retail marijuana to return for next General Assembly session; and other stories. 

Plus: Two Central Virginia school districts announce new cell phone policies, Richmond city officials ask state officials for help reducing overflow from the city’s combined sewer overflow system.

Next year is shaping up to be a notable one for the Springline at District 60 development in Chesterfield; The VMFA’s largest expansion project in its nearly 90-year history has hit a snag; Richmond’s top administrator for the past four years will not continue in the role under the next mayor and City Council; and Breakwater Cos. spent nearly $6 million for sites in and around Scott’s Addition in...

Plus: a Richmond gun buyback event, Youngkin aims for increased schools funding and the commonwealth’s 2025 minimum wage.

Plus: A town in Virginia has dissolved its charter; the latest on an Augusta County wildfire; A group of Virginia lawmakers are calling for increased state funding to eliminate a waitlist for subsidized child care; and other stories. 

Congressman-elect John McGuire, a Republican, told VPM News last month, “We are working through timing and will be resigned before being sworn into Congress, as required.” Virginia’s legislative session starts Jan. 8, days after Congress convenes on Jan. 3.    Henrico County is short ~200 public school teachers, and the Albertsons–Kroger merger has been blocked by the feds. Poet Nikki Giovanni die...

Plus: Richmond Registrar Keith Balmer’s city-issued procurement card was reinstated while he was under investigation; VCU Health is open to working with a mediator with the city; and other stories. 

Richmond City Council set to redo a vote on waste management; Richmond’s public housing authority plans to spend $18M to update seniors’ facilities; a Brown v. Board scholarship committee discusses expanding the program; Albemarle will build its first new elementary school in 20 years.

Richmond Bizsense's Mike Platania speaks to VPM Host Benjamin Dolle about a potential boom in affordable housing in the Richmond area.

Richmond registrar discusses alleged misuse of funds; three JMU dorms without heat on Thursday; a new plan to battle pollution in Virginia; and Dominion Energy Christmas Parade closes portion of West Broad Street.    Today’s top audio stories include a piece on Red Onion State Prison, where at least 6 people who are incarcerated at the facility burned themselves this fall. An attorney for one of t...

Plus: Sen. Tim Kaine talks about his newest legislation, the Protecting Our Essential Medicines Act; a crucial public medevac service could be in jeopardy if funding situation isn’t secured; a feature with VPM News reporters Jahd Khalil and Megan Pauly; and other news.

Plus: The Charlottesville City Council talks trucks, Richmond Public Schools has a new electronic devices policy — and other Central Virginia news.  

Plus: Virginia's elected officials are considering how to build out enough solar energy and storage to meet the state’s rapidly growing needs; $14.4 million will help protect 28 sites across the state; a family of piglets celebrates their first birthday in Glen Allen; and other stories.

Qualifying TCC students can send kids ages 2–5 to the center free of charge, through a federal grant program called Child Care Access Means Parents in School. Also: Hardwood species like white oak have been a ubiquitous feature of North America for centuries. Today, most eastern hardwood forests don’t have the conditions to produce a new generation of trees, raising the threat of steep declines. 

‘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.

Our top audio stories today include reports of self-harm at Red Onion State Prison, a holiday traffic outlook and the proposal of a new law to combat opioid substance use disorders. 

PLUS: Grants from the Virginia Department of Education to help bolster school security were awarded to 472 schools, a popular Charlottesville trail closing temporarily, and other stories.    Today’s top audio stories include 472 schools getting money from the Virginia Department of Education to bolster school security and more on Rep. Jennifer McClellan’s legislation to federally recognize the Not...

Hanover County and All Points Broadband kicked off the next phase of Connect Hanover last week; President-elect Donald Trump’s border czar is a Fredericksburg-area businessowner; and the Free Application for Federal Student Aid is live after a monthslong technical delay.    Today’s top audio stories include the Virginia connections of President-elect Donald Trump’s border czar, Congressman-elect E...

The dispute between Richmond and VCU Health over tax payments tied to a failed downtown development could be headed to mediation or litigation; A former bank examiner at the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond pleaded guilty to insider trading on Tuesday; and the city’s tallest rooftop bar is shutting down, but its enviable view won’t be off limits for long.

Today’s top audio stories include Richmond Mayor-elect Danny Avula selects transition team members; What motivated Virginia’s Latino voters at the polls?; GOP primary in Virginia’s 10th Senate District; Henrico supervisors OK purchase of about 18 acres for new firehouse and training area.   

Plus: a Henrico County lawsuit about skill games, the groundbreaking of a new Chesterfield elementary school — and more Central Virginia news.