VPM Daily Newscast

There are about 10 mayoral forums planned in the community over the next two months.  One held late in August at the Second Baptist Church Southside drew hundreds of voters. It was organized by Richmonders Involved to Strengthen our Communities — a network of religious-based community organizations focused on social justice issues, specifically housing and gun violence.  

A pilot program expanding access to mental health care at Virginia’s public colleges has been extended for two more years. Also: Check your eggs, don’t leave firearms in the oven and more news from around Central Virginia.

Richmond’s new baseball stadium will be called CarMax Park; GRTC announced the site of their new bus transfer station; Steam Bell Beer Works filed for bankruptcy in the wake of their closure; and Burger Bach in West Broad Village and Slingshot game club in Scott's Addition closed their doors unexpectedly.

Also: Investigation continues into the cause of Orange County's August water contamination; Richmond’s finance department does not proactively notify residents or business owners of tax credits on their accounts; and other stories.

CarMax Park coming to the Diamond District, students walked out of classes at VCU, Goochland quarry expansion approved, and other stories.

Also: The University of Richmond announced more students will qualify for its “Richmond’s Promise to Virginia” program, federal health officials still urge caution in the wake of the Boar’s Head listeria outbreak, and other news from across Central Virginia.

Also: Former Del. Jay Jones has filed paperwork signaling a 2025 campaign for attorney general, Albemarle County's activated new speed cameras in several school zones and more news from across Central Virginia.

‘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.

Steam Bell Beer Works in Chesterfield has poured its last beer; the workers of Stone Brewing Co. are looking to unionize; Richmond International Airport’s controversial bid to take over certain airline fueling and maintenance operations from two longtime local operators has been put on hold; and work on the Fall Line Trail is making its way into Richmond city limits.

Plus: Metallica teams up with Virginia Tech

Also: Regulators approve expanded lifespan for North Anna Nuclear Power Station, Richmonders celebrate future greenspace at Hotchkiss Field and other news stories from around Virginia.

Plus: The University of Virginia enacts new policies, and Cardinal Elementary School remains closed for the week as officials clean up after a fire

As of late Monday, the Virginia Department of Health is maintaining a Do Not Drink Water Advisory in eastern Orange County. Also: Also: Blue Ridge Health District officials are working with Sentara Martha Jefferson Hospital and UVA Health to have more people fill out the latest community survey, Shockoe Records has launched a streaming service focusing on Richmond's local musical artists and other...

Our top audio story today is a feature on how one school division is tackling the problem of chronic student absenteeism.  Richmond Public Schools is using incentives and engaging with students to battle chronic absenteeism following the COVID-19 pandemic. It’s an issue plaguing schools nationwide.  Ice cream and sneaker raffles are some of the ways staff at Boushall Middle School have worked to i...

An apartment development that’s set to add hundreds of units near the transforming Virginia Center Commons site is underway following a multimillion-dollar land deal that’s been over a year in the making; A Carytown dining institution is changing hands yet again; A veteran of the local restaurant scene is stepping out on his own with a new concept; and a new indoor golf location is set to open in...

Also: Hanover County welcomes new Ashland Elementary School, ASL interpreters at RPS have new continuing contracts and more Central Virginia news. 

Also: Today's feature is about a first-in-the-nation VCU Health program that applies a public health approach to the crisis of youth gun violence. Dr. Michel Aboutanos spoke to VPM News Morning Edition host Phil Liles about the devastating story that inspired him to develop the Bridging the Gap program and why he feels hospitals have a unique opportunity to reach shooting victims while they are st...

Also: The city of Charlottesville could become the second Virginia locality to use ranked choice voting in its local elections. 

Also: Charlottesville mulls over ranked choice voting and other Central Virginia news.

Also: After months of delays with this year's Free Application for Federal Student Aid, the U.S. Department of Education says next year’s FAFSA will open two months later than expected.

One of the final pieces needed for construction to start on Richmond’s Diamond District was put in place Wednesday; A stretch of Grove Avenue in Richmond’s West End is becoming a hotspot for residential infill developments; A vacant Arts District building is set to get new life thanks in part to one of the city’s busier architects; and Norfolk BBQ joint BarQ is opening in the former Starlite space...

Also: The Family Foundation is suing Richmond over the $10 land transfer to Planned Parenthood, Petersburg Animal Shelter is closed for a parvovirus outbreak — and more Central Virginia news.

Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney held a press conference Wednesday, in part, to address ongoing questions about purchase card policies. Also: GOP ex-Rep. Denver Riggleman endorses two Democrats, Chesterfield County Public Schools have a new interim superintendent — and more Central Virginia news.

The city’s public works department is working with an engineering firm on a long-term solution. Also: New accessibility tool comes to state parks, Gov. Glenn Youngkin explains Executive Order 35 — and more Central Virginia news.

Also: A bill to rein in campaign contributions sponsored by Delegate David Bulova — a Fairfax Democrat — was spiked during this year's General Assembly session. That means Virginia’s campaign finance laws remain relatively lax compared to other states.