VPM Daily Newscast

In this episode we chat with VPAP's Executive Director Cat Anthony about crossover in the General Assembly, how each side is faring in policy advancements, and the continued challenges facing efforts to redistrict Virginia ahead of the November elections.

VPM News Host Lyndon German and BizSense Reporter Jack Jacobs discuss the Richmond region's top business stories of the week, starting with Richmond city council's multimillion dollar loan to the EDA to purchase Sports Backers Stadium, a water utility upgrade in Chesterfield County and proposed law change that could change how Virginia Bars and restaurants operate.

Read more from VPM News:  Virginia’s return to Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative picks up steam  Chesterfield County creates new plant medicine committee  Other links:  Squirrels claim Richmond owes them $6.5 million for ballpark costs (Richmond Times-Dispatch)*  New all-electronic tolling system goes live on Richmond routes this weekend (The Richmonder)  Louisa County among fastest-growing local...

Read more from VPM News:  The future is uncertain for some Virginia farmers after VSU researchers fired  Virginia Museum of History and Culture to add Barbara Johns statue to its collection  Powhite Parkway tolls are about to be a thing of the past in Chesterfield    Other links:  In Democratic rebuttal, Spanberger accuses Trump of driving up costs and chaos (Virginia Mercury)  Virginia lawmakers...

Read more from VPM News:  Most artificial intelligence legislation in Virginia was tabled until 2027  Scenes from the Virginia State Capitol 2026: a dispatch    Other links:  At Longwood, a journey toward racial reckoning (Virginia Center for Investigative Journalism at WHRO)  After federal funding upheavals, Richmond nonprofits say they are bruised but not broken (The Richmonder)  What is ‘perfor...

Read more from VPM News:  Data center tax break takes center stage in Virginia budget plans  General Assembly passes bill containing new congressional map, primary date  Charlottesville City Council tweaks zoning ordinance  On the agenda: It’s budget season in Central Virginia    Other links:  Lawmakers question how Rosie’s was approved to add more gambling machines in Richmond (The Richmonder)  R...

VPM News Host Lyndon German and BizSense Reporter Mike Platania discuss the Richmond region's top business stories, starting with an update on Virginia's legal marijuana market and ending with news of a new housing development coming to Arthur Ashe Blvd.

Read more from VPM News:  With 300-dwelling development looming, nearby Chesterfield residents concerned  Other links:  Tazewell judge temporarily blocks Democrats' redistricting referendum (Associated Press)  Virginia Gov. Spanberger to deliver Democratic response to Trump’s State of the Union address (Virginia Mercury)  Virginia Del. Barry Knight, a retired hog farmer from Virginia Beach, dies a...

Read more VPM News:  Virginia Democrats zero in on final affordability package UVA School of Nursing faculty say new federal report has an error Hanover County unveils $427M budget proposal for fiscal year 2027    Other links:  How much revenue did the City of Petersburg bring in during casino's first days? (The Progress-Index)*  Albemarle County Public Schools proposes draft budget request (29 Ne...

Read more from VPM News: 'Right to repair' bills die in Virginia House subcommittee  Richmond's General Assembly agenda has been a mixed bag so far        Other links:  Our award-winning work is made possible with your donations. Visit vpm.org/donate to support local journalism. 

Read more from VPM News: A $15 minimum wage for Virginia is within reach  Scenes from the Virginia State Capitol 2026: a dispatch    Other links:  After police reforms, Virginia traffic stops increase (VCIJ at WHRO)  Former Attorney General Miyares faces two wrongful firing lawsuits (WRIC)  In First Months as Governor, Abigail Spanberger Kicks Up Heat From the Right (The New York Times)*  Paid sic...

Read more from VPM News: Supreme Court of Virginia greenlights redistricting referendum  Hanover school board approves 2026–27 budget plan  On the agenda: Diamond District, RVA Pay, Charlottesville school budget    Other links:  Bill to create a Prescription Drug Affordability Board clears House of Delegates (Virginia Mercury)  Petersburg's temporary casino makes $4.7 million in first 10 days (Ric...

VPM News Host Lyndon German and BizSense Reporter Jonathan Spiers discuss the Richmond region's top business stories. This week they cover the closure of the Saks Fifth Avenue retail store in Stony Point, a Charlottesville restaurant coming to the Manchester area and new housing developments under development in several parts of the city.

Read more VPM News:  Reforming public university boards is a hot topic at the General Assembly  Richmond Free Press ceases publication after 34 years  Chesterfield teacher’s union warns about preparations for ICE confrontations    Other links:  Charlottesville sees decline in opioid overdose calls, though doctors say concerns remain (29 News)  Attorney General Jay Jones joins multistate lawsuit ch...

Read more VPM News:  Charlottesville school board agrees to 10.5% raise for support professionals  Traveling CPR kiosk brings hands-on training to communities across Virginia  Delegates rework bills related to Virginia Military Institute    Other links:  Pruitt drops out of congressional race, blames Democratic redistricting (The Daily Progress)  Overwhelming majority of Central Virginia ICE detai...

Read more VPM News:  Senate bill would shield Dominion customers from some data center-related costs  Richmond audit finds city didn’t follow Affordable Housing Trust Fund rules  Virginia's college internship program rebrands under state economic development agency    Other links:  Virginia celebrates 20 years of 211 service for health and human needs (WRIC)  Virginia House votes to end Confederat...

Read more VPM News:  House subcommittee advances bill to ban herbicide tied to Parkinson's disease  State regulators OK Dominion project near Hallsley area of Chesterfield    Other links:  Defying administrators’ orders, Chesterfield students and employees walked out Friday to protest immigration enforcement (The Richmonder)  UVa faculty accuse Beardsley of 'bribing' students for their support (Th...

Read more VPM News:  General Assembly considers $36M expansion of gun violence prevention program  Hundreds gather at The Valentine to celebrate Bill Martin’s life and legacy  Spanberger signs bill moving redistricting vote one step closer  Amended cannabis market bill passes despite split among Senate Democrats  On the agenda: Richmond City Center, school board budget meetings    Other links:  Ho...

‘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. In this episode we learn about VPAP's new Executive Director Cat Anthony and how she came to the Virginia Public Access Project. Also, a preview some of what to expect out of this year's General Assembly sessio...

VPM News Host Lyndon German and BizSense Reporter Jackie DiBartolomeo discuss the Richmond region's top business stories. This week they discuss a deal to buy Sports Backers Stadium, a round of a layoffs and Swedish Match and new housing coming to the Manchester neighborhood.

Read more VPM News:  Virginia Democrats propose potential 10–1 congressional map for 2026 midterms  Proposal would let students take Brown v. Board scholarships out of state  Chesterfield touts $1.3B growth in commercial real estate value   Other links:  Rent stabilization bills backed by Richmond fail in Virginia General Assembly (The Richmonder)  Renting in Richmond is only about 20% cheaper tha...

Read more VPM News:  Spanberger orders state law enforcement to exit federal immigration agreements  Virginia Court of Appeals asks SCOVA to take over redistricting case  Immigration policy takes center stage at Richmond school board meeting  Charlottesville carries out Point in Time Count despite icy conditions  Central Virginia delays, closures for Thursday, Feb. 5    Other links:  Bezos orders...

Read more:  General Assembly considering measure that could end state funding for VMI  Anne Holton, former state education chief, named to Richmond school board  Central Virginia closures, delays for Wednesday, Feb. 4   Scenes from the Virginia State Capitol 2026: a dispatch  Other links:  As ICE seeks to expand footprint in Va., Youngkin’s final-day prison sale directive draws scrutiny (Virginia...

Read more VPM News:  Virginia House OKs electric grid review bills  Texas-based monks bring ‘Walk for Peace’ through Chesterfield  Central Virginia closures, delays for Tuesday, Feb. 3    Other links:  As ice lingers in Richmond, Avula asks residents for a few more days of patience (The Richmonder)  Crashes involving cars and pedestrians rising at VCU, despite years of work to stop them (Richmond...