VPM Daily Newscast

Read more from VPM News: Virginia lawmakers are on the cusp of changing medical malpractice law General Assembly kills bills for certifying high-power facilities Charlottesville considers $279M spending plan Richmond School Board approves $550M budget for fiscal 2027 Heads up, Richmond: 2026 River City Half and 5K road closures, ‘no parking’ zones Other links: Virginia joins multistate lawsuit challenging Trump administration over new global tariffs (Virginia Mercury) Hopewell city manager hopefuls include two recently fired administrators (The Progress-Index)* FOIA Files: 2025 Loudoun Crime Stats Release Would Cost $600, LCSO Says (Loudoun Now) Richmond councilwoman threatens to subpoena Mayor Avula (The Richmond Times-Dispatch)* *This outlet uses a paywall Our award-winning work is made possible with your donations. Visit vpm.org/donate to support local journalism.

Read more from VPM News: Supreme Court of Virginia greenlights April 21 referendum again Del. Josh Thomas wants to put Virginia's boys and men on a better path Lawmakers advance bills to set up child care cost-sharing pilot Charlottesville considers $279M spending plan Other links: GW sold Virginia campus for $427 million to Amazon for data center development (The GW Hatchet) Why a 6-year-old with diabetes is pushing for change in Virginia (WTOP) Wintergreen emergency exit bill passes U.S. House (CBS 19) Our award-winning work is made possible with your donations. Visit vpm.org/donate to support local journalism.

Read more VPM News: Richmond School Board approves $550M budget for fiscal 2027 Henrico School Board OKs funding 100+ new positions in FY27 budget Chief Justice Cleo Powell formally sworn into Supreme Court of Virginia Other links: Military families brace for long deployments during operation against Iran (WHRO News) William & Mary on Pentagon’s list of ‘toxic indoctrination’ colleges, losing its support (The Virginian-Pilot)* Va. transportation board overturns decision to transfer rail and trail project (Virginia Mercury) Early voting will begin everywhere Friday except in Tazewell County. Is that legal? (Cardinal News) *This outlet uses a paywall. Our award-winning work is made possible with your donations. Visit vpm.org/donate to support local journalism.

Read more from VPM News: Early voting on Virginia redistricting amendment set to begin Friday Scenes from the Virginia State Capitol 2026: a dispatch Other links: Lawmakers divided over Iran strikes, launched without approval from Congress (NPR) Naval Station Norfolk updates visitor policy, suspends Trusted Traveler Program (WAVY) Poopy Potomac no more? D.C. lifts advisory for river after sewage spill (The 51st) Harrisonburg music scene hit by ABC violation, fire marshal closures (WMRA) Researchers probe unmarked graves at Virginia site where slaves once toiled (The Washington Post)* *This outlet uses a paywall. Our award-winning work is made possible with your donations. Visit vpm.org/donate to support local journalism.

Read more from VPM News: Richmond police extend contract with Flock Safety for license plate readers Henrico EDA head Tretina outlines vision for growth Richmond-area faith leaders speak out on federal immigration enforcement On the agenda: Budget discussions for Richmond and Charlottesville schools Other links: For some neighborhoods, it’s covenants — not zoning — that decides what gets built (The Richmonder) At General Assembly, defense of Confederate statues sparks outrage (The Virginian-Pilot) Army Corps plans to fast-track infrastructure priorities, including in Virginia (Virginia Mercury) Novartis settles with estate of Henrietta Lacks over use of 'stolen' cells (The Associated Press) Our award-winning work is made possible with your donations. Visit vpm.org/donate to support local journalism.

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 localities in Virginia, UVA estimates show (29News) Attorney General Jay Jones joins multistate coalition challenging Trump’s birthright citizenship executive order (WRIC) Spotsylvania settles on data center rules (The Free Lance-Star)* Our award-winning work is made possible with your donations. Visit vpm.org/donate to support local journalism.

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 push for action after massive Potomac sewage spill (WRIC) Homeless shelter operator will serve three years in prison for defrauding Richmond and HUD (Richmond Times-Dispatch) Lynchburg council votes to go to court over redistricting referendum (Cardinal News) Our award-winning work is made possible with your donations. Visit vpm.org/donate to support local journalism.

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 ‘performance-based regulation’, and how can it lower utility bills? (Virginia Mercury) DOJ reaches settlement with CarMax over illegal repossession of servicemembers' vehicles (WTVR) CASA seeks to secure first state funding increase since 2008 amid rising demand for services (Cardinal News) Our award-winning work is made possible with your donations. Visit vpm.org/donate to support local journalism.

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) RPD liaison, police discuss preventative measures after Shockoe Bottom shooting (WRIC) A school suspended 323 students after ICE protest. They protested again. (The Washington Post)

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 at 71 (Virginian-Pilot) John McGuire would rather not talk about redistricting in Virginia (The Daily Progress)* Dominion Energy Riverrock announces music lineup, venue change for 2026 (WRIC) Veterans sue over Trump’s planned 250-foot arch, citing cemetery views (The Washington Post)* *Paywall Our award-winning work is made possible with your donations. Visit vpm.org/donate to support local journalism.

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 News) PWC supervisors collect nearly $300K in campaign donations – mostly from data center interests (The Prince William Times) Petition to recall Martinsville mayor moves forward (WDBJ) *This outlet has a paywall. Our award-winning work is made possible with your donations. Visit vpm.org/donate to support local journalism.

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 sick leave bill passes Virginia House of Delegates (Virginia Mercury) Dominion plans $1 billion super-high voltage line through Piedmont Virginia (Richmond Times-Dispatch)* Our award-winning work is made possible with your donations. Visit vpm.org/donate to support local journalism.

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 (Richmond Times-Dispatch)* Virginia measles cases this year already surpass 2025 total, VDH data shows (29News) Spring fire season and state-wide burning law begin (CBS19) *Paywall link Our award-winning work is made possible with your donations. Visit vpm.org/donate to support local journalism.

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 challenging Trump’s changes to loan forgiveness rules (WRIC) Va. unemployment claims jump 71%. Those don't include nearly 700 looming Amazon layoffs. (Richmond Times-Dispatch) After sale of Virginia nursing home, data shows 911 calls spiked by 70% (WTVR) Our award-winning work is made possible with your donations. Visit vpm.org/donate to support local journalism.