VPM Daily Newscast

Read more from VPM News: On the agenda: Henrico code updates, Charlottesville PCOB special session Other links: Spanberger signs remodel of VCU Health board, removing Rao as chair (The Commonwealth Times) RPS will consider selling naming rights to school facilities (The Richmonder) Founding GWAR Member Chuck Varga Battling Cancer, Band Launches Blood Donation Campaign (Consequence of Sound) Charlottesville vineyard faces uncertain season after freeze kills some vines (29News) *This outlet uses a paywall. 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 Jack Jacobs discuss the Richmond region's top business stories. This week's topics include an update on Virginia's proposed recreational marijuana law, Stone Brewing Co. move out of Richmond and an update on the legal battle brought forth by former performers of a Scott's Addition strip club.

Read more from VPM News: Virginia money committee heads point the finger at each other on budget Persistent ICE activity at Richmond's Southwood highlights monitoring efforts Other links: Staunton, built overtop converging streams, drafts flood resilience plan (WMRA) Member One–Virginia Credit Union merger creates bank account issues (WDBJ) Swift Creek Mill Theatre Announces Closure (Style Weekly) VCU names head of the medical school as provost (Richmond Times-Dispatch)* Horses being quarantined after potential exposure to neurological disease (CBS19) *This outlet uses a paywall. Our award-winning work is made possible with your donations. Visit vpm.org/donate to support local journalism.

More VPM News: General Assembly declines Spanberger amendments to major bills What are the redistricting lawsuits? Here’s what you should know. Charlottesville School Board splits on ending agreement with CPD Other links: A domestic fight, a gun and a Virginia tragedy (Virginia Center for Investigative Journalism at WHRO) Fairfax County voters supported redistricting amendment except in four precincts (FFXNow) Redistricting amendment: How Richmond voted on Tuesday (The Richmonder) Spanberger signs ‘Momnibus’ bills as abortion opponents hit the streets in Virginia March for Life (Virginia Mercury) *This outlet uses a paywall. Our award-winning work is made possible with your donations. Visit vpm.org/donate to support local journalism.

More VPM News: Yes: Virginia votes to redraw congressional maps, favoring Democrats Virginia Democrats celebrate win in redistricting special election Virginians turn out for redistricting on April Election Day Watch: Gov. Abigail Spanberger's Vetoes (YouTube) Other links: RPS pitches outsourcing some substitute teachers, Board pushes back (The Richmonder) Soon, Virginia producers impacted by Hurricane Helene may apply for farm recovery grants (Virginia Mercury) Parents can now handle service dogs in schools after Virginia family pushes for change (WTVR) Spanberger’s amendment would change who investigates VMI. Critics say that waters down the bill. (Cardinal News) Our award-winning work is made possible with your donations. Visit vpm.org/donate to support local journalism.

More from VPM News: What's at stake in Tuesday's special election? Election Day FAQ: How to vote in Virginia on April 21 WATCH Amending Virginia: Redistricting Skill games likely to remain outlawed in Virginia Other links: Number of rocket launches expected to soar from Wallops Island soon (WAVY) Richmond officials agree to scrap flawed housing relief program to free up money for other uses (The Richmonder) ‘A major milestone for the city:’ Elated Eagles riding high after national championship run (Fredericksburg Free Press) Virginia Beach police charge Facebook blogger with violating Oceanfront curfew, highlighting First Amendment concerns (Virginian-Pilot)* *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: Hanover planning commission recommends approving Mountain Road data center Move away from 12-month model could leave Bellwood ES teachers without pay in July On the agenda: Data centers, FY27 budgets and Richmond Diamond District Other links: Water restrictions in place for Caroline due to severe drought (WRIC) Conservation groups raise alarm as Potomac River named most endangered in the nation (Virginia Mercury) Broker charges CoStar with monopolizing online real estate market (Richmond Times-Dispatch)* Virginia Tech board changed bylaws to allow Rocovich to serve third term as rector; now he oversees presidential search (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.

VPM News Host Lyndon German and BizSense reporter Mike Platania discuss the Richmond region's top business stories, starting with Gov. Abigail Spanberger's amendments to the flagship legalisation to start the legal sales of recreational marijuana in Virginia and new liquor laws going to effect after the Spanberger hundreds of bills outright during her 30-day bill review process.

Read more from VPM News: Virginia lawmakers push back on Spanberger's changes to retail weed market bill Justin Fairfax, former Virginia lt. governor, kills wife, self, police say Chesterfield sheriff adds extra security at early voting locations Other links: City offers to replace RPS land, pay for relocation if it turns over Southside site for mixed-use development (The Richmonder) Albemarle Fire Marshal issues burn ban through Sunday (29 News) Central Virginia ICE facility has been over capacity for months (WRIC) ‘We’re tired of it’ — amid luxury student housing surge, city residents feel overlooked (The Cavalier Daily) *This outlet uses a paywall. It’s our pledge drive through April 17! You can support our award-winning work by visiting VPM.org/challenges to help us bloom and grow this spring. When you designate your donation to the news challenge, you will help VPM News unlock a $10,000 bonus in support of an informed community.

Read more from VPM News: Spanberger suggests ‘significant policy shifts’ to Dominion regulation bills Scenes from the Virginia State Capitol 2026: a dispatch Other links: Prince William County drops legal fight for PW Digital Gateway (Prince William Times) In this U.S. hot spot for data centers, voters have turned against them (The Washington Post)* Virginia joins a national effort to ensure only popular vote winners become president (NPR News) Richmond breaks record with historic spring heatwave (WRIC) USS Gerald R. Ford breaks record for longest post-Vietnam deployment (Navy Times) *This outlet uses a paywall. It’s our pledge drive through April 17! You can support our award-winning work by visiting VPM.org/challenges to help us bloom and grow this spring. When you designate your donation to the news challenge, you will help VPM News unlock a $10,000 bonus in support of an informed community!

Read more from VPM News: Spanberger proposes amendments to immigrant protection bills ICYMI: Gov. Abigail Spanberger's last-minute actions on 11 issues Other links: Virginia police search vehicle surveillance data 24/7. It isn't always clear why (Virginia Center for Investigative Journalism at WHRO) Art 180 To Close Its Doors (Style Weekly) Suffolk government contractor in talks to lease office space to ICE (The Virginian-Pilot)* Schiarizzi announces Democratic run for Virginia's crowded proposed 7th District (Inside NoVa) Ex-Pence aide Olivia Troye plans to run for Congress in Virginia as a Democrat (The Washington Post)* Former Roanoke Rambler owner ‘devastated’ after staff terminated (Cardinal News) *This outlet uses a paywall. It’s our pledge drive through April 17! You can support our award-winning work by visiting VPM.org/challenges to help us bloom and grow this spring. When you designate your donation to the news challenge, you will help VPM News unlock a $10,000 bonus in support of an informed community!

Read more from VPM News: Gov. Abigail Spanberger's last-minute actions on 11 issues State-run hospitals lack clear policy on ‘forensic patient’ custody transfers Other links: Virginia police search vehicle surveillance data 24/7. It isn't always clear why (Virginia Center for Investigative Journalism at WHRO) Avula pitches Richmond spending database — without invoice descriptions, payer names (Richmond Times-Dispatch)* Henrico issues immediate burn ban: What that means for you (WTVR) In the wake of Centra’s Farmville maternity care closure, some families say the risk to have more kids might be too high (Charlottesville Tomorrow) 10 Virginia hospitals listed as ‘at risk,’ but what does that really mean? (Cardinal News) Spanberger joins other governors in push for PJM to prioritize ratepayer protections (Virginia Mercury) *This outlet uses a paywall. It’s our pledge drive through April 17! You can support our award-winning work by visiting VPM.org/challenges to help us bloom and grow this spring. When you designate your donation to the news challenge, you will help VPM News unlock a $10,000 bonus in support of an informed community!

More VPM News: Watch Amending Virginia Episode 1: “Redistricting” Richmond City settles former FOIA officer lawsuit after hostile litigation Shockoe Institute opens interactive center at Main Street Station Rachel Smith wants to bring people to Hanover County On the agenda: Richmond budget, Hanover tax and utility rates Other links: Youngkin returns to campaign trail, calls for court to strike redistricting vote (Virginia Mercury) Virginia Tech considering eliminating Living-Learning Communities (WDBJ) ⁠Spanberger: Here’s how I’m working to provide practical solutions over partisanship⁠ (Richmond Times-Dispatch)* *This outlet uses a paywall. It’s our pledge drive through April 17! You can support our award-winning work by visiting VPM.org/challenges to help us bloom and grow this spring. When you designate your donation to the news challenge, you will help VPM News unlock a $10,000 bonus in support of an informed community!

VPM News Host Lyndon German and BizSense Reporter Jonathan Spiers discuss the Richmond region's top business stories starting with the first home game at CarMax Park, the redevelopment of the old Greyhound Station and the Southside Speedway's master plan.

Read more from VPM News: Spanberger weighing whether to eliminate Fourth Amendment waivers in plea deals VMSDEP-related bills stalled out during General Assembly session Updated: Chesterfield supervisors pass $2.3B FY2027 budget Other links: Spanberger vetoes Fairfax County casino bill (FFXNow) Virginia State Police boss says troopers won't go door-to-door collecting guns (WTVR) ToolBank waiving borrowing fees in April for 'Richmond Shines' cleanup initiative (The Richmonder) Roanoke Entrepreneur Ollie Howie Joins The Roanoke Rambler As Its New Owner (Roanoke Rambler) Downtown Fredericksburg thoroughfare named ‘Best Main Street in the South’ (Fredericskburg Free Press) It’s our pledge drive through April 17! You can support our award-winning work by visiting VPM.org/challenges to help us bloom and grow this spring. When you designate your donation to the news challenge, you will help VPM News unlock a $10,000 bonus in support of an informed community!

Read more from VPM News: Amending Virginia: Pro- and anti-redistricting camps wield 'fairness' in voter appeals Richmond Flying Squirrels christen CarMax Park with a 3–2 victory Richmond City Hall observation deck reopens after 6 years Updated: Hanover County passes $797M fiscal year 2027 budget Other links: Gov. Spanberger signs bill to end the renewal of Robert E. Lee license plates in Virginia (WAVY) Higher education, higher tuition: University of Virginia considers raising tuition (29News) Va. Court of Appeals stops major data center development in Prince William County (Virginia Mercury) Richmond schools get additional money for repairs in new budget, but it will be borrowed from future years (The Richmonder) Our award-winning work is made possible with your donations. Visit vpm.org/donate to support local journalism.

Read more from VPM News: Dominion Energy Virginia requests more coal ash cleanup charges Other links: ICE acknowledges it's using powerful spyware from Chantilly-based company (NPR News) Richmond begins refilling west tank of Byrd Park Reservoir after two years of repairs (The Richmonder) City says it has followed the law on surplus property sales. City code says otherwise. (Richmond Times-Dispatch)* Chesterfield accused of destroying records at center of public information lawsuit (WTVR) Funding cuts, state error strain Virginia’s HIV care system (Virginia Mercury) Researchers study long-term health effects of Hurricane Helene across central Appalachia (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.

It’s our pledge drive through April 17! You can support our award-winning work by visiting ⁠VPM.org/challenges⁠ to help us bloom and grow this spring. When you designate a donation to the news challenge, you will help VPM News unlock a $10,000 bonus in support of an informed community! Read more Virginia news: New Virginia law will expand zoning for manufactured homes SCOTUS clears the way for Steve Bannon contempt case dismissal (NPR) Virginia hospitals filed more than 1 million medical debt lawsuits since 2010 (WHRO) Trump’s election order will not impact voting in Virginia’s ongoing redistricting referendum (Virginian-Pilot)* A Virginia church pledges $1M to erase debt for public housing residents (Washington Post)* Riverside homeless encampment forces city to tread water over solutions (WMRA) ‘Like stepping into a time capsule’: Historic Green Book home in Harrisonburg preserved as learning site (WHSV) *This outlet uses a paywall.

Read and watch more VPM News: Richmond housing coalition calls for new duplex rules in Code Refresh Hanover residents comment on FY27 budget proposal On the agenda: This week in Central Virginia public meetings 🏛️ Virginia Gun Law Changes + Challenges 🔫 (YouTube) Other links: Mechanicsville man discovers dad's artwork from WWII buried for decades (WTVR) Officials will restart vape shop enforcement effort [this] week (The Richmonder) Virginia sees 33,000 ACA enrollment drop since subsidies expired, more likely on the way (Virginia Mercury) Meet the Venezuelan family starting a new life in Roanoke (The Roanoke Times)* *This outlet uses a paywall. 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 Jackie DiBartolomeo discuss the Richmond's region's top business stories starting with the purchase of a property on West Broad Street connected with the Scottwood housing development, MARTIN's new CEO and the owner of Chicken Fiesta's new ranch-style restaurant coming to the Varina District.