VPM Daily Newscast

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.

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 detainees continue to be non-criminals, data shows (WRIC) DHR launches project for special markers at Virginia lynching sites (CBS19) Senate panel advances $48 hike in weekly unemployment benefits (Richmond Times-Dispatch) Our award-winning work is made possible with your donations. Visit vpm.org/donate to support local journalism.

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 Confederate tax breaks, license plates (Richmond Times-Dispatch) ‘It was not about me’: Halifax centenarian rejects House honor she never approved (Virginia Mercury) Griffin booted from committees; Democrats say he disrespected subcommittee chair (Cardinal News) Our award-winning work is made possible with your donations. Visit vpm.org/donate to support local journalism.

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 (The Daily Progress) State lawmakers want to lift local caps on housing grants for government employees (Virginia Mercury) Remembering King Salim Khalfani: Civil rights activist, former executive director of Virginia NAACP has died (WTVR) Maymont Mansion reopens in March after being closed for two years (Richmond Times-Dispatch) Our award-winning work is made possible with your donations. Visit vpm.org/donate to support local journalism.

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: House panel advances bills limiting ICE activity in Virginia (Virginia Mercury) Frank S. Royal Sr., Richmond medical leader and VUU board chair, dies at 86 (Richmond Free Press) Our award-winning work is made possible with your donations. Visit vpm.org/donate to support local journalism.

‘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 session, and touch on Democrats' plan to redistrict Virginia via constitutional amendment. You can follow along and stay up to date on the latest developments at vpap.org.

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 than owning (Axios Richmond) Richmond, Henrico County extend CARITAS shelter contract due to winter weather (WRIC) Boar's Head reopens Virginia deli meat plant tied to deadly listeria outbreak (Associated Press) Virginia is slowly expanding access to community solar (WHRO News) Our award-winning work is made possible with your donations. Visit vpm.org/donate to support local journalism.

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 deep job cuts at 'Washington Post' (NPR) Senate looks beyond Capitol Square to stored Confederate statues (Richmond Times-Dispatch) Our award-winning work is made possible with your donations. Visit vpm.org/donate to support local journalism.

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 Mercury) More than 5,000 acres surrounding Shenandoah National Park to be protected (29News) Squirrels providing 'over $10 million' as CarMax Park project plows through weather (Richmond Times-Dispatch)* *This outlet utilizes a paywall. Our award-winning work is made possible with your donations. Visit vpm.org/donate to support local journalism.

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 Times-Dispatch) 5 poems for troubled times, from Virginia’s new Lt. Governor (The Washington Post) Richmond native ‘Mad Skillz’ takes home Grammy for best spoken word poetry album (WRIC) Our award-winning work is made possible with your donations. Visit vpm.org/donate to support local journalism.

Read more VPM News: International enrollment in Virginia postgraduate programs falls by 13% STEPS program bridges the gap for refugee women in Charlottesville Updated: Hanover County facility sought by ICE is no longer for sale Melissa Vaughn, longtime WRIR president, was ‘fierce advocate’ for public radio Central Virginia closures, delays for Monday, Feb. 2 Other links: Four Richmond public housing tenants flagged in federal review of residents’ immigration status (The Richmonder) All-electronic tolling coming to Richmond expressways, ramps (WRIC) Our award-winning work is made possible with your donations. Visit vpm.org/donate to support local journalism.