Credit: U.S. Census Bureau Spending on public education in Virginia is falling behind the rest of the country. Michael Pope has the latest numbers from the Census Bureau.

Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin address the press following his announcement that he’ll sign the 2025 legislative budget. (Credit: Brad Kutner / Radio IQ) Governor Glenn Youngkin signed the 2025 state budget Friday. The governor says many shared priorities were funded, but some items were removed to account for quote “short term disruptions” anticipated from President Donald Trump’s federal actions. Brad Kutner has more.…

Controversy surrounding the Republican nominee to be Virginia’s next lieutenant governor has been one of the top stories this week. Michael Pope and Radio IQ Politics Analyst Jeff Schapiro discuss that and the week that was in state politics and government.

Credit: Jahd Khalil Friday is the first day of early voting for statewide and local primaries. Michael Pope has this preview.

Credit: Mallory Noe-Payne / Radio IQ Two members of Virginia’s congressional delegation discussed future Medicaid cuts this week. As rumors of over 800 million dollars in cuts swirl, Republican Morgan Griffith downplayed concerns, while Democrat Don Beyer warned of people losing their health care. Brad Kutner has more.…

H-2B visa seasonal workers at Cowarts Seafood (Credit: Pamela D’Angelo) A pair of reports released this week show economic growth in Virginia and the country is slowing down. Brad Kutner spoke to a local economist for their thoughts on the news.

Governor Glenn Youngkin is about to make a decision on legislation outlining parental rights and responsibilities. Michael Pope reports.

Republican Governor Glenn Youngkin is considering about a hundred bills that are on his desk right now, and his deadline to take action is at the end of the week. Michael Pope more about one bill that guarantees a right to contraception.

UVA civil engineering majors Caroline Maher and Erik Hammerquist got hands-on experience planning the site. (Credit: Sandy Hausman) By law, Virginia’s largest electric utility must stop emitting carbon by 2045, so Dominion is expanding its solar production. One challenge – finding places to put more solar panels. Sandy Hausman reports on a novel location in Albemarle County.…

Carolina Power employees work on replacing older powerlines in Richmond’s Southside. (Credit: Brad Kutner / Radio IQ) Governor Glenn Youngkin is expected to make several key environmental decisions this week. Michael Pope has this preview.

Credit: NPR Labor issues may end up being a big campaign issue in the statewide elections this year. Michael Pope reports on a question that has vexed Democrats for years. In a written statement, former Congresswoman Abigail Spanberger did not commit to repealing the Right to Work Law. Here is the entire statement from her campaign to Reporter Michael Pope: “Abigail Spanberger believes that Virginians deserve leaders who are not afraid to stand up for workers and believe in creating jobs, not chaos. Abigail has met with both Virginia labor organizations and Virginia business groups to hear their priorities. As Governor, she will remain focused on getting things done for Virginia’s working families and tackling the ongoing challenges facing Virginia’s workforce and economy.”…

Specially trained crews spread flames through a state-owned nature preserve to remove invasive plants and debris that could lead to wildfires. (Credit: Emi Endo / Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation) Firefighters often use water to put out a blaze, but in Augusta County a team of 11 men and women set a fire to ensure there’s enough water for one of Virginia’s natural features – the sinkhole pond. Sandy Hausman has that story.…

Changes to the November ballot and changes to Virginia’s budget are a few of the political headlines from the past few days. Jeff Schapiro, political columnist at the Richmond Times-Dispatch, and Michael Pope recap the week in politics and state government.

Governor Glenn Youngkin is considering a bill that would expand African American Studies in Virginia public schools. Michael Pope reports.

Dozens of convenience store owners gather at the Capitol in yellow shirts in support of legalizing skill games. (Credit: Brad Kutner / Radio IQ) So-called “skill games” have been popping up around Virginia since their temporary legalization in 2020. Efforts to restrict such games followed. However, one Virginia Senator successfully convinced a Hanover County judge that newer games skirt that law. Brad Kutner has more.…

Governor Glenn Youngkin has about 100 bills on his desk that he’s still considering. Michael Pope has this report on one of those bills that will require unconscious bias training for doctors.

The sudden withdrawal of Pat Herrity from the Republican primary for lieutenant governor means the GOP will have no statewide primaries in June. But Michael Pope tells us that Republicans will have ten primaries for House of Delegates seats.

Governor Glenn Youngkin backs President Donald Trump’s tariff policies at the 2025 Virginia Agricultural Trade Conference. (Credit: Brad Kutner) Governor Glenn Youngkin gave the thumbs up to President Donald Trump’s tariff policies Tuesday. The remarks came at an agricultural trade conference held in Richmond where the impacts of Trump’s policy were also discussed. Brad Kutner has more.…

Orphaned bears are cared for at the Wildlife Center of Virginia until they can survive on their own. (Credit: Wildlife Center of Virginia) Seven bear cubs are enjoying spring in the wild after growing up at the Wildlife Center of Virginia. Reporters are not allowed to witness their release, but Sandy Hausman spoke with one staffer who says the yearlings seemed happy to be free.…

The title page of Harvie Wilkinson’s book about Harry Byrd, with a photo of Byrd on the opposite page. (Credit: Michael Pope) Long before he wrote this month’s federal appeals court decision excoriating the Trump administration’s deportation system, Judge Harvie Wilkinson was a noted historian of a pivotal figure in Virginia history. Michael Pope explains.…

A photo of Pope Francis sits in the entry way of Sacred Heart Cathedral in Richmond. (Credit: Brad Kutner) Catholics around the world are mourning the passing of Pope Francis. Brad Kutner spent time at a special mass at a cathedral in downtown Richmond.

(Credit: Appalachian Power) When storms hit, many of us brace, wondering if the power will remain on. Utility companies in Virginia are putting more power lines underground, which can help. Roxy Todd spoke with a researcher who is looking at whether improved technology may make this cheaper and safer.…

The Democratic primary for attorney general might end up being an expensive fight between two big-money rivals. Michael Pope explains why.

Lots of money talk this week— campaign money, tariff money and state tax money. Jeff Schapiro, political columnist at the Richmond Times-Dispatch, and Michael Pope recap the week in politics and state government.

Credit: NPR Campaign finance numbers show the fall campaign season is heating up. And Michael Pope explains a handful of races feature Republican incumbents in districts won by Kamala Harris.

Virginia Military Institute’s Board of Visitors selected a new president during a special meeting Wednesday. The position opened up when two members resigned following a vote by the panel to not extend the contract of Superintendent Cedric Wins, the first Black man to hold the post. Dave Cantor has more.…

Governor Glenn Youngkin is contemplating what to do with 92 bills on his desk. Michael Pope has this report about one involving medical debt.

Governor Glenn Youngkin is still considering how he wants to handle dozens of bills on his desk. Michael Pope has this report about one involving social media.

Next month, 21-year-old Rebecca Fitch will be commissioned as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army — a post she had not considered until signing up for an ROTC course by accident. (Credit: Rebecca Fitch) Joining the U.S. military is a big decision – something not taken lightly, but one University of Virginia student admits she signed up by accident. Sandy Hausman reports on how that happened and what it means for her future.…

Credit: CDC By now, most adults in this country have had COVID, and about seven percent have lingering symptoms that might be related to the virus. Scientists at the University of Virginia are now comparing a number of medications that hold promise for treating it, as Sandy Hausman reports.

The Trump administration’s actions on tariffs, immigration and education are making waves in Virginia. Jeff Schapiro, political columnist at the Richmond Times-Dispatch, and Michael Pope recap the week in politics and state government.

Credit: Jahd Khalil Advocates for ranked-choice voting are hoping that a recent veto won’t set back their movement. Michael Pope reports.

Governor Glenn Youngkin chimed in on the future of an alleged MS-13 member arrested in Northern Virginia late last month. The defendant’s gun charge was dropped earlier this week. Brad Kutner has more.

Samuel Gibson holds a welded piece of metal. (Credit: Roxy Todd / Radio IQ) April is “second chance” month, a national initiative to raise awareness around challenges that incarcerated individuals face after they are released. Finding a job can often be one of the biggest hurdles. There are several programs inside Virginia prisons to teach inmates skills, including a welding course at a prison in Bland County. Roxy Todd went there to observe the class and speak with students.…

Should taxpayers help finance pro sports stadiums? Virginia considered an unsuccessful proposal for a taxpayer-financed sports arena last year. Now, Michael Pope reports about a bill in Congress that would limit how public money could be used for private gain.

The cast and crew of Granite Rapids Moon hiked 82 miles to make their movie without lights, power or showers. (Credit: John Charles Meyer) One week after its first screening in Los Angeles, a film that features music from the Waynesboro Symphony will be shown in Charlottesville, Richmond and Northern Virginia. It was shot in the Grand Canyon during two epic hikes – one in December and another in June. Sandy Hausman has this preview of Granite Rapids Moon.…

Fairfax County Board of Supervisors Chairman Jeff McKay speaks to members of the House Emergency Committee at the Virginia Tech Innovation campus in Alexandria. (Credit: Michael Pope) Members of the House of Delegates’ Emergency Committee on the Impacts of Federal Workforce and Funding Reductions are on the road, and they’re hearing from people in Northern Virginia. Michael Pope is in Alexandria with the latest.…

Members of VEDP Advisory Committee on International Trade look on at visuals used by President Donald Trump to explain his new tariff policy. (Credit: Brad Kutner / Radio IQ) Virginia’s international trade totals over $70 billion in annual economic activity. The future of how President Donald Trump’s tariff policies could impact that activity was the subject of a meeting held in Richmond Tuesday. Brad Kutner has more.…

The June primary will NOT feature a race at the top of the ticket. Michael Pope reports candidates for governor are now set.

Protesters rally behind the Lancaster Union Masonic Lodge in Kilmarnock. (Credit: Pamela D’Angelo) On Saturday, large protests took place across the U.S. against Trump administration policies. In one small corner of the rural Northern Neck of Virginia, several hundred people marched on Main Street. Pamela D’Angelo reports.…

Members of the Virginia General Assembly and the governor are considering how the Virginia code should adapt to the new world of artificial intelligence. Michael Pope reports.

As the governorship of Glenn Youngkin begins to wind down, what do events in other states reveal about the race to be his successor? Jeff Schapiro, political columnist at the Richmond Times-Dispatch, and Michael Pope recap the week in politics and state government.

Credit: David Seidel / Radio IQ Members of the General Assembly have rejected suggested changes the governor made to a bill on surveillance technology. Michael Pope reports.

Virginia’s Democratic members of the House of Delegates picked a specific target when trying to override vetoes by Governor Glenn Youngkin: Republicans’ alleged fear of revenge from President Donald Trump. Brad Kutner reports from the Capitol.

Credit: Mallory Noe-Payne / Radio IQ Members of the Virginia General Assembly were back at the Capitol Wednesday, voting on hundreds of vetoes and amendments from the governor. Michael Pope has this story about one of those amendments on the fentanyl crisis.