Best VPM News Podcasts (2025)

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12/15/25 - Charlie Schmidt wins HD 77 firehouse primary 5:27

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9h ago5:27

5:27

Read more Hanover supervisors approve 10-year parks system plan Who's running in Virginia's 5th Congressional District in 2026? On the agenda: Richmond transparency proposals, Henrico vape shop regulations Other links National Weather Service: Richmond forecast; Charlottesville forecast; Harrisonburg forecast Most Va. schools meeting new state expe…

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BizSense Beat: CoStar Headquarters, Heritage on Main Street 5:04

2h ago5:04

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VPM News Host Lyndon German and BizSense Reporter Mike Platania discuss Greater Richmond's top business stories. This week's stories include information on the mystery tenants moving to CoStar's riverfront headquarters and a new restaurant moving into a familiar building in the Fan.By VPM News

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12/12/25 - Virginia could rejoin a multi-state voter data partnership 5:47

18h ago5:47

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Read more VanValkenburg looks to return Virginia to multistate voter data partnership Joe Casey, longtime Chesterfield County administrator, announces retirement Other links Spanberger names Del. David Bulova to lead natural, historic resources (Richmond Times-Dispatch)* Dog attacks persist in Virginia prisons despite 2024 law change (Virginia Merc…

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12/11/25 - The Virginia State Crime Commission has reviewed almost all of Mary Jane Burton’s cases. 5:38

5d ago5:38

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Read more: Richmond Public Schools could lose valuable Southside site to land sale State Crime Commission has reviewed 85% of Mary Jane Burton’s cases Other links: Virginia researchers help track migrating monarch butterflies in more detail than ever (WHRO News) Spanberger taps Del. Candi Mundon King as Virginia’s next secretary of the commonwealth…

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12/10/25 - Special elections set for 2 General Assembly seats 5:25

11h ago5:25

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Read more Special elections set for Richmond-area House of Delegates, state Senate seats State water board OKs new pollution limits for James River tributaries Henrico County approves Dominion's solar project at former landfill Other links VMFA returns trafficked 6th-century terracotta fragments to Turkey (WRIC) Perriello mounts comeback bid in Vir…

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What's New on the Richmond School Board? 30:59

14h ago30:59

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There seems to be new vibes on the Richmond City School Board. Certainly things have quieted down. But the public schools are still vitally important to our city, still under scrutiny, and still making news. Rich sits down with School Board Chair Shavonda Fernandez to ask: What's with the new vibes, and what do they mean for the future of Richmond …

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12/9/25 - A look into the OSIG report on Bon Air JCC 6:11

7d ago6:11

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Read more State audit validates areas of concern at Bon Air JCC Avula, Richmond City Council kick off collaborative budget process Other links Virginia businesses eye possible pivots after hemp hampered in federal stopgap spending bill (Virginia Mercury) This is how the tiny town of Gordonsville raised millions for a new swimming pool and park (Cha…

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12/8/25 - Will Virginia Dems change the ‘right-to-work' law? 6:26

8d ago6:26

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Read more Right-to-work reforms possible for Virginia On the agenda: real estate taxes, transparency and cybersecurity Nash Road extension opens in Chesterfield County VPM News Short: 🦝🍾 Raccoon’s ABC Bender 🍾🦝 Other links Virginia could tweak its eviction diversion program law next year, legislators say (Virginia Mercury) LGBT Life Center, other h…

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The Blue Sweep, Youngkin's Legacy, and 2025 In Review 42:16

2d ago42:16

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In this episode of The Virginia Press Room, Michael Pope is joined by: Kate Seltzer of the Virginian-Pilot, covering open questions about the state's Homeland Security Task Force. Marcus Schmidt of the Virginia Mercury, covering the purple caucus in this year's General Assembly. Jahd Khalil of VPM News, covering the blue sweep in the 2025 election.…

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Policy Matters: December 4, 2025 8:29

3d ago8:29

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‘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. This month we discuss the results of November's historic state elections and what they mean for Virginia over the next few years, what to expect from the Genera…

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BizSense Beat: Westford Glen, Best Products, Virginia Transit Co. 5:21

4d ago5:21

5:21

VPM News Host Lyndon Germam and BizSense reporter Jonathan Spiers discuss the Richmond region's top business stories. This week's episode they talk about a rejected housing development in Henrico County, the fate the former Best Products building and a new restaurant crafted by shipping containers coming to Richmond.…

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12/5/25 - UVA’s interim president defends DOJ agreement 6:40

6d ago6:40

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Read more UVA interim president defends federal agreement to General Assembly Longtime public media CEO Charles Sydnor Jr. dies at 82 Other links Many Richmond streets to see closures for Dominion Energy Christmas Parade (WRIC) After 36 years, suburban growth along I-95 corridor finally caught up with Del. Bobby Orrock (Cardinal News) FBI arrests s…

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12/4/25 - Henrico supervisors ax Three Chopt District proposal 6:27

12d ago6:27

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Read more Charlottesville moves to acquire land parcels via eminent domain Richmond School Board approves Armstrong-Kennedy High renaming Shonda Harris-Muhammed steps down from Richmond School Board Other links Chesapeake Bay region leaders approve revised agreement, commit to cleanup through 2040 (WHRO News) Paint it black: Martinsville’s report o…

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12/3/25 - 15th Senate District special election slated for Jan. 6 5:53

13d ago5:53

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Read more Richmond City auditor finds nearly 50 unfixed, high-risk issues Virginia Democrats push forward with 2026 redistricting efforts Updated: Who in Virginia is running for US Senate in 2026? VPM News Short: Gobbles Up Other links Brown's Island gets $30M makeover: What's coming to one of Richmond's favorite spots (WTVR) Spanberger begins Cabi…

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The Tattoo Capital of Virginia? 30:29

8d ago30:29

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What is it about Richmond that makes it a Tattoo City, maybe THE Tattoo City? Rich talks to working artists about the RVA tattoo scene. He also does something he hasn’t done in years: get his own tattoo. Guests: Amy Black, Amy Black Tattoos amyblacktattoos.com Roman Walston, Black Rabbit Tattoos www.blackrabbitrva.com Jen Bean, Loose Screw Tattoo w…

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12/1/25 - Virginia legislators are planning AI guardrails 9:58

14d ago9:58

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Read more State lawmakers eye flexible bills for AI usage in health care settings Henrico selects Cari Tretina as new economic development director Virginia could be a key state in countering Trump's redistricting push (VPM News on NPR!) Other links Most Richmonders got accurate tax rebate checks, but review finds $115K in possible overpayments (Th…

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Student Journalism, Presidential Searches, and Scholarship Changes 50:45

9d ago50:45

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In this episode of The Virginia Press Room, Michael Pope is joined by: Julia Gwin of Theogony, covering policy-violating patdowns at ACPS football games. Ford McCracken of the Cavalier Daily, covering the conflict between UVA's presidential search committee and governor-elect Spanberger. Andrew Kerley of the Commonwealth Times, covering VCU's alter…

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BizSense Beat: CoStar Group, GRTC transfer station, VCU dormitory 5:06

11d ago5:06

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VPM News Host Lyndon German and BizSense Reporter Jackie DiBartolomeo discuss the Richmond region's top business stories. This week's topics include CoStar Group's corporate campus, the development of GRTC's central transfer station and VCU's Grace Street dorm project taking shape.By VPM News

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11/28/25 - Advisory council at odds with money committees over budget 5:13

18d ago5:13

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Read more Youngkin advisers 'cautiously optimistic' about future tax revenues State regulators partially OK Dominion Energy bill increases Other links Official obituary of Solomon W. Jefferson (1977–2025) Virginia drivers navigate new seat belt law, express lanes during Thanksgiving week (Virginia Mercury) Virginians on health insurance marketplace…

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11/26/25 - Let’s talk turkey! 7:44

15d ago7:44

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Read more Chesterfield County turkey gobbles up social media attention Campus food pantries strained by disruptions to federal nutrition benefits Our award-winning work is made possible with your donations. Visit vpm.org/donate to support local journalism.By VPM News

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Giving Thanks in RVA 31:00

15d ago31:00

31:00

It’s almost Thanksgiving, so Rich shares three stories about all the things we’re thankful for: about birthday parties; about getting up off the couch; and about kids reading poetry – specifically, Rich's kid. We’re highlighting the members of our community making RVA just a little bit brighter, a little bit happier, a little bit stronger. Guests: …

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11/25/25 - Richmond’s Code Refresh 2.0 5:31

16d ago5:31

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Read more Chesterfield gives Shady Hill mobile home park extra time to fix violations Virginia's rules for felons to regain voting rights could change soon Other links Map: More than 600 Flock camera locations in Hampton Roads are public for the first time (Virginian-Pilot)* ‘It's this big, huge wall': 3-story Virginia home addition sparks building…

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11/24/25 - Richmond City may have to return $1.3M in federal funding 6:19

17d ago6:19

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Read more Richmond may have to return $1.3M in COVID-era funding to the federal government Ex-UVA student gets five life sentences for 2022 fatal shooting Chesterfield gives Shady Hill mobile home park extra time to fix violations Other links Faculty question the motives behind FOIA requests for course materials, text messages (The Cavalier Daily) …

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The Revolutionary War, Jefferson's Legacy, and America's Semiquincentennial 49:58

21d ago49:58

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In this episode of The Virginia Press Room, Michael Pope is joined by: Michael Kranish of the Washington Post, covering how the words on the Jefferson Memorial were doctored. Dwayne Yancey of Cardinal News, covering the story of Black Loyalists who escaped slavery in Virginia to go to Nova Scotia. Pam Cressey, Archaeologist for the City of Alexandr…

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BizSense Beat: Richmond Code Refresh, Roseshire lawsuit, The Virginia Home 5:08

18d ago5:08

5:08

VPM News Host Lyndon German and BizSense Reporter Jack Jacobs discuss the Richmond region's top business stories. This week's topics include the city of Richmond's efforts to refresh its zoning ordinances, Henrico County's lawsuit against the state racing commission, and the groundbreaking of an assisted living facility in Hanover County.…

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11/21/25 - UVA charged thousands for public records detailing Ryan’s ouster 4:24

20d ago4:24

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Henrico state of the county address; Virginia could require license to buy a gun; Democrats file bill to raise minimum wage; and more. Read More: Questions remain in dispute over Jim Ryan’s exit at UVABy VPM News

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11/20/25 - Gas rates rising in Richmond 6:18

21d ago6:18

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Read more Gas rates rising faster than inflation in Richmond Petersburg’s first casino is set to open early next year — in a tent Demand grows at Virginia food banks amidst federal cuts Other links Immigration attorney: Hampton Roads likely next target for immigration agents, already in Raleigh area (WAVY) DEI cuts at Virginia Tech total more than …

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11/19/25 - Hanover, Henrico residents oppose new data center 5:00

27d ago5:00

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Read more Residents voice opposition to Hanover data center proposal New documentary looks back at World War II from one family’s perspective Watch “She said, he said” over UVA president’s resignation (VPM on YouTube) Judge scolds Justice Department for 'profound investigative missteps' in Comey case Other links Virginia drought conditions (Departm…

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Kenya Gibson on Transparency and Politics 30:45

22d ago30:45

30:45

Ever since she started in Richmond politics, Rich had been hearing about Kenya Gibson. First on the Richmond School Board, now on the City Council, she always seems like she has something important to say. And she is going to say it, even if it ruffles some feathers. Rich finally sits down with her to find out: what makes her tick? Guest: Kenya Gib…

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11/18/25 - RPS planning to overhaul aging buildings 5:20

28d ago5:20

5:20

Richmond Public Schools outlines framework for 10-year facilities upgrade Updated: SCOVA declines review of Youngkin's university appointments Other links: The Town of Louisa faced five resignations in less than a year. Now it’s trying to rebuild (Charlottesville Tomorrow) Plan for dedicated Metro funding wins support from key D.C. region leaders (…

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Shutdown Calculus, Legislature Demographics, and the Republican Reaction 45:31

23d ago45:31

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In this episode of The Virginia Press Room, Michael Pope is joined by: Liz Crampton of Politico, covering how Virginia Republicans are reckoning with last week's crushing electoral loss. Michael Martz of the Richmond Times-Dispatch, covering how Virginia's Senators Tim Kaine and Mark Warner handled voting to end the government shutdown. Keyris Manz…

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11/17/25 - Everybody’s writing letters about UVA’s president search 5:49

29d ago5:49

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Read more: Former UVA President Jim Ryan disputes rector's account of his resignation Spanberger, Youngkin spar over UVA board appointments, president search St. Joseph’s Villa opens rapid rehousing center in Henrico County On the agenda: Richmond zoning refresh, Albemarle road extension Other links: Higher SOL cut scores coming, but not this year,…

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BizSense Beat: Final Gravity Brewing, Manchester property purchase 5:03

25d ago5:03

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VPM News Host Lyndon German and BizSense Reporter Mike Platania discuss the Richmond's region's top business stories. This week's stories include the sale of the beloved Lakeside Avenue brewery Final Gravity Brewing Co. and an out-of-state developer's Southside property purchase.By VPM News

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11/14/25 - Chesterfield County students could get a new school holiday 5:05

1M ago5:05

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Read more VCU changed scholarship for descendants of the enslaved to align with anti-DEI policies Federal judge rules ICE unlawfully detained immigrant teens without bond Chesterfield parent launches push to make Diwali a CCPS holiday Inside VPM’s new Downtown Richmond HQ Other links Bon Air jail guard pleads to sexually assaulting underage inmate …

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11/13/25 - SNAP recipients should recieve benefits today 6:45

28d ago6:45

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Read More: Youngkin says a portion of SNAP benefits should be paid out Thursday Richmond School Board approves collective bargaining changes Richmond City Council creates city’s first rental inspection program Other links: Spanberger asks U.Va. Board of Visitors to delay appointment of new president (The Cavailer Daily) City’s lawyers say there’s n…

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11/12/25 - Richmond Tree Week sees hundreds of trees planted 6:35

1M ago6:35

6:35

Read more Kaine says protecting Virginia federal workers behind vote to end shutdown Reforest Richmond’s Tree Week plants the seeds of a greener city Other links Goochland supervisors OK controversial data center district proposal With SNAP benefits at risk, a guide on where to donate food, money and resources in RVA Our award-winning work is made …

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The Persistent Problem of Gun Violence 31:00

29d ago31:00

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Richmond has come a long way since our "murder capital" days, but the problem of gun violence persists, challenging our assumptions about how it happens. Can new data, new approaches – and a new city office – end gun violence in Richmond? Plus: we hear from an after-school program for kids that might be part of the solution. Guests: Greg Hopkins, O…

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Candidate Speeches, President Trump's Influence, and The Blue Tsunami 42:38

1M ago42:38

42:38

Lauren Burke of Black Virginia News, covering the thirteen state House seats that Democrats flipped to give them a 64-36 majority. Chris Saxman of the VIP Podcast, covering the waning influence of Donald Trump in Virginia's Republican turnout. Rich Meagher of RVA's Got Issues, covering the victory and concession speeches from Abigail Spanberger and…

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11/10/26 - Richmond officials prepare for more shutdown 5:34

1M ago5:34

5:34

Read more After election, paid family leave approval likely next year Photo essay: Amid historic election, Virginians long for change On the agenda: Richmond rental inspection program, RPS collective bargaining Richmond prepares to weather continuing federal shutdown Our award-winning work is made possible with your donations. Visit vpm.org/donate …

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BizSense Beat: Diamond District, Shamin Hotels, RVA's Top 25 4:56

1M ago4:56

4:56

VPM Host Lyndon German and BizSense Reporter Jonathan Spiers discuss the Richmond region's top business stories. This week they dive in into a local law firm looking to move into the Diamond District, the region's largest hotelier's investment in Chesterfield County and BizSense's annual ranking of the top businesses in the region.…

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11/7/25 - Virginia Dems prepare for 2026 after election “tsunami” 5:11

1M ago5:11

5:11

Read more Virginia Democrats plan to capitalize on 2025 'tsunami' Bill Lupoletti, WRIR co-founder, remembered as ‘passionate connector’ Chesterfield County names interim supervisor to replace Jim Holland Former Newport News teacher shot by her 6-year-old student wins a $10M jury verdict Our award-winning work is made possible with your donations. V…

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Takeaways from the November Election 59:00

1M ago59:00

59:00

In this episode of ⁠⁠The Virginia Press Room⁠⁠, Michael Pope is joined by ⁠Jahd Khalil ⁠of VPM News, plus Democratic strategist Ben Tribbett and Republican strategist Jeff Ryer to break down this week's elections, which saw a Democratic sweep across races for statewide office and the General Assembly. -- The Virginia Press Room is a weekly podcast …

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11/6/25 - Democrats continue to sweep Virginia elections 8:01

1M ago8:01

8:01

Read more: SCOVA hears arguments in suit over Youngkin's university board appointments Spanberger, Virginia's first woman governor, says she'll defy Trump's 'bad policies' ICYMI: What will the 2026 House of Delegates look like? Our award-winning work is made possible with your donations. Visit vpm.org/donate to support local journalism.…

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11/5/25 - Abigail Spanberger wins, Winsome Earle-Sears concedes 5:03

1M ago5:03

5:03

We’re only going to say this once: All results remain unofficial until certified by the state. More election coverage Democrats sweep Virginia's statewide offices, expand House majority Results: What will the 2026 House of Delegates look like? Jason Miyares concedes in attorney general race to Democrat Jay Jones Watch the moment VPM News announced …

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Richmond vs. Poverty 31:16

1M ago31:16

31:16

In Richmond, the poverty rate has gone down pretty dramatically in the past few years. That’s hard to do, and it’s not getting any easier in this environment of federal cuts and chaos. So a lot of folks are looking at our city and asking, how are we doing it? Rich sits down with the head of the city’s Office of Community Wealth Building to find out…

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11/4/25 - Happy Election Day, Virginia! 5:18

1M ago5:18

5:18

Psst! Tonight (Nov. 4), we’ll be broadcasting live updates on VPM News — however you listen. Read (or listen) more VPM News' 2025 election coverage VPM News’ FAQ to voting in Virginia Check your voter registration and polling place Listen to the VPM News radio stream on our website (or direct) Policy Matters: October 30, 2025 Our award-winning work…

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11/3/25 - Where does Virginia’s next governor stand on child care? 7:02

1M ago7:02

7:02

Read more Where do Winsome Earle-Sears and Abigail Spanberger stand on child care? ⁠How to vote in Tuesday’s elections⁠ Virginia Senate votes to propose redistricting amendment Obama supports Spanberger at Norfolk rally during campaign's final days Our award-winning work is made possible with your donations. Visit vpm.org/donate to support local jo…

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SNAP Backup, Business Sentiment, and This Week's Election 54:17

1M ago54:17

54:17

.In this episode of The Virginia Press Room, Michael Pope is joined by: Karina Elwood of The Washington Post, covering the report that says allegations of school-assisted abortions in Fairfax County are likely false. Billy Shields of VPM News, covering the state-run emergency nutrition assistance program unveiled by Governor Youngkin. Trevor Baratk…

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Policy Matters: October 30, 2025 5:59

1M ago5:59

5:59

‘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.By VPM News

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BizSense Beat: Ryan Homes, Richmond Coliseum, John Rolfe YMCA 5:14

1M ago5:14

5:14

VPM News Host Lyndon German and BizSense's Jackie DiBartolomeo discuss the Richmond region's top business stories. This week they talk about a massive home development in Chesterfield County, the potential demolition of the Richmond Coliseum and a community led-effort to save a local gym in Henrico County.…