Best VPM Podcasts (2025)

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12/30/25 - May Nivar on maintaining Virginia's way of life while encouraging growth 5:49

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38m ago5:49

5:49

Read more ⁠May Nivar: Maintaining Virginia's way of life while encouraging growth⁠ ⁠How one Richmond program elevates soul food and health Best of 2025: VPM News staff's favorite local journalism Our award-winning work is made possible with your donations. Visit vpm.org/donate to support local journalism.…

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12/29/25 - Lindsey Dougherty says Virginia needs investment in housing, infrastructure 5:50

4h ago5:50

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Read more Lindsey Dougherty: Virginia needs investment in housing and infrastructure This Ashland resident is bridging the bilingual gap in Hanover 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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Odie Donald: Richmond’s New CAO 31:30

6d ago31:30

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Richmond’s had a good run lately, but it always seems like it prospers in spite of city government, not because of it. Can Mayor Avula and his new Chief Administrative Officer, Odie Donald, finally be the ones who turn that around? Rich sits down with Odie to find out. RVA's Got Issues will be taking a break for the holidays, but will be back with …

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12/23/25 - Richmond author Lee Allen is celebrating 30 years of ‘The Special Guest’ 9:35

7d ago9:35

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Read more Richmond author Lee Allen is celebrating 30 years of ‘The Special Guest’ Runnymeade Community Farm to help preserve small-scale farming in Varina Glow Big or Glow Home turns holiday festivities into Chesterfield tourism Our award-winning work is made possible with your donations. Visit ⁠vpm.org/donate⁠ to support local journalism.…

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12/22/25 - Leslie Mehta says affordability is the name of the game 5:40

3d ago5:40

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Read more Leslie Mehta: Affordability is the name of the game Retail cannabis market appears set to finally hit Virginia in 2026 Mutual aid fills the gaps as ICE arrests surge across Virginia VPM News Short: Virginia Delegates, Class of 2026 Our award-winning work is made possible with your donations. Visit vpm.org/donate to support local journalis…

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12/21/25 - The University of Virginia is getting a new president 3:16

4d ago3:16

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Read more UVA board selects Scott Beardsley as new president Updated: Virginia ABC grants Roseshire gambling parlor limited liquor license Other links Santa Claus’ bone fragment is at a Northern Virginia Catholic church (WAMU) Transcript: Gov.-elect Abigail Spanberger represents a series of Virginia firsts (NPR) Our award-winning work is made possi…

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BizSense Beat: Chesterfield Town Center, Centra Logistics, Trader Joe's 5:15

5d ago5:15

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VPM News Host Lyndon German and BizSense Reporter Jack Jacobs recap of the Richmond region's top business stories for the week of December 19, 2025. This week they'll cover the $80 million purchase of Chesterfield Town Center, the arrival of a new Trader Joe's in Henrico County and much more.By VPM News

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12/19/25 - State regulators will consider an appeal for a proposed Chesterfield gas plant 6:41

11d ago6:41

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Read more Regulators to consider appeal against Dominion Energy natural gas plant Spanberger, Virginia Democrats eye affordability bills — on a budget Holiday travel expected to break records again in 2025 Updated: Virginia ABC grants Roseshire gambling parlor limited liquor license Other links Metro needs more money. Will Virginia deliver? (WAMU) …

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12/18/25 - Gov. Glenn Youngkin proposes FY27, FY28 budget 5:21

12d ago5:21

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Read more Youngkin presents final budget proposal as governor Budget draft partially funds Child Care Subsidy Program Other links Roanoke Weighs Reparations Fund as Council Warms to Urban Renewal Apology (Roanoke Rambler) Caroline Historical Society exhibit tells the story of county’s World War II veterans (Fredericksburg Free Press) Newport News a…

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12/17/25 - Richmond to establish digital FOIA library in 2026 5:30

13d ago5:30

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Read more Richmond City Council OKs Mayor Danny Avula’s plan for limited FOIA library Other links Remembrance: Edwin “Eddie” Slipek, 1950-2025 (Style Weekly) What will Virginia's Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin do next? He's not ready to tell (The Associated Press) Virginia Dept. of Ed projects K-12 schools will need $1.2 billion over next two years…

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Bobby Vincent on Fixing Richmond's Roads 31:00

9d ago31:00

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When is that pothole or broken sidewalk going to get fixed? To get answers, Rich sits down with Bobby Vincent of Richmond's Department of Public Works, or DPW. But just a warning: those answers may be more complicated than you think. Guest: Bobby Vincent, Richmond Department of Public WorksBy VPM

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12/16/25 - Holiday fire safety tips 5:09

10d ago5:09

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Read more: Charlie Schmidt wins firehouse primary in House of Delegates District 77 Other links:George Washington’s mansion at Mt. Vernon reopens after 2-year, $40M renovation (AP) Brown shooting victim was pursuing dream of becoming brain surgeon (The Washington Post)* The Mysterious Life and Afterlife of Private Fitz Lee (The New York Times)* Wha…

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

11d ago5:27

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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

12d 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

14d 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

19d 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

20d 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

16d 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

21d 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

22d 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

17d 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

18d 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

19d ago5:21

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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

25d 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

26d 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

27d 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

23d 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

28d 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

27d 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

27d ago5:06

5:06

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

1M 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

1M 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

1M ago31:00

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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

1M 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

1M 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

1M 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

1M 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

1M 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

1M 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

1M 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

1M ago30:45

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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

1M 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

1M 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

1M 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

1M ago5:03

5:03

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

2M 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

2M 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

2M ago6:35

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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

2M 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

2M 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…