VPM Daily Newscast

BizSense Beat: February 14, 2025

2/14/25 - RVA report says no safety protocol at water treatment plant

A preliminary report examining Richmond’s water crisis last month was released Thursday. The final report is due out in March. Plus: The Office of the Attorney General was cyberattacked earlier this week; Virginia’s free clinics are not seeing budgets increase as quickly as patient loads; and more Central Virginia news. A note: We’ll be off on Monday, Feb. 18. The VPM Daily Newscast will return Tuesday!

2/13/25 - State lawmakers have days to resolve “MOMnibus” package

Plus: Dominion’s CEO isn’t worried about permits being revoked for its Coastal Virginia offshore wind project; Senate committee advances legislation that could impact local electoral boards; funding for Mayo Bridge; and other stories. In the podcast: Dominion’s CEO isn’t concerned that the Trump administration could revoke permits for its Coastal Virginia offshore wind project.

2/12/25 - Communication issues between the City of Richmond and Henrico County delayed the county’s ability to manage its response to the January water outage.

Plus: legislation about automated license plate readers; a member of Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s cabinet gets tapped for a federal position; and other stories.

2/11/25 - More wintry weather expected in the region.

Plus: Virginia High School League changes transgender athlete policy, the Democratic Party of Virginia to step down; and other stories.

2/10/25 - Virginia House to consider contraceptive legislation

Plus: an update on federal grant payments to community health centers and a piece from partner station WMRA on the federal hiring freeze.

BizSense Beat: February 7, 2025

A Maryland-based developed reached a plea agreement on embezzlement charges related to a South Richmond development; A new data park could be coming to Chesterfield; and a new interview reveals the secrets behind the Duke's Mayo ads.

2/6/25 - Virginia’s House, Senate pass proposals on how to adjust the budget

The two sets of budget amendments with relatively small differences between them create a unified counterproposal to the spending changes sought by Youngkin. In the podcast: Slave trail expansion, RIC flights to Bermuda and more Virginia data centers

BizSense Beat: January 31, 2025

Hoffman & Associates agreed to purchase an entire city block at 3200 W. Moore St. for a mixed-use development; Haleon is investing $54.2 million to upgrade its existing building at 1211 Sherwood Ave.; Richmond-based Spy Rock Real Estate Group submitted plans to build an apartment complex at 10800 Center View Drive, where Midlothian Athletic Club currently stands; and Rachel and Milton Rodriguez are preparing to open Taco Vegana at 1004 Oakwood Ave.

2/6/25 - The bill faced opposition from representatives of rural localities.

Plus: a story from our partner station WHRO about offshore windfarms; a new mural dedicated to Arthur Ashe; and other stories. In the podcast: VPM Daily Newscast: a new mural dedicated to Arthur Ashe unveiled in Henrico, Allegations of inappropriate behavior have been raised by RPS employees against Chief Talent Officer Maggie Clemmons.

2/5/25 - VCU Health patient among transgender care lawsuit plaintiffs

The ACLU and LGBTQ+ advocacy groups are suing President Donald Trump and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services over an order to halt gender-affirming medical care for people under age 19. In other news, Tuesday was crossover day at the Virginia General Assembly! In the podcast: News outlets owned by Lee Enterprises had a nationwide outage that prevented Tuesday’s newspapers from being printed.

2/4/25 - The Virginia House and Senate are mostly in agreement when it comes to state budget amendments.

Plus: A Henrico County gaming facility could be impacted by statehouse legislation; A bill to repeal a prohibition on public employees’ collective bargaining rights across Virginia cleared a vote in the State Senate on Monday; and other stories. In the podcast: An update on where the Virginia budget stands, and applications for Richmond’s Water Recovery Assistance fund have paused.

2/3/25 - How President Donald Trump relocated federal workers in 2019

President Donald Trump’s first administration tried to relocate federal workers on an office-by-office basis back in 2019. In today’s feature story, WAMU’s Margaret Barthel reports on what happened then.

Policy Matters: January 30, 2025

‘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.

01/31/25 - Medicaid, ADUs and minimum wage proposals

The General Assembly’s also considering bills that would regulate ADUs and address minimum wage. In the podcast: The General Assembly’s considering bills that would provide care for pregnant people who are incarcerated, regulate ADUs and address a range of labor issues.

1/30/25 - General Assembly preps budget amid federal funding confusion

The General Assembly session is gearing up for Budget Sunday (this Sunday), and several bills will not make the cut for crossover next Tuesday. In other news: Rockingham County bans two books, Hanover County proposes its budget draft for FY26 — and more Central Virginia news. Did you know VPM News is producing weekly short videos about how the General Assembly works? Virginia’s possible constitutional amendments What is the General Assembly? Budget amendments and legislation: What’s the differen...

01/29/25 - General Assembly budget showdown

Plus: Digital IDs to be accepted at more than 200 airports; Virginia’s first pediatric flu deaths of the season; Lake Monticello’s HOA might have to pay back a federal loan; and other stories.

1/28/25 - Bills on invasive plant species headed through House, Senate.

Plus: Haleon, a global consumer health corporation, will be investing more than $54 million to upgrade its Richmond research and development facility; Richmond Public Schools remains committed to its students in a time of “uncertainty and anxiety.”

1/27/25 - Inside the UVA School of Medicine team exploring past lives

For more than 50 years, a small division in the University of Virginia’s School of Medicine has explored topics ranging from the possibility of telepathy to reincarnation. WHRO's Nick McNamara visited the team to learn more. VPM News needs your help: What do you want us to cover this General Assembly session? Visit VPM.org/thepeople to submit your ideas.

BizSense Beat: January 24, 2025

Richmond's Greyhound bus station is set for redevelopment; Chimbo Sandwich Shop is coming to Church Hill; and a new cat cafe is coming to the Fan.

1/24/25 - VDH to issue the City of Richmond a Notice of Alleged Violation over its January water problems.

Plus: General Assembly legislation around data centers, a new Albemarle County litter cleanup program, new leash laws for dogs in Chesterfield County and other stories.

1/23/25 - Richmond hires Midwest firm to investigate water failure

Today’s top stories include Richmond’s announcement of a firm to investigate its infrastructure after the regional water outage, a podcast-exclusive extended look at some recent General Assembly happenings — and more Central Virginia news. Visit vpm.org/generalassembly for all our coverage of the Legislature.

1/22/25 – State lawmakers try to prep in case Medicaid expansion ends

Today’s top audio stories include a look at Henrico County’s water vigilance, federal workers and the Waverly Two. Visit vpm.org/generalassembly for all our coverage of the Legislature.

1/21/25 – State commission approves bill inspired by VPM podcast

The State Crime Commission has endorsed a piece of legislation relating to Virginia’s former chief serologist, whose work at the state crime lab was scrutinized with the VPM podcast Admissible: Shreds of Evidence. In other news: Virginia’s vehicle inspection stickers are changing, Chesterfield County has a new superintendent and Albemarle County has a website for permit applications now. You can listen to Admissible wherever you get your podcasts. Today’s top audio stories include the latest on ...

BizSense Beat: January 17, 2025

Mrs. Bee's Juice Bar moves to Jackson Ward; A new wave of townhomes is coming to Westchester Commons, and Carytown's Byrd Theatre has started replacing its balcony seats.

VPM Daily Newscast: Data centers, school vouchers and water inquiries

Also: State office space, inquiry into Henrico County water issues and school vouchers.

1/16/25 - Richmond DPU director resigns, interim hired

Also: Geline Bowman Williams, the second woman to serve as Richmond’s mayor, died Sunday at age 100. Visit vpm.org/thepeople and help us tailor our state politics coverage! Today’s top audio stories include the latest from Richmond’s Department of Public Utilities, an obituary for Richmond’s second woman to serve as mayor, a federal watchdog report about U.S. Navy misspending in Norfolk — and more Central Virginia news.

1/15/24 - State gives extra week to enroll in health insurance

Plus: General Assembly updates on constitutional amendments; Yes, Virginia, there really was an earthquake in Henrico on Tuesday.

1/14/25 - Virginia’s General Assembly is in full swing

After several days in recess due to the water woes in Greater Richmond, Virginia’s state lawmakers are fully in session at the state capitol. In other news: Three Chesterfield residents are suing the county and Dominion Energy, Fox Elementary School has a new cupola – and more Central Virginia news. Visit vpm.org/generalassembly for all our coverage of the Legislature.

1/13/25 - Man incarcerated at Red Onion State Prison died in December

Today’s top audio stories include pieces on familiar leadership on the Henrico County School Board and Unite the Right sentence. PLUS: The week before a college semester begins is typically a busy one for in-person advising appointments, class changes, registration and more. But schools like J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College had to make a few changes to the schedule due to the dayslong water outage and various boil notices in Greater Richmond.