The News: Virginia Headlines

Maya and Devon spotlight the Richmond Folk Festival, the free three-day celebration of American roots music and culture on downtown Richmond's riverfront — now in its 22nd year, born from Richmond's 2005-2007 run hosting the National Folk Festival and grown into one of Virginia's largest events. Plus why this weekend: the 2026 festival is underway right now, and Saturday at 5 PM brings "Soul of the City: Richmond Celebrates D'Angelo," a 90-minute tribute to the late Richmond native, days before the one-year anniversary of his death.

Sources:

- Official website: https://www.richmondfolkfestival.org/generalinfo

- "Dear D'Angelo" (official festival page): https://www.richmondfolkfestival.org/rff-news/2026/9/14/dear-dangelo

- "Soul of the City: Richmond Celebrates D'Angelo" (official festival page): https://www.richmondfolkfestival.org/2026-folklife-performers/2026/8/24/soul-of-the-city-richmond-celebrates-dangelo

- National Council for the Traditional Arts: https://www.ncta-usa.org/richmond

- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Richmondfolkfestival/

- Richmond Magazine, October 1, 2026: https://richmondmagazine.com/arts-entertainment/richmond-events/richmond-folk-festival-2026/

- The Cultural Current on the D'Angelo tribute: https://theculturalcurrent.com/blog/2026/10/06/richmonds-soul-takes-the-stage-for-dangelo-tribute/

- Commonwealth Times festival history: https://commonwealthtimes.org/2021/10/06/richmond-folk-festival-returns-in-person-for-17th-anniversary/

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Maya and Devon take on the Question 1 abortion amendment fight after 300 pro-life doctors rallied in Richmond, a tragic Manassas workplace shooting, twelve guilty verdicts in Arlington, a shocking Hampton Roads hunger study, a five billion dollar shipyard contract, and Fairfax's casino pipe dream.

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Maya and Devon launch the Weekend Spotlight with the story of the Family Foundation of Virginia: founded in 1985 by Walt Barbee, born from a 1986 meeting in the back of a Richmond pancake house, now a 40-year fixture of Virginia civic life headquartered on East Franklin Street. Plus why this weekend: the 40th anniversary honor from the Virginia House of Delegates and the two constitutional amendments on November's ballot.

Sources:

- Official website: https://www.familyfoundation.org

- Amendment resources: https://www.familyfoundation.org/blog/m5w6o7kweqvoes8w19di1hrtg3h113

- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tffva/

- History and overview: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Family_Foundation_of_Virginia

- Virginia House 40th anniversary resolution (2025 session): https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1056140.PDF

- Christianity Daily on the 2022 Metzger restaurant cancellation: https://www.christianitydaily.com/news/richmond-metzger-bar-butchery-family-foundation-of-virginia-event.html

- American Family News on the Foundation's response: https://afn.net:443/culture/2022/12/16/faith-guides-actions-and-reactions-of-virginia-group/

- InfluenceWatch profile: https://www.influencewatch.org/non-profit/family-foundation-of-virginia/

Maya and Devon round up the week's biggest Virginia stories: a Flock camera misuse scandal in Chesterfield, Richmond's dead solar deal, ICE flights out of RIC, an arrest in the North Avenue killing, and a record $150M gift to the University of Richmond.

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Primary Sources:

[1], Central Virginia, Governor Spanberger Signs Executive Order to Protect Healthcare and Food Assistance, Office of the Governor of Virginia, https://www.governor.virginia.gov/newsroom/news-releases/2026/august-releases/name-1122870-en.html

[2], Eastern / Tidewater Virginia, Norfolk City Council Approves Funding Measures Aimed at Flood Mitigation, 13News Now / WVEC, https://www.13newsnow.com/article/tech/science/environment/norfolk-city-council-approves-funding-measures-flood-mitigation/291-112e89a1-9926-4ebf-91bc-2a550464302b

[3], Northern Virginia, Belvedere Plantation Owners Confirm Data Center Plans in Fredericksburg, Northern Virginia Magazine, https://northernvirginiamag.com/news/2026/08/28/fredericksburgs-belvedere-plantation-owners-confirm-data-center-plans/

[4], Western Virginia, Judge Approves Franklin County Solar Project Despite Leaders Voting It Down, WSLS 10, https://www.wsls.com/video/news/2026/08/28/judge-approves-franklin-county-solar-project-despite-leaders-voting-it-down/

[5], The Shenandoah Region / Southern Virginia, Henry County Board Adopts Stringent Data Center Regulations, WSLS 10, https://www.wsls.com/news/local/2026/08/28/henry-county-board-adopts-stringent-data-center-regulations/

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Primary Sources:

[1], Central Virginia, Governor Abigail Spanberger Addresses Joint Money Committees of the General Assembly, Office of the Governor of Virginia, https://www.governor.virginia.gov/newsroom/news-releases/2026/august-releases/name-1122619-en.html

[2], Eastern / Tidewater Virginia, City Wins Award for Work Advancing Economic Equity and Inclusion, City of Hampton Official News, https://www.hampton.gov/CivicAlerts.asp?CID=10

[3], Northern Virginia, Beyer Warns Of Increased ICE Violence And Warrantless Detention In Northern Virginia, U.S. Congressman Don Beyer Official Website, https://beyer.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=9196

[4], Western Virginia, Western Virginia Water Authority Caps Google Water Allocation at 2 Million Gallons Daily, Piedmont Environmental Council / WDBJ, https://www.pecva.org/issue/piedmont-news-august-21-2026/

[5], The Shenandoah Region / Southern Virginia, E. coli Testing Results for August 19, 2026, Friends of the Shenandoah River, https://fosr.org/testing-result/e-coli-testing-results-for-august-19-2026/

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Primary Sources

1. Central Virginia, Richmond Public Schools Completes 9th Annual Backpack Supply Drive, Richmond Public Schools, https://www.rvaschools.net/
2. Eastern / Tidewater Virginia, Norfolk Police Department Investigates Fatal Shooting on Colley Avenue, City of Norfolk, https://www.norfolk.gov/m/newsflash/Home/Detail/10415
3. Northern Virginia, Governor Spanberger Highlights Housing Investments and Celebrates Arlington Opening, Office of the Governor of Virginia, https://www.governor.virginia.gov/newsroom/news-releases/2026/august-releases/name-1122439-en.html
4. Western Virginia, Roanoke City Public Schools Implements $14 Million Budget Cuts, WSLS 10 News, https://www.wsls.com/news/local/2026/08/12/roanoke-city-schools-starts-new-year-with-14m-in-cuts-no-activity-buses-and-shared-teachers/
5. The Shenandoah Region / Southern Virginia, Foster Families Collaborative Seeks Community Support in Northern Shenandoah Valley, Royal Examiner, https://royalexaminer.com/foster-families-needed-across-northern-shenandoah-valley-to-keep-children-close-to-home/

Primary Sources:

[1} Richmond Approves $45M Housing and Transit Bond https://www.richmond.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/richmond-city-council-housing-transit-bond-2026/article_893212ab.html

[2] Fairfax County Updates Tysons Transit-Oriented Zoning https://www.ffxnow.com/2026/08/07/fairfax-county-tysons-transit-oriented-zoning-update/

[3] Port of Virginia Completes 55-Foot Channel Deepening https://www.pilotonline.com/2026/08/06/norfolk-harbor-55-foot-dredging-milestone/

[4] Virginia Breaks Ground on Roanoke-to-NRV Rail Extension https://cardinalnews.org/2026/08/06/passenger-rail-extension-christiansburg-2028/

[5] Virginia Launches $12M Agricultural Watershed Conservation Program https://www.dnronline.com/news/shenandoah_valley/virginia-12m-agricultural-conservation-program/article_567812cd.html

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Primary Sources:

[1], U.S. Department of Agriculture Food Safety and Inspection Service, https://www.fsis.usda.gov/recalls-alerts/ukrops-homestyle-foods-recalls-spaghetti-and-chicken-products-due-possible-foreign

[2], City of Norfolk Police Department, https://www.norfolk.gov/policenews

[3], Arlington County Virginia Government, https://www.arlingtonva.us/About-Arlington/Newsroom/Articles/2026/Police-Announce-Arrests-in-Auto-Fraud-Investigation

[4], Western Virginia Water Authority, https://www.westernvawater.org/customers/capital-projects/draft-proposed-data-center-in-botetourt-center-at-greenfield

[5], Shenandoah Valley Electric Cooperative, https://www.svec.coop/news-releases/svec-donates-30000-to-area-organizations/

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Primary Sources:

[1] Governor's Office Press Release: Spanberger Medicaid & SNAP Roundtable

[2] VisitNorfolk Official Announcement: Sarah Hughes Appointed President and CEO

[3] George Mason University News: Authorization to Host Virginia State Climate Office

[4] WFIR News Report: Roanoke Valley Step One Voluntary Water Conservation

[5] WSVA Radio Interview via Apple Podcasts: Rachel Dumene on School Immunizations & Measles Outbreak

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