Virginia Focus

Cyber breaches have evolved from simple experiments to malware like Trojans and email worms to phishing and botnets. The largest data breaches, often involving billions of records, have occurred since 2005, coinciding with the digital transformation of businesses and governments. How do you protect yourself? Let's talk to Colette Tomasiak, Director of Product Marketing at SpyCloud, to find out.

As more people are working well into their 60s and 70s, a new survey shows most businesses aren’t taking advantage of their skills. Experts with the Society of Human Resources Management say tapping into the experienced workforce could be the solution to America's labor shortage. On this episode, we're talking to Dr. James Atkinson, the VP of Thought Leadership at SHRM, to find out  more.

Your car is one of the biggest purchases you'll ever make-but how well are you protecting it? Vehicle thieves are becoming more sophisticated, and more than 10,000 vehicles are stolen in Virginia each year. On this episode, we're joined by First Sgt. Peter Lazear,   Statewide Program Coordinator for the Virginia State Police Help Eliminate Auto Theft Program, to discuss the latest theft trends, simple steps drivers can take to protect their vehicles, and how the public can help combat auto theft.

Ever noticed the exact same prescription drug cost one patient a few dollars and another thousands? A new report suggests the answer has less to do with the medicine itself and more to do with the complex world of pharmacy benefits, specialty drug classifications, and pricing practices that most consumers never see. On this episode, we're joined by Antonio Ciaccia, President of 46brooklyn, to pull back the curtain on prescription drug pricing and explain why some generic medications can carry shockingly different price tags depending on where they're purchased.

Car seats have come a long way from simple safety restraints to sophisticated systems designed to protect children in a crash. But how did we get here, who decides the rules that govern child passenger safety, and where can parents turn for help making sure a seat is installed correctly? On this episode, we're joined by Suzanne Johansson, General Motors' Lead Engineer for Child Passenger Safety, for a fascinating look at the history, science, and real-world challenges behind keeping children safe on the road.

Some of the most important wounds of military service are the ones no one can see. Many veterans face mental health challenges long after returning home, often struggling in silence. Today, Rawle Andrews, Jr., Executive Director of the American Psychiatric Association Foundation, joins us to discuss a new campaign featuring veterans and their families sharing powerful personal stories, and why seeking help can be a sign of strength, not weakness.

Few people know that not everyone accused in the infamous college admission bribery scandal, that included celebrities like Felicity Huffman and Lori Loughlin, was guilty. One innocent family continues fighting to clear their reputation after being caught in the net of the Varsity Blues Scandal in 2019. Those parents have written a book called "Varsity Blues: The Scandal Within the Scandal" and started a charity to help other Americans who may find themselves wrongly accused by the federal government. Today's episode includes some of that experience shared by Author John Wilson.

The next time your insurance bill goes up, fraud could be part of the reason why. Insurance fraud isn't a victimless crime, and investigators say it costs American consumers billions of dollars each year. On this episode, we are talking 1st Sgt. Eric Futrell with the Virginia State Police Insurance Fraud Program about common scams, how to protect yourself, and how everyday citizens can help stamp out fraud.

Are vaccines one of the few issues still bringing Americans together? New polling suggests they might be, with broad support across political lines for maintaining access to recommended vaccines. In this episode, Dr. Larry Bucshon, former Congressman and physician, helps us unpack the results and what they could mean for healthcare policy moving forward.

Millions of Americans are turning to weight-loss drugs, but how can you know whether the product you're getting is safe? As federal regulators weigh important decisions affecting compounded GLP-1 medications and peptide products, questions about counterfeits, online scams, and patient safety continue to grow. On this episode, we're joined by Shabbir Imber Safdar, Executive Director of the Partnership for Safe Medicines, to separate fact from fiction and explain what consumers need to know.