Virginia Focus

Some Virginians grow up in the commonwealth and don't take notice of the depth of history available around every corner. But others, like Coleen Dixon, who grew up in Arlington, find themselves mezmerized by the richness of American history at every turn. Ms. Dixon calls herself the historical homemaker and believes it is important to cherish and share the memories of those that have gone before us and made our country so great.

As many workers feel anxiety about whether or not AI will replace them in the workforce, a new report reveals jobs that rely on empathy and other uniquely human skills will be what makes them also resistant to automation. On this episode, we are talking with Zety's Dr. Jasmine Escalera about the Emphathetic Jobs Report that includes positions offering good pay, growth potential, and can only be done by people like you and me.

Since 1 in 3 children in the United States deal with food allergies, it's imperative that parents be prepared and help their children and their classmates learn about the possible consequences of allergic reactions. On this episode, we are discussing innovative treatments, that latest guidance for epi devices, legislation to increase research funding, and more. Let's get more information from FARE Senior Director of Education and Support Dr. Kelly Cleary.

If you pay insurance premiums‚ you’re already a victim of insurance fraud. The FBI says because of the number of people committing Insurance Fraud, the result is it costs the average U.S. family hundreds, if not thousands per year in the form of increased premiums. The Virginia State Police believe that together, through education and accountability, we can reduce the number of insurance fraud cases and lower premiums in the commonwealth. Seasoned insurance fraud investigator Senior Special Agent Tony Royall helps us learn more.

Virginia State Police have been working to prevent auto theft since the H.E.A.T. or Help Eliminate Auto Theft program started more than 25 years ago. It is estimated that the value of stolen vehicles and parts totaled more than $120 million in 2020. Don’t become a statistic or an easy victim. Guest Host John Clark will be learning more by talking to VSP 1st Sgt. Peter Lazear.

Before colonists brought their foods from other regions of the world, indigenous people thrived on foods native to North America. A new movement is gaining traction, encouraging farms to reintroduce first foods, like persimmon, ramps, and pawpaw fruit, to help decolonize diets and reduce reliance on external food systems that may not be sustainable due to cost and climate change. Today we're learning more from Mike Ferster, a Virginia educator and pawpaw farmer, who is also joining the movement to grow and research a once popular fruit.

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.

A Virginia family answered the call on their hearts when they made the leap from being homesteaders to a full scale farming in 2022. The Weldon Cooper Center reports the number of farms in Virginia was falling and dropped 18 percent between 2002 to 2022 - not to mention the drought that year. In 2025, Maranatha Farms seems to be thriving with a new storefront. On this episode, we're talking to Phil Miller the Farm Retail Manager of the farm to learn more about the journey.

Hundreds of thousands of workers frequently face outdoor hazards such as high heat and humidity. In the absence of laws in Virginia and other states for worker protections, Virginia's Department of Labor and Industry does have regulations and is actively developing new rules to address the issue. The American Society of Safety Professionals is also offering guidance on protecting workers, explainations on how to acclimate workers to high heat conditions, and provides requirements for training employees and supervisors. Let's learn more from Board President Pam Walaski.

There's a new hidden epidemic in the workforce and it involves managers pushing employees out of the company without ever saying a word. In Zety’s new Quiet Firing Report, we explore how common "quiet firing" is, what tactics managers are using, and how it’s affecting employee morale and retention. Career Expert, Dr. Jasmine Escalera, will tell us more about the new workplace challenge potentially facing us all.