The top stories for July 10, 2026, there are growing calls to conserve water throughout Virginia amid an ongoing drought, Sen. Tim Kaine visits a former high school in Farmville that's now a museum dedicated to civil rights, and there's growing opposition to data centers in Virginia - Michael Pope and analyst Jeff Schapiro discuss in their Friday conversation.

The top stories for July 9, 2026, including a national call for lowering utility bills as Dominion ranks among the top few cutting power to those who can't pay, a preview of where Virginia's recreational marijuana shops will be, and elementary schools in Pulaski County look for more in-person learning and less screen time.

The top stories for July 8, 2026, including the latest on court battles over Virginia gun laws, a wrongful death suit is filed in the December 2025 death of a Virginia Tech student, Radford University gets a grant to study the impacts of AI on the workforce, and profiling a drummer from Richmond who's now programming the Newport Jazz Festival.

The top stories for July 7, 2026, including Gov. Spanberger backing data centers and citing high energy costs in a talk with Politico, Roanoke City Council seeks more public input on zoning proposals, and a look at the challenges faced by an urban farm in Roanoke.

The top stories for July 6, 2026, including a preview of zoning proposals with lots of potential impact for Roanoke, a study of AI models shows small towns aren't always accurately represented, and how Hope Initiative changed views for those battling substance abuse.

The top stories for July 3, 2026, including grants for flood resiliency and energy efficiency, criminal records legislation,and Michael Pope and analyst Jeff Schapiro wrap up the week in politics and state government.

The top stories for July 2, 2026, including drought conditions impacting all of Virginia, bipartisan concerns over Dominion's proposed merger with NextEra, a new law bans styrofoam takeout containers, and Roxy Todd visits a rural hospital in Norton, where some women travel more than an hour to give birth.

The top stories for July 1, 2026, including Virginia leaders' reaction to the SCOTUS ruling banning transgender girls from participating in sports, ICE officers carried out an arrest operation recently in Ruckersville, and StoryCorps founder Dave Isay explains its Connect 250 project, linking up strangers.

The top stories for June 30, 2026, including final approval on a state budget with Gov. Spanberger's amendments, a group of retired menhaden fishermen give a final performance of work songs, and the founder of the Chesapeake Climate Action Network launches a TV documentary series on climate change.

The top stories for June 29, 2026, including a profile on the GOP candidates hoping to challenge Sen. Mark Warner this fall, encouraging results of a new drug to treat pancreatic cancer at UVA, and Cardinal News has a look at Appalachian Power's request for a rate increase.