Virginia Public Radio

Tuesday’s election swept Democrats into power in both chambers of the General Assembly. But, it also wiped Republicans off the map in Northern Virginia. Michael Pope has details.

Democrats are promising swift action on a host of policy proposals now that they’ve taken control of the General Assembly for the first time in more than two decades. Michael Pope and Mallory Noe-Payne have reaction from motivated Democrats and also Republicans who say they’ll be watching closely.

Voters in counties will see sheriffs and prosecutors on the ballot this year. But voters in cities will not. Michael Pope explains why.

Virginians head to the polls Tuesday but many may not recognize the names on their ballot. As Mallory Noe-Payne reports, hundreds of thousands of voters are in a new district this year.

Washington County supervisors are finding that a possible relocation of the county court is more complicated than they may have imagined.  And news staff at one newspaper is hoping unionizing will give them greater job security.   Those have been among the most read stories over the past week at the Virginia Public Access Project’s […]

Last minute money is streaming into some campaigns across Virginia. Michael Pope has a look at the numbers.

The freshwater mussel is nature’s river cleaner.  But every autumn, for three years running, there’s been a mass die off of one of the most important species. Biologists say if this continues, it could be a warning sign for global river ecosystems. Robbie Harris reports from the Virginia Tennessee border.

There’s a lot at stake this November — when all 140 state lawmakers are up for election. One issue that’s energizing voters is abortion. Democrats say if they win the majority they’ll push to improve access to healthcare, including abortions. As Mallory Noe-Payne reports, that has opponents of abortion rights working overtime for Republican candidates.

How much should the public know about how drug prices are calculated? One Virginia congresswoman is hoping to increase transparency. Michael Pope reports.

A statewide study found forty percent of Virginia’s 5-year-olds were not ready for kindergarten. The governor – a pediatric neurologist – and his wife– a teacher– knew some of those kids would fall behind in school and never catch up. That’s why they hired a chief school readiness officer and launched a 10 million-dollar program […]