Read more from VPM News: 

Data center tax break takes center stage in Virginia budget plans 

General Assembly passes bill containing new congressional map, primary date 

Charlottesville City Council tweaks zoning ordinance 

On the agenda: It’s budget season in Central Virginia 

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Lawmakers question how Rosie’s was approved to add more gambling machines in Richmond (The Richmonder) 

RPD liaison, police discuss preventative measures after Shockoe Bottom shooting (WRIC) 

A school suspended 323 students after ICE protest. They protested again. (The Washington Post)

VPM News Host Lyndon German and BizSense Reporter

Mike Platania discuss the Richmond region's

top business stories, starting with an update

on Virginia's legal marijuana market and ending with news of a new housing development coming to Arthur Ashe Blvd.

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With 300-dwelling development looming, nearby Chesterfield residents concerned 

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Tazewell judge temporarily blocks Democrats' redistricting referendum (Associated Press) 

Virginia Gov. Spanberger to deliver Democratic response to Trump’s State of the Union address (Virginia Mercury) 

Virginia Del. Barry Knight, a retired hog farmer from Virginia Beach, dies at 71 (Virginian-Pilot) 

John McGuire would rather not talk about redistricting in Virginia (The Daily Progress)* 

Dominion Energy Riverrock announces music lineup, venue change for 2026 (WRIC) 

Veterans sue over Trump’s planned 250-foot arch, citing cemetery views (The Washington Post)* 

*Paywall

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Virginia Democrats zero in on final affordability package 
UVA School of Nursing faculty say new federal report has an error 
Hanover County unveils $427M budget proposal for fiscal year 2027 

Other links: 

How much revenue did the City of Petersburg bring in during casino's first days? (The Progress-Index)* 

Albemarle County Public Schools proposes draft budget request (29 News) 

PWC supervisors collect nearly $300K in campaign donations – mostly from data center interests (The Prince William Times) 

Petition to recall Martinsville mayor moves forward (WDBJ) 

*This outlet has a paywall. 

Our award-winning work is made possible with your donations. Visit vpm.org/donate to support local journalism. 

Read more from VPM News: 
'Right to repair' bills die in Virginia House subcommittee 

Richmond's General Assembly agenda has been a mixed bag so far 

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Our award-winning work is made possible with your donations. Visit vpm.org/donate to support local journalism. 

Read more from VPM News: 
A $15 minimum wage for Virginia is within reach 

Scenes from the Virginia State Capitol 2026: a dispatch 

Other links: 

After police reforms, Virginia traffic stops increase (VCIJ at WHRO) 

Former Attorney General Miyares faces two wrongful firing lawsuits (WRIC) 

In First Months as Governor, Abigail Spanberger Kicks Up Heat From the Right (The New York Times)* 

Paid sick leave bill passes Virginia House of Delegates (Virginia Mercury)

Dominion plans $1 billion super-high voltage line through Piedmont Virginia (Richmond Times-Dispatch)* 

Our award-winning work is made possible with your donations. Visit vpm.org/donate to support local journalism. 

Read more from VPM News: 
Supreme Court of Virginia greenlights redistricting referendum 

Hanover school board approves 2026–27 budget plan 

On the agenda: Diamond District, RVA Pay, Charlottesville school budget 

Other links: 

Bill to create a Prescription Drug Affordability Board clears House of Delegates (Virginia Mercury) 

Petersburg's temporary casino makes $4.7 million in first 10 days (Richmond Times-Dispatch)* 

Virginia measles cases this year already surpass 2025 total, VDH data shows (29News) 

Spring fire season and state-wide burning law begin (CBS19) 

*Paywall link

Our award-winning work is made possible with your donations. Visit vpm.org/donate to support local journalism. 

VPM News Host Lyndon German and BizSense Reporter Jonathan Spiers discuss the Richmond region's top business stories. This week they cover the closure of the Saks Fifth Avenue retail store in Stony Point, a Charlottesville restaurant coming to the Manchester area and new housing developments under development in several parts of the city.

Read more VPM News: 

Reforming public university boards is a hot topic at the General Assembly 

Richmond Free Press ceases publication after 34 years 

Chesterfield teacher’s union warns about preparations for ICE confrontations 

Other links: 

Charlottesville sees decline in opioid overdose calls, though doctors say concerns remain (29 News) 

Attorney General Jay Jones joins multistate lawsuit challenging Trump’s changes to loan forgiveness rules (WRIC) 

Va. unemployment claims jump 71%. Those don't include nearly 700 looming Amazon layoffs. (Richmond Times-Dispatch) 

After sale of Virginia nursing home, data shows 911 calls spiked by 70% (WTVR) 

Our award-winning work is made possible with your donations. Visit vpm.org/donate to support local journalism. 

Read more VPM News: 

Charlottesville school board agrees to 10.5% raise for support professionals 

Traveling CPR kiosk brings hands-on training to communities across Virginia 

Delegates rework bills related to Virginia Military Institute 

Other links: 

Pruitt drops out of congressional race, blames Democratic redistricting (The Daily Progress) 

Overwhelming majority of Central Virginia ICE detainees continue to be non-criminals, data shows (WRIC) 

DHR launches project for special markers at Virginia lynching sites (CBS19) 

Senate panel advances $48 hike in weekly unemployment benefits (Richmond Times-Dispatch) 

Our award-winning work is made possible with your donations. Visit vpm.org/donate to support local journalism.