Read more from VPM News: 

Seven Democrats jockey for position in 1st Congressional District primary 

Candidates in 4th Congressional District prepare for November general election 

Frustration with McGuire drives both sides of 5th Congressional District primary 

Harding, Ollivant, Smithers vie for GOP nomination in 7th Congressional District 

Who in Virginia is running for US Senate in 2026? 

Other links: 

City firetrucks, buses will soon get green lights on demand. Ambulances won't. (Richmond Times-Dispatch)* 

Richmond sheriff withholds investigation report 10 months after teen pepper-sprayed at concert (WTVR) 

Valley Link project will produce harmful radiation, scientific research nonprofit says (The Daily Progress)* 

Judge rejects bid from Virginia, other states to block Medicaid work rules (Virginia Mercury) 

As $43 million for Southwest flood relief remains unspent, residents who can’t afford to fix their homes wait for help (Cardinal News) 

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Pilot program connects childcare centers with substitute teachers via app 

How Charlottesville's trees are faring on the Downtown Mall, 50 years later

On the agenda: Albemarle schools investigation, Charlottesville housing grants 

WATCH: Happy Primary Day, (most of) Virginia! (TikTok)

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Virginia senators request special session to act on ’deeply alarming’ groundwater report (Virginia Mercury) 

Appalachian Power sees ‘explosive’ growth from data centers, other big customers (Cardinal News) 

Richmond DPU misses deadline to fix billing problems (WTVR) 

U.S. Drought Monitor shows Richmond area drought conditions easing (Richmond Times-Dispatch)* 

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

‘Policy Matters’ is your window into Virginia politics with VPAP. It's our monthly roundup of the top political headlines from across Virginia, powered by VPAP’s daily e-newsletter, VaNews.

VPM News Host Lyndon German and BizSense Reporter Jack Jacobs discuss the Richmond region's top business stories starting with the expansion of the Massachusetts-based pharmaceutical firm Thermo Fisher, the Westover Place redevelopment, a drive-thru soda shop near Regency Mall and the owner of Baltik's Bagel new property.

Read more from VPM News: 

Spanberger has restored voting rights to more than 66,000 Virginians 

Virginia 'assault weapons' ban on hold until US Supreme Court hears gun cases 

Other links: 

Backers of Family Justice Center to seek $2 million from city for startup costs next year (The Richmonder) 

Virginia’s disability services gap persists despite progress, leaves young adults vulnerable (Virginia Mercury) 

Harrisonburg City Council votes to end contract with Flock Safety (29News) 

Report reveals cause of fireworks malfunction at Flying Squirrels game (WTVR) 

Ticks are taking over in Virginia. Could ODU's 'tick robot' help? (WHRO) 

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Henrico supervisors greenlight 2045 planning blueprint 

ICYMI: Committees lay groundwork to campaign on constitutional amendments 

VPM News congressional primary previews: 1st District | 4th District | 5th District | 7th District | US Senate 

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Waynesboro residents question operations permit for Northrop Grumman (WMRA) 

Uninsured ER visits in Virginia spike nearly 50%, experts warn it could get worse (WTVR) 

Workers installing drywall at LEGO site: we're not paid for overtime (Richmond Times-Dispatch)* 

Va. education department seeks new student assessment vendor (Virginia Mercury) 

Louisa residents prepare for state review of proposed Valley Link transmission line (WRIC) 

Google to use electric cooling instead of water in at least 1 of 3 data centers on Botetourt campus (Cardinal News) 

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Chesterfield residents call for more transparency on Google data centers

Indigenous food program to bring culturally appropriate lunches to Virginia schools

Royal Farms opens newest Virginia location in Chester 

WATCH: 💵 New Tax for Richmonders? 💵 (YouTube)  

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Report on fatal ODU shooting details 'targeted terror attack' (WHRO) 

Their land was taken centuries ago. Now the Pamunkey tribe is getting it back. (The Washington Post)*

Brown water, dust and loud noises: Louisa homeowner sues Amazon over data center construction (Virginia Mercury) 

‘We’re in a cave with the lights out’: Petersburg leaders call for more transparency as data center plans advance (WRIC) 

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Richmond advances 1% school funding tax question to local ballots

Committees lay groundwork to campaign on constitutional amendments

WATCH: Who foots the bill for Shoosmith Landfill cleanup? (YouTube) 

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Spanberger admin to resume nursing home oversight board: 'The stories we're hearing concern me' (WTVR) 

Following Council vote, Richmond transfers medical 911 calls back to ambulance authority (The Richmonder) 

Virginia’s new pay transparency law changes the rules for job postings (Virginia Mercury) 

How Trump’s rush to build an arch is rewriting construction rules in historic places (WAMU) 

Baltik’s Bagel owner buys former Alamo BBQ spot in Church Hill for potential second shop (Richmond BizSense)* 

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Read more from VPM News: 

Lawmakers move forward with plans for childcare center for state employees 

Richmond council to vote on 1% sales tax hike for school construction 

On the agenda: Richmond sales tax referendum, East End mural 

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Fourth Circuit creates circuit split over handling of detained pro-Palestinian scholars (Courthouse News) 

VDH, Hopewell clear Bailey Bay for swimming after sewage spill (The Progress-Index)* 

Emails show how Virginia regulators downplayed data center health concerns (E&E News) 

Guns, militias and a long-running Virginia debate (Virginia Center for Investigative Journalism at WHRO) 

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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: 

Chesterfield officials scramble for solutions to Shoosmith cleanup conundrum 

Summer meal programs help Charlottesville students stay fed while school’s out 

Who in Virginia is running for US Senate in 2026? 

Other links: 

Minimal oversight allows hazards in legal hemp products (WMRA) 

‘The worst it has ever been’: Virginia immigration lawyers, former immigration judges warn of a court system in crisis (Charlottesville Tomorrow) 

Albemarle County School Board to hold special meeting discussing independent investigation (29News) 

150+ adoptees sought original birth certificates in 2 weeks after Virginia law change (WSET) 

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