Plus: Quadaire Patterson hopes Virginians vote “yes” to restore rights of returning citizens.

Read more from VPM News:

Quadaire Patterson wants full citizenship for people convicted of felonies 

Chesterfield planners wave caution flag on Southside Speedway relaunch 

Hanover planning commission advances US-1 redevelopment proposal 

Other links:

Spanberger: Reviving vetoed bills in a budget would be an 'abuse of the process' (Richmond Times-Dispatch)* 

Launched to great fanfare, Richmond’s Civilian Review Board is growing restless as its workload remains minimal (The Richmonder) 

Charlottesville’s Police Civilian Oversight Board seeks to drop investigative powers (Charlottesville Tomorrow) 

Firm linked to fired Norfolk housing chief led search that got him hired in Charleston, S.C. (WHRO News) 

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The nickname was built on casino operators’ clever use of a legal loophole.

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Curious Commonwealth asks: Why was Colonial Beach known as “Las Vegas on the Potomac”? 

Spanberger signs mandatory paid sick leave into law 

Cyclists and business owners push for trail improvements in Chesterfield 

Other links: 

Third draft of code refresh to be rolled out in phases starting in June (The Richmonder) 

Virginia eyes toll revenue for transit as express lane debate grows (Virginia Mercury) 

VDH: Measles cases in Virginia exceed 50 for the year (CBS19) 

Richmond businesses are growing — but feeling squeezed (Axios Richmond) 

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

More from VPM News: 

Virginia War Memorial adds 4 names to Shrine of Memory 

Inside one woman’s effort to bring tiny homes to Richmond 

On the agenda: Chesterfield administrator candidates, Richmond bag tax update 

ICYMI: Spanberger's split decision on immigration bills draws praise, frustration 

ICYMI: Novel set in 2020 Richmond explores personal change during social unrest 

Other links: 

Richmond judges refer courthouse dispute to the Virginia Supreme Court (Richmond Times-Dispatch)* 

Leaders in Hopewell, Prince George, Alexandria oppose nearly 30% proposed water rate increase (WRIC) 

Restoring Virginia's lost longleaf pine trees, one seed at a time (WHRO News) 

How Barbara Kingsolver turned a bestselling novel into a refuge for women in recovery (Style Weekly) 

*This outlet uses a paywall. 

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

More from VPM News: 

Charlottesville group builds community with resettled Afghan, Syrian women 

WATCH: 🚭 Virginia Maintains Retail Can't-abis Market 🚭 

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VPM is Bound for Downtown! (Instagram) 

Notes from the Square: What a week, Virginia (Cardinal News) 

City considers relocating Pantops encampment amid concerns (CBS19) 

Lewis Ginter's $31 million expansion is now open (WTVR) 

Neglected Chesterfield landfill needs $173 million to prevent environmental 'catastrophe' (Richmond Times-Dispatch)* 

A Black community fled a Virginia island. Reclaiming their history opened old wounds. (Washington Post)* 

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VPM News Host Lyndon German and BizSense Reporter Jack Jacobs discuss the Richmond region's top business stories starting with Gov. Abigail Spanberger's veto to a bill that would have legalized retail marijuana sales beginning in 2027, Dominion Energy's merger with NextEra, and Shamin Hotels' expansion in the Richmond.

Read more from VPM News: 

Chickahominy Nation plans child development center in Charles City County 

Scale Up Henrico invests in local businesses without traditional funding 

Novel set in 2020 Richmond explores personal change during social unrest  

Other links: 

Council committee punts on transparency measures after shutting down discussion (The Richmonder) 

Dave Kennedy drops out of 6th District race, endorses Beth Macy (Daily News-Record)* 

Judge dismisses case against former Richneck Elementary assistant principal (WHRO) 

New owners aim to preserve Goochland Drive-In tradition (Richmond Times-Dispatch)* 

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More from VPM News: 

Virginia tries to balance regulating AI and avoiding Trump blowback 

Virginia closes loophole in invasive plant law 

WATCH: 🏠 Virginia Affordable Housing Solutions? 🏠 

Other links: 

Richmond schools highlighted nationally for reading recovery, literacy gains (The Richmonder) 

Preservation, environmental groups say Valley Link transmission line risks Va.’s natural resources (Virginia Mercury) 

Leave it to the beaver: Stafford supervisors approve Buc-ee’s in Garrisonville (Fredericksburg Free Press) 

6 years after closing, Amherst’s former state-run training center is still on long path to redevelopment (Cardinal News) 

Updated: Spanberger snuffs out legislation to launch recreational pot market in Virginia (Richmond BizSense)* 

*This outlet uses 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: 

Spanberger vetoes retail weed market bill, despite campaign pledge 

Richmond outlines 4 steps to build trust amid ongoing immigration fears 

Habitat for Humanity project brings innovative affordable housing to Staunton 

Cooling centers open in Central Virginia to help beat the heat 

Other links: 

Va. Senate pushes back on governor as budget showdown looms (Richmond Times-Dispatch)* 

RPS seeking new chief talent officer, six months after hiring the current one (The Richmonder) 

Harrisonburg budget keeps same tax rate, raises water and sewer costs (Daily News-Record) 

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Read more from VPM News: 

'Assault weapons' ban OKed by Spanberger met with immediate legal challenges 

Florida-based NextEra agrees to $67B Dominion Energy acquisition 

Other links: 

GRTC commits to another year of fare-free service (The Richmonder) 

Spanberger directs new revenue forecast to aid budget talks (Richmond Times-Dispatch)* 

Parents frustrated over broken AC at Henrico elementary school (WTVR) 

Va. officials celebrate the bald eagle’s comeback and centuries as national symbol (Virginia Mercury) 

USS Gerald R. Ford returns home after record-breaking deployment (WHRO) 

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Union members have called the veto a “betrayal.” Also: The US Supreme Court denied a request to intervene in Virginia's redistricting fight.

Read more from VPM News: 

Spanberger’s collective bargaining veto tests relationship with labor 

Hanover broadband expansion on track for completion by end of 2026 

ICYMI: US Supreme Court declines to intervene in Virginia redistricting

On the agenda: Richmond public works, Albemarle road maintenance plans 

Other links: 

Richmond collects $5.6 million related to delinquent taxes from short-term rentals (The Richmonder) 

Henrico nursing home facing severe violations after multiple residents abused, state finds (WTVR) 

Thrown-out ballots and map confusion: Voters are losing the redistricting battle (NPR) 

The future of nuclear fusion energy could be at Jefferson Lab (WHRO News) 

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