OK, so there’s Lake Drummond in the Great Dismal Swamp... and Mountain Lake in Giles County. But why are there only two naturally-formed lakes in the commonwealth? 

Submit your own question at ⁠vpm.org/curious⁠.

Plus: Henrico County residents speak out about data centers; Virginia's first Buc-ee's opens; UVA students react to the resignation of President Jim Ryan; and other stories.

Read more at VPM News about Ryan's exit and the public response.

UVA's Board of Visitors voted in March to dismantle DEI initiatives following a January executive order from Trump. Since then, the US Department of Justice has been publicly pressuring Ryan and UVA to produce a detailed progress report on its ongoing cancellation of all DEI-related programs.

School officials told VPM News on June 20 that the federal government’s deadline for producing that report had been extended by DOJ. However, the public demands for its release have continued — and as first reported by The New York Times late last week, came to a head when Ryan was asked to resign in order to resolve the ongoing dispute.

University is essential to continue the core mission of research, education, and clinical care." Ryan’s resignation comes as four seats on the governor-appointed board — which will be responsible for selecting his successor — are set to turn over tomorrow on July 1.  

‘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 Host Lyndon German and BizSense Reporter Jonathan Speirs discuss the top business stories in the Richmond region. This week listen to stories about Virginia's top elected official weighing in on Richmond's water crisis, a local real estate developer's court sentencing and an update on the city's new baseball diamond, CarMax Park.

VCU officials say they expect around 1,500 students to enroll in the Virginia Military Survivors and Dependents Education Program for the upcoming fall semester, up from 1,006 students in the 2023–24 school year. 

Plus: A fire broke out in Shockoe Bottom; "Significant weaknesses” were found in an audit in how the City of Richmond oversees government employee credit cards; and other stories.

The lawsuit — filed against three school rectors — is the latest General Assembly push against Youngkin. The governor told VPM News Tuesday that this is a fight against his administration's work to dismantle “illegal discrimination,” which is how he has referred to DEI. 

Plus: Several areas in Central Virginia have opened cooling stations. 

Plus: Hanover water update; Styrofoam ban takes effect on July 1 — and more Central Virginia news. 

Plus: UVA professors ask board to hold off on further DEI dismantling, Richmond’s mayor is calling on regional leaders for water infrastructure solutions, Chesterfield County is now on fire ant quarantine — and more Central Virginia news.