Qualifying TCC students can send kids ages 2–5 to the center free of charge, through a federal grant program called Child Care Access Means Parents in School.

Also: Hardwood species like white oak have been a ubiquitous feature of North America for centuries. Today, most eastern hardwood forests don’t have the conditions to produce a new generation of trees, raising the threat of steep declines. 

‘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.

Our top audio stories today include reports of self-harm at Red Onion State Prison, a holiday traffic outlook and the proposal of a new law to combat opioid substance use disorders. 

PLUS: Grants from the Virginia Department of Education to help bolster school security were awarded to 472 schools, a popular Charlottesville trail closing temporarily, and other stories. 

Today’s top audio stories include 472 schools getting money from the Virginia Department of Education to bolster school security and more on Rep. Jennifer McClellan’s legislation to federally recognize the Nottoway Tribe of Virginia. 

Hanover County and All Points Broadband kicked off the next phase of Connect Hanover last week; President-elect Donald Trump’s border czar is a Fredericksburg-area businessowner; and the Free Application for Federal Student Aid is live after a monthslong technical delay. 

Today’s top audio stories include the Virginia connections of President-elect Donald Trump’s border czar, Congressman-elect Eugene Vindman’s views on relocating federal workers and some important FAFSA news. (Hint: The FAFSA is now live.) 

The dispute between Richmond and VCU Health over tax payments tied to a failed downtown development could be headed to mediation or litigation; A former bank examiner at the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond pleaded guilty to insider trading on Tuesday; and the city’s tallest rooftop bar is shutting down, but its enviable view won’t be off limits for long.

Today’s top audio stories include Richmond Mayor-elect Danny Avula selects transition team members; What motivated Virginia’s Latino voters at the polls?; GOP primary in Virginia’s 10th Senate District; Henrico supervisors OK purchase of about 18 acres for new firehouse and training area.   

Plus: a Henrico County lawsuit about skill games, the groundbreaking of a new Chesterfield elementary school — and more Central Virginia news.

Plus: an upcoming vote for Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden staffers to unionize, Gov. Glenn Youngkin asking for more federal funding to help aid in recovery efforts in Southwest Virginia and Virginia’s in-state tuition being among the highest in the country. 

What’s at stake in Virginia’s upcoming special elections; the Rappahannock Tribe is now a part of the federal Tribal Historic Preservation Program; Dr. Avula’s first one-on-one interview since the election; 6 acres east of Movieland at Boulevard Square in Richmond will be site of 400 housing units; Ting lays off 40% of its staff.