A prisoner suing the Virginia Department of Corrections for refusing to allow him to take medication for his opioid dependency is asking a federal appeals court to hear his case. He claims the department’s policy violates the Americans with Disabilities Act; The Virginia State Board for Community Colleges approved changing the name of John Tyler Community College to Brightpoint Community College; As the fall semester approaches, universities in the area are mixed on whether they should require their students to get the COVID-19 vaccine; and other local news stories.

The Virginia Department of Health, along with the department of education, released new guidance for preK-12 schools yesterday as students prepare to resume in-person instruction; Virginia Commonwealth University is requiring all students to be vaccinated against COVID-19 in order to return to the classroom in the fall; A State Inspector General report released last month found flaws in the state agency overseeing drinking water quality; and other local news stories.

The Richmond school board approved a plan Monday to move forward with rebuilding George Wythe High School; The Virginians for Affordable Medicine is a brand new coalition of advocates, patients, and physicians advocating for affordable medications; Virginians have till the end of today to add artifacts to a new time capsule; and other local news stories.

John Tyler Community College could become Brightpoint Community College; The commission tasked with redrawing Virginia’s Congressional districts will hold a public hearing today for Hampton Roads; Federal data show a rise in drug overdose deaths inside prisons and jails across the country in recent years. Virginia falls near the middle of the pack; and other local news stories.

U.S. congressional races are more than a year away, but Democratic Representative Abigail Spanberger is already facing a challenge from the right; Virginia ended its fiscal year with $2.6 billion dollars more in tax revenue than it had forecasted; Students, scientists, citizens and more across Virginia took part yesterday in the country’s largest-ever heat mapping project; and other local news stories.

A federal appeals court in Richmond struck down the federal government’s long-standing ban on selling handguns to people under the age of 21; Virginia Military Institute is implementing changes following an investigation ordered by Governor Ralph Northam into allegations of racism at the university; The Richmond community is expressing frustration about delays in construction of a new George Wythe High School; and other local news stories.

Virginia is temporarily halting admissions to five of its eight state-run psychiatric hospitals, including one in Petersburg, because of staffing shortages; Republican Glenn Youngkin still hasn’t released specific policy proposals on most major issues since he announced his campaign for governor; Richmond is considering extending the target date for construction of a new casino by 9 months; and other local news stories.

Yesterday, Governor Ralph Northam announced his latest plan for how he wants to spend some of the more than $4 billion in federal funds headed to the commonwealth; Virginia school districts are required to adopt policies about harassment-free treatment of transgender students ahead of the upcoming school year; The City of Charlottesville removed four statues over the weekend, including two Confederate statues that became a flashpoint for the deadly Unite the Right rally in 2017; and other local news stories..

Twenty-four states, including Virginia, reached a resolution in legal fights against the makers of Oxycontin; Virginia’s Republican gubernatorial candidate Glenn Youngkin is defending comments he made about abortion in a video taken by a liberal activist; Since pandemic restrictions were lifted, many people are returning to doing things they missed out on last summer, like blueberry picking; and a look at delay in the construction of a new George Wythe High School amid tensions between the City of Richmond and Mayor Levar Stoney.

A statue of former governor and segregationist Harry Byrd, Senior was removed from capitol square in Richmond yesterday; Homicides in Richmond and across the state are rising after hitting a low about a decade ago; The Virginia Air Pollution Control Board met yesterday amid controversy over its lack of public engagement regarding a Mountain Valley Pipeline permit application; and other local news stories.

Candidates for Virginia’s House of Delegates could face the ballot box three years in a row under a lawsuit filed against Governor Ralph Northam and the Board of Elections last week; Virginia has seen a large increase in Medicaid enrollment during the COVID-19 pandemic; The American Lung Association is offering new fact-based guides about COVID-19 in an effort to raise vaccination rates in Virginia; and other local news stories.

While the U.S. Supreme Court upheld an eviction moratorium for non-payment of rent through the end of this month, it does not apply to tenants with expired leases who want to stay, but whose landlords want them out; The Virginia Air Pollution Control Board has postponed consideration of a permit for a Mountain Valley Pipeline compressor station in Chatham; President Joe Biden has nominated Virginia’s top trial lawyer to the federal bench; and other local news stories.

Virginia Representative Elaine Luria was selected as a member of the committee investigating the January 6th insurrection at the U.S. Capitol; Senator Mark Warner visited The Diamond today to discuss new legislation to provide financial relief to minor league teams; Federal officials are launching a review of a new wind farm project off Virginia's coast; and other local news stories.

Starting today, Virginians can legally possess up to an ounce of marijuana. But advocates fear confusion over the new law could result in Black people being disproportionately targeted by law enforcement; Another new law taking effect today requires Virginia schools to grant all middle and high school students one excused absence a year to participate in a civic event; and Whittney Evans explains the new marijuana and other laws taking effect today.

The Virginia Department of Transportation announced it has completed cleanup efforts following February's ice storm; The city of Richmond held a press conference yesterday to provide a pandemic update; Virginia Senators Mark Warner and Tim Kaine are pushing for more financial support to implement the Ashanti Alert system; and other local news stories.

The Supreme Court yesterday indicated support of a lower court’s ruling in favor of Gavin Grimm, an advocate for the transgender community who sued his school district for not allowing him to use the boy’s restroom; Governor Ralph Northam signed four bills to make voting easier; Next week, GRTC is holding a public meeting to announce schedule changes coming to some of its routes this fall; and a memorial to the five Capital Gazette Newspaper employees shot by a gunman in 2018 is unveiled in Annapolis.

Richmond students on graduating during a "hectic" year; interfaith coalition gathers to denounce antisemitism; Andrew Freiden, Meteorologist, talks about climate change; and more

Civilian Review Board Recommendations Coming; Unemployment Falls; Lt. Gov Fairfax's Lawsuit Dismissed; On Its 50th Anniversary, Virginia's Constitution Faces New Tests, and more

Virginia Replacing 134-Year-Old Time Capsule With Confederate Memorabilia; Pro-Trump Politician Fights to Stay on Ballot After Paperwork Problems; and more

City Plan endorsed a plan to remove a statue to Confederate A.P. Hill, but passed on proposals to remove pedestals which once held Stonewall Jackson, J.E.B. Stuart and other Confederates to City Council without an endorsement;

As of today, Juneteenth is a national holiday celebrating the emancipation of African Americans. It also happens to be World Sickle Cell Awareness Day; Virginia children are less likely to meet school immunization requirements this year due to limited access to health services during the pandemic; Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney released a request for design proposals yesterday in a last-ditch effort to begin work on George Wythe High School as soon as possible; and other local news stories.

The nonprofit Virginia Environmental Justice Collaborative released a map this week detailing the environmental vulnerability of state residents; Chesterfield teenagers have the opportunity to get vaccinated today; and Ian Stewart speaks with Michael Paul Williams from the Richmond Times Dispatch about his Pulitzer Prize for Journalism.

Critical Race Theory has been used for decades to examine systemic racism. Politicians claim the theory is being taught in schools, but that’s really not the case; Virginia Senator Mark Warner says last week’s passage of the United States Innovation and Competition Act is intended to address current supply chain issues; Riding on GRTC will continue to be free for another year; and other local news stories.

After more than a year of battling the spread of COVID-19, the Virginia Department of Corrections is reporting zero active coronavirus cases in state prisons; Virginia Senator Mark Warner is part of a bipartisan coalition that has put together an alternative to President Joe Biden’s infrastructure proposal; Tonight, Chesterfield residents will have the chance to comment on what the county should do with over $68 million in federal money; and other local news stories.

At their meeting last week, the Chesterfield School Board approved a resolution recognizing June as LGBTQ+ month; Governor Ralph Northam signed into law a new reform to Virginia’s probation system; Virginia will receive over $15 million in federal funding to help residents obtain affordable housing; and other local news stories.

About 8 percent of registered voters turned out for Tuesday’s primary, down about two points from 2017’s record; The primary race for Richmond’s top prosecutor was a sweeping victory for incumbent Commonwealth’s Attorney Colette McEachin; The F-B-I says it believes the gunman in the 20-19 Virginia Beach mass shooting “was motivated by perceived workplace grievances."; and other local news stories.

Democrats in Virginia have selected Terry McAuliffe as their nominee for governor; The Virginia Supreme Court heard challenges yesterday to the state’s plan to remove the statue of Robert E. Lee in Richmond; Virginia has seen an overall decrease in violent crimes compared to 2019; and other local news stories.

Five Democrats running for Virginia governor are making their final pitch to voters ahead of today’s primary; The Supreme Court of Virginia is slated to hear oral arguments today in the fight over taking down the statue of Confederate General Robert E. Lee; The City of Richmond is holding a mass vaccination event this week that will also serve as a community job fair; and other local news stories.

Virginia Representative Abigail Spanberger is reintroducing a bill to increase transparency in prescription drug transactions; VCU has expelled Delta Chi fraternity for violations that allegedly led to the death of a student; Tomorrow is the last day to vote early in-person before the June Primary; and other local news stories.

Republican Glenn Youngkin has so far raised nearly $16 million in his campaign for governor of Virginia. Campaign finance reports released this week show three quarters of that money came from his own pocket; The City of Richmond is now accepting applications for the second round of utility bill relief to help customers struggling during the pandemic; A state-funded investigation found institutional racism at Virginia Military Institute. But the report, released this week, also found sexual assault to be a problem; and other local news stories.

VMI Investigation Released, Artists Reflect on Year of Activism, and other local news stories

The Virginia War Memorial’s 65th annual Memorial Day ceremony was open to the public yesterday; During COVID-19, a Virginia law against wearing masks has been paused. But that could change as soon as June 30th, when the current state of emergency is set to expire; Today is the deadline to sign up for Chesterfield County public school’s “Virtual Academy”. The district is offering the academy for K-through-8th grade as an alternative to in-person classes in the fall; and other local news stories.

Monday is the two-year anniversary of the Virginia Beach mass shooting that killed 12 people and injured four more. There will be tributes throughout the weekend to remember the victims; After over a year of social distancing, masking and avoiding crowds, Virginia lifted its remaining gathering restrictions today; AAA Mid-Atlantic expects more than a million Virginians to travel for Memorial Day; and other local news stories.

Petersburg native Doctor Jewel Bronaugh returned to her hometown yesterday to make her first public appearance as deputy secretary of the USDA; Former Senator John Warner died at home Tuesday due to heart failure, at 94 years old; The family of VCU freshman Adam Oakes, who died in February of alcohol poisoning, has started a nonprofit to support high school students after they graduate; and other local news stories.

Following court-ordered mediation, the Virginia Employment Commission will work to resolve a backlog of pandemic-related jobless claims by Labor Day; Lawyers for Dylann Roof asked a federal appeals court in Richmond yesterday to overturn his conviction; Yesterday, a U.S. Senate health committee approved the Dr. Lorna Breen Health Care Provider Protection Act; and other local news stories.

Richmond City Council has approved a more than 770 million dollar budget for next fiscal year; Changes to Virginia’s medical cannabis program are coming this summer as recreational marijuana becomes legal; Multiple walk-up vaccination events at the Richmond Raceway this week will be open to children; and other local news stories.

A Virginia lawmaker was deposed earlier this month for his role in an alleged fraud scheme; On July 1st, adults in Virginia can legally use recreational marijuana, but there are still lots of rules to follow to stay on the right side of the law; Governor Ralph Northam is making changes to the state parole board; Richmond’s casino selection panel has narrowed the field down to one; and other local news stories.

A majority of Virginia voters support efforts to reduce flooding, according to a new poll; Petersburg City Council has appointed Stuart Turille Junior as its new city manager; The Vice Chair of the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia resigned in protest this week of the agency’s handling of the Virginia Military Institute investigation; and other local news stories.

Governor Ralph Northam has issued an executive order directing the Virginia Employment Commission to hire more staff and nearly double the number of disputed claims they process each week; The 7-day average for new COVID-19 cases in Richmond is down to 10 per week; Several Hampton Roads cities have higher rates of poverty, unemployment and housing insecurity than Virginia on average according to new data dashboards; and other local news stories.

A group called “Power for Tomorrow” is blanketing Virginia with TV ads warning against changes to the commonwealth’s electrical grid; Settlement talks are underway between the Virginia Employment Commission and residents who sued over delays in their unemployment benefits; The Speaker of the Virginia House of Delegates announced the body will return to in-person meetings; and other local news stories.

12 to 15 year olds are now approved to get the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine; Virginia will receive more than 7-billion-dollars in COVID relief funds from the American Rescue Plan; Virginia officials hope the gasoline supply chain will be fully back to normal by this weekend or early next week; and other local news stories.

Chesterfield is trying to relocate over 500 people from the county currently incarcerated at Riverside Regional Jail; Several COVID-19 vaccine clinics are taking place in the Richmond area with no appointments needed; Virginia's anti-price gouging statute is in effect following the shutdown of the Colonial Pipeline; and other local news stories.

Governor Ralph Northam declared a state of emergency yesterday in response to the shutdown of the Colonial Pipeline by a ransomware attack; Over 1.5 million children in Virginia will benefit from the expansion of the Child Tax Credit; Virginia Commonwealth University’s faculty senate voted this week in support of several demands being made by adjunct professors; and other local news stories.

In Virginia, Black women are three to four times more likely to experience maternal health problems. A Richmond-based program was recently launched to try to address this; The deadline for Virginians to file their state taxes is approaching; A repaving project in Richmond appears to be paying off; and other local news stories.

Governor Ralph Northam says all COVID-19 restrictions in Virginia could end in June if cases continue to decline; According to a new poll, about two-thirds of Virginia parents say they're likely to have their children vaccinated; The candidates for Attorney General met in debate; and other local news stories.

Richmond residents wanting to get vaccinated can do so today at the Islamic Center in Henrico; The COVID-19 crisis in India is impacting residents in Hampton Roads, A walk-up vaccination clinic opened Wednesday at George Wythe High School; and other local news stories.

Richmond City Council is setting aside roughly $200,000 for a civilian review board for police misconduct; Virginia Military Institute will remove “Stonewall” Jackson’s name from campus buildings in the wake of allegations of racism; Eight women recently filed a lawsuit against a Virginia summer camp, claiming they were sexually abused by staff; and other local news stories.

Charlottesville's Blue Ribbon Commission have requested the city council to immediately cover the monuments in preparation for their removal; A task force working on creating a civilian review board in Richmond for police misconduct is looking for public input; Richmond Public Schools will be holding in-person graduations this Spring, thanks to a drop in COVID-19 cases and an increase in vaccination rates; and other local news stories.

Governor Ralph Northam eased some restrictions on outdoor gatherings yesterday following new CDC guidance for vaccinated individuals; Virginia’s minimum wage will rise to $9.50 an hour beginning tomorrow; Some voters recently received texts making homophobic comments towards Virginia Beach Delegate Glenn Davis; and other local news stories.

The Virginia Court of Appeals will consider the case of two Virginia men who are serving life in prison for the murder of a police officer despite a federal jury’s ‘not guilty’ verdict; Yesterday, Richmond Police arrested and charged three men they suspect were involved in a shooting that killed a woman and her 3-month-old daughter; Tonight residents can learn more about a major road improvement project slated for part of Route 60 in Chesterfield County; and Richmond-based band Butcher Brown talks about their experience with NPR's Tiny Desk Concert.

More than 55,000 Virginians have signed up to be delegates for the May 8th GOP convention; The Virginia Department of Education has responded to confusion resulting from media reports that VDOE would be eliminating advanced math courses; The Richmond and Henrico Health Districts have created a new web portal to sign up for the COVID-19 vaccine; and other local news stories.

After years of campaigning, the Richmond Public Defender’s office could finally get the funding it’s been asking for; Prince William County Delegate Hala Ayala got a boost in her campaign to become the Democratic nominee for Lieutenant Governor yesterday; Virginia Republicans will allow observant Jews and other people with religious obligations to vote absentee in their upcoming nominating convention; and other local news stories.

Governor Ralph Northam is loosening some of the restrictions put in place to stop the spread of the coronavirus; Today marks 70 years since students at Moton High School in Farmville walked out of class to protest racial segregation in Prince Edward County public schools; The Henrico School Board selected Roscoe Cooper of the Fairfield District to serve as its new chairman yesterday; and other local news stories.

On Wednesday, Virginia became the first Southern state to legalize recreational marijuana. Governor Ralph Northam held a bill-signing ceremony, but one key group says they were left out; The State Board of Elections is requesting the commonwealth’s attorney investigate alleged misconduct by the Richmond Electoral Board; Four leading Republican contenders for governor gave mixed reactions after Tuesday’s verdict in the Derek Chauvin case; and other local news stories.

State leaders reacted to the jury’s verdict that former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin is guilty on all counts in the murder of George Floyd; The city of Norfolk fired a police officer who donated money to the teenager accused of killing two protesters in Kenosha, Wisconsin; Governor Ralph Northam’s office announced yesterday that five new historical markers addressing African American history in the commonwealth have been selected; and other local news stories.

In leaked audio published on Sunday by the Richmond Times-Dispatch, Governor Ralph Northam’s staff questions the Virginia Inspector General’s authority to investigate alleged violations at the parole board; Now that the COVID-19 vaccine is available to all residents over the age of 16, Virginia Senator Mark Warner encouraged residents to protect their communities by getting a shot; Attorney General Mark Herring is asking the Virginia Supreme Court to dissolve a restraining order preventing the state from taking down the Robert E. Lee Monument in Richmond, and other local news stories.

Attorney General Mark Herring is using his authority, under a new state law, to probe the Windsor Police department’s overall policies and training; One of the survivors of the Virginia Tech mass shooting speaks about his experience 14 years later; Senator Tim Kaine says more can be done to stop gun-related deaths and is reintroducing legislation that aims to reduce gun violence; and other local news stories.

The police Chief in Windsor, Virginia says his officers initially handled the traffic stop of an Army Lieutenant relatively well. But things went downhill from there; As the 14 year anniversary of the Virginia Tech mass shooting approaches, the university is remembering the 32 lives lost; Virginia Senator Tim Kaine reintroduced a bipartisan bill earlier this week that helps train workers for future infrastructure jobs; and other local news stories.

While there’s a pause on using the Johnson and Johnson vaccine, Virginia’s leading vaccination official says the state remains on track to make other doses available to all adults by next week; Attorney General Mark Herring has directed his Office of Civil Rights to investigate the Windsor Police Department following the December traffic stop of an army officer; After the removal of Confederate monuments last year, Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney wants to make sure the city never again displays symbols of hate; and other local news stories.

A December traffic stop in southeast Virginia, of a uniformed Army officer has prompted Governor Ralph Northam to call for an investigation; Senator Mark Warner is using the incident to call for the passage of the Justice in Policing Act; Richmond City Council is moving forward with finding a new home for the city’s Confederate monuments after they were removed last year; and other local news stories.

As states move to address racial inequities in health care, clinicians explore what’s being done to address mental health in the Black community; Richmond will receive nearly 6 million dollars for homeless services as part of the latest federal coronavirus relief package; Governor Ralph Northam has endorsed his predecessor, former Governor Terry McAuliffe, in his run for governor; and other local news stories.

Updates on "Veto Day," and coronavirus cases in Virginia

A pandemic policy to ensure out-of-work Virginians can receive unemployment is ending, Richmond is hammering out a process to find homes for removed Confederate monuments, and more.

What Constitutes an "Open Container" of Marijuana? Will the closure of shelters leave people without places to sleep?

The death of VCU freshman Adam Oakes is still under investigation one month later, VPM reporter Alan Rodriguez Espinoza had the chance to speak with Adam’s friends and family about how they will remember him; The Virginia Supreme Court has sided with the city of Charlottesville in the fight over Confederate monuments; Governor Ralph Northam announced yesterday that all Virginians 16 and older will be able to get the COVID-19 vaccine starting April 18th; and other local news stories.

Governor Ralph Northam has signed a state-level Voting Rights Act; Legalization of marijuana in Virginia could happen as early as July, three years ahead of schedule; Provisions in the amended marijuana bill add protections for unions and workers; and other local news stories.

Virginia voters have plenty of options when they choose nominees for governor, lieutenant governor, and attorney general; Governor Ralph Northam and U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg announced a new infrastructure project that will double Virginia's access to train services; Richmonders will soon see some green space taking up on-street parking. The city has approved five small “parklets” as part of a pilot project; and other local news stories.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced an extension on the federal eviction moratorium yesterday; Three Richmond-based advocacy groups detailed local policy proposals to address the city’s housing and eviction crisis; According to the AARP, nearly 2-in-100 Virginia nursing home residents died from COVID-19 between mid-January and mid-February; and other local news stories.

Governor Ralph Northam is expected to ask lawmakers to speed up the timeline for legalizing marijuana in Virginia; An evaluation panel appointed by Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney has chosen three finalist casino proposals; The City of Richmond is taking applications for its new Educator Task Force; and other local news stories.

Governor Ralph Northam has signed into a law a bill that officially ends the death penalty in Virginia; Former President Donald Trump is back on the air in Virginia ahead of the GOP nominating convention; Richmond and Henrico are getting a $600,000 grant from the federal E-P-A; and other local news stories.

As COVID-19 cases decline across the state, Governor Ralph Northam is easing some restrictions he put in place earlier in the pandemic; When the COVID-19 vaccine rollout began, public health officials raised concerns that Black Americans might be hesitant to get the shot. Now, those same officials say that concern has waned; Governor Northam responded to recent mass shootings in Atlanta and Boulder; and other local news stories.

A new study from the American Society of Criminology finds U.S. counties that are more religious, more Republican, and have unstable economies are more likely to impose the death penalty; Governor Ralph Northam unveiled a new initiative yesterday to help Virginia students get access to financial aid for college; Richmond City Council is looking to rezone properties along Broad Street in the West End for transit-oriented development; and other local news stories.

Virginia has received nearly 7 billion dollars from the American Rescue Plan, the new federal stimulus bill; The Richmond and Henrico Health Districts have announced a partnership with G-R-T-C to help with vaccinations; Passenger traffic at Richmond International Airport was down 65 percent last year compared to 2019, but it's picking up as vaccinations increase; and other local news stories.

Governor Ralph Northam said Virginians have a responsibility to condemn racist acts and violence, following the killing of 8 people in Atlanta; The U.S. House of Representatives has, again, approved a resolution to lift the deadline for ratifying the Equal Rights Amendment; Governor Northam released preliminary guidelines yesterday for schools and universities holding in-person graduations this spring; and other local news stories.

A year ago today, Governor Ralph Northam issued an executive order limiting gatherings and many businesses to 10 people. Ben Paviour speaks to Dr. Norm Oliver about what we're learned since then; The Virginia Department of Health announced yesterday that some regions are moving into the next phase of vaccinations this week; A community vaccination center serving Chesterfield, Dinwiddie, Petersburg and neighboring areas is opening at Virginia State University today; and other local news stories.

NPR recently reported on alleged ethics violations at Virginia’s largest law firm, McGuireWoods. The firm is accused of representing adversary clients; Governor Ralph Northam and First Lady Pamela Northam received the Johnson and Johnson vaccine yesterday; An annual mass healthcare event in Southwest Virginia has been cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic; and other local news stories.

A panel of federal appeals court judges in Richmond heard arguments yesterday in Lt. Governor Justin Fairfax’s defamation suit against CBS; Chesterfield County’s Fire and EMS department is bringing COVID-19 vaccines to homebound residents who have medical issues; All of the Democratic members of Virginia’s Congressional delegation voted to pass the American Rescue Plan, the latest federal coronavirus relief package; and other local news stories.

A federal appeals court will reconsider Lt. Gov. Justin Fairfax’s libel suit against CBS today; The Henrico County school board agreed Wednesday to participate in cultural sensitivity and implicit bias training; The Richmond-area housing market continues to get more expensive; and other local news stories.

Governor Ralph Northam struck a cautiously hopeful tone at his latest press conference on the state’s response to the coronavirus; As supply grows, the head of Virginia’s vaccine distribution says the state needs to focus on getting people to take the vaccine; The Governor’s Office says a lawsuit filed by an employee of Virginia’s government watchdog agency is a political ploy, riddled with false accusations; and other local news stories.

Thousands of middle and high school students return to in-person learning in Chesterfield today, although more are choosing to remain at home; Henrico and Richmond are expanding access to the COVID-19 vaccine; The South African variant of the coronavirus has be confirmed in Central Virginia; and other local news stories.

U.S. Senator Tim Kaine is pushing to include mental health protections for health care providers in the federal relief package under consideration; The Virginia Department of Health announced yesterday that the first child under the age of 10 has died due to COVID-19; The Mayor’s Homelessness Advisory Council has issued its final report; and other local news stories.

Virginia is expecting 69,000 does of the newly-approved Johnson and Johnson vaccine this week; Richmond and Henrico are aiming to vaccinate 12,000 older adults at clinics this week; Richmond Public Schools is projecting a significant decrease in drop outs this year; and other local news stories.

Virginia's General Assembly has passed a bill to study the effects of gold mining, after concerns about a proposal in Buckingham County’s Union Hill; Governor Ralph Northam is joining calls for an investigation into the state's parole board; a new pedestrian traffic signal goes up in the West End; and other local news stories.

Richmond City Council voted to sell the defunct Public Safety Building last night; A new website seeks to help workers facing wage theft and other workplace violations; Richmond Police are investigating the death of a 19-year-old VCU student in an alleged hazing incident; and other local news stories.

In a special edition of the VPM daily newscast, on the morning of Monday, March 1, 2021, VPM’s Newscast Editor Sara McCloskey recaps the last days of the General Assembly session with reporters Ben Paviour and Roberto Roldan.

A leaked draft of an inspector general's report on illegal activity by the state parole board has led to calls from both parties for an investigation; A bill requiring schools to offer an in-person option is heading to Governor Northam's desk; Teachers and state employees could get a 5 percent raise as part of the updated state budget; and other local news stories.

70 years ago, Barbara Johns organized a walk out at her high school that would form part of the foundation for Brown v. Board of Education; Governor Ralph Northam announced the easing of some restrictions as COVID-19 cases continue to decline; A new COVID-19 vaccine could arrive in Virginia as early as next week; and other local news stories.

The state Senate gave final approval for the removal of the statue of Harry Byrd Senior from Capitol Square; Proposed amendments to the state budget bring mixed news for child welfare; Richmond is considering four proposals for a potential casino in the the area; and other local news stories.

Virginia lawmakers approved a ban on the death penalty on Monday, making the Commonwealth the first southern state to do so; Home healthcare workers could receive a week of paid sick leave under a new proposal; A bill that would have required farm employees to be paid the same minimum wage as other workers was voted down by a Senate panel; and other local news stories.

A VPM study of court filings found that black Virginians were four times more likely to be charged with marijuana penalities than whites; Commonwealth's Attorney Collette McEachin faces a primary challenge after last summer's protests; VCU returns to classes on March 4, and other local news stories.

Virginia is set to remove a now-defunct provision in the state constitution defining marriage as between one man and one woman; Governor Ralph Northam urged caution ahead of another ice storm in the state; A new website and call center are available to register for the COVID-19 vaccine; and other local news stories.

Senator Mark Warner was in Shockoe Bottom to tour Lumpkin's Slave Jail yesterday, and also spoke about his vote to convict former President Donald Trump during the recent impeachment trial; Virginia has received an additional $524 million for the Rent Relief Program; Legislation to legalize marijuana in Virginia passed both chambers of the General Assembly; and other local news stories.

A new website going live this afternoon will provide a central location for Virginians to register to receive the COVID-19 vaccine; a new proposal calls for establishment of a "teacher reserve corps" amid a teacher shortage; More ice could be in the forecast this week; and other local news stories.

RPS is discussing a proposal for year-round school to help recover from the pandemic; Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney gave his State of the City address on Thursday; Chesterfield Health District will be confirming registrations for the COVID-19 vaccine; and other local news stories.

A new report from the Department of Elections said the November election was successful, although some problems plagued the City of Richmond; Efforts in the General Assembly to "police the police" fell short; Middle and high school students in Chesterfield can return to in-person learning on March 9th; and other local news stories.

CVS will now accept all Virginians over 65 to receive the COVID-19 vaccine after problems during registration; Richmond Public Schools Superintendent Jason Kamras says the school system will have a plan for in-person instruction by March 15th, despite having some concerns about the return; Chesterfield says all K-12 teachers and personnel should be fully vaccinated by March 5th; and other local news stories.

The General Assembly will reconvene on Wednesday for a special session to finish work on passing laws and the state budget; Richmond says it may be March before they can finish vaccinating those currently eligible in phase 1B; Chesterfield County Public Schools is holding a meeting to determine the budget and when middle and high school students could return to class; and other local news stories.

Delegate Kirk Cox announced his education proposals to help students with virtual learning; The House of Delegates approved a bill that would mandate sick leave for essential employees; an in-depth look at the legalization of marijuana in Virginia; and other local news stories.

In a virtual meeting, Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney discussed the symptoms of having COVID-19 and warned residents to take it seriously; Senator Tim Kaine urged his colleagues to act swiftly on a new pandemic relief package; Another new case of the B117 strain of the coronavirus was found in Northwestern Virginia; and other local news stories.

The Virginia Department of Education will issue guidance this month to help school districts better look after transgender and non-binary students; The state Senate passed a bill that would ban guns from Capitol Square and surrounding state buildings; the G3 program to support community college students taking classes in high demand fields gets a second chance; and other local news stories.