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.