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.