This VPM News supercast contains Central Virginia's news in just 5 to 10 minutes. Hosted by Kim Strother and VPM News editors, episodes are (usually) recorded the night before so you can wake up prepared.
02/09/21 - General Assembly Goes to Special Ses...
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.
6 min
1327
02/05/21 - Cox Announces Education Proposals
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.
11 min
1328
02/04/21 - Stoney Discusses Details of COVID-19...
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.
7 min
1329
02/03/21 - VDOE To Issue Transgender Guidance
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.
7 min
1330
02/02/21 - General Assembly Divided on Criminal...
State Democrats want to expunge criminal records once sentences have been served, but disagree on how to do it; The House of Delegates approved a new Voting Rights Act for Virginia; New legislation that would allow undocumented immigrants access to state financial assistance and scholarships passed in the House of Delegates, but still needs to pass in the Senate; and other local news stories.
5 min
1331
01/29/21 - Stoney Terminates Teacher Council in...
Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney disbanded his Teacher Advisory Council earlier this month, and this week they sent a letter expressing their frustration; Chesterfield County says teachers should be able to get their first COVID-19 vaccine within two weeks; The state's redistricting committee was informed it won't have the census data it needs until July 30th; and other local news stories.
5 min
1332
01/28/21 - Mayor Stoney Tests Positive for COVI...
Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney announced he had tested positive for COVID-19 on Wednesday; Governor Northam is overhauling the state's vaccination efforts; the state senate censured Senator Amanda Chase after comments in support of the assault on the U.S. Capitol; and other local news stories.
7 min
1333
01/27/21 - Now Vaccinated, Local Teachers Await...
Teachers are now eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine, and there are many reasons they are choosing to get vaccinated; Chesterfield's Board of Supervisors send a letter to Governor Ralph Northam expressing frustration with the state's vaccine rollout; An internet outage along the east coast affected the General Assembly session on Tuesday; and other local news stories.
8 min
1334
01/26/21 - State Prepares for Removal of Lee Mo...
State officials erected a fence around the Robert E. Lee monument in preparation for its possible removal; the B117 variant of COVID-19 was confirmed in northern Virginia; Employers can mandate their employees receive the COVID-19 vaccine according to the CDC and the Department of Labor; and other local news stories.
6 min
1335
01/22/21 -Central Virginia Holds Mass Vaccinati...
Health districts in Central Virginia held a mass vaccination event for essential workers at the Richmond Raceway, while addressing the state's lagging vaccination rates; A bipartisan group of Virginia senators unveiled a bill to expand the number of healthcare workers who can administer the COVID-19 vaccine; State lawmakers are proposing matching state tax credits for affordable housing; and other local news stories.
6 min
1336
01/21/21 - Stoney Credits City Gun Ban For Low ...
While no armed protestors were charged with violating the city's gun ban on Capitol Square, Mayor Levar Stoney said the low turnout proves the ban is working; A new legislative proposal would ban firearms from being carried in polling locations; a Navy SEAL faces more than 22 years in prison for manslaughter; and other local news stories.
6 min
1337
01/20/21 - Chesterfield Receives Fraction of Or...
Chesterfield County is reorganizing it's vaccination plans after receiving only a thousand doses of the COVID-19 vaccine; Republican Delegate Todd Gilbert is defending his colleagues who questioned the results of November's election; Amanda Chase was stripped of her last committee assignment and censured after her support for the mob that attacked the U.S. Capitol; and other local news stories.
6 min
1338
01/19/21 - Lobby Day Smaller Than Expected Amid...
Lobby Day was smaller than expected amid heightened security in Richmond; The Coalition to Stop Gun Violence held a vigil to mark Martin Luther King, Jr. Day; No arrests following armed demonstrations despite the city's new gun ban; and other local news stories.
7 min
1339
01/15/21 - Security In Place Ahead of Lobby Day
Security is in place around Richmond ahead of the annual Lobby Day and threats of violence across the U.S.; New guidelines expand who is eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine; VDOE released new guidance for reopening schools; and other local news stories.
6 min
1340
01/14/21 - Increased Security Goes Into Effect ...
Additional security measures are being put in place around Capitol Square and state buildings in downtown Richmond ahead of planned protests; Governor Ralph Northam gave his third and final State of the Commonwealth last night; Health departments in the Richmond region will begin their next phase of vaccinations next week; and other local news stories.
6 min
1341
01/13/21 - Richmond Prepares for Unrest Ahead o...
State, city and Capitol police are collaborating with city agencies to prepare for potential unrest in Richmond as the presidential inauguration approaches; Historians weigh in on the breach of the U.S. Capitol; Attorney General Mark Herring announced a settlement in a price gouging case; and other local news stories.
6 min
1342
01/12/21 - Richmond Under State of Emergency
Richmond is under a state of emergency following threats to the capitols of all 50 states leading up to the inauguration; State leaders are urging residents not to travel to Washington, D.C. for the inaugural ceremonies; Mental health experts weigh-in on the aftermath of last week's violence in the U.S. Capitol; and other local news stories.
7 min
1343
01/08/21 - Virginia Reacts After Violence in D.C.
Virginia law enforcement will remain in Washington, D.C. through the inauguration; Clergy at the Virginia Interfaith Center, along with Senators Tim Kaine and Mark Warner, condemned the violence at the U.S. Capitol; the Virginia Citizens Defense League has altered plans for their rally on January 18th; and other local news stories.
5 min
1344
01/07/21 - Curfew Lifts and Lawmakers React Aft...
A curfew put into place following a violent storming of the U.S. Capitol building has lifted; Virginia lawmakers react to the altercation that delayed the certification of the Electoral College votes; Governor Northam named Dr. Danny Avula to head Virginia's COVID-19 vaccination program; and other local news stories.
The Virginia State Crime Commission voted in favor of scrapping all mandatory minimum sentences in Virginia; Advocates for Virginia workers are planning to make another push to get mandatory paid sick leave; The Pocahontas building will remain closed to the public during the upcoming legislative session, but alternative plans are now in the works; and other local news stories.
6 min
1346
01/05/21 - Stoney Sworn In for Second Term
Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney was sworn in for a second term on Monday; Delegate Lee Carter announced his candidacy for Governor of Virginia; International student enrollment is down across the country and in Virginia; and other local news stories.
6 min
1347
12/18/20 - Health Officials Work to Break Down ...
The Latino community is less likely to engage with the medical system, as workers seek to remove barriers that may turn them away; Richmond City Council Member Michael Jones is planning to challenge state Delegate Betsy Carr in a Democratic primary next year; Virginia housing organizations will benefit from $2 million in federal funding; and other local news stories.
5 min
1348
12/17/20 - City Council Approves Nominations to...
Richmond City Council approved a slate of nominations to a civilian review board tasked with investigating police misconduct; Governor Northam proposed $1.2 billion in new investments to the state budget; Caution is still being urged over the holidays despite the arrival of a COVID-19 vaccine; and other local news stories.
4 min
1349
12/16/20 - First COVID-19 Vaccines Administered...
Sentara Norfolk General Hospital administered the first vaccinations for COVID-19 in Virginia on Tuesday; Governor Ralph Northam signed the MARCUS Alert into law; Richmond City Council approved the Richmond300 plan; and other local news stories.
8 min
1350
12/15/20 - Virginia "Not Doing Enough" For Spec...
A new JLARC Study says Virginia isn't doing enough for students in special education programs; Virginia's Electoral College members officially cast their votes; COVID-19 vaccinations are currently uncertain for Virginia's prison populations; and other local news stories.