‘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.

Thalhimer Realty Partners is now the sole lead developer in the Diamond District redevelopment; Dickie's Seafood is closing down and looking to sell its Northside facility; and Shake Shack is coming to Short Pump.

Schools like VMI, UVA and William & Mary aren’t seeing a big shift in the percentage of legacy students who’ve enrolled this fall.

This means the state can keep 1,600 people off the voter rolls who were removed in a process put in place by Gov. Glenn Youngkin.

Virginia is home to the world’s largest data center market.

Council President Kristen Nye told VPM News the special meeting was canceled due to members’ availability.

Federal and state governments have a lot of power to make climate-related laws and regulations – but that doesn’t mean Richmond’s hands are tied.

With a new Leonard at the till, Tom Leonard’s Farmer’s Market is headed for growth mode; The city-owned Intermediate Terminal Warehouse is being primed for new life; Virginia Union University released what it says is its final plan for hundreds of new apartments that now calls for preserving the entire century-old structure that once housed the first black hospital in the city; and a Northern Virginia developer’s plan to build a data center complex on the Hanover-Ashland line has achieved the first of two needed cross-jurisdictional milestones.

Lawyers for the Department of Justice and civic groups faced off with Virginia’s attorneys Thursday in Federal Court.

DNA testing is being expedited in all three.

The Richmond City Council candidate listed it in his campaign paperwork.

VPM News was unable to verify the Richmond 6th Council District candidate’s law license.

Today's episode features a breaking news update about Richmond campaign finance.

Weeks after Richmond’s new baseball stadium scored its naming rights deal, the city’s new riverfront amphitheater has landed a title sponsor of its own; It’s shaping up to be a busy fall for EAT Restaurant Partners; and the former Extreme Pizza storefront near VCU has been snapped up.

The number of Americans caring for a wounded, ill or injured service member or veteran has nearly tripled over the past decade

Allianz Partners will have the naming rights for the next ten years.

Two members of the board say they won’t certify local election results.

There are only 21 days until Election Day.

Plus: Youngkin responds to DOJ lawsuit

City Council is mulling proposals that now include a 4-cent tax rebate for all property owners; The Byrd Theatre’s yearslong effort to give moviegoers a more comfortable place to sit is set to ramp up in the coming months; Sugar & Twine has brought back a sit-down cafe experience in a newly expanded space; and other local business stories.

The Vista29 project is set to open sometime in 2026 with support from a Richmond-based nonprofit.

In the last month alone, county public school students have experienced multiple threats.

The lawsuit argues that the order violates a federal law that requires a 90 day pause in voter roll maintenance ahead of elections.

PLUS: University of Virginia Health, the region’s only level 1 trauma center, postponed some elective surgeries this week.

“Hampton Roads is no stranger to gun violence.”