Plus: Sen. Tim Kaine talks about his newest legislation, the Protecting Our Essential Medicines Act; a crucial public medevac service could be in jeopardy if funding situation isn’t secured; a feature with VPM News reporters Jahd Khalil and Megan Pauly; and other news.Oleh VPM

Plus: The Charlottesville City Council talks trucks, Richmond Public Schools has a new electronic devices policy — and other Central Virginia news.Oleh VPM

Plus: Virginia's elected officials are considering how to build out enough solar energy and storage to meet the state’s rapidly growing needs; $14.4 million will help protect 28 sites across the state; a family of piglets celebrates their first birthday in Glen Allen; and other stories.Oleh VPM

Qualifying TCC students can send kids ages 2–5 to the center free of charge, through a federal grant program called Child Care Access Means Parents in School. Also: Hardwood species like white oak have been a ubiquitous feature of North America for centuries. Today, most eastern hardwood forests don’t have the conditions to produce a new generation…

‘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.Oleh VPM

Our top audio stories today include reports of self-harm at Red Onion State Prison, a holiday traffic outlook and the proposal of a new law to combat opioid substance use disorders.Oleh VPM

PLUS: Grants from the Virginia Department of Education to help bolster school security were awarded to 472 schools, a popular Charlottesville trail closing temporarily, and other stories. Today’s top audio stories include 472 schools getting money from the Virginia Department of Education to bolster school security and more on Rep. Jennifer McClell…

Hanover County and All Points Broadband kicked off the next phase of Connect Hanover last week; President-elect Donald Trump’s border czar is a Fredericksburg-area businessowner; and the Free Application for Federal Student Aid is live after a monthslong technical delay. Today’s top audio stories include the Virginia connections of President-elect …

The dispute between Richmond and VCU Health over tax payments tied to a failed downtown development could be headed to mediation or litigation; A former bank examiner at the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond pleaded guilty to insider trading on Tuesday; and the city’s tallest rooftop bar is shutting down, but its enviable view won’t be off limits fo…

Today’s top audio stories include Richmond Mayor-elect Danny Avula selects transition team members; What motivated Virginia’s Latino voters at the polls?; GOP primary in Virginia’s 10th Senate District; Henrico supervisors OK purchase of about 18 acres for new firehouse and training area.Oleh VPM

Plus: a Henrico County lawsuit about skill games, the groundbreaking of a new Chesterfield elementary school — and more Central Virginia news.Oleh VPM

Plus: an upcoming vote for Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden staffers to unionize, Gov. Glenn Youngkin asking for more federal funding to help aid in recovery efforts in Southwest Virginia and Virginia’s in-state tuition being among the highest in the country.Oleh VPM

What’s at stake in Virginia’s upcoming special elections; the Rappahannock Tribe is now a part of the federal Tribal Historic Preservation Program; Dr. Avula’s first one-on-one interview since the election; 6 acres east of Movieland at Boulevard Square in Richmond will be site of 400 housing units; Ting lays off 40% of its staff.…

Plus: a second small nuclear reactor being planned for Virginia; JMU’s collecting oral histories for U.S. veterans; Richmond partners with the Salvation Army on a shelter and training center; Youngkin has a plan for housing; and CoStar CEO considers the future of Swannanoa Golf and Country ClubOleh VPM

Two years after opening as a massive indoor entertainment facility, The Park RVA is expanding outdoors; A local developer’s assemblage of derelict buildings in the Museum District may finally see the wrecking ball before year’s end; Restaurateurs Jeremy and Sarah Chapman are preparing to open Steampunk Pizza at 10396 Leadbetter Road in Ashland; The…

Plus: news about the creation of the Virginia Veterans Network, a new manufacturing facility in Pittsylvania County — and other news from across Central Virginia.Oleh VPM

Northern Virginia’s South Asian population is on the rise. And its political representation is catching up. There are now 65,000 South Asian residents in Virginia’s 10th District, according to the Indian American Impact Fund.Oleh VPM

Plus: a new Virginia Department of Education resource hub, figures on Virginia’s opioid overdoses, and other stories. Today’s top audio stories include pieces on a new Virginia Department of Education resource hub, figures on Virginia’s opioid overdoses, and other stories.Oleh VPM

Street closures ahead of the Richmond Marathon; a Brown v. Board scholarship program could be expanded; Richmond eyes purchase of land in Southside; Chesterfield schools to again discuss trans policies; the Mountain Valley Pipeline was fined about $17KOleh VPM

VCU Health closed on a nearly $10 million purchase of the former Pet Dairy industrial property next door to its planned Athletic Village, and the transformation of a former Museum District prep school into apartments is nearing completion.Oleh VPM

Plus: Sen. Mark Warner discusses how Democrats could’ve improved their performance in Virginia during the election; A second data center for Amazon is coming to Louisa County; a new JLARC report highlights issues with the Virginia Department of Health; and other stories.Oleh VPM

Likely Richmond Mayor-elect Danny Avula and current Mayor Levar Stoney held a joint press conference about the transition; VPM News spoke with University of Richmond Law professor Hank Chambers about the recent Virginia voter purge as part of Election Day special coverage; and other Central Virginia news.…

Today’s top audio stories include a look at our coverage from Election Day, including pieces on big races like the 5th Congressional District race. Plus: Some Richmond voters were unable to amend their ballots after being given the wrong one at the polls; Sen. Mark Warner talks election security; and other stories.…

And tonight, you can listen to VPM's live coverage of the election starting at 7 p.m. You can find our local coverage on VPM PBS, 88.9 FM in Richmond, 89.1 FM in the Northern Neck, 90.1 FM in Southside Virginia and online at VPM.org.Oleh VPM

Also: A little more about the constitutional amendment on Tuesday’s ballots, a reminder for college students who wish to vote on Election Day, a fresh spotlight on the 5th Congressional District debate between John McGuire and Gloria Witt — and a look at the 6th Congressional District race from Democrat Ken Mitchell’s camp. Tomorrow night, you can …

‘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.Oleh VPM

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.Oleh VPM

Plus: Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney discusses City Hall’s follow-up performance review; Chesterfield has a new police chief; Henrico County announces inaugural partners for its Affordable Housing Trust Fund; and other stories. Today’s top audio stories include a look at Virginia schools’ admissions changes without legacy preference, Richmond Mayor Le…

Plus: Reactions from the governor and the Virginia State Conference President of the NAACP, Rev. Cozy Bailey, on Wednesday's decision; Montpelier’s CEO stepping down; and news from Charlottesville, where the Albemarle Planning Commission met with the Charlottesville Planning Commission for the first time in seven years earlier this week.…

Plus: Virginia Republicans issued briefs siding with the federal government in the voter purge lawsuit; Election Day is almost here, and Richmond’s registrar is busy preparing; the Jamestown Statehouse received $750K in grant funds for restoration.Oleh VPM

The U.S. Supreme Court has taken up the voter purge lawsuit; Donald Trump set to visit Salem Civic Center ahead of Election Day; a change in Medicare coverage expands access to robotic walking devices; and Thalhimer is the lone Diamond District mixed-use developer, according to Loop.Oleh VPM

The city of Hopewell could extend it’s deal with an outside company to oversee some of its finances; the Shenandoah Planning Commission is set to study expanding access to electric vehicle chargers; Bay scallops disappeared from Virginia waters nearly a century ago, but the population is rebounding. Today’s top audio stories includes a piece on the…

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 fir…

Richmond is forwarding info on City Council candidate Tavares Floyd to the state inspector general; some Central Virginia early voting locations will be open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday; the Virginia State Crime Commission recommends further, in-depth review of serologist Mary Jane Burton's work — initially reported in the VPM and Story Mechanics pod…

Plus: UVA Health has resumed elective procedures at three of its locations, the University of Virginia is going to review its actions during the pro-Palestine encampment and Harrisonburg’s city council has three open seats this election. Oct. 10–25 is fall pledge season at VPM! Our award-winning work is made possible with your support. Visit vpm.or…

Plus: Greyhound wants to put a new bus stop at Richmond’s Main Street Station. The deal is expected to bring in $14,000 for the city. Oct. 10–25 is fall pledge season at VPM! Our award-winning work is made possible with your support. Visit vpm.org/donate or vpm.org/challenges for more information.Oleh VPM

Also: Charlottesville and the Salvation Army are collaborating on a new, low-barrier shelter; more Latino and English language-learning students are graduating in Richmond — and more Central Virginia news. Oct. 10–25 is fall pledge season at VPM! Our award-winning work is made possible with your support. Visit vpm.org/donate or vpm.org/challenges f…

Plus: A Richmond City Council candidate has not yet responded to reporting about his campaign finance records, the retiring University of Virginia basketball coach who led the Cavaliers to the 2019 national championship blames the state of college athletics for his departure — and more Central Virginia news. Oct. 10–25 is fall pledge season at VPM!…

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.Oleh VPM

Plus: a new emergency mental health care unit opens in Winchester; Another election-related lawsuit comes forward; Hanover County’s newest recreation center has its grand opening. Today’s top audio stories include pieces about a new emergency mental health care unit at the Winchester Medical Center and a celebration of Hanover County’s newest recre…

Plus: the future of the Arthur Ashe Boulevard bridge, a new partnership between Dominion Energy and Amazon in Northern Virginia and other stories.Oleh VPM

State Sen. John McGuire and Gloria Witt face off in 5th House District forum; parents have a new tool to assess daycare or preschool programs; USDA investigates its responses to Boar’s Head outbreak; and Henrico planning commission doesn’t recommend data center plan.Oleh VPM

Plus: More on the Department of Justice’s lawsuit against the commonwealth; a legal case about the RGGI could be decided this week; Chesterfield Public Schools and mental health; and other stories.Oleh VPM

Hospitals continue to deal with uncertainty around IV fluids supply; Richmond celebrates Tree Week; Hanover broadband access to increase; a Black cemetery in Richmond gets a state historical marker; and some Virginia residents can get help with their utility bills this winterOleh VPM

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.…

Plus: Dominion Energy to supply mutual aid in Florida; Richmond’s finance committee examines competing real estate property tax plans; some history on ham; and other stories. Today’s top audio stories include a new housing project designed to help Charlottesville’s unhoused population; Richmond’s finance committee looking at competing real estate p…

Plus: An update on the ACLU of Virginia’s lawsuit in Hanover County regarding a transgender student-athlete's eligibility to play middle school girls tennis, an AI chatbot based on [*checks notes*] U.S. Rep. Don Beyer — and more Central Virginia news.Oleh VPM

Plus: the city of Richmond has requested an additional $250 million over the next two budget years to improve James River water quality; 13 new species have been added to Virginia’s invasive plants list; Some Virginia hospitals are conserving IV fluid supplies; and other stories.Oleh VPM

The race for Harrisonburg school board; Albemarle hiring new first responders; Henrietta Lacks statue unveiled; a VMSDEP update; and Virginia Repertory Theater will remain open.Oleh VPM

Today’s top audio story is a feature from WHRO in Hampton Roads, where an interfaith nonprofit recently sponsored a voluntary firearm surrender event. It’s part of a national project that transforms donated guns into garden tools. Read more about the project at VPM.org! Plus: Here's what you should know about the IV fluid shortage.…