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The Virginia Press Room
30 episodes
Data Center Battles, Anti-Establishment Candidates, and Teacher Contract Negotiations
Aug 17, 2026 · 31 min
In this episode of The Virginia Press Room, Michael Pope is joined by: Keyris Manzanares of VPM News, covering a contract standoff leaving Richmond teachers without a new agreement as the school year begins. Marty Davis of the Virginia Free Press, covering how different Virginia localities are weighing on on a possible data center moratorium. Andrew Kerley of the Commonwealth Times, covering how democratic socialists are gaining ground across the co…
License Plate Readers, Emergency Response Drones, and Primary Election Fallout
Aug 10, 2026 · 36 min
In this episode of The Virginia Press Room, Michael Pope is joined by: Eleanor Shaw of the Richmonder, covering Chesterfield's decision to use drones as part of emergency responses, despite concerns over privacy. James Libresco of the Alexandria Times, covering accusations that the Virginia Democratic Party may me meddling in primary elections. Ford McCracken of the "What's McCracken" newsletter, covering left-wing candidates winning big around the…
Takeaways from the Virginia Primaries
Aug 6, 2026 · 38 min
In this episode of The Virginia Press Room, Michael Pope is joined by Politifact's Louis Jacobson and VPM's Rich Meagher to break down the August 5th primary elections, including Virginia's 1st, 2nd, and 5th Districts--where Democratic candidates are hoping to flip Congressional seats in November--and Mark Warner's race to defend his Senate seat statewide. -- The Virginia Press Room is a weekly podcast that brings listeners the latest insights and analysis…
Previewing Virginia's Primary Elections
Aug 3, 2026 · 30 min
In this episode of The Virginia Press Room, Michael Pope is joined by: Kate Seltzer of the Virginian-Pilot, covering the Democratic primary for the 2nd Congressional District, currently held by Rep. Jen Kiggans. Nathaniel Cline of the Virginia Mercury, covering the Republican primary for the 7th Congressional District, currently held by Rep. Eugene Vindman. Hannah Davis-Reid of VPM News, covering the candidates on both sides of the aisle running in the…
Data Centers, Toxic Waste, and Off-Year Elections
Jul 27, 2026 · 31 min
In this episode of The Virginia Press Room, Michael Pope is joined by: Shannon Heckt of the Virginia Mercury, covering how data centers building their own gas turbines could skirt renewable energy laws. Brandon Jarvis of the Virginia Scope, covering the latest in a defamation lawsuit between the Governor's Chief of Staff and a Democratic operative. Billy Shields of VPM News, covering toxic waste at the former Shoosmith Landfill. Plus the Dominion Energy m…
Rural Voters, Crowded Primaries, and Statewide Legal Battles
Jul 20, 2026 · 31 min
In this episode of The Virginia Press Room, Michael Pope is joined by: Kate Zernike of the New York Times, covering the difficulty Democratic candidates are having with converting rural voters. Lyndon German of VPM News, covering the Democratic race to challenge Rob Wittman in Virginia's 1st Congressional District. Sabrina Moreno of Axios Richmond, covering the lawsuits that could stop 3 major laws, including the state assault weapons ban. Plus rent increases…
Cannabis Corrections, House Subpoenas, and the Proposed Dominion Energy Merger
Jul 13, 2026 · 31 min
In this episode of The Virginia Press Room, Michael Pope is joined by: Kate Seltzer of the Virginian-Pilot, covering the Virginia Code Commission's correction of some confusion over new cannabis legislation. Dan Egitto of ARLNow, covering the U.S. House subpoenaing Arlington's Commonwealth Attorney for closed-door testimony on immigration enforcement. Patrick Larsen of VPM News, covering the conflict between the Lieutenant Governor and the General Asse…
Data Center Deals, Defamation Lawsuits, and Reflecting On Virginia Politics
Jul 6, 2026 · 32 min
In this episode of The Virginia Press Room, Michael Pope is joined by: Julie Carey of NBC 4, covering a million-dollar defamation lawsuit in Fairfax County. Tom Sherwood of WAMU, covering the General Assembly's data center deal, which combines a tax break with higher electricity fees. Jeff Schapiro of the UVA Center for Politics, covering how the budget negotiations appear to be a victory for Senator Louise Lucas over Governor Spanberger. Plus reflections on decades of Virginia politics, governo…
Semiquincentennial Special: Lessons From 250 Years of American History
Jun 29, 2026 · 36 min
In this special episode of The Virginia Press Room celebrating America's 250th birthday, Michael Pope is joined by: Dr. Jatia Wrighten of VCU, discussing the complex relationships that marginalized groups have to the symbolic power of July 4th. Dr. Cayce Myers of Virginia Tech, discussing the importance of broadsides as mass media during the age of the American Revolution. Dr. Richard Bell of the University of Maryland, discussing the global legacy of American independence. Plus Virginia and Mar…
Plumbing Overhauls, Data Center Lawsuits, and Teacher's Union Elections
Jun 15, 2026 · 32 min
In this episode of The Virginia Press Room, Michael Pope is joined by: James Libresco of the Alexandria Times, covering controversy in Alexandria's teacher's union after a candidate for president was removed from the ballot. Mary Wadland of the Zebra Press, covering Alexandria's RiverRenew initiative to overhaul its plumbing infrastructure. Trever Baratko of Inside NoVA, covering a lawsuit against the Digital Gateway data center in Prince William County. Plus school board budget battles, student…
Energy Mergers, Voting Rights Restoration, and Purcellville Issues Continue
Jun 8, 2026 · 32 min
In this episode of The Virginia Press Room, Michael Pope is joined by: Elizabeth McGowan of WHRO, covering the potential merger between Dominion Energy and Florida's NextEra Energy. Hanna Pampaloni of LoudounNow, covering the suspension of Purcellville's Vice Mayor and Town Manager. Whitney Evans of VPM News, covering the latest on Virginia's voting rights restoration for people convicted of felonies. Plus hot mic moments, utility substations, and Colonial Beach's gambling history. -- The Virgin…
Civilian Review Boards, Shifting School Zones, and a Marijuana Bill Veto
Jun 1, 2026 · 31 min
In this episode of The Virginia Press Room, Michael Pope is joined by: Victoria Ifatusin of the Richmonder, covering the Richmond Civilian Review Board's growing restlessness over a small caseload. Meghan Mangrum of Cardinal News, covering the Governor's firing of the head of Virginia Tech's Board of Visitors. Dean Mirshahi of VPM News, covering Governor Spanberger's veto of a retail marijuana market bill. Plus burning cash candles, AI regulation, and shifting school zones. -- The Virginia Press…
Vetoed Legislation, Historical Education, and Martinsville Controversy
May 25, 2026 · 58 min
In this episode of The Virginia Press Room, Michael Pope is joined by: Emily Leayman of the ALXNow, covering controversy over Arlington House materials on Robert E. Lee. Tad Dickens of Cardinal News, covering the dismissal of a case to remove Martinsville's mayor. Joe Dashiell of WDBJ7, covering some of the legislation vetoed by Governor Spanberger. Plus phishing scams, broadband deployment, and the Cheesy Western. -- The Virginia Press Room is a weekly podcast that brings listeners the latest i…
Redistricting Ruling Fallout, Cyberattack Impacts, and Gun Law Changes
May 18, 2026 · 46 min
In this episode of The Virginia Press Room, Michael Pope is joined by: Cat Pizzarello of the Collegiate Times, covering the hack of the learning management system, Canvas. Ford McCracken of ABC News, covering recent changes to Virginia's gun laws. Andrew Kerley of the Commonwealth Times, covering the shuffle of Democratic candidates in the wake of the redistricting amendment being overruled. Plus public salary data, graduation ceremonies, and avenues for print media. -- The Virginia Press Room i…
FBI Raids, Sheriff Races, and the Redistricting Ruling
May 11, 2026 · 42 min
In this episode of The Virginia Press Room, Michael Pope is joined by: Jahd Khalil of VPM News, covering the Virginia Supreme Court's nullification of the redistricting referendum. Mechelle Hankerson of WHRO, covering the FBI raid at the office and business of Senator Louise Lucas. Ethan Hunt of the Roanoke Times, covering the Montgomery County sheriff's race revolving around the issue of ICE cooperation. Plus squaring D.C., budget delays, and parking policies at Virginia Beach. -- The Virginia…
Universal Pre-K, Public Housing Contracts, and the Virginia Supreme Court
May 4, 2026 · 49 min
In this episode of The Virginia Press Room, Michael Pope is joined by: Megan Pauly of VPM News, covering what's been holding Virginia back from offering universal preschool. Ryan Murphy of WHRO, covering a no-bid contracts scandal Norfolk's public housing authority. Markus Schmidt of the Virginia Mercury, covering the redistricting cases before the Virginia Supreme Court. Plus rideshare safety laws, tensions over collective bargaining, and elected officials doing comedy. -- The Virginia Press Ro…
Budget Negotiations, Redistricting Tactics, and the Special Session
Apr 27, 2026 · 43 min
In this episode of The Virginia Press Room, Michael Pope is joined by: Michael Martz of the Richmond Times-Dispatch, covering the special session's focus on redistricting. Kate Seltzer of the Virginian-Pilot, covering the ongoing negotiations for a budget deal in the General Assembly. Rich Meagher of RVA's Got Issues, covering the tactics used on both sides of the redistricting campaign. Plus data center debates, cameras in the courtroom, and Governor Spanberger's approach to vetoes. -- The Virg…
Fairfax Murder/Suicide, County Budget Debates, and Spanberger's Moderate Couse
Apr 20, 2026 · 51 min
In this episode of The Virginia Press Room, Michael Pope is joined by: Sabrina Moreno of Axios Richmond, covering Abigail Spanberger's policy positioning as a moderate. Tom Lappas of the Henrico Citizen, covering tensions in the Henrico County budget debate. Dean Mirshahi of VPM News, covering the murder of Dr. Cerina Fairfax by her husband, former Lt. Governor Justin Fairfax. Plus CarMax Park, plagiarized AI journalism, and the upcoming reconvene session. -- The Virginia Press Room is a weekly…
Tax Debates, Turning Points USA, and Thomas Jefferson's Birthday
Apr 13, 2026 · 50 min
In this episode of The Virginia Press Room, Michael Pope is joined by: Sandy Hausman of Radio IQ, covering the 283rd birthday of Thomas Jefferson. Nathan Alderman of C-ville Weekly, covering controversy over Turning Point USA's influence in Albemarle County. David Velasquez of the Daily Progress, covering Albemarle County's debate over raising taxes for housing. Plus tablets in prisons, UVA's new president, and hiking Old Rag. -- The Virginia Press Room is a weekly podcast that brings listeners…
Transmission Lines, Redistricting Mailers, and a Chief Energy Officer
Apr 6, 2026 · 50 min
In this episode of The Virginia Press Room, Michael Pope is joined by: Lori D'Angelo of the Daily News Record, covering Democrats' plans to run in the proposed 6th district. Dan Egitto of ARLnow, covering outcry over misleading anti-redistricting mailers. Patrick Larsen of VPM News, covering a controversial transmission line in central Virginia. Plus valedictory addresses, a new Chief Energy Officer, and stone soup at the farmer's market. -- The Virginia Press Room is a weekly podcast that bring…
Redistricting Arguments, No Kings Rallies, and FOIA Transparency
Mar 30, 2026 · 1 hr 23 min
In this episode of The Virginia Press Room, Michael Pope is joined by Katherine White of Network NoVA, John Reid of The Reid Revolution, and Rich Meagher of RVA's Got Issues, discussing a huge variety of hot topics in Virginia politics: the redistricting referendum, the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact, Richmond's FOIA transparency concerns, the No Kings rallies, casino bills, and upcoming primary races. -- The Virginia Press Room is a weekly podcast that brings listeners the latest insi…
Worker Protections, Teen Takeovers, and The Latest in Purcellville
Mar 23, 2026 · 39 min
In this episode of The Virginia Press Room, Michael Pope is joined by: Karen Graham of the Loudoun Times-Mirror, covering the latest on the unfolding drama in Purcellville. Karri Peifer of Axios Richmond, covering some of the quirkiest bills that moved through the General Assembly this year. Michael O'Connor of Virginia Dogwood, covering several pro-worker bills in the General Assembly session. Plus teen takeovers, No Kings protests, and vape shop crackdowns. -- The Virginia Press Room is a week…
The 2026 General Assembly Wrap-Up
Mar 16, 2026 · 47 min
In this episode of The Virginia Press Room, Michael Pope is joined by a whole host of voices from the Virginia press corps--including Michael Martz, Jahd Khalil, Andrew Kerley, Kate Seltzer, Joe Dodson, Charlie Paullin, Charlotte Rene Woods, Nathaniel Cline, and Shannon Heckt--to break down the headlines from 2026 General Assembly session: redistricting, data centers, affordable housing, solar energy, the state budget, and some takeaways from the Democratic trifecta. -- The Virginia Press Room i…
Redistricting Referendum, Affordable Childcare, and Richmond Road Improvement
Mar 9, 2026 · 53 min
In this episode of The Virginia Press Room, Michael Pope is joined by: Whittney Evans of VPM News, covering the differing state House and Senate bills to make childcare more affordable Cameron Thompson of WTVR, covering the start of early voting on the redistricting referendum.Tyler Englander of WRIC, covering how state Democrats aligned on a 10-1 congressional map on the eve of the redistricting referendum. Plus the winding-down of the General Assembly, Richmond's road-improvement strategy, oys…
Redistricting Litigation, Data Center Tax Exemptions, and Early Childhood Education Funding
Mar 2, 2026 · 41 min
Megan Pauly of VPM News, covering what the state House and Senate budget proposals mean for early childhood education funding. Charlie Paullin of Inside Climate News, covering debate over ending a tax exemption for data centers.Joe Dodson of Courthouse News, covering the litigation surrounding Virginia's proposed redistricting legislation. Plus public employee collective bargaining, pesticide controversy, and expensive defamation lawsuits. -- The Virginia Press Room is a weekly podcast that brin…
Redistricting Twists, Housing Policy, and Menhaden Fishing
Feb 23, 2026 · 42 min
In this episode of The Virginia Press Room, Michael Pope is joined by: Lauren Hines-Acosta of the Chesapeake Bay Journal, covering recent funding for a study on menhaden fishing in the Bay. Greg Schneider of the Washington Post, covering the twists and turns in the ongoing redistricting saga.Billy Shields of VPM News, covering controversy over a 300-home housing development in Chesterfield that goes back 20 years. Plus the State of the Union response, oyster filtration, and the new VPM News head…
Housing Bills, Photojournalism Cuts, and VMI Governance
Feb 16, 2026 · 43 min
In this episode of The Virginia Press Room, Michael Pope is joined by: Elizabeth Beyer of Cardinal News, covering a rewritten bill to reshape the governance of the Virginia Military Institute. Charlotte Rene Woods of the Virginia Mercury, covering the slew of housing bills making their way through the General Assembly.Shaban Athuman of VPM News, covering how the Washington Post's recent job cuts eliminated all of its photojournalists. Plus the 2026 VCCA Gala, the Seal of the Senate, and a doggy…
Redistricting Maps, Assault Weapon Bans, and the Brown-Belted Bumblebee
Feb 9, 2026 · 31 min
In this episode of The Virginia Press Room, Michael Pope is joined by: Anna Bryson of the Richmond Times-Dispatch, covering the state House's ban on assault weapons. Jahd Khalil of VPM News, covering Virginia's proposed 10-1 redistricting maps. Brandon Jarvis of Virginia Scope, covering how Democrats in the General Assembly arrived at the new district map. Plus personality clashes, taxes & inflation, and the brown-belted bumblebee. -- The Virginia Press Room is a weekly podcast that brings liste…
ICE Bills, Cannabis Markets, and Solar Energy
Feb 2, 2026 · 41 min
In this episode of The Virginia Press Room, Michael Pope is joined by: Shannon Heckt of the Virginia Mercury, covering a new bill looking to provide guidelines and prevent local-level bans on solar energy. Brad Kutner of Radio IQ, covering several ICE-related bills in the General Assembly. Dean Mirshahi of VPM News, covering the state of new legislation related to the cannabis marketplace. Plus biosolids, Capitol artwork, and gasp-powered leaf blowers. -- The Virginia Press Room is a weekly podc…
Rejoining RGGI, Voting Rights Rulings, and Governor Spanberger's First Week
Jan 26, 2026 · 39 min
In this episode of The Virginia Press Room, Michael Pope is joined by: Kate Seltzer of the Virginia Pilot, covering Virginia's return to the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative. Joe Dodson of Courthouse News, covering a federal judge's ruling that Virginia has been violating a Reconstruction-era law. Sean McGoey of VPM News, covering how the Spanberger administration has been flexing its powers in its early days. Plus redistricting maps, photos from the General Assembly, and Brunswick Stew. -- Th…
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