Episodios

  • Federal Pressure, Disaster Recovery, and the Nearing Election

    Federal Pressure, Disaster Recovery, and the Nearing Election
    Sep 29 2025
    In this episode of The Virginia Press Room, Michael Pope is joined by: Shannon Heckt of the Virginia Mercury, covering how Southwest Virginia is adapting in the wake of Hurricane Helene. Luca Powell of Richmond Times-Dispatch, covering the ouster of U.S. Attorney Erik Siebert after pressure from President Trump. Greg Schneider of the Washington Post, covering the MAGA turn for Virginia's Republican candidates as the election nears. Plus walk-out music, a clean energy summit, and Data Center Alley. -- The Virginia Press Room is a weekly podcast that brings listeners the latest insights and analysis on Virginia’s most important stories directly from the journalists covering them. Produced in collaboration by VPM and the Virginia Public Access Project, the series is hosted by journalist and author, Michael Pope and features a rotating cast of reporters from the Virginia press corps.The Virginia Press Room offers a behind-the-scenes look at state politics, policy and the issues shaping communities across the commonwealth from the people who know it best, helping listeners stay informed about what’s happening in their state from the halls of the Capitol to their local neighborhoods.
    Más Menos
    45 m
  • Campaign Fundraising, Polling Accuracy, and the Car Tax

    Campaign Fundraising, Polling Accuracy, and the Car Tax
    Sep 22 2025
    In this episode of The Virginia Press Room, Michael Pope is joined by: Lauren Burke of Black Virginia News (and formerly Pod Virginia), covering the Virginia Value Pack 27 fundraiser for Virginia Democrats in red districts. Chris Saxman of the VIP Podcast, covering an influx of spending for the Republican Governors Association in the wake of Charlie Kirk's murder. Rich Meagher of RVA's Got Issues, covering Michelle Maldonado's opponent in the 20th House District dropping out of the race after losing his job to federal cuts. Plus daylight savings, bipartisan trade conversations, and a car tax reality check. -- The Virginia Press Room is a weekly podcast that brings listeners the latest insights and analysis on Virginia’s most important stories directly from the journalists covering them. Produced in collaboration by VPM and the Virginia Public Access Project, the series is hosted by journalist and author, Michael Pope and features a rotating cast of reporters from the Virginia press corps.The Virginia Press Room offers a behind-the-scenes look at state politics, policy and the issues shaping communities across the commonwealth from the people who know it best, helping listeners stay informed about what’s happening in their state from the halls of the Capitol to their local neighborhoods.
    Más Menos
    46 m
  • Landslide Elections, Restitution Money, and Candidates On The Issues

    Landslide Elections, Restitution Money, and Candidates On The Issues
    Sep 15 2025
    In this episode of The Virginia Press Room, Michael Pope is joined by: Charlotte Rene Woods of the Virginia Mercury, covering the gubernatorial candidates' positions on a variety of issues. Jared Serre of FFXNow, covering the landslide election of Democrat James Walkinshaw in Virginia's 11th District. Dean Mirshahi of VPM News, covering Richmond's approval of restitution money for a wrongfully imprisoned man, Plus: state House races, steel slides, and RVA Pro Wrestling. -- The Virginia Press Room is a weekly podcast that brings listeners the latest insights and analysis on Virginia’s most important stories directly from the journalists covering them. Produced in collaboration by VPM and the Virginia Public Access Project, the series is hosted by journalist and author, Michael Pope and features a rotating cast of reporters from the Virginia press corps.The Virginia Press Room offers a behind-the-scenes look at state politics, policy and the issues shaping communities across the commonwealth from the people who know it best, helping listeners stay informed about what’s happening in their state from the halls of the Capitol to their local neighborhoods.
    Más Menos
    53 m
  • Special Elections, College Lawsuits, and Richmond Drivers

    Special Elections, College Lawsuits, and Richmond Drivers
    Sep 8 2025
    In this episode of The Virginia Press Room, Michael Pope is joined by: Margaret Barthel of WAMU, covering the special primary election in Fairfax County. Graham Moomaw of the Richmonder, covering former governor Doug Wilder's lawsuit against VCU. Ben Paviour, a freelance reporter based in Richmond, covering his profile of House Minority Leader Terry Kilgore. Plus: K9 attacks behind bars, Richmond drivers, and a proposed FOIA library. -- The Virginia Press Room is a weekly podcast that brings listeners the latest insights and analysis on Virginia’s most important stories directly from the journalists covering them. Produced in collaboration by VPM and the Virginia Public Access Project, the series is hosted by journalist and author, Michael Pope and features a rotating cast of reporters from the Virginia press corps.The Virginia Press Room offers a behind-the-scenes look at state politics, policy and the issues shaping communities across the commonwealth from the people who know it best, helping listeners stay informed about what’s happening in their state from the halls of the Capitol to their local neighborhoods.
    Más Menos
    54 m
  • Standardized Tests, Data Center Lawsuits, and a Registrar Resignation

    Standardized Tests, Data Center Lawsuits, and a Registrar Resignation
    Sep 1 2025
    In this episode of The Virginia Press Room, Michael Pope is joined by: Karina Elwood of the Washington Post, covering Virginia schools' struggle with learning loss on standardized tests. David Velasquez of the Daily Progress, covering Albemarle County's registrar resigning amid a police investigation. Trevor Baratko of Inside NoVa, covering the latest legal troubles for the planned Digital Gateway data center. Plus: teachers' unions, Quadzilla, and AI private schools. -- The Virginia Press Room is a weekly podcast that brings listeners the latest insights and analysis on Virginia’s most important stories directly from the journalists covering them. Produced in collaboration by VPM and the Virginia Public Access Project, the series is hosted by journalist and author, Michael Pope and features a rotating cast of reporters from the Virginia press corps.The Virginia Press Room offers a behind-the-scenes look at state politics, policy and the issues shaping communities across the commonwealth from the people who know it best, helping listeners stay informed about what’s happening in their state from the halls of the Capitol to their local neighborhoods.
    Más Menos
    45 m
  • Rights Restoration, True-Crime Fears, and Data Center Economics

    Rights Restoration, True-Crime Fears, and Data Center Economics
    Aug 25 2025
    In this episode of The Virginia Press Room, Michael Pope is joined by: Sabrina Moreno of Axios Richmond, covering how Richmond is quickly becoming America's data center hub. Joe Dodson of Courthouse News, covering a federal court's rejection of a challenge to Virginia's voting rights restoration system. Andrew Cain of the Richmond Times-Dispatch, covering Lt. Governor Winsome Earle-Sears' targeting of transgender policies in Northern Virginia schools. Plus: campaign finance disclosures, social media true-crime panic, and the music that candidates are listening to between campaign stops. -- The Virginia Press Room is a weekly podcast that brings listeners the latest insights and analysis on Virginia’s most important stories directly from the journalists covering them. Produced in collaboration by VPM and the Virginia Public Access Project, the series is hosted by journalist and author, Michael Pope and features a rotating cast of reporters from the Virginia press corps.The Virginia Press Room offers a behind-the-scenes look at state politics, policy and the issues shaping communities across the commonwealth from the people who know it best, helping listeners stay informed about what’s happening in their state from the halls of the Capitol to their local neighborhoods.
    Más Menos
    40 m
  • Federal Cuts, Campaign Rebrands, and Money Committee Takeaways

    Federal Cuts, Campaign Rebrands, and Money Committee Takeaways
    Aug 18 2025
    In this episode of The Virginia Press Room, Michael Pope is joined by: Kate Seltzer of the Virginian-Pilot, covering the emergency committee convened to study the impacts of cuts to the federal workforce and funding. Jeff Schapiro of UVA's Center for Politics, covering Lt. Governor Winsome Earle-Sears’ campaign rebrand: "Operation Defend and Deliver." Jahd Khalil of VPM, covering takeaways from the money committees that met last week. Plus: the official sports teams of Virginia's reporters, the lack of gubernatorial debates, and Governor Glenn Youngkin's political future. -- The Virginia Press Room is a weekly podcast that brings listeners the latest insights and analysis on Virginia’s most important stories directly from the journalists covering them. Produced in collaboration by VPM and the Virginia Public Access Project, the series is hosted by journalist and author, Michael Pope and features a rotating cast of reporters from the Virginia press corps.The Virginia Press Room offers a behind-the-scenes look at state politics, policy and the issues shaping communities across the commonwealth from the people who know it best, helping listeners stay informed about what’s happening in their state from the halls of the Capitol to their local neighborhoods.
    Más Menos
    32 m
  • Residential Rezoning, Palestine Protests, and Scholarship Language Changes

    Residential Rezoning, Palestine Protests, and Scholarship Language Changes
    Aug 11 2025
    In this episode of The Virginia Press Room, Michael Pope is joined by: Luke Weir of the Roanoake Times, covering the fight over residential rezoning in Roanoake. Megan Pauly of VPM News, covering VCU's removal of race-related references from scholarship language under pressure from the Trump administration. Dan Egitto of ArlNow, covering pro-Palestinian protests targeting a house in Arlington. Plus: college Boards of Visitors, military language in campaign slogans, and invasive species on the Appalachian Trail. -- The Virginia Press Room is a weekly podcast that brings listeners the latest insights and analysis on Virginia’s most important stories directly from the journalists covering them. Produced in collaboration by VPM and the Virginia Public Access Project, the series is hosted by journalist and author, Michael Pope and features a rotating cast of reporters from the Virginia press corps.The Virginia Press Room offers a behind-the-scenes look at state politics, policy and the issues shaping communities across the commonwealth from the people who know it best, helping listeners stay informed about what’s happening in their state from the halls of the Capitol to their local neighborhoods.
    Más Menos
    32 m