Read more Richmond may have to return $1.3M in COVID-era funding to the federal government  Ex-UVA student gets five life sentences for 2022 fatal shooting  Chesterfield gives Shady Hill mobile home park extra time to fix violations   Other links  Faculty question the motives behind FOIA requests for course materials, text messages (The Cavalier Daily)  When and where traffic will spike in Richmond for Thanksgiving (Axios Richmond)  NPR affiliate Radio IQ hacked, broadcasts overtly racist music in Richmond area (Richmond Times-Dispatch)*   Airport leaders budget for a modest rebound in Reagan National travelers next year (ARLNow)  Our award-winning work is made possible with your donations. Visit vpm.org/donate to support local journalism. 

VPM News Host Lyndon German and BizSense Reporter Jack Jacobs discuss the Richmond region's top business stories. This week's topics include the city of Richmond's efforts to refresh its zoning ordinances, Henrico County's lawsuit against the state racing commission, and the groundbreaking of an assisted living facility in Hanover County.

Henrico state of the county address; Virginia could require license to buy a gun; Democrats file bill to raise minimum wage; and more.   Read More: Questions remain in dispute over Jim Ryan’s exit at UVA 

Read more Gas rates rising faster than inflation in Richmond  Petersburg’s first casino is set to open early next year — in a tent  Demand grows at Virginia food banks amidst federal cuts  Other links Immigration attorney: Hampton Roads likely next target for immigration agents, already in Raleigh area (WAVY) DEI cuts at Virginia Tech total more than $8 million (Cardinal News)  Democrats brace for quick special election in deep-blue Senate District 15 (Virginia Mercury) Spanberger hears state budget challenges at House retreat (Richmond Times-Dispatch)* Skyline Drive, Appalachian Trail reopen after Shenandoah wildfire mostly contained (The Daily Progress)*  Help name the Charlottesville Grand Illumination Tree 

Read more  Residents voice opposition to Hanover data center proposal  New documentary looks back at World War II from one family’s perspective  Watch “She said, he said” over UVA president’s resignation (VPM on YouTube)  Judge scolds Justice Department for 'profound investigative missteps' in Comey case    Other links  Virginia drought conditions (Department of Environmental Quality)  ‘This is BS’: Councilmembers frustrated by budget surplus a month after voting against lowering real estate taxes (Richmond Times-Dispatch)*  A lawyer for the city said he didn’t ask for the sealing of a court document. Emails tell a different story. (The Richmonder)  Spanberger appoints energy policy transition team (Virginia Mercury)  National Zoo Cheetah Cub Cam  Our award-winning work is made possible with your donations. Visit vpm.org/donate to support local journalism. 

Richmond Public Schools outlines framework for 10-year facilities upgrade  Updated: SCOVA declines review of Youngkin's university appointments     Other links:  The Town of Louisa faced five resignations in less than a year. Now it’s trying to rebuild (Charlottesville Tomorrow)  Plan for dedicated Metro funding wins support from key D.C. region leaders (FFXNow)  Meet the man who keeps Staunton's one-of-a-kind Wurlitzer organ in tune (Staunton News Leader)*  Moton set to hold first Museum Store Sunday Nov. 30 (The Farmville Herald)*  Legalizing marijuana could produce tax windfall for Richmond (The Richmonder)    Our award-winning work is made possible with your donations. Visit vpm.org/donate to support local journalism. 

Read more:  Former UVA President Jim Ryan disputes rector's account of his resignation  Spanberger, Youngkin spar over UVA board appointments, president search  St. Joseph’s Villa opens rapid rehousing center in Henrico County  On the agenda: Richmond zoning refresh, Albemarle road extension    Other links:  Higher SOL cut scores coming, but not this year, Virginia board says (Virginia Mercury)  RPS resumes work on a master facility plan as needs continue to grow (The Richmonder)  As electric bills and demand rise, is Virginia's energy crisis already here? (Richmond Times-Dispatch)  Our award-winning work is made possible with your donations. Visit vpm.org/donate to support local journalism. 

VPM News Host Lyndon German and BizSense Reporter Mike Platania discuss the Richmond's region's top business stories. This week's stories include the sale of the beloved Lakeside Avenue brewery Final Gravity Brewing Co. and an out-of-state developer's Southside property purchase.

Read more  VCU changed scholarship for descendants of the enslaved to align with anti-DEI policies Federal judge rules ICE unlawfully detained immigrant teens without bond Chesterfield parent launches push to make Diwali a CCPS holiday  Inside VPM’s new Downtown Richmond HQ  Other links  Bon Air jail guard pleads to sexually assaulting underage inmate but gets no prison time (Richmond Times-Dispatch)*  Virginia’s probe into public universities’ displacement of Black neighborhoods no longer theoretical (Virginia Mercury)  Flight disruptions at Richmond International Airport ease as government shutdown ends (WRIC)  Our award-winning work is made possible with your donations. Visit vpm.org/donate to support local journalism.   

Read More: Youngkin says a portion of SNAP benefits should be paid out Thursday  Richmond School Board approves collective bargaining changes  Richmond City Council creates city’s first rental inspection program    Other links: Spanberger asks U.Va. Board of Visitors to delay appointment of new president (The Cavailer Daily)  City’s lawyers say there’s no backup of lost phone at issue in former FOIA officer’s suit (The Richmonder)  Federal shutdown strains Virginia’s skies as controllers work without pay] (Virginia Mercury)  Former US Rep. Elaine Luria announces run for her old congressional seat (WHRO News)  Our award-winning work is made possible with your donations. Visit vpm.org/donate to support local journalism. 

Read more  Kaine says protecting Virginia federal workers behind vote to end shutdown  Reforest Richmond’s Tree Week plants the seeds of a greener city    Other links  Goochland supervisors OK controversial data center district proposal With SNAP benefits at risk, a guide on where to donate food, money and resources in RVA Our award-winning work is made possible with your donations. Visit vpm.org/donate to support local journalism. 

Read more  After election, paid family leave approval likely next year  Photo essay: Amid historic election, Virginians long for change  On the agenda: Richmond rental inspection program, RPS collective bargaining Richmond prepares to weather continuing federal shutdown Our award-winning work is made possible with your donations. Visit vpm.org/donate to support local journalism. 

VPM Host Lyndon German and BizSense Reporter Jonathan Spiers discuss the Richmond region's top business stories. This week they dive in into a local law firm looking to move into the Diamond District, the region's largest hotelier's investment in Chesterfield County and BizSense's annual ranking of the top businesses in the region.

Read more  Virginia Democrats plan to capitalize on 2025 'tsunami' Bill Lupoletti, WRIR co-founder, remembered as ‘passionate connector’ Chesterfield County names interim supervisor to replace Jim Holland Former Newport News teacher shot by her 6-year-old student wins a $10M jury verdict Our award-winning work is made possible with your donations. Visit vpm.org/donate to support local journalism. 

Read more: SCOVA hears arguments in suit over Youngkin's university board appointments  Spanberger, Virginia's first woman governor, says she'll defy Trump's 'bad policies'  ICYMI: What will the 2026 House of Delegates look like?  Our award-winning work is made possible with your donations. Visit vpm.org/donate to support local journalism. 

We’re only going to say this once: All results remain unofficial until certified by the state. More election coverage Democrats sweep Virginia's statewide offices, expand House majority  Results: What will the 2026 House of Delegates look like?  Jason Miyares concedes in attorney general race to Democrat Jay Jones  Watch the moment VPM News announced Spanberger’s win on-air (YouTube)  Watch highlights from Abigail Spanberger’s victory speech (Instagram)  View Virginia’s Election Day statewide in our photo gallery   Other links Governor Glenn Youngkin Launches Virginia Cares Initiative  Virginia Cares Initiative sign-up  Our award-winning work is made possible with your donations. Visit vpm.org/donate to support local journalism. 

Psst! Tonight (Nov. 4), we’ll be broadcasting live updates on VPM News — however you listen. Read (or listen) more  VPM News' 2025 election coverage VPM News’ FAQ to voting in Virginia Check your voter registration and polling place Listen to the VPM News radio stream on our website (or direct) Policy Matters: October 30, 2025  Our award-winning work is made possible with your donations. Visit vpm.org/donate to support local journalism. 

Read more Where do Winsome Earle-Sears and Abigail Spanberger stand on child care?  ⁠How to vote in Tuesday’s elections⁠ Virginia Senate votes to propose redistricting amendment  Obama supports Spanberger at Norfolk rally during campaign's final days Our award-winning work is made possible with your donations. Visit vpm.org/donate to support local journalism. 

‘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.

VPM News Host Lyndon German and BizSense's Jackie DiBartolomeo discuss the Richmond region's top business stories. This week they talk about a massive home development in Chesterfield County, the potential demolition of the Richmond Coliseum and a community led-effort to save a local gym in Henrico County.