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PODCAST

The Virginia Press Room

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 between 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

government politics

All Episodes

50:45

Student Journalism, Presidential Searches, and...

The Virginia Press Room ·

2025/12/01

In this episode of The Virginia Press Room, Michael Pope is joined by:Julia Gwin of Theogany, covering policy-violating patdowns at ACPS football games. Ford McCracken of the Cavalier Daily, covering the conflict between UVA's presidential search committee and governor-elect Spanberger. Andrew Kerley of the Commonwealth Times, covering VCU's altered scholarships for descendants of enslaved people following DEI cuts. Plus FOIA scoops, blue books, and a government simulation. -- The

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49:58

The Revolutionary War, Jefferson's Legacy, and...

The Virginia Press Room ·

2025/11/24

In this episode of The Virginia Press Room, Michael Pope is joined by:Michael Kranish of the Washington Post, covering how the words on the Jefferson Memorial were doctored. Dwayne Yancey of Cardinal News, covering the story of Black Loyalists who escaped slavery in Virginia to go to Nova Scotia. Pam Cressey, Archaeologist for the City of Alexandria, covering how Alexandria was a hotbed for resistance and ideas during the Revolution. Plus the truth behind the destruction of Norfolk,

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45:31

Shutdown Calculus, Legislature Demographics, and the...

The Virginia Press Room ·

2025/11/17

In this episode of The Virginia Press Room, Michael Pope is joined by: Liz Crampton of Politico, covering how Virginia Republicans are reckoning with last week's crushing electoral loss. Michael Martz of the Richmond Times-Dispatch, covering how Virginia's Senators Tim Kaine and Mark Warner handled voting to end the government shutdown. Keyris Manzanares of VPM News, covering the gains in Latino representation in Virginia's legislature with this last election. Plus RPS collective bargaining,

en

42:38

Candidate Speeches, President Trump's Influence, and...

The Virginia Press Room ·

2025/11/10

Lauren Burke of Black Virginia News, covering the thirteen state House seats that Democrats flipped to give them a 64-36 majority.Chris Saxman of the VIP Podcast, covering the waning influence of Donald Trump in Virginia's Republican turnout. Rich Meagher of RVA's Got Issues, covering the victory and concession speeches from Abigail Spanberger and Winsome Earle-Sears. Plus special election dominoes, penned-in press areas, and theater kid energy. -- The Virginia Press Room is a weekly

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59:00

Takeaways from the November Election

The Virginia Press Room ·

2025/11/06

In this episode of ⁠⁠The Virginia Press Room⁠⁠, Michael Pope is joined by ⁠Jahd Khalil ⁠of VPM News, plus Democratic strategist Ben Tribbett and Republican strategist Jeff Ryer to break down this week's elections, which saw a Democratic sweep across races for statewide office and the General Assembly. -- 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

en

54:17

SNAP Backup, Business Sentiment, and This Week's...

The Virginia Press Room ·

2025/11/03

.In this episode of The Virginia Press Room, Michael Pope is joined by: Karina Elwood of The Washington Post, covering the report that says allegations of school-assisted abortions in Fairfax County are likely false. Billy Shields of VPM News, covering the state-run emergency nutrition assistance program unveiled by Governor Youngkin. Trevor Baratko of InsideNOVA, covering Northern Virginia business leaders becoming more pessimistic about the economy. Plus where candidates will be on

en

45:48

Pre-Election Headlines, Mid-Decade Redistricting, and...

The Virginia Press Room ·

2025/10/27

.In this episode of The Virginia Press Room, Michael Pope is joined by:Julie Carey of NBC4, covering the impact of leaked Jay Jones texts on the upcoming election. Dwayne Yancey of Cardinal News, covering how President Trump has factored into the Virginia election. Jeff Schapiro of Virginia Public Radio, covering Winsome Earle-Sears' focus on transgender students in Virginia schools. Plus AI debates, mid-decade redistricting, and candidate inaccessibility -- The Virginia Press Room is a

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54:02

Attorney General Debate, Right to Work, and the...

The Virginia Press Room ·

2025/10/20

In this episode of The Virginia Press Room, Michael Pope is joined by:Kate Seltzer of the Virginian-Pilot, covering last week's debate for Attorney General. Cameron Thompson of WTVR, covering the gubernatorial candidates' addresses at the Virginia Chamber of Commerce Education and Workforce Conference. Brad Kutner of Radio IQ, covering the gubernatorial candidates on guns, trans issues, and campaign enthusiasm. Plus dam safety, casino revenues, and a 32-bit

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37:47

Collective Bargaining, University Funding, and Debate...

The Virginia Press Room ·

2025/10/13

In this episode of The Virginia Press Room, Michael Pope is joined by:Whittney Evans of VPM News, covering Richmond educators' accusations of union-busting from the district Teo Armus of the Washington Post, covering the lead-up to the Lieutenant Governor's debate, and how the campaigns are handling Jay Jones' leaked text messages. Nathaniel Cline of the Virginia Mercury, covering Senate Democrats warning UVA leaders about the proposed funding agreement with the Trump Administration. Plus

en

41:33

Takeaways from the Virginia Governor's Debate

The Virginia Press Room ·

2025/10/10

In this episode of ⁠The Virginia Press Room⁠, Michael Pope is joined by Jahd Khalil of VPM News and Olivia Diaz of the Associated Press to break down Thursday night's gubernatorial debate between Democrat Abigail Spanberger and Republican Winsome Earle-Sears; the issues, the strategies, and key takeaways in the lead-up to Election Day. -- 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

en

44:08

Pink-Slime Journalism, October Surprises, and a Clean...

The Virginia Press Room ·

2025/10/06

In this episode of The Virginia Press Room, Michael Pope is joined by: Karri Peifer of the Axios Richmond, covering partisan papers arriving in Richmond mailboxes. Charles Paullin of Inside Climate News, covering the clean energy summit held in Richmond last week. Joe Dodson of Courthouse News, covering the legal fight between Virginia's Attorney General and a pro-Palestinian nonprofit. Plus fake job postings, October Surprises, and a virtual Edgar Allan

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44:57

Federal Pressure, Disaster Recovery, and the Nearing...

The Virginia Press Room ·

2025/09/29

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

en

46:18

Campaign Fundraising, Polling Accuracy, and the Car Tax

The Virginia Press Room ·

2025/09/22

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

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53:14

Landslide Elections, Restitution Money, and...

The Virginia Press Room ·

2025/09/15

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

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53:39

Special Elections, College Lawsuits, and Richmond...

The Virginia Press Room ·

2025/09/08

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

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44:57

Standardized Tests, Data Center Lawsuits, and a...

The Virginia Press Room ·

2025/09/01

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

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39:46

Rights Restoration, True-Crime Fears, and Data Center...

The Virginia Press Room ·

2025/08/25

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,

en

31:55

Federal Cuts, Campaign Rebrands, and Money Committee...

The Virginia Press Room ·

2025/08/18

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

en

32:05

Residential Rezoning, Palestine Protests, and...

The Virginia Press Room ·

2025/08/11

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

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37:40

Minimum Wage Increases, Immigration Enforcement, and...

The Virginia Press Room ·

2025/08/04

In this episode of The Virginia Press Room, Michael Pope is joined by: Karri Peifer of Axios Richmond, covering the rise in Virginia's minimum wage. Markus Schmidt of the Virginia Mercury, covering the latest on Virginia's Homeland Security Task Force. Jonathan Martin of Politico, covering the latest on Virginia's gubernatorial election--including tensions on the Republican side and the lack of an endorsement from President Trump. Plus: the latest jobs numbers, Labubu fever, and momentum

en

52 results

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