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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

36:15

House Races, Diesel Prices, and the State Energy Plan

The Virginia Press Room ·

2026/10/05

In this episode of⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The VirginiaPressRoom⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, Michael Pope is joined by:Michael Martz of the Richmond Times-Dispatch⁠,covering three Virginia House races appearing to shift in favor of Democrats. Patrick Larsen of VPM News,covering the details of Governor Spanberger's newly-unveiled state energy plan. Anna Bryson of the Richmond Times-Dispatch, covering ⁠how high diesel prices are hitting Virginia's school districts. Plus the cost of living, high-speed rail, and the

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34:44

Fuel Prices, Social Media Limits, and a Cannabis...

The Virginia Press Room ·

2026/09/28

In this episode of⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The VirginiaPressRoom⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, Michael Pope is joined by:Haley Sandlow of the Daily Progress,covering Rep. John McGuire's claim that the Iran war is not to blame for high fuel prices. Andrew Kerley of the Virginia Free Press⁠,covering Virginia's restrictions on Instagram and Facebook for children. Zara Norman of the Washington Sun, covering ⁠panic among DC cannabis sellers as Virginia moves to open its own marketplace. Plus wine coverage, FOIA tricks, and the

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45:01

Cancelled Debates, Luxury Towers, and Amendment...

The Virginia Press Room ·

2026/09/21

In this episode of⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The VirginiaPressRoom⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, Michael Pope is joined by:Rich Meagher of RVA's Got Issues,covering NextEra's promise of a luxury tower to sweeten the merger with Dominion Energy. Dutchie Jessee of the Cardinal News Podcast,covering incumbent candidates avoiding debates. Aaryan Balu of the Virginia Press Room, covering VPAP's analysis of financial support for the proposed constitutional amendments. Plus: a behind-the-scenes look at podcasting in Virginia

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35:06

Data Center Backlash, Debate Challenges, and an...

The Virginia Press Room ·

2026/09/14

In this episode of⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The VirginiaPressRoom⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, Michael Pope is joined by:Sabrina Moreno of ⁠Axios Richmond,covering data center backlash spilling into the midterms. Ethan Hunt of the Roanoke Times,covering a debate challenge in the 9th District that's unlikely to happen. Drew Wilder of NBC4, covering Lt. Governor Hashmi's listening tour on energy costs. Plus psilocybin legislation, metro funding, and Flock cameras. -- The VirginiaPressRoomis a weekly podcast that brings

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41:13

Flock Cameras, PFAS Concerns, and the Proposed...

The Virginia Press Room ·

2026/09/07

In this episode of⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The VirginiaPressRoom⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, Michael Pope is joined by:Lauren Hines-Acosta of the Chesapeake Bay Journal,covering concerns over forever chemicals in the Richmond airport's stormwater discharge. Tyler Englander of WRIC,⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠covering the growing debates over Flock cameras Virginia. Dave Ress of the Richmond Times-Dispatch,covering Dominion Energy across the headlines this week. Plus landfill issues, early voting enthusiasm, and data center

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27:45

Energy Policy, Amazon Drones, and Marriage Equality

The Virginia Press Room ·

2026/08/31

In this episode of⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The VirginiaPressRoom⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, Michael Pope is joined by:Karri Peifer of ⁠Axios Richmond,covering the plan for Amazon drones to come to Virginia. Michael O’Connor of the Virginia Dogwood,⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠covering the controversy surrounding a Virginina Congressman owning shares in the energy company proposing to merge with Dominion Energy. Jahd Khalil of ⁠VPM News⁠,⁠covering the constitutional amendment on marriage equality that will be coming before Virginia. Plus

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29:37

Confederate Renaming, Town Hall Troubles, and a...

The Virginia Press Room ·

2026/08/24

In this episode of⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The VirginiaPressRoom⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, Michael Pope is joined by:Lori D'Angelo of ⁠the Daily News Record⁠,covering frustration over the lack of town halls and lawmaker availability. Ryan Fitzmaurice of Northern Virginia Daily⁠,⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠covering the legal battle over renaming schools after Confederate generals. Dean Mirshahi of VPM News⁠,covering ⁠the revelation that Virginia spent $52 million dollars on a failed child support system project. Plus AI podcasts, demolishing the

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31:00

Data Center Battles, Anti-Establishment Candidates,...

The Virginia Press Room ·

2026/08/17

In this episode of⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The VirginiaPressRoom⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, 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 country--but not in

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35:43

License Plate Readers, Emergency Response Drones, and...

The Virginia Press Room ·

2026/08/10

In this episode of⁠⁠⁠⁠The VirginiaPressRoom⁠⁠⁠⁠, 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 country, but not in

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37:30

Takeaways from the Virginia Primaries

The Virginia Press Room ·

2026/08/06

In this episode of⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The VirginiaPressRoom⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, 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 VirginiaPressRoomis a weekly podcast that brings listeners the latest insights and analysis on Virginia’s most important

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29:54

Previewing Virginia's Primary Elections

The Virginia Press Room ·

2026/08/03

In this episode of⁠⁠⁠⁠The VirginiaPressRoom⁠⁠⁠⁠, 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 5th Congressional District,

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31:00

Data Centers, Toxic Waste, and Off-Year Elections

The Virginia Press Room ·

2026/07/27

In this episode of⁠⁠⁠The VirginiaPressRoom⁠⁠⁠, 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 merger, off-year elections, and

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31:00

Rural Voters, Crowded Primaries, and Statewide Legal...

The Virginia Press Room ·

2026/07/20

In this episode of⁠⁠The VirginiaPressRoom⁠⁠, 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, AI answering non-emergency

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31:00

Cannabis Corrections, House Subpoenas, and the...

The Virginia Press Room ·

2026/07/13

In this episode of⁠The VirginiaPressRoom⁠, Michael Pope is joined by: Kate Seltzer of the Virginian-Pilot⁠,coveringthe Virginia Code Commission's correction of some confusion over new cannabis legislation. Dan Egitto ofARLNow,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 Assembly on the proposed Dominion merger. Plus

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31:30

Data Center Deals, Defamation Lawsuits, and...

The Virginia Press Room ·

2026/07/06

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,

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35:37

Semiquincentennial Special: Lessons From 250 Years of...

The Virginia Press Room ·

2026/06/29

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

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31:30

Plumbing Overhauls, Data Center Lawsuits, and...

The Virginia Press Room ·

2026/06/15

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,

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31:30

Energy Mergers, Voting Rights Restoration, and...

The Virginia Press Room ·

2026/06/08

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

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31:17

Civilian Review Boards, Shifting School Zones, and a...

The Virginia Press Room ·

2026/06/01

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

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58:24

Vetoed Legislation, Historical Education, and...

The Virginia Press Room ·

2026/05/25

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

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