PodcastsGovernmentThe Virginia Press Room

The Virginia Press Room

VPM & VPAP
The Virginia Press Room
Latest episode

59 episodes

  • The Virginia Press Room

    ICE Bills, Cannabis Markets, and Solar Energy

    2/02/2026 | 41 mins.
    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 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.
  • The Virginia Press Room

    Rejoining RGGI, Voting Rights Rulings, and Governor Spanberger's First Week

    1/26/2026 | 38 mins.
    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.

    --

    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.
  • The Virginia Press Room

    Data Center Bills, Executive Orders, and Virginia's New Governor

    1/19/2026 | 43 mins.
    In this episode of The Virginia Press Room, Michael Pope is joined by:

    Jeff Schapiro of Virginia Public Radio, covering the official inauguration of Governor Abigail Spanberger.

    Olivia Diaz of the Associated Press, covering some of Governor Spanberger's first executive orders.

    Patrick Larsen of VPM News, covering data center reform bills in the General Assembly.

    Plus the right to repair, affordability, and the who's who of the inauguration ceremony.

    --

    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.
  • The Virginia Press Room

    Legislative Priorities, Intra-Party Tensions, and Constitutional Amendments

    1/12/2026 | 43 mins.
    In this episode of The Virginia Press Room, Michael Pope is joined by:

    Lauren Burke of Black Virginia News, covering the issues that Democrats will be tackling during the first few days of the General Assembly.

    Chris Saxman of Virginia Free, covering tensions between Democrats at the state and local level.

    Rich Meagher of RVA's Got Issues, covering the proposed constitutional amendment on voting rights restoration.

    Plus university Boards of Visitors, conflicts with the federal government, and mid-decade redistricting.

    --

    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.
  • The Virginia Press Room

    Budget Changes, Consolidated Government, and Redistricting Possibilities

    1/05/2026 | 35 mins.
    In this episode of The Virginia Press Room, Michael Pope is joined by:

    Charlotte Rene Woods of the Virginia Mercury, covering the effort to reduce Virginia's SNAP error rate. 

    Greg Schneider of the Washington Post, covering how far Virginia Democrats will go with consolidated government in the upcoming legislative session.

    Jahd Khalil of VPM News, covering the likely winners and losers of the revenue and budget changes this year.

    Plus redistricting possibilities, a state energy czar, and 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.

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About 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 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.
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