Épisodes

  • House Races, Diesel Prices, and the State Energy Plan

    House Races, Diesel Prices, and the State Energy Plan
    Oct 5 2026
    In this episode of ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Virginia Press Room⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, 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 proposed Triumphal Arch. ⁠⁠⁠Please fill out our listener survey here.⁠⁠ -- 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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    36 min
  • Fuel Prices, Social Media Limits, and a Cannabis Marketplace

    Fuel Prices, Social Media Limits, and a Cannabis Marketplace
    Sep 28 2026
    In this episode of ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Virginia Press Room⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, 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 Virginia Folklore Society. ⁠⁠Please fill out our listener survey here.⁠ -- 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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    35 min
  • Cancelled Debates, Luxury Towers, and Amendment Fundraising

    Cancelled Debates, Luxury Towers, and Amendment Fundraising
    Sep 21 2026
    In this episode of ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Virginia Press Room⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, 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 politics. -- 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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    45 min
  • Data Center Backlash, Debate Challenges, and an Energy Cost Listening Tour

    Data Center Backlash, Debate Challenges, and an Energy Cost Listening Tour
    Sep 14 2026
    In this episode of ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Virginia Press Room⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, 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 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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    35 min
  • Flock Cameras, PFAS Concerns, and the Proposed Dominion Energy Merger

    Flock Cameras, PFAS Concerns, and the Proposed Dominion Energy Merger
    Sep 7 2026
    In this episode of ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Virginia Press Room⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, 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 pushback. -- 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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    41 min
  • Energy Policy, Amazon Drones, and Marriage Equality

    Energy Policy, Amazon Drones, and Marriage Equality
    Aug 31 2026
    In this episode of ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Virginia Press Room⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, 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 prehistoric animals, Confederate monuments, and pumpkin spice lattes. -- 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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    28 min
  • Confederate Renaming, Town Hall Troubles, and a Failed $52M IT Project

    Confederate Renaming, Town Hall Troubles, and a Failed $52M IT Project
    Aug 24 2026
    In this episode of ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Virginia Press Room⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, 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 Richmond Coliseum, and the Rockingham Fair. -- 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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    30 min
  • Data Center Battles, Anti-Establishment Candidates, and Teacher Contract Negotiations

    Data Center Battles, Anti-Establishment Candidates, and Teacher Contract Negotiations
    Aug 17 2026
    In this episode of ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Virginia Press Room⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, 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 Virginia. Plus AI in the classroom, amending the state constitution, and arsonist snakes. -- 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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    31 min