Michael Pope
Virginia Public Radio ReporterMichael Pope is an author and journalist who lives in Old Town Alexandria. He has reported for NPR, the New York Times and the Alexandria Gazette Packet. He has a master's degree in American Studies from Florida State University, and he is a former adjunct professor at Tallahassee Community College. He is the author of five books.
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"Any elected official is going to find themselves in a pretty tough situation with their constituents if they vote to approve power lines through the community," says George Mason University professor David Ramadan. -
Companies that own or operate data centers are some of the most influential businesses in Virginia.They are also some of the most widely held stocks by members of the General Assembly. -
Three Republican candidates are on the primary ballot in August to take on incumbent United States Senator Mark Warner, who is seeking a fourth term. -
Leaders in the alcoholic beverage industry are asking Governor Abigail Spanberger for a budget amendment – days before the July 1st deadline. -
Student journalists across Virginia are forming a new coalition to create protections for free speech in the classroom. -
Marijuana is currently decriminalized in Virginia. If you’re caught in public consuming it, you can be hit with a $25 civil penalty. But a new budget compromise struck this week increases that fine to $250 and adds new criminal penalties for a second offense and a third offense. -
Members of the Virginia General Assembly are back at the Capitol this week to put the final pieces together on a two-year budget. One significant part of that document moves forward with a new marketplace for adult use cannabis. -
The deadline for the House and the Senate and governor to come to some kind of agreement is at the end of this month.
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Background checks for firearm purchases are more than double what they were at this time last year. This comes as a new ban on the sale of assault-style weapons and large-capacity magazines is set to begin on July the 1st. -
Washington is famous for its revolving door, and more than a dozen former members of the Virginia congressional delegation became lobbyists after leaving office.
