Next week will see primary elections for this fall’s mid-terms. Michael Pope and Radio IQ Politics Analyst Jeff Schapiro talk about what to expect and the week that was in state government and politics.

Governor Abigail Spanberger has not yet called lawmakers back to the Capitol for a special session. But she’s facing a growing list of people calling for one to extend the timeline for state regulators to make a decision about allowing for a merger of Dominion Energy and Florida-based NextEra Energy.

For supporters of the law, it’s less about its use and more about its impact.

Virginia’s on-going drought is putting water authorities to the test this summer. Major improvements are underway statewide – in Richmond, Roanoke, Lynchburg and many other communities. One of the most ambitious projects is in Charlottesville and Albemarle County, where crews are using dynamite to make way for projects that will cost more than $600 million. Sandy Hausman has that story.

Democratic socialists are gaining traction across the country. But they are struggling in Virginia congressional races.

The Hotel Roanoke Conference Center Commission unanimously voted to sell the conference center portion of the facility to the Virginia Tech Foundation for $14 million.

State regulators are currently considering an application from Dominion Energy to merge with Florida-based NextEra Energy. Members of the General Assembly may be about to return to the Capitol to ask that regulators have more time to consider the deal.

Five candidates — Harvey Brookins, Danny Clawson, Raekwon Moore, and incumbents Vivian Sanchez-Jones and Peter Volosin — are competing for the Democratic nomination for three seats.

There’s been some short-term relief lately, but drought and its impacts are still on the minds of many.That’s cast additional scrutiny on new proposals to withdraw water from Virginia’s rivers and aquafers.

As the cost of housing has risen, many cities in Virginia report a growing population of people living outside in tents. About seventy have gone up along the Rivanna River in Charlottesville, prompting complaints from surrounding businesses and the public. As Sandy Hausman reports, officials now plan to clear the area.