Fees for hunting licenses and other outdoor activities in Virginia could be raised for the first time in more than a decade under a proposal from the Department of Wildlife Resources.

The proposal threatens decades of work to restore oysters in the bay.

Big Spring Mill in Elliston first began operation in 1850. It closed nearly four years ago but has now reopened.

“For families and people with disabilities, knowing the law hasn’t changed isn’t enough,” disability advocate Tonya Milling said. “The confidence in enforcement has.”

A new report from Virginia’s Joint Commission on Health Care identifies Bath Community Hospital as one of 13 rural hospitals in Virginia considered at risk of closure. The report comes as hospitals across the country grapple with workforce shortages, rising costs, federal funding cuts, and changing patterns in how patients receive care.

The Roanoke Valley and nearby areas continue to suffer from an extended drought. On Thursday, Western Virginia Water Authority Executive Director Mike McEvoy told its board its reservoirs are holding up.

A new poll dings Governor Spanberger. And there’s new fallout from a federal investigation of Senator Louise Lucas.Radio IQ politics analyst Jeff Schapiro and Michael Pope recap the week in politics and state government.

Recent college graduates faced a tough job market this year with more than 5.5% unable to find work. In Charlottesville, three from the class of 2025 report they are now employed flipping hamburgers, but they’re not complaining.

Drought conditions persist across Virginia – with the Roanoke Valley and areas further southeast, including Bedford, Danville and Martinsville, reaching an emergency status this week. Local, regional and state officials are stressing the need for more Virginians to conserve water.

The trail is a vital tourist draw in Southwest Virginia.