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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Governor Abigail Spanberger is considering legislation that could lead to a new casino in Northern Virginia, while some other gambling legislation failed.
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The 2026 General Assembly session wrapped up over the weekend.
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Democrats who lead the House and Senate are at an impasse about whether data centers need a tax exemption.
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Where and when can data centers be built? How much information should a local government consider before making a zoning decision? And should they be exempt from taxes? These are lingering questions dominating the final days of the Virginia General Assembly’s legislative session.
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Leaders of the money committees are at an impasse over the budget, and the deadlock may derail the end of the General Assembly session.
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Members of the Virginia General Assembly are considering a bill that would prevent people from blocking access to abortion clinics.
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So much for the Prescription Drug Affordability Board... That was supposed to be a newly created group that could’ve set upper payment limits. The new approach is known as the Affordable Medicine Act, giving all Virginians the same discounts on drug prices now available to people on Medicare.
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Members of the Virginia General Assembly are considering a bill that would encourage schools to take a new approach to discipline.
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Farm workers don’t have to be paid the minimum wage in Virginia. That's because Virginia law has an exemption that allows them to be paid less, something the Delegate Adele McClure has spent years trying to overturn.
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Governor Abigail Spanberger is considering legislation that would ban the sale of assault-style weapons.