Sandy Hausman

Virginia’s Department of Forestry is fed-up with an invasive tree that keeps native species from growing, so it’s hosting a tree exchange this weekend – hoping people will cut down Callery pears and plant trees favored by native wildlife. Sandy Hausman has that story.

This Sunday, supporters of a free medical clinic in Fredericksburg will hold a rally to generate new support after a falling out with the local health system that had provided a number of free services. The Moss Clinic is one of 68 in the state providing healthcare at no charge to those who have no insurance and cannot afford to pay out of pocket. Sandy Hausman reports that it’s not the only clinic running short on cash.

Earlier this month, the Virginia Department of Corrections used a specially trained dog to try and stop prisoners who were attacking another inmate. Those prisoners allegedly killed the dog, and the state organized an elaborate memorial service for him. Now, Virginia’s largest animal rights group is calling on the Department of Corrections and on police departments statewide to stop using dogs in dangerous situations.

Governor Youngkin has proposed more than 200 amendments to the state budget, and one of them would delay the implementation of a ban on single-use plastics. As Sandy Hausman reports, plastic and foam containers are already causing harm to wildlife and may also threaten human health.

The agency that oversees wildlife in Virginia reports a growing number of sick or dead birds in the eastern part of the state – likely victims of a new strain of bird flu. Sandy Hausman reports on what this might mean for wild birds around the state, for farm animals and for people.

One third of school districts nationwide have collective bargaining for employees, and 14 counties in Virginia have now agreed to it. The latest – Albemarle County – had been quibbling with the teachers’ union for nearly two years, but last night members of the school board gave unanimous approval.

Listen to certain American billionaires, and you might believe Americans will be on their way to Mars any day now, but two Charlottesville authors are skeptical and have written a book about the challenges of space travel.

Drug addiction remains a serious problem here in Virginia with more than 26-hundred overdose deaths in 2023. In Buckingham County, near Charlottesville, one program is taking a unique approach to helping addicts who are leaving prison or were sentenced to drug treatment instead of incarceration.

We’ve heard a lot about dangerous weather and rising seas associated with a changing climate, and medical experts say it will also take a toll on public health. That’s why the University of Virginia’s School of Nursing is hosting a conference on the subject this weekend.

It’s been a year a team of seven students and faculty from Virginia Tech began tracking bobcats in Albemarle County – hoping to learn more about where those shy animals live and how they travel from one area to another.