The top stories for July 20, 2026, including a look at ties between what people are paying for a mortgage and voting rights, Congressman James Walkinshaw's bill now before the Senate tracks chemical ingredients that are a precursor to fentanyl, and fees for Virginia hunting licenses could be going up for the first time in more than a decade.

The top stories for July 17, 2026, including Gov. Spanberger calling now for voluntary water conservation practices in a visit to Smith Mountain Lake, Arlington's top prosecutor is questioned behind closed doors, and Michael Pope and analyst Jeff Schapiro talk about a new VCU poll in their Friday conversation.

The top stories for July 16, 2026, including drought concerns affecting large parts of the area, a new way of approaching the invasive spotted lanternfly, and retirement from UVA is not slowing down jazz trumpeter John D'Earth, with a weekend performance, new album, and documentary.

The top stories for July 15, 2026, including the State Corporation Commission's hearing on electric rates with the expansion of data centers, previewing a constitutional amendment that lifts a Virginia ban on same-sex marriage, more than two-thousand mountain bikers compete in Roanoke, and amid a tough job market, some UVA grads are operating a burger grill trailer.

The top stories for July 14, 2026, including a deeper dive into Virginia's legal fight over gun laws, research shows tobacco smoking is making somewhat a comeback among Gen Zers, and the Roanoke Valley hosts Mountain Bike National Championships.

The top stories for July 13, 2026, including what's behind another Virginia prosecutor being brought before Congress, scientists at the Chesapeake Bay Foundation look at ways of reducing fish kills in extreme heat, and Churchill Downs looks to add two more gaming emporiums.

The top stories for July 10, 2026, there are growing calls to conserve water throughout Virginia amid an ongoing drought, Sen. Tim Kaine visits a former high school in Farmville that's now a museum dedicated to civil rights, and there's growing opposition to data centers in Virginia - Michael Pope and analyst Jeff Schapiro discuss in their Friday conversation.

The top stories for July 9, 2026, including a national call for lowering utility bills as Dominion ranks among the top few cutting power to those who can't pay, a preview of where Virginia's recreational marijuana shops will be, and elementary schools in Pulaski County look for more in-person learning and less screen time.

The top stories for July 8, 2026, including the latest on court battles over Virginia gun laws, a wrongful death suit is filed in the December 2025 death of a Virginia Tech student, Radford University gets a grant to study the impacts of AI on the workforce, and profiling a drummer from Richmond who's now programming the Newport Jazz Festival.

The top stories for July 7, 2026, including Gov. Spanberger backing data centers and citing high energy costs in a talk with Politico, Roanoke City Council seeks more public input on zoning proposals, and a look at the challenges faced by an urban farm in Roanoke.