Have you ever wondered how the VPM News team covers the Virginia General Assembly each year? Answer: With a healthy combination of planning and a willingness to pivot when news breaks or plans change.
If you happen to find yourself walking the halls of the recently remodeled General Assembly Building or the Virginia State Capitol, you may just run into the VPM News team of capitol correspondents, which includes state politics reporter Jahd Khalil and multimedia journalist Shaban Athuman, both of whom attend the General Assembly 4-5 days a week.
One of VPM’s core functions is to deliver news and reporting to communities throughout Central Virginia, and one of the most crucial times to ensure that VPM is filling that role is during the General Assembly session.
“We try to plan ahead and map out which sessions we’re going to attend as much as possible before arriving each day,” said Jahd. “We have to be flexible as things change. Sometimes, we have days where nothing happens out of the ordinary. Other days, there might be a bill that dies or gains steam and we have to change course.”
Jahd has reported on the General Assembly since early 2023, which is reflected in his calm demeanor and positive energy as he navigates the General Assembly Building and State Capitol, saying hello to fellow journalists and legislators alike each day.
Reporting on the General Assembly means a certain level of access to the state Senate and House of Delegates floors, as well as the senators and delegates who populate them and make decisions on legislation.
“Relationships are very important in reporting at the General Assembly,” said Jahd. “Having the opportunity to talk with people and ask questions can be one of the more rewarding parts of the experience.”
Both Jahd and Shaban recognize the importance of the work they are doing and feel a sense of duty and responsibility to uncover the truth for citizens throughout the Commonwealth.
“There is a historical element to what we’re doing here,” said Shaban. “You wake up each day knowing that you’re going to be documenting history in some form, and that’s great motivation to have. History is often told through photography.”
Shaban has covered the General Assembly since October 2023 and is the only full-time photojournalist who is regularly in attendance. His experience is on display as he seamlessly moves throughout the Senate and House floors to position himself where he can capture what’s happening.
“There are high standards that we are trying to uphold,” said Shaban. “But the opportunity to be here each day, interact with so many different people and document what’s happening in our Commonwealth is a great way to serve the public.”
Residents rely on local news coverage to better understand the decisions that are being made that directly affect the communities they live in. Journalists, reporters and photographers help shed light on these issues so that communities can be made aware of what’s happening in real time.
As this year’s General Assembly nears its end on Feb. 22, reporters know there could be more curveballs on the way. There are still several bills that could see their status change, and news professionals will need to be prepared for a busy close to the 2025 session.
VPM offers resources to help better understand how the Virginia General Assembly works. These resources include House and Senate member listings, how to track a bill, how to find out who your legislator is and more. To learn more about VPM News’ General Assembly coverage, visit vpm.org/generalassembly. To reach out with a story idea, email [email protected].
Stay in touch with VPM News on social media, where the team is posting updates year-round. They can be found on the VPM YouTube channel, Facebook, BlueSky and Reddit.
VPM also frequently collaborates with the news teams at WHRO in Hampton Roads, WMRA in Harrisonburg and WAMU in Washington, D.C. Reporters from each outlet attend the General Assembly from time to time, offering additional opportunities to find common areas of interests for people in other parts of Virginia. Readers can often find content and articles shared across all three news organizations.
