VPM Daily Newscast: Feb. 3, 2023

The VPM Daily Newscast contains all your Central Virginia news in just 5 to 10 minutes. Episodes are recorded the night before.

Listeners can subscribe through NPR One, Apple Podcasts, Megaphone, Spotify and wherever you get your podcasts. 

Here’s a recap of the top stories on the morning of Feb. 3, 2023:   

General Assembly to consider protecting natural gas access
Reported by VPM News’ Patrick Larsen

Collegiate School senior Maia Zasler was at the Virginia Capitol earlier this week, asking her representatives to oppose protections for the use of natural gas. She's concerned about methane-based gas continuing to impact people’s health.

False statements by police to minors could be prohibited
Reported by VPM News’ Ben Paviour

In a floor speech Thursday, Democratic Del. Jackie Glass said she proposed the bill partly based on her own experience growing up and being targeted by police.

In other news: 

• Town of Pound emerges from death sentence in Virginia Assembly (The Washington Post) 

• Virginia House delays expansion of local affordable housing programs (WRIC) 
  

• Virginia lawmakers mull increasing film and TV incentives (Axios Richmond) 
   

In case you missed it: 

• Norfolk mall’s precarious status shared by other malls around Virginia (Virginia Mercury) 
   
  
• Inside the GOP's 'Save the kids' strategy (Axios) 

• Satan Club organizer says Chesapeake Public Schools trying to ‘scare us,’ won’t pay $600 fee (The Virginian-Pilot)