The VPM Daily Newscast contains all your Central Virginia news in just 5 to 10 minutes. Episodes are recorded the night before.
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Here’s a recap of the top stories on the morning of May 9, 2023:
North Carolina abortion bill could heighten stakes in Virginia
Reported by VPM News’ Ben Paviour
A North Carolina bill that would ban most abortions past 12 weeks of pregnancy could push people seeking abortion care into Virginia if it becomes law. That would extend wait times for local and out-of-state patients, according to Jamie Lockhart, executive director at Planned Parenthood of Virginia.
The issue is already feeding into state legislative races, and Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin said he’ll continue to push for a 15-week ban if Republicans take the General Assembly in November.
‘The House is on Fire’ dives into four lives around the 1811 Richmond theater disaster
Reported by VPM News’ Ian Stewart
A new historical novel called The House Is on Fire, by local author Rachel Beanland, tells the story of a deadly theater fire in Richmond in 1811 that killed more than 70 people.
Beanland will discuss her book Thursday at the Virginia Museum of History and Culture.
In other news:
- Virginia Tech professors get $3 million grant to create monuments to untold stories across Appalachia (Cardinal News)
- Charlottesville plans to hire one of the only city sponsored housing discrimination investigators in the state (Charlottesville Tomorrow)
- This underground bike race features clowns, aliens and Mario Kart (The Washington Post)
In case you missed it:
- Rivers Casino Portsmouth penalized $275,000 for alleged gaming violations involving underaged individuals (The Virginian-Pilot)
- As debt ceiling talks begin, Rep. Bob Good says negotiation is done (Richmond Times-Dispatch)