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 12, 2023:
Virginia hid execution files from the public. Here's what they don't want you to see
Reported by NPR’s Chiara Eisner
In January, NPR aired excerpts from four tapes recorded behind the scenes during Virginia executions. It was only the second time in history that audio from inside an execution chamber had ever been published. The records revealed details about the last seconds of prisoners' lives and indicated the Virginia Department of Corrections may have tried to cover up one of the state's recent botched executions.
A former VADOC employee donated the four tapes and hundreds of other execution documents to the Library of Virginia more than a decade ago. But shortly after NPR aired the audio, something unusual happened: A representative from the Department of Corrections requested that the library give the records back. Within a week, the library complied. The collection is once again behind prison walls.
Henrico kicks off new Capital Trees partnership
Reported by VPM News’ Lyndon Germa
Henrico administrators kicked off a countywide initiative to strengthen tree canopies throughout local parks and schools at Deep Run Park on Tuesday.
The project aims to promote the healthy growth of woodlands and forests across about 5,000 acres of public land. It’s being done in partnership with both the local school division and Capital Trees, a Richmond nonprofit focused on creating more “public green places.” Four sites will benefit from the initial yearlong pilot phase: two parks and two schools.
In other news:
- Virginian requests federal funding for state Brown v. Board of Education Scholarship Fund (Virginia Mercury)
- Virginia’s most threatened historic places for 2023 (The Virginian-Pilot)
In case you missed it:
- Chesterfield’s Trojan condom plant announces expansion (Style Weekly)
- Mattaponi adopt dueling tribal constitutions in leadership fight (Richmond Times-Dispatch)