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 July 21, 2023:
Trans rights, free speech advocates respond to new education policies
Reported by VPM News’ Whittney Evans and Dawnthea M. Price Lisco
This week, the Virginia Department of Education released its third iteration of model policies for transgender students in public schools.
Pro-transgender rights advocates say the new version focuses heavily on the authority of parents — and not their children — in ways that could seriously hurt trans and nonbinary students in practice. But conservative organizations are calling them a win for parents, free speech and freedom of religion in public schools.
Editor’s note: VPM News sued the Virginia Department of Education for the public release of these policies in draft form earlier this year. Read more about the case.
Richmond police chief gives mid-year crime report
Reported by VPM News’ Connor Scribner
Acting Richmond Police Chief Rick Edwards said Thursday that violent crime in the city decreased slightly over the first six months of 2023. However, property crime has ticked upward, driven by vehicle-related thefts.
Edwards — who will be sworn in as the official RPD chief on Monday — reported the number of thefts from vehicles increased 21% compared to the first six months of 2022.
In other news:
- Residents, city wrestle with future of Richmond affordable housing board (Richmond Times-Dispatch)*
In case you missed it:
- Cannabis competition in Richmond aims to change weed's reputation (Richmond Times-Dispatch)*
- Siren restaurant closes, owner blames Hunter Smith (The Daily Progress)*
*This outlet utilizes a paywall.
