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 Sept. 25, 2023:
Richmond schools aim to counter learning loss with extra instruction
Reported by VPM News’ Megan Pauly
Richmond Public Schools has seen its students suffer one of the most pronounced learning losses in the country, partially due to the duration of school closures in the city. According to research from Harvard and Stanford universities, Richmond students lost over a year and a half of both math and reading learning.
Now, in the second full year of in-person instruction since pandemic restrictions receded, RPS is still working to fill the gaps. Students at two elementary schools, Fairfield Court and Cardinal, started school four weeks early to help combat some pandemic learning loss. The pilot’s been dubbed RPS 200.
Ettrick Station ridership grows ahead of redevelopment
Reported by VPM News’ Katharine DeRosa
The Chesterfield County station, which sees several Amtrak lines run through it each day, was first constructed in 1955 and is set to undergo a $10.6 million renovation during the next four years.
The U.S. Department of Transportation granted $6.4 million to the Virginia Passenger Rail Authority last year for the improvements: renovating the parking lot, adding tactile pavement (which lets people who are visually impaired know when they're too close to the tracks) and replacing an exterior canopy.
The authority will pay the balance. DJ Stadtler, VPRA's executive director, said the authority will select a contractor for the project in the next few weeks.
In other news:
- EDA preps petition for Diamond District financing authority (Richmond BizSense)*
- Three locally brewed pumpkin beers to try this season (Axios Richmond)
In case you missed it:
- EDA preps petition for Diamond District financing authority (Richmond BizSense)*
*This outlet utilizes a paywall.