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. 28, 2023:
Spotted lanternflies continue journey across Virginia
Reported by VPM News’ Patrick Larsen
Spotted lanternflies aren’t hard to spot – around this time of year they’re in their adult form, about an inch long. They sport striking scarlet-and-tan wings with black dots and lines – and they’re continuing to spread across Virginia.
The invasive species uses about 40 species of plants in Virginia as hosts. The planthoppers pierce into plants, sucking out the nutrients they need and leaving behind a sticky waste called honeydew, which can lead to molding. They’ll attack grapes, apples, hops and more.
As a result, the Virginia Cooperative Extension is asking Virginians to “Stop the Spot,” by stomping, squishing, spraying and scraping the bugs away.
Architectural commission approves HQ plans for VPM Media Corp.
Reported by VPM News’ Dawnthea M. Price Lisco
The proposed five-story headquarters, which would be located at 13 E. Broad Street in Monroe Ward, is being designed by SMBW.
The commission did concept reviews of SMBW’s application back in July, but had requested the firm submit clearer elevation drawings of the building as it would be seen from East Grace Street. It approved the updated application as submitted on Tuesday.
Construction of the new headquarters is expected to break ground in 2024 and will be funded by its Virginia Foundation for Public Media as well as a community fundraising effort.
In other news:
- Residential infills planned for two gaps in Museum District (Richmond BizSense)*
In case you missed it:
- This Roanoke neighborhood has one of the highest rates of imprisoned residents in Virginia, new data show (Roanoke Rambler)
- Hanover parent sues Virginia School Boards Association over FOIA (Richmond Times-Dispatch)*
*This outlet utilizes a paywall.
