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. 5, 2023:
Bay lawmakers request $2M for freshwater mussel restoration
Reported by VPM News’ Patrick Larsen
Virginia lawmakers on the Chesapeake Bay Commission are asking the commonwealth to set aside $2 million to keep freshwater mussel restoration efforts going.
The ask comes as the green floater mussel is being considered for federal protection. The $2 million would be used to expand operations at a hatchery co-managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources — the latter of which only staffs two biologists statewide to work on mollusks.
As Virginia's state malacologist (that’s a mollusk scientist) said, “You cannot come close to addressing the needs with two biologists.”
VCU study recommends pedestrian safety upgrades
Reported by VPM News’ Ian M. Stewart
According to VCU Police, more than 1 million drivers pass through the Monroe Park Campus throughout the week. A traffic study recently was released, listing recommendations to improve safety in the area.
Prior to the recommendations being released, VPM News previously reported that Richmond’s Department of Public Works began work to install 10 speed tables in the area. School officials say the speed table data they’ve collected since installation shows a 50% reduction in speeding.
In other news:
- Virginia spent nearly $8.2 billion on salaries in 2022. Here are the state’s top earners.(The Virginian-Pilot)*
- A liberal Black city has become Va. Gov. Youngkin’s unlikely project (The Washington Post)*
- Fewer people are working remotely in Richmond (Axios Richmond)
In case you missed it:
- Progressive groups blast Virginia Municipal League over traffic stop stance (Virginia Mercury)
- Seven of Virginia's 11 House members vote to oust Speaker McCarthy (Richmond Times-Dispatch)*
- [UVA] releases annual fire safety and security report, sees increase in rape and aggravated assaults (The Cavalier Daily)
*This outlet utilizes a paywall.