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 Dec. 4, 2023:
Richmond outlines proposal to inspect rental housing units
Reported by VPM News’ Connor Scribner
Richmond City Council rebooted efforts to inspect residential rentals in February, when it voted to ask the mayor’s office to lay out a program for the examinations. Last week, the city’s top planner told a council panel that the program’s potential scope is limited by state law.
Fifth District Councilor Stephanie Lynch spearheaded the resolution requesting an inspection program be designed, saying the city has too many apartments that haven’t been maintained.
“All Richmonders, no matter where they live — if it’s affordable housing, public housing, no matter where they live — should be privy to and enjoy a quality place to live,” Lynch said in February.
NOVA officials: Smart Scale funding changes would hurt multimodal projects
Reported by WAMU/DCist’s Margaret Barthel
Some Northern Virginia elected leaders and transit advocates are expressing concern over plans to change Smart Scale, the commonwealth’s transportation funding program.
They said the proposals could make standalone bike and pedestrian projects less competitive for funding and could also hurt support for transit. Among other things, the proposed changes would limit the number of projects localities could submit, and favor highways and other road projects.
In other news:
- FBI headquarters selection process being investigated (The Associated Press)
- Charlottesville City School Board pauses renaming initiative (The Cavalier Daily)
- State regulators OK Appalachian Power rate hike (Cardinal News)
In case you missed it:
- Voters didn’t have a say in nearly 75% of local Central Virginia races this year — because there weren’t enough candidates (Charlottesville Tomorrow)
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