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 Sept. 18, 2024
State releases final cellphone guidelines for Virginia public schools
Reported by VPM News
The Virginia Department of Education released its final guidance on cellphone-free schools Tuesday. The draft guidance, issued Aug. 15, was made public for review and feedback through Sept. 15.
In a press release, Gov. Glenn Youngkin said VDOE received feedback from Virginians at events and meetings with stakeholders, as well as nearly 6,000 online comments.
He said the comments echoed the need for “bell-to-bell” cellphone-free education to help teachers and students focus on learning.
The feedback also included some concerns, especially around medical needs; some students use phone-based apps for health monitoring. Youngkin said VDOE partnered with school nurses, pediatricians and the Virginia Department of Health to include medical exemptions in the guidance.
Who's running to be Virginia's lieutenant governor in 2025?
Reported by VPM News’ Jahd Khalil
Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears filed to run for the Republican nomination for governor in September, leaving the seat open in 2025.
While the official role of the lieutenant governor is to preside over the state Senate and vote to break ties, it has high political value as a stepping stone to the executive mansion: former governors Ralph Northam, Tim Kaine, Doug Wilder and Chuck Robb all held the office before getting the promotion.
So far, four Democrats have declared their candidacy and one Republican has expressed strong interest in a run for their party’s nomination.
In other news:
- Law enforcement conference focuses on license plate cameras (Daily News-Record)*
- Boarded-up stretch of Manchester to be razed for 5-story apartment building (Richmond BizSense)*
In case you missed it:
- Portsmouth prosecutor charged with federal drug crimes 4 days after resigning (The Virginian-Pilot)*
- New militia group to hold inaugural 'muster' in Miller Park (The News & Advance)*
- 7th District hopefuls make case to voters in Free Press town hall (Fredericksburg Free Press)
*This outlet utilizes a paywall
