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 Feb. 25, 2025:

Oyster eating focuses state lawmakers on Chesapeake Bay restoration

Reported by VPM News’ Patrick Larsen and Jahd Khalil

Each year, lawmakers, lobbyists, legislative staff and even the governor take a short respite from the breakneck pace of the General Assembly to celebrate progress on Chesapeake Bay restoration and enjoy a briny snack of oysters on Capitol Square in Richmond.

This year, the Chesapeake Bay Foundation hosted an event pairing oyster-based advocacy with a bona fide rivalry on par with Joey Chestnut and Takeru Kobayashi.

Del. Michael Webert (R–Culpeper) Webert is the reigning champion of the lawmakers’ oyster-eating competition — though the criteria for this title is unclear. He’s got the swagger to make it believable.

“I'm the oyster-eating champion,” Webert recently told a crowd. “I'm about to lose, though.”

State budget could erase $56M in payments over failed VCU Health project

Reported by VPM News’ Dean Mirshahi

The General Assembly recently passed a state budget deal that would cancel $56 million in payments the Virginia Commonwealth University Health System agreed to give the city of Richmond for a failed development project.

In 2021, VCU Health sought to develop a $325 million project at the city-owned Public Safety Building, located at 500 N. 10th St. But the project — which would have housed office space, retail and parking — was stopped before construction began.

The Virginia General Assembly recently passed amendments to the two-year budget that included language saying VCU Health “shall not be required to remit any payment to the City of Richmond” for the deal.

"While this appears to be a disappointing development, the City is evaluating the budget language to better understand its potential implications," a city spokesperson told VPM News.

News you might have missed from around the commonwealth

• Former Charlottesville Mayor Satyendra Huja dies at age 83 (VPM News) 

• U.S. Navy fires captain of Norfolk-based carrier USS Truman after collision (WHRO) 

• Amended lawsuit filed in $40M Diamond District developers spat (Richmond BizSense)* 

• Virginia lawmakers push more for energy storage (Cardinal News) 

• Water quality in Chesapeake’s small watersheds gets a closer look (Bay Journal) 

*This outlet utilizes a paywall.