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 March 11, 2025:
Audit reveals state horse racing agency lacked key policies
Reported by VPM News’ Dean Mirshahi
The agency overseeing Virginia’s horse racing industry didn’t have policies in place covering conflicts of interest, licensing standards, cash handling or facility inspections when it was audited last year.
The audit, released last month by the Office of the State Inspector General, examined the Virginia Racing Commission’s structure, licensing practices and two years of financial records. Auditors also looked into the racetracks and gambling locations that report to VRC — including Colonial Downs Racetrack and off-track betting locations where people can play slot-like historical horse racing machines.
Auditors found, among other issues, that VRC didn’t document ways to track where HHR machines were, leading to inconsistencies between records and physical counts. In roughly one-quarter of inspections, auditors could not verify that HHR machines had been approved.
The audit also found one commission employee responsible for all of VRC’s investigatory functions — including both ensuring races are operating correctly and inspecting HHR machines.
Richmonder tackles False Cape to help her dog become a Master Hiker
Reported by WHRO News’ Vicki L. Friedman
Natasha Lindeback zig zags around the state in her gray Toyota 4-Runner from one picturesque spot to the next.
She’s smitten by the wild ponies in Grayson Highlands State Park in southwest Virginia, fascinated by the history in Surry’s Chippokes State Park and once discovered a ship ruin in Kiptopeke State Park along the Chesapeake Bay.
The Richmonder is one of 767 official Master Hikers, a designation awarded by the state’s Department of Conservation and Recreation that means she has visited 40 of the 43 state parks in the Commonwealth.
Yet the journey to Master Hiker was never about her.
Lindeback’s 5-year-old German shepherd, Caoimhe (pronounced kee-vah), became a Master Hiker alongside her, including a creative hike at False Cape State Park — despite rules that technically keep dogs off the path.
News you might have missed from around the commonwealth
- Former Richmond city employee charged with misusing public assets (The Richmonder)
- Why aren't more Richmond officials required to live in the city limits? (Richmond Times-Dispatch)*
- A sensitive Va. complex housing a CIA facility was on GSA's list of U.S. properties for sale (Wired)
- Virginia commissions approve $155 million Manassas rail line agreement (Virginia Mercury)
*This outlet utilizes a paywall.
