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 26, 2025:
Youngkin vetoes retail weed again; Virginia to keep half-baked rules
Reported by VPM News’ Dean Mirshahi
Gov. Glenn Youngkin has again vetoed legislation that would have allowed people to buy cannabis in Virginia for recreational use.
The General Assembly passed bills from Del. Paul Krizek (D–Fairfax) and state Sen. Aaron Rouse (D–Virginia Beach) during the 2025 session that aimed to establish a regulated and taxed recreational cannabis marketplace with retail sales starting in May 2026.
The proposal passed mostly along party lines, garnering a little more support from Republicans than it did in 2024. But, like last year, the proposal didn’t get backing from the one Republican it needed an endorsement from: Youngkin.
“It’s a missed opportunity,” Del. Krizek said in a statement Monday after being told about the veto. “I held out some hope he would sign the bill, but it is clear that the Governor doesn’t understand that a strong majority of Virginians want a well regulated, safe, adult use only market.”
Go with the Flow project collecting data to help Richmond flood planning
Reported by VPM News’ Patrick Larsen
Central Virginia marked the first day of spring with a downpour — and the start of a citizen science project to find what parts of Richmond flood most often.
Sheri Shannon — co-founder of urban greening nonprofit Southside ReLeaf, which is running the Go with the Flow project — said that while city residents can (and do) report flooding problems with the city’s 311 service, “The reality is not everyone's going to utilize 311.”
“So, to simplify that process,” Shannon said, “we're like, ‘Let's utilize the power of our neighbors.’”
Southside ReLeaf and its partners at the University of Richmond reviewed existing data and found it “really wasn't localized for what we were witnessing on the ground in Southside,” according to Shannon.
So, Go with the Flow turned to residents — the people who know where flooding happens in their neighborhoods, on their commutes and in their daily lives — and asked them to become “Flow-Riders,” filling out a simple survey with information about where and when it rains.
News you might have missed from around the commonwealth
- Updated: Youngkin proposes budget reductions to prepare for risks from federal cuts (VPM News)
- Hearing on proposed Charlottesville tax rate delayed until next month (The Daily Progress)*
- Government expert Bill Leighty says VCU’s Wilder School fired him after dispute over ‘gotcha’ question for Richmond mayor (The Richmonder)
- Youngkin moves to delay controversial law sealing criminal, court records from public view (The Virginian-Pilot)*
- City Council OKs outdoor expansion of padel, pickleball center on Canal Walk (Richmond Times-Dispatch)*
*This outlet utilizes a paywall.
