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 April 11, 2025:
Trump EO targets state-level climate policies
Reported by VPM News’ Patrick Larsen
A new executive order issued by President Donald Trump could affect Virginia’s energy and environmental policies.
The April 8 order, titled “Protecting American Energy from State Overreach,” directs US Attorney General Pam Bondi to “identify all [State laws] burdening the identification, development, siting, production, or use of domestic energy resources that are or may be unconstitutional, preempted by Federal law, or otherwise unenforceable.”
It also orders Bondi, who leads the US Department of Justice, to take actions to stop the enforcement of those state laws and file a report within 60 days. The order seems to implicate state law like the Virginia Clean Economy Act, which requires a gradual transition to carbon-free energy production in the commonwealth.
It also targets programs that put a cost on carbon emissions, singling out California’s carbon cap and trade market. Virginia previously participated in a similar multistate market called the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, or RGGI. Debate about the program’s future within the commonwealth is ongoing.
Separately, implementing the VCEA has been complicated by rapidly growing energy demands in the state. But 4th District Congresswoman Jennifer McClellan, the Democrat who carried the now-law as a Virginia state senator in 2020, told VPM News she doesn’t believe the Trump administration has authority to supersede state energy policy.
Daniel Bachman: weaving the sounds of nature into music
Reported by VPM News’ Phil Liles and Kimberly Strother
Virginia native Daniel Bachman uses the natural world to create his music. Audio from thunderstorms, floods and the quiet of nature is captured and then integrated into his music.
VPM News Morning Edition host Phil Liles sat down with Bachman to discuss his creative origins and his process for taking nature sounds and turning it into music.
News you might have missed from around the commonwealth
- Visas revoked for three at VCU, nine at Virginia Tech, 10 at GMU (Richmond Times-Dispatch)*
- Hanover School Board names Lisa Pennycuff permanent head (VPM News)
- State approves historical marker on Lewis & Clark role in Botetourt County (Cardinal News)
- Harrisonburg United Way to open Staunton office as it expands south (The News Virginian)*
- Nikki Giovanni: the late great poet on integrity, self-care and Tupac tattoos (The Last Bohemians)
*This outlet utilizes a paywall.
