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 May 19, 2025:
From gambling to garbage, coal country mines for the next big thing
Reported by Ben Paviour for The New York Times
Note: This article was reported and edited as part of the Local Investigations Fellowship, a New York Times program where local reporters produce investigative work about their communities.
The casino, which formally opened in November, was arguably the biggest economic win for the region in a decade. But the project also illustrates the challenges of finding new economic engines to replace thousands of jobs lost with the collapse of the coal industry.
For all the jobs it has created, the casino doesn’t pay anywhere near what people make in the remaining mines. Many casino workers earn close to the resort’s minimum pay of $17 an hour, less than half what miners earn.
The collapse of coal sent Virginia leaders into overdrive, courting new employers with subsidies and phone calls from the governor. President Donald Trump’s recent efforts to revive coal production by loosening environmental rules won’t change that. The people of Southwest Virginia have largely moved on from the belief that bountiful mining jobs will ever return.
VCU hires outside firm to oversee federal anti-DEI compliance
Reported by VPM News’ Megan Pauly
Virginia Commonwealth University has hired an outside firm to review its compliance with a federal mandate to eliminate diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives. That’s in addition to the university’s own review, which has resulted in the shuttering and changing of multiple programs and some job reassignments or layoffs.
Provost Fotis Sotiropoulos said the university hired Cozen O’Connor because federal guidance isn’t clear about which programs are allowed — and said the firm will assist in identifying programs “that either illegally discriminate or are perceived to be illegally discriminating.”
According to Mike Porter, associate vice president of public relations, the consultants will “review and assist VCU in resolving 53 items already identified by the university” as well as items cleared by the university in its own review of staff, scholarships, programs and more.
The timeline for completion has yet to be determined, Porter told VPM News. But VCU has already begun making changes to programs and staff roles.
News you might have missed from around the commonwealth:
- Trump administration’s cancellation of internet access grants will cost Southwest and Southside Virginia, officials say (Cardinal News)
- Inside the 50-year battle between Busch Gardens and Kings Dominion (The Virginian-Pilot)*
- New Mayo Island park ‘on track’ to open in fall of 2026 (The Richmonder)
*This outlet utilizes a paywall.