The VPM Daily Newscast contains all your Central Virginia news in just 5 to 10 minutes. Episodes are recorded the night before.
Listeners can subscribe through NPR One, Apple Podcasts, Megaphone, Spotify and wherever you get your podcasts.
Here’s a recap of the top stories on the morning of June 6, 2025:
JLARC: No benefit in transferring Virginia’s juvenile justice system from public safety
Reported by VPM News’ Keyris Manzanares
Virginia’s non-partisan watchdog agency found that transferring the state’s Department of Juvenile Justice from the secretary of public safety to the secretary of health and human resources could “hinder” their mission.
The Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission, the research arm of Virginia’s General Assembly, presented its findings Wednesday to lawmakers.
“I would say that we found that youth do have access to services which can help reduce the likelihood of them reoffending,” Brittany Utz, a senior legislative analyst at JLARC said. “I think our ultimate conclusion of it not being beneficial to transfer to HHR is based on the fact that they would not get better access to services.”
In November 2023, the legislature directed JLARC to study the feasibility of a transfer over concerns about youth mental health under DJJ’s custody. Supporters of the change argued a transfer could improve coordination between agencies and better access to care. For the study, JLARC analysts conducted interviews with various stakeholders including current and former cabinet secretaries and agency directors, DJJ staff, public defenders and commonwealth’s attorneys, as well as national subject matter experts.
Shannon Taylor touts her experience in run for Virginia attorney general
Reported by VPM News’ Jahd Khalil
Henrico County Commonwealth’s Attorney Shannon Taylor says Virginia voters should choose her to take on Republican incumbent Attorney General Jason Miyares in the fall. She’s running for the Democratic nomination against former Norfolk Del. Jay Jones.
Jahd Khalil of VPM News recently spoke to Taylor about her campaign. (He also interviewed Jay Jones; read that interview here.)
Like Jones, Taylor said that she was concerned that Miyares was not challenging executive actions coming from Washington — but she thinks nearly 15 years of experience as Henrico's top prosecutor make her the ideal candidate to replace him.
News you might have missed from around the commonwealth:
- New CEO takes charge at Albemarle Charlottesville Historical Society (The Daily Progress)*
- Virginia’s federal lawmakers want to make childbirth free (Virginia Mercury)
- Elections officials appoint new Richmond registrar to replace Keith Balmer (Richmond Times-Dispatch)*
*This outlet utilizes a paywall.