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 24, 2025:
Virginia’s Democrats in DC push back on process behind Iran strikes
Reported by VPM News’ Jahd Khalil
Minutes before the news broke Saturday that American bombers had struck Iran without congressional approval, US Sen. Mark Warner was addressing Virginia Democrats gathered at Richmond’s Main Street Station for an annual fundraiser.
“God knows, if there's anything we should have learned in this country, it's a hell of a lot easier to start a war in the Middle East than to stop one,” said Warner to applause.
But in reactions from Virginia’s congressional delegation in the hours after President Donald Trump announced strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities, the state’s Democrats focused most of their criticism on the process behind Trump’s decision to bomb Iran without congressional approval or standard notification — with others also weighing in on whether the US should involve itself further in the war between Israel and Iran.
US Sen. Tim Kaine, who called the airstrikes reckless and “horrible judgement,” and Rep. Eugene Vindman (7th) called for congressional votes on the issue while casting doubt on the long-term usefulness of military action.
“I will push for all Senators to vote on whether they are for this third idiotic Middle East war,” said Kaine in his statement. Vindman and 11 other Democratic veterans in Congress, including Rep. Bobby Scott (3rd), wrote a letter saying they would push for a war powers resolution that would block Trump from taking further action in Iran without approval from Congress.
Charlottesville City Council narrowly approves jail expansion financing
Reported by VPM News’ Hannah Davis-Reid
In a 3–2 vote last week, Charlottesville City Council approved a plan to issue over $50 million in bonds to finance the renovation of the Albemarle-Charlottesville Regional Jail, with cost estimates coming in over previous expectations.
The jail’s authority board asked to issue up to $41 million in revenue bonds to renovate and expand the facility, which hasn’t been substantially updated since it opened in 1974. An additional $12 million bond issue would come in the form of a grant anticipation note, backed by an expected state grant to cover a portion of the project’s cost.
The jail authority plans to add a second floor, a new entryway, a mental health unit, more classroom space, a larger visitation space and other features.
Councilors Michael Payne and Natalie Oschrin voted against the proposal.
“We've heard from all kinds of people who don't want the city to spend their money this way. We have heard from nobody who wants the city to spend their money this way,” said Oschrin. “I understand wanting the conditions of the jail to be better and that there is some amount of renovation that is worthwhile, [but] I'm still not sold on it being this amount of project.”
News you might have missed from around the commonwealth:
- Iran launches missile attack on US base in Qatar (The Associated Press)
- After Virginia elections, governor’s race begins a new phase (The Washington Post)*
- Taking root: Controlled environment agriculture and vertical farming looking up in rural Virginia (Cardinal News)
*This outlet utilizes a paywall.