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VPM Daily Newscast March 18, 2021

VPM's daily newscast contains all your Central Virginia news in just 5 to 10 minutes. Hosted by Benjamin Dolle, episodes are recorded the night before so you can wake up prepared.

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 Thursday, March 18, 2021:


  • Gov. Ralph Northam said Virginians have a responsibility to condemn racist acts and violence, following the killing of 8 people in Atlanta. Six of them were women of Asian descent. In hisstatement released Wednesday, Northam said, “we must do everything we can to make their safety a priority and stand against all forms of injustice.” Astudy released this week by a group tracking discrimination against Asian Americans, reported nearly 3,800 instances of harassment in 2020.

     

  • The U.S. House of Representatives has, again, approved a resolution to lift the deadline for ratifying the Equal Rights Amendment. Virginia became the last state needed to ratify the amendment last year. It’s unclear if the Senate will debate removing the 1982 deadline.

     

  • Preliminary state guidelines were released yesterday for schools and universities holding in-person graduations this spring. Governor Northam’s office says the decision was reached after consulting with health and education officials. Outdoor ceremonies will be capped at 5,000 people, or 30% capacity of the venue, whichever is less. Indoor ceremonies will be limited to 500 people or 30% capacity. Also, people who attend in-person graduations will have to follow health and safety guidelines, like wearing a mask and maintaining physical distance. 

     

  • The process to get a COVID-19 vaccine is getting a little easier for older adults in Richmond and Henrico County. On Wednesday, the Richmond and Henrico Health Districts announced residents ages 65 and older can now call to schedule a COVID-19 vaccination appointment directly. That means older residents won't have to wait for a call or email from the health department when an appointment is available. The number for the Richmond and Henrico Health Districts’ COVID-19 hotline is (804)-205-3501. It’s open Monday through Friday between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. 

     

  • As of yesterday, theVirginia Hospital and Healthcare Association is reporting 79% of intensive care beds in the state are occupied. About 3,300 inpatient beds are available, while about 1,100 Virginians are currently hospitalized for COVID-19. Of the roughly 2,900 ventilators in hospitals across the state, 31% are in use. 

     

  • The community hubs, a recent outreach effort from Richmond Public Schools hopes to make school resources more accessible, in an effort to combat absenteeism. For many RPS families, the program has been a lifeline during the pandemic
VPM News is the staff byline for articles and podcasts written and produced by multiple reporters and editors.