Virginia News & Current Events | Public News Service

According to a 2021 study by the American Heart Association, people who take at least 7,000 steps a day have a 50% to 70% lower risk of dying than those who take fewer daily steps. (Adobe Stock)

Friday, October 7, 2022

Walking: A Simple Way to Boost Heart Health

Even for Virginians who think they're too busy to exercise, experts say there's one surefire way to squeeze in a modest workout: walking. Although …

According to a report from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, net farm income is expected to increase by $7.3 billion. This comes when farmers are faced with a bevy of changes in their business.

Thursday, October 6, 2022

Farmers Adapting to Industry Changes

Farmers are adapting to numerous shifts in their industry, ranging from price hikes to the effects of climate change. A big change for agribusiness …

In the early days of the pandemic, people repurposed rags and other household materials to make masks. (Adobe Stock)

Grassroots Mask-Making Showcases Appalachia's Radical Resourcefulness

At the onset of the pandemic, medical professionals struggled with cracks in communication which caused confusion and worry. Amid the misinformation…

According to the Richmond Eviction Lab, several parts of the city's Southside neighborhood saw 67 percent of eviction filings during the first quarter of 2022. (Jon Anders Wilken/Adobe Stock)

Evictions in VA Continue to Grow

Evictions are on the rise in Virginia after numerous protections provided by federal and state rental assistance programs ended. According to the …

According to the Recovery Ecosystem Index Mapping Tool, 61.8% of drug-related deaths between 2015 and 2019 in the state of Virginia were white people with at least a high school education, ages 15 to 64. (Waseem Ali Khan/Adobe Stock)

New Tool Maps Substance-Use Recovery Hotspots

As part of National Recovery Month, a new tool identifies different areas in the U.S. in need of a stronger recovery system for people dealing with …

Studies show women of color who experience an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest often have a poor prognosis, due in part to longstanding racist policies and poor access to health care. (9norg/Adobe Stock)

Lack of Training, Hesitancy to Perform CPR Put Latino Women at Risk

Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation can save lives after a heart attack, but in some communities, too few people know how, or are hesitant to, perform the …

The American Library Association estimates between 82 and 97 percent of book challenges go unreported. (Adobe Stock)

Censorship in VA Highlighted During Banned Books Week

Controversial books are nothing new, but the incidence of book challenges and bans has increased substantially in recent years. This week marks the …

Pickleball, one of the events at this weekend's Virginia Senior Games, has become one of the fastest-growing sports in the country, according to Forbes magazine. (Bob/Adobe Stock)

Hundreds to Compete at Virginia Senior Games This Weekend

Experts say part of the secret to living a long and healthy life is to keep moving, which is one of the goals at this week's Virginia Senior Games in …

In 2017, the United States had around 48,000 farmers who identified as Black according to the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service. (Adobe Stock)<br />

More Black Farmers Use Farm Service Agency Programs

Some farmers of color have been hesitant to interact with the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Farm Service Agency after a history of discrimination…

It's estimated that during World War II, some 20 million Americans planted

Can Municipal Canneries Make a Comeback?

It's that time of year when kitchens are bubbling over as home gardeners preserve their bounty. But there was a time when homegrown produce could be …

Experts say the gap between Social Security benefits and the cost of living leaves many older Americans struggling to pay the bills. (Andrii Iemelianenko/Adobe Stock)

Many Older VA Residents Struggle, Even as Government Benefits Go Unused

Many older, low-income adults in Virginia struggle to pay for medicine, food, and rent, and they may be unaware of the many programs available to …

A 2021 study by the nonprofit Mental Health America found only 60% of youths experiencing depression received any type of mental health treatment. (Adobe Stock)

VA Kids' Mental Health Still Strained from Pandemic

With a new school year beginning, Virginia parents are being urged to keep an eye on their children's mental health. According to Mental Health …

An estimated one in five families skipped preventive checkups during the pandemic, so health experts encourage families to get back on track. (Adobe Stock)

Health Advocates Call for Back-to-School Checkups for Kids

As summer draws to a close, experts are reminding parents not to overlook health screenings for kids. Back-to-school time brings a lot of additions …

Approximately one-third of Americans age 65 to 74 have hearing loss, and that goes up to nearly half for those older than 75. (Edwardolive/Adobestock)

Advocates Applaud New Rules Allowing Over-the-Counter Hearing Aids

Good news for people who need hearing aids but can't afford to pay $3,000 to $5,000 for a pair: The Food and Drug Administration has just cleared the …

Media consolidation hit rural America harder during the pandemic, as there are now fewer news outlets to cover big stories like the COVID-19 pandemic. (Adobe Stock)

Media Coverage of COVID Underserves Rural Communities

COVID has been in and out of the news cycle for over two years now, but that news cycle is driven by the experience in major cities. Coverage of the …

NOAA seeks to make it easier for groups and agencies to work towards restoring habitats. (Adobe Stock)

NOAA Brings Focus to Middle Peninsula

Virginia has some of the fastest-eroding coastline in the U.S, so an effort at one federal agency is bringing new focus to the region. Inside the …

Kids who grow up in poverty are more than two times more likely to develop mental-health conditions than their peers. (Adobe Stock)

Virginia Shows Slow Progress on Kids' Economic Stability

For the second consecutive year, Virginia ranks 13th in an annual snapshot of child well-being. In the new 2022 Kids Count Data Book, the state …

A shortage of affordable housing is seen as one reason for a spike in eviction cases in Virginia. According to the National Low-Income Housing Coalition, the state needs 153,415 affordable rentals for people who are extremely low-income. (Adobe Stock)

Virginia Evictions on the Rise After Rent Relief Ends

With Virginia's Rent Relief Program ending, a flood of eviction cases has emerged. Established during the pandemic, the program was designed to help …

According to research from Consumers for Quality Care, 60% of Americans say they've skipped or delayed care at some point in their lives out of concerns over out-of-pocket costs. (Adobe Stock)<br />

Lawmakers Mull Drug-Pricing Reforms as Costs Become Top Issue for Voters

Democrats say they have reached an agreement on the Inflation Reduction Act, which includes measures aimed at lowering prescription-drug prices…

According to its website, New Roots Community Farm aims to

Community Farm Could Be Model for Economic Sustainability

As Virginia's farms continue to cope with unstable economic markets, one operation is blazing a new trail for a more equitable and economically …

According to a 2021 report by the Trevor Project, LGBTQ youths in rural areas were more likely to experience symptoms of depression than their urban and suburban counterparts. (Adobe Stock)

Program Aims to Support Rural LGBTQ Virginians

New research out of the University of Minnesota reveals rural LGBTQ folks face unique, and often unmet, mental- and physical-health needs. The …

The Kaiser Family Foundation reports that 18 other states and Washington, D.C., have implemented similar Medicaid expansions, which require the approval of the federal government. (Adobe Stock)

Medicaid Expansion Aims to Help Virginia Mothers, Newborns

CORRECTION: The website where Virginians can register for Medicaid has been corrected. (8:45 p.m. MST, July 11, 2022) New Virginia mothers now are …

According to the Environmental Defense Fund, roughly 2.2 million Americans currently work in the clean-energy sector. (Adobe Stock)

Virginia Elected Officials Call on U.S. Senate to Pass Climate Actions

A coalition of elected officials from Virginia has joined a group of more than 565 elected leaders asking the federal government to accelerate the nat…

On his first day in office, Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin issued an executive order to

Virginia Activists: Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative Essential

As Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin pushes forward on plans to withdraw the Commonwealth from the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI), …

According to United Health Foundation, the prevalence of frequent mental stress among adults 65 and up rose 8% from 2011 to 2020. (Adobe Stock)

Report: More Virginia Seniors Face Mental-Health Problems

Across Virginia, people have adjusted to the new normal of pandemic life, but concerns remain about the effects of the past two years had on the …

The Petersburg Oasis CommUNITY Farm aims to offer fresh fruits and vegetables to the community via an on-site produce stand. (Adobe Stock)

Virginia Fundraiser Builds Support for New Petersburg Farm

A fundraising effort is underway for a new community farm in Petersburg. The Central Virginia Agrarian Commons aims to raise about $137,000 to …

According to the Center for American Progress, low-income women and women of color are more likely to rely on infant formula. (Adobe Stock)

Virginia's Rural Mothers Face Long-Standing Access Issues for Infant Formula

Over the past several months, parents across Virginia and the country have struggled to find baby formula, particularly in rural communities…

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, nearly 660,000 Americans die from heart disease annually. (Adobe Stock)

Virginia Woman Recognized for Work Raising Heart-Health Awareness

Heart disease is one of the most pervasive medical issues in America. One survivor said she hopes her experience can provide an important lesson on …

While its sanctuary was built in the 1940s, Rock Spring Congregational United Church of Christ dates back to 1912, when services were held outdoors. (Elizabeth McGowan)

Virginia Church Pushes Toward Clean-Energy Future

By Elizabeth McGowan for Energy News Network. Broadcast version by Jonah Chester for Virginia News Connection, reporting for the Solutions Journalism …

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, America had roughly 17.4 million military veterans as of 2019. (Adobe Stock)

Mental-Health Support Available for Virginia's Veterans, Active-Duty Military

Virginia is home to more than 780,000 military veterans, and one organization is offering mental and emotional support. The National Alliance on …

According to the American Iron and Steel Institute, Virginia's steel industry generates nearly $2.7 billion in output annually. (Adobe Stock)

Steelmakers Push Biden Administration to Preserve Protective Trade Policies

As the global economy faces an uncertain future, Virginia's steel producers are pushing President Joe Biden to recommit to trade policies designed to …

The Federation of Virginia Food Banks' seven regional food banks distributed approximately 165 million pounds of food in 2021. (Adobe Stock)

Virginia Food Banks Seek Support Amid High Inflation, Supply-Chain Issues

Virginia's food banks are facing a perfect storm of issues. High inflation for everyday goods is driving up food costs for lower-income families…

Dominion Energy has cited the Russian invasion of Ukraine and global inflation as factors contributing to the rising cost of energy. (Adobe Stock)

Virginia Customers Could See Dominion Energy Rate Hikes

Dominion Energy is proposing a rate hike, which would push up utility costs for Virginia's homes and businesses. The company has submitted several …

A leak of thousands of internal documents to journalists in 2021, detailing how social media giant Facebook handled everything from the January 6th insurrection to mental health issues among young women and girls. (Adobe Stock)

Facebook Whistleblower, Health Experts Discuss Social Media's Impact on Kids

Last year, a whistleblower at Facebook lifted the curtain on how the platform, and its sister companies, impact young kids' mental health. Frances …

According to a news release, the total cost of acquiring and updating Lick Run Farm will be about $426,000. (Adobe Stock)

Fundraising Effort Seeks to Bring Fresh Produce to Virginia Food Desert

New farmers looking to enter the agriculture industry face significant barriers, but one fundraising effort hopes to provide enough funding to leap …

About 10% of students at Virginia's Community Colleges responded to a survey on food insecurity and homelessness in 2021. The data is informing today's decisions to increase assistance. (Adobe Stock/Elena Shi)

Food Insecurity, Mental Health are Challenges for VA College Students

Community college students in Virginia still face food insecurity a year after survey data shows the COVID pandemic created greater challenges due to …

According to the most recent data from the USDA, there were only 1,865 farmers of color in Virginia as of 2017, about 4% of the state's total. (Adobe Stock)

Panel Highlights Ways for Farmers to Tap Into Federal Aid

The federal Farm Service Agency provides loans and financial support to farmers across Virginia and the nation, and experts are encouraging farmers …

In January, pharmaceutical companies increased the prices on more than 800 drugs by about 5%. (Adobe Stock)

Virginians Call on Congress to Regulate Prescription-Drug Costs

Virginia residents have signed nearly 104,000 petitions urging Congress to lower prescription drug prices. The petitions were delivered to Virginia …

According to U.S. census data, college enrollment in 2020 fell to its lowest point since before the 2008 recession. (Adobe Stock)

As Higher-Ed Enrollment Drops, Experts Weigh Options

As Virginia and the rest of the nation track a years-long decline in college enrollment, leaders in higher education are weighing the best ways to …

Per a 2021 Pew Research poll, a quarter of Republican respondents and 80% of Democrat respondents said placing more emphasis on America's history of racism and slavery was a good thing. (Adobe Stock)

Virginia Group Creates Online Resource for 'Divisive' Educational Materials

Gov. Glenn Youngkin has made removing so-called "divisive" lessons on race, history and identity from classrooms a cornerstone of his administration…

Per the U.S. Energy Information Administration, as of 2020, a majority of the nation's renewable energy came from wind, while about 11% was derived from solar. (Adobe Stock)

Virginia Officials Urge Biden Administration to Push Forward on Clean Energy

As the war in Ukraine continues to unfold, a national coalition of elected officials is urging the Biden administration to expedite the nation's …

The Virginia Mercury reports the Mountain Valley Pipeline's current price tag stands at $6.2 billion, up from its initial cost estimate of $3.7 billion. (Adobe Stock)

Advocate: Mountain Valley Pipeline Far From Complete

Construction on the 300-mile Mountain Valley Pipeline is more than 90% complete, according to the project's developers. But environmental advocates …

According to The Sentencing Project, more than one in four kids are detained upon their arrest. (Adobe Stock)

Virginia Bill Proposes Public Health Approach to Juvenile Justice

The Virginia General Assembly has given bipartisan approval to a measure one advocate believes could lead to significant changes to the Commonwealth's…

Attorney Paul Goldman's suit to compel the state to hold new elections has earned the support of the American Civil Liberties Union of Virginia, Virginia NAACP and the League of Women Voters of Virginia, according to the Associated Press. (Adobe Stock)

Lawsuit Seeks to Push Virginia to Hold New Elections for House of Delegates

Virginia may host its third election cycle in as many years for the House of Delegates, pending a decision from a three-judge panel in the U.S…

In a poll commissioned by the group Compassion & Choices, 66% of respondents in Southern states indicated they'd want the option of medical aid in dying should they receive a six-month terminal diagnosis. (Adobe Stock)

Virginia Medical Aid-in-Dying Bill Stalls, Despite Public Approval

A bill to allow medical aid in dying as an option for terminally ill patients in Virginia has failed to make it through the committee process…

According to the Climate Forests campaign, intact old-growth forests can help regulate water flow across land surface and stabilize water table levels by affecting soil permeability. (Adobe Stock)

VA Groups Urge Feds to Protect Old-Growth Forests

The George Washington and Jefferson national forests cover 1.8 million acres of land across several states, including Virginia. Now, advocates are …

According to the American Civil Liberties Union, as of last July, 15 U.S. cities had banned police from using facial-recognition technology. (Adobe Stock)

Virginia Bill Would Expand Police Use of Facial-Recognition Technology

Virginia lawmakers are pursuing a bill which would allow police to use facial-recognition technology in certain cases, a year after the General …

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, one American dies from heart disease every 36 seconds. (Adobe Stock)

For American Heart Month, Experts Advise 'Reclaiming Your Rhythm'

February is American Heart Month, and doctors and heart health groups are urging Virginians to take stock of their health after a difficult two years…

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