The Virginia Press Room is a weekly podcast that brings listeners the latest insights and analysis on Virginia’s most important stories directly from the journalists covering them. Produced in collaboration between VPM and the Virginia Public Access Project, the series is hosted by journalist and author, Michael Pope, and features a rotating cast of reporters from the Virginia press corps. The Virginia Press Room offers a behind-the-scenes look at state politics, policy and the issues shaping communities across the Commonwealth from the people who know it best, helping listeners stay informed about what’s happening in their state from the halls of the Capitol to their local neighborhoods.
Chart trend
Position in the Government chart (US), last 90 days.
#1#89#177JunJulAugSep
#10
all-time peak
1
day in the top 10 since Jan 2025
Latest episodes
Showing 20 · updated from the feed
Flock Cameras, PFAS Concerns, and the Proposed Dominion Energy Merger
In this episode of The Virginia Press Room, Michael Pope is joined by:
Lauren Hines-Acosta of the Chesapeake Bay Journal, covering concerns over forever
Sep 7 41 min
Energy Policy, Amazon Drones, and Marriage Equality
In this episode of The Virginia Press Room, Michael Pope is joined by:
Karri Peifer of Axios Richmond, covering the plan for Amazon drones to come to Virg
Aug 31 27 min
Confederate Renaming, Town Hall Troubles, and a Failed $52M IT Project
In this episode of The Virginia Press Room, Michael Pope is joined by:
Lori D'Angelo of the Daily News Record, covering frustration over the lack of town h
Aug 24 29 min
Data Center Battles, Anti-Establishment Candidates, and Teacher Contract Negotiations
In this episode of The Virginia Press Room, Michael Pope is joined by:
Keyris Manzanares of VPM News, covering a contract standoff leaving Richmond teachers wi
Aug 17 31 min
License Plate Readers, Emergency Response Drones, and Primary Election Fallout
In this episode of The Virginia Press Room, Michael Pope is joined by:
Eleanor Shaw of the Richmonder, covering Chesterfield's decision to use drones as par
Aug 10 35 min
Takeaways from the Virginia Primaries
In this episode of The Virginia Press Room, Michael Pope is joined by Politifact's Louis Jacobson and VPM's Rich Meagher to break down the August 5th primary el
Aug 6 37 min
Previewing Virginia's Primary Elections
In this episode of The Virginia Press Room, Michael Pope is joined by:
Kate Seltzer of the Virginian-Pilot, covering the Democratic primary for the 2nd Congressi
Aug 3 29 min
Data Centers, Toxic Waste, and Off-Year Elections
In this episode of The Virginia Press Room, Michael Pope is joined by:
Shannon Heckt of the Virginia Mercury, covering how data centers building their own gas
Jul 27 31 min
Rural Voters, Crowded Primaries, and Statewide Legal Battles
In this episode of The Virginia Press Room, Michael Pope is joined by:
Kate Zernike of the New York Times, covering the difficulty Democratic candidates are having
Jul 20 31 min
Cannabis Corrections, House Subpoenas, and the Proposed Dominion Energy Merger
In this episode of The Virginia Press Room, Michael Pope is joined by:
Kate Seltzer of the Virginian-Pilot, covering the Virginia Code Commission's correction of some
Jul 13 31 min
Data Center Deals, Defamation Lawsuits, and Reflecting On Virginia Politics
In this episode of The Virginia Press Room, Michael Pope is joined by:
Julie Carey of NBC 4, covering a million-dollar defamation lawsuit in Fairfax County.
Tom Sherwoo
Jul 6 31 min
Semiquincentennial Special: Lessons From 250 Years of American History
In this special episode of The Virginia Press Room celebrating America's 250th birthday, Michael Pope is joined by:
Dr. Jatia Wrighten of VCU, discussing the complex re
Jun 29 35 min
Plumbing Overhauls, Data Center Lawsuits, and Teacher's Union Elections
In this episode of The Virginia Press Room, Michael Pope is joined by:
James Libresco of the Alexandria Times, covering controversy in Alexandria's teacher's union after
Jun 15 31 min
Energy Mergers, Voting Rights Restoration, and Purcellville Issues Continue
In this episode of The Virginia Press Room, Michael Pope is joined by:
Elizabeth McGowan of WHRO, covering the potential merger between Dominion Energy and Florida's Nex
Jun 8 31 min
Civilian Review Boards, Shifting School Zones, and a Marijuana Bill Veto
In this episode of The Virginia Press Room, Michael Pope is joined by:
Victoria Ifatusin of the Richmonder, covering the Richmond Civilian Review Board's growing restles
Jun 1 31 min
Vetoed Legislation, Historical Education, and Martinsville Controversy
In this episode of The Virginia Press Room, Michael Pope is joined by:
Emily Leayman of the ALXNow, covering controversy over Arlington House materials on Robert E. Lee.
May 25 58 min
Redistricting Ruling Fallout, Cyberattack Impacts, and Gun Law Changes
In this episode of The Virginia Press Room, Michael Pope is joined by:
Cat Pizzarello of the Collegiate Times, covering the hack of the learning management system, Canva
May 18 46 min
FBI Raids, Sheriff Races, and the Redistricting Ruling
In this episode of The Virginia Press Room, Michael Pope is joined by:
Jahd Khalil of VPM News, covering the Virginia Supreme Court's nullification of the redistricting
May 11 41 min
Universal Pre-K, Public Housing Contracts, and the Virginia Supreme Court
In this episode of The Virginia Press Room, Michael Pope is joined by:
Megan Pauly of VPM News, covering what's been holding Virginia back from offering universal presch
May 4 48 min
Budget Negotiations, Redistricting Tactics, and the Special Session
In this episode of The Virginia Press Room, Michael Pope is joined by:
Michael Martz of the Richmond Times-Dispatch, covering the special session's focus on redistrictin
Apr 27 42 min
Chart positions
Where The Virginia Press Room ranks today in each Apple Podcasts chart (US, Sep 12, 2026).
A curated, balanced selection of Apple Podcasts reviews.
This is the first podcast I listen to every Monday morning. Michael Pope uses this platform to shine a spot light on a variety of talented journalists working on a Virginia beat. It helps me stay up to date on what is happening in the Virginia state legislature on issues pertaining to my work. I also learn about local issues that may not pertain to my job but definitely impact the Virginia community. The Virginia Press Room is a high level discussion every week and an excellent way to support quality local journalism.
Jbrown4 · Jul 2026
This podcast is my weekly go-to for Virginia state news and issues. I like hearing from journalists who really know their communities. I also like both the variety and depth of the stories and the knowledge that Michael brings to the conversations.
Meg Lindholm · Apr 2026
Look forward to this show every week. Most recent ep included a diatribe by a guest encouraging grace for those accused of sexual assault or inappropriate behavior. And how damaging those accusations are. Would’ve really preferred a bit of that to be left out. As a survivor, that’s a damaging viewpoint that casts blame and judgement on those brave enough to speak up.
Mention It All · Apr 2026
I thoroughly enjoy this podcast and I’ve listened for weeks. However I wish you would only include journalists. I didn’t enjoy hearing John Reid in the most recent podcast since he’s such a partisan. He took every chance possible to be overly negative about Democrats—some of the criticism was fair, but I’d rather not have political operatives from either side join. Reid is a good example of who to exclude because he’s excellent at delivering a message from his time on talk radio and he’s not capable of being non-partisan.
JcB2017 · Mar 2026
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