Michael Pope

3 days ago | wvtf.org | Michael Pope

The latest unemployment numbers are showing where Virginia's economy might be headed. New unemployment claims are up eight percent compared to last week, and they’re up nine percent compared to this time last year. That year-to-year comparison has been pretty consistent for the last several weeks. So far, the numbers are not showing the kind of Trump effect in Northern Virginia that many people are anticipating, at least not yet.

5 days ago | wmra.org | Michael Pope

Yes, it's starting. The television ads. Maybe you've already seen one for the Republican candidate for governor, Winsome Earle-Sears. She has no opposition in the June primary, but this week, her campaign announced a seven-figure ad buy in Richmond and Hampton Roads, plus digital platforms. Republican operative Chris Saxman says the early ad buy might be a show of weakness.

6 days ago | wvtf.org | Michael Pope

Yes, it's starting. The television ads. Maybe you've already seen one for the Republican candidate for governor, Winsome Earle-Sears. She has no opposition in the June primary, but this week, her campaign announced a seven-figure ad buy in Richmond and Hampton Roads, plus digital platforms. Republican operative Chris Saxman says the early ad buy might be a show of weakness.

1 week ago | wvtf.org | Michael Pope

Republican Governor Glenn Youngkin is working with Democrats who control the General Assembly to craft some rules for license plate readers. A company known as Flock Safety will not be able to get a contract with the Virginia State Police to put license plate readers on Virginia highways. And local law enforcement officials will not be able to keep data for 30 days, although they can keep it for 21 days. That’s the compromise legislation the governor is signing.

1 week ago | wvtf.org | Michael Pope

Republican Governor Glenn Youngkin is working with Democrats who control the General Assembly to put new restrictions on debt collectors seeking money for hospitals and doctors. Debt collectors seeking to cash in on patients who owe money to hospitals and doctors often engage in behavior critics call predatory. That's why Jay Speer at the Virginia Poverty Law Center worked with lawmakers to create new restrictions on debt collectors.