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VPM News @vpm.org · 1d

Some good MEWS: After a little adventure down to North Carolina, Francine is HOME!

She visited the vet today and received a clean bill of health ❤️

Francine, the West Broad Street Lowe’s cat, is back in Richmond

She was found Monday morning in a distribution center in North Carolina.

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VPM News @vpm.org · 2d

Tavares Floyd — whose 2024 campaign for Richmond City Council drew scrutiny after the accuracy of his campaign finance filings was questioned — was indicted Monday on four counts of felony election fraud.

If convicted on the four Class 5 felony charges, Floyd could get up to 40 years in prison.

Tavares Floyd indicted on election fraud charges

A grand jury determined Monday that the case against Floyd could move forward.

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VPM News @vpm.org · 5d

Albemarle County Circuit Court Clerk Jon Zug told VPM News that there’s “no doubt” that the April detentions have had a chilling effect in the months following, with everyone from court interpreters to crime victims uneasy about engaging with the court for fear of being detained.

Albemarle clerk fears courthouse ICE raid had chilling effect on legal system

He told VPM News court staff and victims are scared of being detained.

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VPM News @vpm.org · 6d

Silviano Mora Vera has an active Social Security number and is currently in the process of adjusting his legal status by applying for a permanent resident green card.

It remains unclear why ICE detained him on Sept. 24.

ICE detains lawfully present Richmond father as son waits for school bus

Silviano Mora Vera's U visa should have insulated him from detention.

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VPM News @vpm.org · 8d

Francine — an iconic Richmond cat who lives at the West Broad Street Lowe’s — has gone missing.

According to a social media post, an employee said the last time that Francine had been seen in the store was on Sept. 18.

An Instagram account was set up to share up-to-date information in her search.

Francine, the famous Richmond Lowe’s cat, has gone missing

A community search from Virginia to North Carolina is underway.

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VPM News @vpm.org · 13d

Abigail Spanberger (Dem., Governor): "You cannot contend with threats to your economy, you cannot contend with real fiscal issues, if you don't even assess them as real — or if you are choosing ... to put loyalty to a president and his talking points above the real economic impact on Virginians."

Abigail Spanberger: Governor needs to be 'steady' amid federal uncertainty

"It's an issue of leadership at this moment where we see chaos coming out of Washington."

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VPM News @vpm.org · 13d

Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears also did not agree to an interview with VPM News.

We're sharing the questions we would have asked her and using known information about her background and public stances to inform voters about where she falls on key issues like education and federal job cuts.

VPM News' interview questions for Winsome Earle-Sears

The Lt. Gov.'s gubernatorial campaign did not agree to speak with VPM News.

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VPM News @vpm.org · 13d

GOP Attorney General Jason Miyares did not agree to an interview with VPM News.

Instead, we're sharing the questions we would have asked him and using known information about his background and policy positions to inform voters about where he stands on key issues like public safety and energy costs

VPM News' interview questions for Jason Miyares

The attorney general's campaign did not agree to speak with VPM News.

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VPM News @vpm.org · 13d

Jay Jones (Democrat, Attorney General):
“People are being squeezed. It is hard for families to put food on the table. Costs continue to rise. Housing affordability continues to be a problem. We want to use every tool in our toolbox to make sure that we’re attacking that problem head-on.”

Jay Jones: Families 'desperate' for attorney general to put Virginia first

"I don't work for Donald Trump. I don't work for Washington."

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VPM News @vpm.org · 13d

John Reid (Republican, Lt. Gov.): "I think the government is poised to overreach in a lot of different places, and I would like to be one of the people to tug on the reins — where it's responsible — and say: No, let's let the people live their lives and not become dependent on the government."

John Reid: Lt. Gov. is 'an ambassador for the state of Virginia'

"Everything I'd be advocating ... Does it make the people more free?"

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VPM News @vpm.org · 13d

Ghazala Hashmi (Democrat, Lt. Gov.): "I think we're in a historic moment where we have a competing vision — not just about who and what we are as a country, who and what we are as a commonwealth, but also, significantly, about the role of government."

Ghazala Hashmi: Virginia's No. 2 has 'critical role to play'

"After spending six years in the Virginia Senate, I'm ready."

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VPM News @vpm.org · 13d

Election Day in Virginia is just over a month away (Nov. 4) — with the state’s top three offices all up for grabs.

VPM News State Politics Reporter @jahd.bsky.social set out to interview all six candidates for those offices in order to highlight where they stand on key issues for Virginia voters.

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VPM News @vpm.org · 17d

The CDC's vaccine advisory panel voted on Friday to drop a recommendation that most adults get the COVID-19 vaccine, but ruled that the vaccine should remain available without a prescription and covered by insurance for those who want it.

Federal vaccine panel maintains COVID-19 booster availability

Updated: Health experts, doctors urged ACIP to keep the shots accessible.

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VPM News @vpm.org · 19d

Early voting is now open in Virginia! www.vpm.org/elections/20...

Early voting period is now open in Virginia

The commonwealth's first ballots for the 2025 general election can now be cast.

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VPM News @vpm.org · 22d

A new study found that 21 of the 25 Richmond neighborhoods facing the highest average energy cost burdens were majority-Black, including several historically redlined areas in the East End and Southside.

Study: 1 in 5 Richmond households spends 10% of income on energy

Many of the most burdened areas are heavily Black, poorer neighborhoods.

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VPM News @vpm.org · 26d

We asked you how it was going if you were trying to get the new 2025-26 COVID-19 vaccine in Central Virginia. The overwhelming response was: It's a little bit (or a lot) confusing!

Patrick Larsen on the current landscape — which could change again next week:

Confusion around vaccine rules making it tough to get updated COVID-19 shot

Pharmacy policies could change again next week after a CDC committee meeting.

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Reposted by VPM News

Hannah Davis-Reid @hannahdavisreid.bsky.social · 27d

At the upcoming University of Virginia Board of Visitors Finance Committee meeting on Sept. 12, the university is expected to lease and transfer the historic Oak Lawn home to Charlottesville City Schools for a “nominal fee.”

www.vpm.org/news/2025-09...

UVA board expected to transfer Oak Lawn site to Charlottesville schools

The property could help the city expand early childhood and career programs.

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Reposted by VPM News

The Free Book Bus @thefreebookbus.bsky.social · Sep 8

Thanks to @hannahdavisreid.bsky.social and @vpm.org for this fantastic story!

www.vpm.org/news/2025-09...

Charlottesville's Free Book Bus is a ‘come-as-you-are’ type of thing

The bus helps give the community an "open world to go on an adventure with."

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VPM News @vpm.org · Sep 4

Speaking of GWAR, our staff are big fans of the @npr.org Tiny Desk featuring the band from 2023...where the desk may or may not have been destroyed.

Did you know that Blöthar is also a big fan of supporting public media?

GWAR: Tiny Desk Concert

For nearly four decades, the band has terrorized planet Earth with its raucous stage shows, raunchy metal songs and grotesque satire. GWAR finally came to destroy the Tiny Desk, once and for all.

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VPM News @vpm.org · Sep 4

One person's cannibalistic blood orgy is another person's happy place.

As GWAR's Blöthar the Beserker puts it:
"I challenge you to go to the show of another heavy metal band and see more people having more fun than at a GWAR show. GWAR makes people happy. It makes them laugh. It makes us laugh."

Joy and happiness radiate when GWAR and Lamb of God return to Richmond

"I challenge you to … see more people having more fun than at a GWAR show."

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VPM News @vpm.org · Sep 3

At Southside Richmond's Body Arc, where functional fitness focuses more on movement, there's more to the sport of weightlifting than the sound of barbells hitting the ground.

VPM News Reporter Lyndon German explored that joy firsthand.

VPM News explores the joy of movement, weightlifting and Richmond's strength community

Body Arc's mission is to provide an affirming space for athletes of all backgrounds and skill levels.

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VPM News @vpm.org · Sep 3

In Richmond's Carver neighborhood, culture meets cardio by "bringing wellness to every hood."

How? Through Trap Cardio — a culturally responsive dance fitness program that promotes confidence, leadership and total wellness — founded by Ashley Redwood.

Richmond's Trap Cardio builds community through dance

Culture meets cardio at a studio in the city's Carver neighborhood.

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VPM News @vpm.org · Sep 3

SOON.

A composite photo of four members of GWAR with a white background.
From left to right: Grodius Maximus, Jizmak da Gusha, Blöthar the Beserker and Sawborg Destructo. They are aliens from outer space.

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VPM News @vpm.org · Sep 2

More young adults are seeking out friends and activities through recreational sports leagues, like RVA Sandlot. There are many leagues for casual and competitive play in the region, ranging from basketball and soccer to bocce and bowling.

Recreational sports leagues foster fun and community in Richmond

Local leagues like RVA Sandlot bring people together for enjoyable activities.

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VPM News @vpm.org · Sep 2

We're on week two of Finding Joy!

Meghin Moore @meghin.bsky.social · Sep 1

It’s a big week for the @vpm.org Finding Joy series 😎

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