2/20/2026: Gov. Spanberger tapped to respond to Trump’s State of the Union
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14 segmentsYou're listening to the VPM Daily Newscast, the recap of today's top stories in central Virginia. From the VPM newsroom in Richmond, I'm Sean Maggotty. Governor Abigail Spanberger will deliver the Democratic response to President Donald Trump's State of the Union address next Tuesday, February 24th. Democratic leaders Hakeem Jeffries and Chuck Schumer made the announcement Thursday, saying Abigail Spanberger, quote, embodies the best of America as a mother, community leader, and dedicated public servant. California Senator Alex Padilla will also deliver a Democratic response in Spanish. A Taswell County Court issued a judgment Thursday halting a mid-decade redistricting effort led by Virginia Democrats. Judge Jack Hurley granted an injunction that could pause a referendum currently scheduled for April 21st. Two national Republican groups and two GOP members of Virginia's congressional delegation requested this day. The plaintiffs argued the effort tramples on their procedural rights of the Republican minority in the General Assembly. The Supreme Court of Virginia previously ruled in a separate case involving redistricting that the referendum could proceed as planned. Hanover County released its proposed operating budget for the upcoming fiscal year, prioritizing investments in education, public safety, and community services. VPM news reporter Lyndon German has more. Hanover County Administrator John Bodeski said this year's budget was unlike those in previous years. This is a very, very different year than any of the budgets that I've presented to you up to this date. There is that budget uncertainty, and as we enter our budget and make recommendations to you, we need to know that things could change on us. Although the general fund is projected to increase to around $427 million, the rate of the county's revenue growth is far less compared to prior years. and certain state and federal funds are no longer available, narrowing the county's priorities. Our investments are in our people. They're in our facilities. They're making sure that we can sustain the services that we've invested in. The current budget does maintain the current real estate tax rate for residents. The county is also proposing water and sewer rate adjustments that would increase residents' typical bimonthly bill. Those funds will go toward improving the county's water utilities. The public can comment on the budget April 1st. It's set to go to a vote on April 8th. Lyndon German, VPM News. Virginia lawmakers removed three VCU board members Tuesday, two of whom were initially appointed by former governor Glenn Youngkin. The third, Andy Florence, was initially appointed by former Governor Ralph Northam in 2021 and reappointed by Glenn Youngkin. The Richmond Times Dispatch reports lawmakers also removed former U.S. Representative Eric Cantor from William & Mary's board, as well as the entire board of Richard Bland College. The makeup of university boards has come under recent scrutiny amid federal pressure to dismantle DEI initiatives. Some Chesterfield County residents are concerned about a development slated near Matoica Middle School that would add hundreds of homes to the area. As Billy Shields reports, that project's been in the works for 20 years. Ursula Bennett moved into the model home of a new Matoica subdivision called Swift Creek Estates about a dozen years ago. She and her husband prized the quiet nature of the neighborhood, but they're worried that might change as more than 300 homes could go in nearby. The project is called Marlbank Farms, and it involves single-family homes off of Hickory Road. It was originally greenlit in 2006, and at one point called for 700 units.
It was originally green lit in 2006 and at one point called for 700 units. Well, it's just... depressing, actually, because we like it like this. You know, I mean, that's why we moved here. Many of our neighbors as well that we've spoken to, you know, they feel the same way. The Chesterfield County Planning Commission and Board of Supervisors will vote on the rezoning in the coming months. Billy Shields, VPM News. The Charlottesville City Council adopted changes to the city's development code, but VPN's Hannah Davis-Reed reports residents say those changes aren't enough. Over the past year, city staff have been working on a series of proposed amendments to the 2023 zoning code to address both minor and significant issues. At Tuesday's meeting, city planner Matthew Alfully presented adjustments to the code that included legislative updates, grammatical corrections, and policy clarifications. Council members approved the changes in a 4-1 vote, but advocates like Emily Dreyfus with the Legal Aid Justice Center were disappointed in their updates. These particular zoning amendments that are before you, are not very relevant to most people because they are, like Matthew shared, they're correcting typos and small things that need to be tweaked. Dreyfus said additional changes are needed to better preserve existing neighborhoods and support future affordable housing redevelopment. The city says it plans to continue its effort to update zoning while improving public outreach. Hannah Davis-Reed, VPM News. Delegate Barry Knight, who has represented Virginia Beach for the last 15 years, has died at 71. House Speaker Don Scott and Minority Leader Terry Kilgore announced Knight's passing in a joint statement Thursday. The Republican was a lifelong resident of the area and worked as a hog farmer, serving as president of the Tidewater pork producers from 1984 to 1990. Knight is survived by his wife Paula, their three sons, and four grandchildren. This has been the VPM Daily Newscast. VPM