Virginia’s political world was shaken by the sudden death of Congressman Donald McEachin this week.Jeff Schapiro, political columnist with the Richmond Times-Dispatch, and Michael Pope discuss McEachin’s legacy and what might happen next.

Localities will be able to apply for state money to help build, renovate, or update school buildings. The General Assembly has allocated about half a billion dollars for the new competitive grants.

This summer saw the highest number of people ever to ride trains in Virginia since Amtrak began service in 1971. The route from Roanoke to D.C., for example, more than doubled the number of riders compared to last year.Billions of state and federal dollars will add more trains and stops over the next decade.

The sale of assault-style weapons was banned in Virginia for a decade under federal law, although now they’re legal again. And the recent mass shootings are causing some elected officials to once again consider a state ban.

Today, politicians and local leaders have thrown their support behind a memorial park and museum here. But two decades ago, this history was buried under a parking lot.

Aston Donald McEachin served four terms in the House of Delegates, two terms in the state Senate and three terms in Congress. He was just elected to what would’ve been his fourth term in Congress. Now, people across Virginia are remembering a man who was a lawyer, but also had a Master of Divinity degree from Virginia Union University.

Three candidates for police chief answered questions for two hours last night at a community forum in Charlottesville. Sandy Hausman listened-in and filed this report.

Food banks often get added attention around holidays. And they, like all of us, are dealing with the impact of inflation.Roben Farzad, host of the Full Disclosure podcast, and Weekend Edition host Craig Wright have more on that.

The latest mass shootings in Virginia are prompting yet another round of soul searching. And they’ve renewed calls for action.

Representative Donald McEachin had been dealing with the effects of a 2013 battle with colorectal cancer.