Virginia Focus

Virginia Focus

Virginia Focus is a half hour weekly Public Affairs program from the Virginia News Network hosted by Rebecca Hughes. The program features interviews about issues if importance and interest to Virginians such as politics, non profits, history and economic development.

Episodes

September 25, 2026 • 29 mins
Some of the most important wounds of military service are the ones no one can see. Many veterans face mental health challenges long after returning home, often struggling in silence. Today, Rawle Andrews, Jr., Executive Director of the American Psychiatric Association Foundation, joins us to discuss a new campaign featuring veterans and their families sharing powerful personal stories, and why seeking help can be a sign of strength...
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Few people know that not everyone accused in the infamous college admission bribery scandal, that included celebrities like Felicity Huffman and Lori Loughlin, was guilty. One innocent family continues fighting to clear their reputation after being caught in the net of the Varsity Blues Scandal in 2019. Those parents have written a book called "Varsity Blues: The Scandal Within the Scandal" and started a charity to help other Ameri...
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September 11, 2026 • 29 mins
The next time your insurance bill goes up, fraud could be part of the reason why. Insurance fraud isn't a victimless crime, and investigators say it costs American consumers billions of dollars each year. On this episode, we are talking 1st Sgt. Eric Futrell with the Virginia State Police Insurance Fraud Program about common scams, how to protect yourself, and how everyday citizens can help stamp out fraud.
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September 4, 2026 • 30 mins
Are vaccines one of the few issues still bringing Americans together? New polling suggests they might be, with broad support across political lines for maintaining access to recommended vaccines. In this episode, Dr. Larry Bucshon, former Congressman and physician, helps us unpack the results and what they could mean for healthcare policy moving forward.
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August 28, 2026 • 30 mins
Millions of Americans are turning to weight-loss drugs, but how can you know whether the product you're getting is safe? As federal regulators weigh important decisions affecting compounded GLP-1 medications and peptide products, questions about counterfeits, online scams, and patient safety continue to grow. On this episode, we're joined by Shabbir Imber Safdar, Executive Director of the Partnership for Safe Medicines, to separate...
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August 21, 2026 • 30 mins
What if the most successful urban residents aren't humans at all? Across the globe, animals are adapting to city life at remarkable speed, evolving new behaviors-and even new biology-to thrive in our concrete landscapes. On this episode, Dr. Dan Werb joins us to discuss his eye-opening book, Our Wild Familiars, and the hidden wildlife revolution unfolding right outside our doors.
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August 14, 2026 • 30 mins
College Brain Drain explores why some college graduates stay and build careers in their home state while others leave for opportunities hundreds of miles away? Dr. Peter Bahr, of the Strada Education Foundation joins us to explore new research on where graduates relocate after college, what drives those decisions, and what it all means for states hoping to attract and retain talent. On this episode, guest host Thomas Cage, with the...
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August 7, 2026 • 30 mins
When it comes to literacy, Americais a nation at risk. The results of a study by the National Assessment of Educational Progress Reading shows in 47 states at least 60% of 8th grade students are below reading level. On this episode, we are talking to Pam Good, CEO and President of Beyond Basics, to find out just how bad is the problem and what is neccessary to fix
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July 31, 2026 • 30 mins
If it feels like everything is getting more expensive, you're not imagining it. From grocery stores and gas stations to airfare and family vacations, a new analysis finds Americans are paying significantly more for many of the staples that define daily life. Let's chat with Angela Hanks, Chief of Policy Programs at the Century Foundation, we'll break down what's driving those higher costs, why inflation continues to outpace wage gr...
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July 24, 2026 • 30 mins
When temperatures soar, your pets may be facing dangers you can't see. From heat-related illnesses to disease-carrying insects, summer can pose serious risks for animals of all kinds. In this episode, we're joined by Dr. Michael Bailey, President of the American Veterinary Medical Association, to discuss the warning signs every pet owner should know, simple steps that could save an animal's life, and where to turn when you need hel...
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July 17, 2026 • 30 mins
You might think you're burned out but what if the real problem is that you're simply not being challenged? A growing number of workers are experiencing what's known as "career rust out"; feeling stuck, disengaged, and disconnected from meaningful work. In this episode, we are talking with Keith Spencer, Career Expert with Resume Now, to explore the warning signs of rust out, why it happens, and what you can do to get your career mo...
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July 10, 2026 • 30 mins
Major changes to federal student loans took effect July 1st, affecting the way millions of current and future borrowers pay for college. The reforms reshape borrowing limits, eliminate several repayment options, and could leave some students searching for new ways to cover the rising cost of higher education. On this episode we're talking to Financial Expert Brian Walsh with So-Fi Bank. He's going to drill down what's changing, who...
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What if the earliest voices of American democracy weren’t speeches, but handwritten petitions from everyday Virginians? On this episode, we’re joined by Sarah Falls, Chief of Researcher Engagement at the Library of Virginia, to talk about a powerful new exhibit, “Ideas in Action: Virginians Petition their Government, 1776-1786.” It brings to life the real concerns of people during the Revolutionary era, from...
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June 26, 2026 • 30 mins
When we think about something like the World Cup, we often picture the matches, the crowds, and the global spotlight, but behind all of it is a workforce that keeps everything running, and keeps communities moving long after the games are over. A new analysis from Zety is putting that into focus, breaking down the high-demand, high-paying jobs that make events like this possible, many of which don’t even require a four-year d...
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This Father’s Day weekend, we’re stepping beyond the picture-perfect images of fatherhood we scroll past every day, and getting real about what it actually means to be a good dad, partner, and man right now. In a world where many men feel pressure to stay strong, stay silent, and somehow get everything right, today’s conversation is about breaking that mold—opening up about doubt, vulnerability, and the quie...
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Every time you get behind the wheel, there’s one simple choice that can mean the difference between life and death - and yet, thousands of people still don’t make it. Seatbelts. It sounds basic, but the numbers tell a different story, and that’s exactly why Virginia is launching a new push to get drivers and passengers to buckle up. Today, we’re talking about a new seatbelt safety campaign from the Virginia ...
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June 5, 2026 • 30 mins
A Virginia family answered the call on their hearts when they made the leap from being homesteaders to a full scale farming in 2022. The Weldon Cooper Center reports the number of farms in Virginia was falling and dropped 18 percent between 2002 to 2022 - not to mention the drought that year. In 2025, Maranatha Farms seems to be thriving with a new storefront. On this episode, we're talking to Phil Miller the Farm Retail Manager of...
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May 29, 2026 • 30 mins
When a trauma therapist is traumatized by loss, where do they turn? Trauma therapist Meghan Riordan Jarvis knew how to help her patients process grief. Although, she came undone when her father died after a year-long battle with cancer, followed by her mother’s unexpected passing while on their family vacation. The book "End of the Hour" chronicles her journey trading the therapist’s chair for the patient’s couch,...
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May 22, 2026 • 30 mins
Dating back to the earliest broadcasts of Sunday services at the beginning of the 1920s, religious radio stations now number over 4,000 in the U.S. On  A new Pew report examines the impact of religious radio in America. On this episode, we're talking to Sam Bestvater, Senior Data Scientist at Pew Research Center, to learn more.
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May 15, 2026 • 30 mins
Hospitals are cornerstones of the communities they serve — places of healing, hope and connection that impact lives and communities every day in ways both seen and unseen. As we end National Hospital Week, which runs May 10th through the 16th, we're talking to , Dr. Chris DeRienzo, Chief Physician at the American Hospital Association.
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