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

Virginia Focus - Student Loan Updates

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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Virginia Focus - Library Of Virginia VA 250

July 3, 2026 • 30 mins
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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Virginia Focus - 15 High-Growth Jobs

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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Virginia Focus - Fragments Of A Decent Man

June 19, 2026 • 30 mins
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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Virginia Focus - DMV Seatbelt Campaign

June 12, 2026 • 30 mins
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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Virginia Focus - Maranatha Farms

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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Virginia Focus - End of the Hour

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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Virginia Focus - Religious Radio

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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Virginia Focus - Natl Hospital Week

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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Virginia Focus - Soul Survivor Ink

May 8, 2026 • 30 mins
One small nonprofit hopes to help survivors of human trafficking and prior gang affiliation heal from the pain of their past by assisting them in the removal of “branding” tattoos and scars. To do that, they are trying to spread their message accross the country to create partnerships with organizations that employee certified and trained affiliate technicians in each state. On this episode, we're talking to Soul Surviv...
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Virginia Focus - Healthcare Apps & Privacy

May 1, 2026 • 30 mins
Close to 84 million people use some type of healthcare app and many don't know that Health-related mobile and web apps are not bound by HIPAA, leaving room for risky data sharing practices. Virtru is a company that works for data security and privacy protection. On today's episode, we're talking to Mishi Choudhary, the General Counsel for Virtru to learn what ways you can protect your information.
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Virgina Focus - Emergency Fuel Fund

April 28, 2026 • 30 mins
The Mountain Empire Older Citizens, Incorporated is a group committed to preventing the unnecessary institutionalization of older persons and they do that by providing user-friendly, community-based, long-term care services which support not only the elderly in the community but the family caregivers, as well. With rising energy costs, Marsha Craiger, will explain more about the Heating and Cooling Assistance programs available for...
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Virginia Focus - FARE

April 24, 2026 • 30 mins
On average, every 10 seconds, a food allergy sends a patient to the emergency room. May 12 to May 18 is Food Allergy Awareness Week, and while it's two weeks away, we're taking advantage of an opportunity to help raise awareness of food allergies and anaphylaxis. We'll do that by talking to a representative of FARE, which stands for Food Allergy Research and Education. They are the leading nonprofit working to enhance the lives of ...
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Virginia Focus - ALICE Family Struggles

April 17, 2026 • 30 mins
On this episode, we're putting the spotlight on ALICE. Who is ALICE, you may wonder. Well, ALICE lives in every community and can be found working in a diverse range of careers, including essential workers, such as teachers, healthcare providers, and retail clerks.  United Way describes A.L.I.C.E. households as those who have incomes above the Federal Poverty Level but do not earn enough money to afford a basic survival budget...
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Virginia Focus - National Careers in Trades Week

April 3, 2026 • 30 mins
As industries face a massive need for over 600,000 new blue collar workers annually, National Careers in Trades Week hopes to help alleviate the problem. Industry leaders say there is a critical shortage where 5 skilled tradespeople retire for every 2 that enter the field. Workers of all ages are exploring the trades for rewarding and well-paying jobs with great benefits, including healthcare and pensions, and no college debt. We'r...
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Virginia Focus - Cancer Sux

March 27, 2026 • 30 mins
Cancer sucks.  No argument there.  But once you or a loved one has been diagnosed, what are the first steps and next steps to getting through this in one piece? On this episode, we're talking with Michelle Rapkin - a three-time cancer survivor who is deeply acquainted with the ins and outs of the disease. She decided to share her hard won lessons as an author herself in the new book, "CANCER SUCKS: But You’ll Get Th...
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Virginia Focus - Modified Vehicle Safety

March 20, 2026 • 28 mins
Americans love their cars and the freedom they bring. You might be one of millions of drivers who will take the extra step and modify a vehicle to enhance safety, performance, or comfort or to increase your business' visibility. Aftermarket customization might be in jeopardy if a federal agency gets its way. On this episode, we're talking with Karen Bailey-Chapman with the Specialty Equipment Market Association, or SEMA.
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Virginia Focus - Satellite Comm & Disasters

March 13, 2026 • 30 mins
For people and businesses, being prepared for natural disasters is key, and widespread outages have underscored the need for dependable satellite communication technology to ensure reliable connectivity in times of need. When internet and cell networks go down, satellite communication infrastructure saves lives by enabling emergency responders, relief organizations, and affected communities to coordinate rescue efforts in real-time...
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Virginia Focus - The Navigators Letter

March 6, 2026 • 29 mins
Most people love a good story, especially when there are clear "good" and "evil" characters. Maybe you also love stories about military history, about underdogs, or you love learning about the technological advances and heroism of World War Two. But have you ever read a true World War II story? On this episode, I'm talking to Jan Cress Dondi about how she turned her veteran dad's bedtime stories into book entitled, "The Navigator's...
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Virginia Focus - Reimagining Americas Dream

February 27, 2026 • 30 mins
America is changing and, with what appears to be a shrinking middle class, many people worry that the American dream is also dying. A new book written by a man who served as the former CFO of the NBA, the former CEO of the NBA’s Atlanta Spirit, the former SVP of the Colorado Rockies, and a professor of Business and Sports Management at the University of Massachusetts explores how to bring back the reality of the American drea...
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