State Employees See Insurance Changes - Tens of thousands of state employees will likely see an increase in the cost of their health insurance plans. They also face a deadline this week,  as the Commonwealth begins to implement significant changes in its health insurance plans. Open enrollment for revising health benefits, investing in flexible spending accounts, adding family members, and other options ends this Friday.

Coalfields Expressway - People who oppose the proposed “coal fields expressway” are staging a protest in Abingdon Virginia, where coal company, Alpha Natural Resources is holding its annual meeting Wednesday, May 22.The protestors say they’ll call attention to the company’s role in what’s known as the Coalfields Expressway.  A proposed 50 mile road, supporters say will improve transportation in far southwest Virginia and help the local economy.

VaNews for 05.21.13 - A University of Virginia history class that attracted 47,000 students and a look at the career of entrepreneur and politicans’ friend Jonnie Williams were the topics two of the most-read stories over the past week at the Virginia Public Access Project’s VaNews link on vpap.org.VaNews is a free public service of the Virginia Public Access Project and can be found at vpap.org

Fotos de la biografíaBrahms’ HAYDN VARIATIONS, Rossini’s TURK IN ITALY OVERTURE, the POLOVTSIAN DANCES, the Shostakovich FIFTH SYMPHONY (Dmitri's pictured here), and the Sibelius VIOLIN CONCERTO are all on the playlist for Tuesday’s great music on WVTF. Not too shabby, eh?

Anne-Marie Morgan talks with Virginia Finance Secretary, Ric Brown.State Revenues Still a Concern for Lawmakerswww.wvtf.orgState revenues improved a little last month following a dismal drop of 6.1 percent in March. The news reassured members of the House Appropriations

Some encouraging news on the Cancer front. Sandy Hausman has that story.Discovery is Good News for Some Cancer Patientswvtf.orgScientists at the University of Virginia have made a surprising discovery that could mean more effective treatments for a range of deadly cancers. Sandy

Discovery is Good News for Some Cancer Patients - Scientists at the University of Virginia have made a surprising discovery that could mean more effective treatments for a range of deadly cancers.  Sandy Hausman reports on how this finding could shape future therapies, and how long it might take to bring those to market.John Herr is professor at UVA’s medical school - an expert on cell biology, and he’s devoted many years to studying the unique properties of the hu...

How we can all help the victims of the Oklahoma tornadoes.Donate Funds | Donations | Giving to American Red Crosswww.redcross.orgDonate online to the American Red Cross fund of your choice including disaster relief, your local Red Cross or wherever the need is greatest. Your gift aids relief efforts and victims of disaster.

Sequestration Cuts Affecting Some Meals on Wheels Programs - Sequestration cuts are starting to affect some Meals on Wheels programs throughout the Commonwealth. 

Fotos de la biografíaSteve and Cara have some great music for your Monday, when you can hear Elgar’s FIRST POMP AND CIRCUMSTANCE MARCH (congratulations, grads!), Handel’s MUSIC FOR THE ROYAL FIREWORKS, a PIANO TRIO by Clara Schumann, Strauss’ DON JUAN, and the PIANO CONCERTO of Franz Berwald. Some you know, some rarely heard, and all worth a listen!

Internet Sales Tax May Not Be a Disadvantage - Congress may soon vote on whether to require Internet sellers to collect sales tax on behalf of states.  Proponents argue it’s only fair - that charging sales tax on all transactions will level the playing field for brick and mortar stores, but some experts say the added tax will make little difference - that Internet sellers will still enjoy a huge advantage.  Sandy Hausman talked with one of them and filed this ...

A Washington & Lee Professor of Business Administration sheds light on the proposed internet sales tax. Sandy Hausman has the story.Internet Sales Tax May Not Be a Disadvantagewvtf.orgCongress may soon vote on whether to require Internet sellers to collect sales tax on behalf of states. Proponents argue it’s only fair - that charging

Stephen Colbert Delivers Comedic Valedictory Speech - Valedictory exercises give universities a chance to hand out awards and thank people before the main graduation  – and they’re not always well attended, but this year’s speaker drew a huge crowd to the University of Virginia -- and as Sandy Hausman reports -- Stephen Colbert did not disappoint.At a reception beforehand, Colbert was gracious, posing for photos with more than a hundred students and parents who wer...

Sandy Hausman covered Stephen Colbert's Valedictorian Address at the University of Virginia.Stephen Colbert Delivers Comedic Valedictory Speechwvtf.orgValedictory exercises give universities a chance to hand out awards and thank people before the main graduation – and they’re not always well attended, but

New Civil War Epic - A new Civil War epic, Copperhead,  has a screening in Lynchburg June 4, 2013 at 7.p.m. The film is the latest from Ron Maxwell, director of the films Gettysburg and Gods and Generals.

Today on INTERFAITH VOICES: A critique of the Evangelical Adoption Movement with Kathryn Joyce, author of The Child Catchers: Rescue, Trafficking, and the New Gospel of Adoption… plus a response from Jedd Medefind, Director of the Christian Alliance for Orphans. It’s on RADIO IQ at 12 NOON!

On FRESH AIR WEEKEND, Terry Gross talks with Noah Baumbach and Greta Gerwig - co-writers of the new film "Frances Ha". (Gerwig stars in it, Baumbach directed it.) Also, actress and filmmaker Sarah Polley tells us about her new documentary "Stories We Tell" - plus rock critic Ken Tucker reviews the new, third album by the band Dawes called "Stories Don't End." Today at 12 NOON on RADIO IQ (and Sunday evening at 6 on WVTF).

Michael Feldman’s WHAD’YA KNOW? returns with full two-hour shows each week throughout the Summer and Fall beginning at 11 o’clock on WVTF! On today’s encore show, Marcia Ball plays a few tunes from her CD “Roadside Attractions” and John T. Edge talks Food Trucks. (Plus All the News that Isn’t, Thanks for the Memos, music from the trio, and two rounds of the WYK? Quiz!) Mel Royer has SATURDAY AFTERNOON CLASSICS for us from 1:00 ‘til 5:00. Then NPR will update today’s news on ALL THINGS CONSIDERED at 5 o’clock! It's a PUBLIC RADIO Saturday!

After years of being stuck, the national conversation on climate change finally started to shift just a little last year, the hottest year on record in the U.S., with Hurricane Sandy flooding the New York subway, drought devastating Midwest farms, and California and Colorado on fire. Lots of people were wondering if global warming had finally arrived, here at home. This week, stories about this new reality. It’s “Hot in My Backyard” this week on THIS AMERICAN LIFE! Listen this morning at 10 on RADIO IQ.

Best-selling author Dan Brown of "The Da Vinci Code" has a new novel. It's called "Inferno" and once again features the tweedy Harvard art professor Robert Langden on a quest to save the world from catastrophe. Brown talks about his new work with Scott Simon on NPR's WEEKEND EDITION SATURDAY this morning at 9:40 on WVTF!

This weekend on THE PEOPLE’S PHARMACY: Fewer and fewer physicians feel they have enough time with their patients, and few patients feel they’re getting real personal attention and care from their doctors. Years ago, Dr. Pamela Wible asked her community what they wanted from her as their family physician. She implemented their suggestions in her Eugene, Oregon, clinic and advocates for other clinicians who want to invite their communities to help design their practices. She says seeing health care as a partnership between patients and doctors can lead to greater satisfaction for both parties! Join us for the next People’s Pharmacy - Saturday morning at 7 on WVTF and Saturday & Sunday afternoons at 4 on RADIO IQ! (Saturday morning call-in #: 888-472-3366.)

Republican Convention in Richmond - More than 13,000 GOP convention delegates have converged on Richmond from all over the state to confirm Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli as the party's gubernatorial nominee—and to nominate their candidates for Lieutenant Governor and Attorney General on Saturday.  

Tab O'Neal hard at work on Morning Edition. Thank you for listening!

Our art open houses return! Join us this evening, 5-7:00 at WVTF/Radio IQ for food from Center Stage Catering and live jazz by WVTF's own Charlie Perkinson, along with pianist Tom Floyd and drummer Bob Peckman. Music starts around 5:20/5:30. The League of Roanoke Artists presents Artists and Friends of The Studio School: Images of Italy. See you there!

On this morning's "Virginia Conversations" here on WVTF and RADIO IQ, an hour with Virginia Senator, and former Governor, Mark Warner. He organized the so called "Gang of Six" to end the partisan gridlock in the Senate. We'll ask him how those efforts are going today... and get his take on other domestic and foreign issues as well. Plus your questions for Senator Mark Warner, on the next Virginia Conversations with host May Lily Lee... this morning at 9:00 on WVTF and RADIO IQ.

UVa Professor Helps Children Improve Reading Skills - A University of Virginia Professor of Education has won two new grants to help American children read. 

UVa Professor Helps Children Improve Reading Skillswvtf.orgA University of Virginia Professor of Education has won two new grants to help American children read. The program she’s developed is already in use

Liberty University Continues Fight Over Health Care Law - Liberty University is once again rolling the dice by asking a three-judge panel appointed by Presidents Clinton and Obama to side with the Christian-based college against some of the mandates in the Affordable Care Act. The 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals panel  pointed out that Liberty's case is broader than other, similar suits. 

Fotos de la biografíaThursday’s classical music on WVTF starts off with Grieg’s PEER GYNT SUITE #1, and goes on to a Dvorak STRING QUARTET, Brahms’ DOUBLE CONCERTO, JUPITER from Holst’s THE PLANETS, and Tchaikovsky’s CORONATION CANTATA, MOSCOW. From the familiar to the obscure, it’s all great!

Virginia Tech Helps Japan Document a Tragedy - The exhibit is called, “We Are All Photographers” A title which echoes the phrase, “We are all Hokies” heard around the world after the Virginia Tech tragedy.  On March 11th, 2011 the Tsunami that struck the coast of Japan demolished the town of Iwaizumi.Junko Matsukowa: “They lost everything.”Junko Matsukowa is President of UIFA; the Union of International Female Architects, Japan Chapter.

A look at the role Virginia Tech played in the photography documentation of the Japan Tsunami. The full story at 9 on Radio IQ.Virginia Tech Helps Japan Document a Tragedywvtf.orgThe exhibit is called, “We Are All Photographers” A title which echoes the phrase, “We are all Hokies” heard around the world after the Virginia Tech

Virginia Tech President Charles Steger has announced his retirement, but it doesn't look like he will be sitting still for very long. He'll soon be known as Author, Charles Steger. That story at 8:06 on Morning Edition with Tab O'Neal.

F.R.E.E. Foundation Equips Patients - Some patients leave the hospital with walker or wheelchair in tow, ready to begin their rehabilitation at home.  But for others, it’s not so easy.  Maybe they don’t have insurance or their insurance might not pay for the medical equipment they need to continue to improve. That’s where a program which started in Roanoke steps in. 

We Are All Photographers Now - In the wake of great tragedy, great beauty has been known to emerge.A photography project by people living in temporary housing in a Japanese coastal town devastated by the Tsunami two years ago, offers a record of rebuilding and recovery for the photographers.The exhibit is called, “We Are All Photographers, a title echoing the phrase, “We are all Hokies”  heard around the world after the Virginia Tech tragedy.

Arts in the Air - Students across the country are celebrating graduation in a variety ways – but none quite like a troupe of dancers at Washington & Lee here in Virginia.  They’ll be dancing on air – literally, with a performance 40 feet above the ground. They dangle from ropes far above the theater floor, swinging and spinning, turning flips or hanging upside down, tapping their toes on the wall and flapping their arms as if to fly.  Aerial dancing i...

Date Set in Chef's Embezzlement Case - A Richmond judge has set a trial date for the felony embezzlement case of former Executive Mansion chef Todd Schneider, who is accused of stealing food from the residence. Schneider also catered the wedding of Governor McDonnell’s daughter, and his descriptions of the relationships between Star Scientific CEO Jonnie Williams, the McDonnell family, and Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli have prompted new investigations but no new ...

Fotos de la biografíaThursday’s music on WVTF features Delius' OVER THE HILLS AND FAR AWAY, Schumann’s early ZWICKAU SYMPHONY, Mendelssohn’s SCOTTISH SYMPHONY, Elgar’s CORONATION MARCH, a STRING QUARTET by Fauré, and Mozart’s LINZ SYMPHONY. Another day of great music is in store!

TechNite - In Hollywood there’s the ‘Oscars.’   In Nashville, the Country Music Awards.  In the New River and RoanokeValleys, it’s the “Tech” Awards. Every year, the Roanoke- Blacksburg Technology council honors its stars. This Thursday (5/16/13) evening, 600 people will gather at the Hotel Roanoke for an awards ceremony and party announcing the  winners of the Roanoke/ Blacksburg Technology Council’s Tech Nite Awards.

Lawmakers Weigh In On Military Red Flags - Virginia lawmakers say they’re united in their attempts to combat sexual harassment in the military.The U-S military has rapidly evolved in recent years. Gays and lesbians can now serve openly. And women can now officially do what they've been doing unofficially for years: join men on the battlefield.

Fotos de la biografíaTuesday’s music on WVTF starts off with Joplin’s HELIOTROPE BOUQUET, and we’ll also be treated to the FOURTH BRANDENBURG CONCERTO, Mozart’s Eb MAJOR PIANO QUARTET, Rachmaninoff’s FOURTH PIANO CONCERTO, Beethoven’s PATHETIQUE SONATA, Schubert’s SECOND SYMPHONY, and music from JASON AND THE ARGONAUTS. We’re ranging far and wide today!

Learn how you can reduce your taxes while saving for college with Virginia 529, an underwriting supporter of WVTF & RADIO IQ. "Like" Virginia 529 or get more information at529 - Virginia College Savings Plan | 529 Daywww.virginia529.comWhat is 529 Day?It’s the perfect time to educate individuals, parents, grandparents, family members and friends on the importance of saving for college and the many advantages of saving in a 529 plan. We encourage others to join us in our celebration and on May 29th take action in making your higher...

New Approach to Stopping Superbugs - The race to stay ahead of drug resistant ‘super bugs’ threatens to be a losing battle.  But a Blacksburg company is working on an innovative solution to the problem. 

The Run for Lieutenant Governor: Ralph Northam & Aneese Chopra

VaNews for 05.13.13 - One of Virginia’s worst political scandals  is back in the headlines while a statewide political race that usually gets little attention will be in the spotlight this year.Those stories have been among the the most read this past week on the Virginia Public Access Project’s VaNews at VPAP.org.VaNews is a free public service of the Virginia Public Access Project and can be found at vpap.org.

Fotos de la biografíaWhat does a Japanese temple have to do with today's music? John Williams' SOUND THE BELLS! was inspired by Japanese temple bells... we're also featuring Mendelssohn’s sunny ITALIAN SYMPHONY, Massenet’s PIANO CONCERTO, Kodaly’s DANCES OF GALANTA, the PINEAPPLE POLL BALLET with music from Gilbert and Sullivan, Mozart’s OBOE CONCERTO, and Copland’s DANZON CUBANO. Steve and Cara have some great music for you here on WVTF!

Mendelssohn’s sunny ITALIAN SYMPHONY is featured on Monday’s music on WVTF, along with Massenet’s PIANO CONCERTO, Kodaly’s DANCES OF GALANTA, the PINEAPPLE POLL BALLET with music from Gilbert and Sullivan, Mozart’s OBOE CONCERTO, and Copland’s DANZON CUBANO. Steve and Cara have some great music for you here on WVTF!

At 10 this morning it’s the NPR news quiz WAIT WAIT DON’T TELL ME on WVTF! This week’s panelists are Roxanne Roberts, Brian Babylon and Charlie Pierce; legendary anchorman Bill Kurtis fills in for Carl Cassell; and Google’s Eric Schmidt plays ‘Not My Job’!

On the next "On Being": "What We Nurture" with Sylvia Boorstein. The teacher and psychotherapist shares her warmth and wisdom on nurturing children's inner lives by taking care of our own. Join Krista Tippett this morning at 9 on RADIO IQ!

The METROPOLITAN OPERA’s 82nd broadcast season wraps up today at 11 with the 4th and final opera in Wagner’s Ring Cycle – Götterdämmerung! The Ring's cataclysmic finale stars Deborah Voigt and Katarina Dalayman as Brünnhilde, opposite Jay Hunter Morris and Lars Cleveman as Siegfried. Hans-Peter König is Hagen and Fabio Luisi conducts! After the burning Rhine overflows its banks and Valhalla goes up in flames, Mel Royer will have SATURDAY AFTERNOON CLASSICS around 4:40, and NPR will update today’s news on ALL THINGS CONSIDERED at 5 o’clock!

On THIS AMERICAN LIFE this morning at 10 - stories about kids being mean to each other... including a mysterious handbook for bullies, a surprising experiment conducted by a teacher who wants to make kids be nice, and a story of youthful backstabbing told by David Sedaris. Join Ira Glass on listener-supported RADIO IQ!