If the incoming Trump administration wants to slash federal spending, Virginians living in some of the same areas that voted for President-elect Trump could be the ones to pay the price.

Why it matters: The Elon Musk/Vivek Ramaswamy-led Department of Government Efficiency has proposed $2 trillion in annual federal cost savings. To reach that goal — or near it — would require cuts to transfer programs like Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid.

Driving the news: Researchers at the Economic Innovation Group analyzed county-level data on how much personal income was driven by those federal transfer programs in 2022 as opposed to wages and investments.

Zoom in: In Virginia, counties closer to central and northern Virginia saw the lowest reliance on transfer payments while those in the southwestern parts of the state and counties bordering North Carolina reported higher amounts.

By the numbers: The counties most reliant on those payments were Dickenson, where 49% of income was from government transfers, followed by Lee (47%), Wise (45%), Buchanan (45%), Russell (43%) and Scott (42%).

• All of those counties overwhelmingly voted for Trump and are in Southwest Virginia.
• Per the Census, they also have higher percentages of people who are 65 or older or in poverty and a lower median household income compared to Virginia's overall numbers.

In the Richmond area, the city has the highest share of personal income from government aid at about 17%, followed by Chesterfield (16%), Hanover (14%), and Henrico (13.5%).

Meanwhile, the least reliant were Arlington (5%), Loudoun (6%), Alexandria (7%), Fairfax (7%) and Goochland (10%).

• All but Goochland voted for Harris, but Goochland also has a higher median household income ($105,600) and lower poverty rate (4.2%) than Virginia overall, census data shows.

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The U.S. Department of Labor is "eager to return" millions in unpaid wages due to Virginia workers, according to the agency.

Why it matters: Some of that money could be yours.

The big picture: In Virginia, just over 8,000 workers are collectively owed $11,578,157 in backpay, per a news release from the Labor Department.

• The agency has the funds as a result of unpaid wage investigations, usually triggered by a labor law violation complaint, like unpaid overtime.

How it works: To see if you're owed some of the millions, use the Workers Owed Wages online tool to search for your current or former employer, then your name.

• If you're on there, fill out a claim form, upload an ID and the agency will send a check in about six weeks.

Zoom in: Around 250 employers owe backpay to Virginia workers, the Labor Department tells Axios.

• Home health care, construction, rehabs and nursing homes, and hospitality jobs seem to be the most common industries owing back wages in the state, per an Axios review.
• Richmond employers found owing wages using the WOW tool include Apex Systems, Chicano's Cocina Bar & Grill, Casa Del Barco, Swanson Security Services and Sushi King.

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🛠️ Richmond city school buildings need $43.7 million in immediate repairs, according to just-released facilities assessments. (The Richmonder)

• Leaking roofs, mold from leaking pipes, inadequate HVAC and a lack of fire suppression systems are among the issues a third-party inspection company found.

🗳️ Anne Holton, the former Virginia Secretary of Education and first lady, endorsed Mayor Stoney for Lieutenant Governor. Stoney is running in a primary against three other Democrats. (News release)

🎸 John Hinckley Jr., the man who shot President Reagan in 1981, is opening a record store in Williamsburg. (X)

😂 Comedian Nate Bargatze will perform at Altria in June 2025; tickets go on sale Friday. (News release)

Rats in Richmond love driving cars and revving their engines for Froot Loops.

Why it matters: Kelly Lambert, a University of Richmond neuroscientist, thinks their behavior can teach people about joy.

The big picture: Lambert and her colleagues have worked with lab rats for years, teaching them how to drive and steer tiny rodent-operated vehicles by holding a gas pedal-like lever.

• The rats have repeatedly gone viral for it, appeared on Netflix's "The Hidden Lives of Pets" and most recently, ended up on CBS This Morning.
• CBS Mornings posted the rats on TikTok and Instagram last month, and the videos have been viewed by more than five million people.

The latest: Now researchers are finding that not only do the rats enjoy driving to get to their Froot Loop treats — they look forward to it.

• And having something to look forward to actually makes them more optimistic and more confident when solving problems.

The bottom line: Let the tiny little rats driving tiny little cars inspire you to have something to look forward to, too.

Keep reading for how they seemingly show joy

The folks at Richmond-based record label Shockoe Records are back for the second year with an all-local Christmas album.

Why it matters: The CD and/or digital CD is jam-packed with holiday songs from local artists.

The big picture: "A Shockoe Sessions Christmas Vol. 2" is out now featuring original Christmas tunes from locals like Høly River, Ant The Symbol with MO, Los Hermanos Alacrane, Ms Jaylin Brown, Vexine, Rine and more.

• The digital version is $9.99 or $20 for a real live CD, which can be bought online or at any locally-owned record store.

There's also a live action performance tonight at The Hippodrome featuring with songs from the album. Tickets are $25, or $40 with the CD.

• A portion of proceeds from the concert (and CD) benefits Richmond Animal League.

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