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Melissa J. Hipolit

@MelissaCBS6

Investigative Reporter WTVR, Newhouse alum, mom to 3 boys, and wife

 Richmond, VA
wtvr.com/author/melissa-hipolit/
Joined March 2009
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1.3KMedia
Photo by Melissa J. Hipolit (@MelissaCBS6)Photo by Melissa J. Hipolit (@MelissaCBS6)Photo by Melissa J. Hipolit (@MelissaCBS6)Photo by Melissa J. Hipolit (@MelissaCBS6)Photo by Melissa J. Hipolit (@MelissaCBS6)Photo by Melissa J. Hipolit (@MelissaCBS6)Photo by Melissa J. Hipolit (@MelissaCBS6)Photo by Melissa J. Hipolit (@MelissaCBS6)Photo by Melissa J. Hipolit (@MelissaCBS6)Photo by Melissa J. Hipolit (@MelissaCBS6)
“We thought it was one of the best in the area, if not the state, and thought there was no safer place for our baby and my wife,” Matthew Whitfield, whose baby was in the NICU at Henrico Doctors' Hospital in late 2024, said. wtvr.com/news/local-news/hen…
'They let this happen again': State finds Henrico NICU 'failed to protect patients from abuse'

'They let this happen again': State finds Henrico NICU 'failed to protect patients from abuse'

Henrico Doctors’ Hospital failed to implement actions to prevent abuse or to protect patients from abuse and neglect, according to two reports from the state.

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Epic choke by Duke. They looked lost. Zero fight in their eyes.
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Spanberger asks the @SocialSecurity Commissioner to send her the current backlog of cases in VA, an estimated timeline of when new policies would result in improved outcomes, and what further support SSA needs to solve problems. @CBS6 @RepSpanberger wtvr.com/news/local-news/abi…
Virginia Congresswoman sends letter to head of Social Security over claim delays: 'Wait times...

Virginia Congresswoman sends letter to head of Social Security over claim delays: 'Wait times...

Congresswoman Abigail Spanberger (D-7th district) sent a letter Wednesday to the head of the Social Security Administration expressing her concerns about the agency’s “backlogs and delays...

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I am not a crier, but when Ed said this...I teared up. @CBS6 @SocialSecurity "Finally I got a call shortly after you sent your several emails,” Ed said. “Within a week I had my money. Within a week of you sending all these emails I had my money.” wtvr.com/news/local-news/ed-…
He suffered a heart attack at work but was denied Social Security disability. Then CBS 6 stepped in.

He suffered a heart attack at work but was denied Social Security disability. Then CBS 6 stepped in.

Ed Heavener used to work as a truck driver and frequently went camping with his wife Machelle Heavener. His life changed forever in March 2022.

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I know last summer was unusually cool at first, but is constant, excessive heat the norm in RVA during the summer? I personally despise this. Grass burnt to a crisp. The second floor of the house simply will not cool. AC units pushed to the brink. @ZachDanielCBS6
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The U.S. Attorney’s Office said Adam Harrell used the money to buy real estate properties, luxury vehicles, dozens of firearms, and jewelry. @CBS6 @USAttorneys @VDHgov wtvr.com/news/local-news/ada…
Former OEMS employee charged with stealing over $4 million from state

Former OEMS employee charged with stealing over $4 million from state

Adam Harrell, the former Associate Director of OEMS, was charged with mail fraud, federal program theft, and evasion of tax assessment.

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Anyone know a hair stylist in RVA that could help me out this weekend? I need a highlights refresh ASAP! Please DM me if yes! Thank you so much.
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“There just really is no rationale that can be used to explain the excess that's appearing in the records that you found,” Senator Lashrecse Aird (D - 13th District) said. @CBS6 @lashrecseaird wtvr.com/news/local-news/pet…
Extra hotel rooms, rental cars, and a $22,000 travel bill. What's going on with school leader...

Extra hotel rooms, rental cars, and a $22,000 travel bill. What's going on with school leader...

Former Petersburg Schools Superintendent Dr. Tamara Sterling charged taxpayers more than $22,000 while traveling to conferences during her 15 months on the job, according to records obtained by CBS 6.

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Tocco said she did not receive the help from PayPal that she expected. “I was really stuck, which is kind of when I reached out to you guys,” Tocco said. @CBS6 @AdamRust9 @ConsumerFed @PayPal wtvr.com/news/local-news/pay…
Someone stole money from this Virginia mom's PayPal. Then PayPal penalized her: 'This can happen to...

Someone stole money from this Virginia mom's PayPal. Then PayPal penalized her: 'This can happen to...

“I was really stuck, which is kind of when I reached out to you guys,” Sarah Tocco said about a recent experience with PayPal.

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Richmond CA Colette McEachin said while the crash was awful, neither driver did anything criminal. @CBS6 wtvr.com/news/local-news/soa…
A VCU student was killed walking on Richmond sidewalk, drivers were cited in crash but not his death

A VCU student was killed walking on Richmond sidewalk, drivers were cited in crash but not his death

Richmond Commonwealth's Attorney Colette McEachin said while the crash was awful, neither driver did anything criminal.

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“This was a 2.5 year process, and while we still wish @GRTCTransit had done more from the beginning, we are pleased with the outcome of the court proceedings.” Wayne & Kim Harvell said. @CBS6 wtvr.com/news/local-news/sup…
Richmond man to serve 30 years for killing GRTC passenger and assaulting driver

Richmond man to serve 30 years for killing GRTC passenger and assaulting driver

A Richmond man who violently assaulted a GRTC bus driver and then shot and killed another man on a GRTC bus a month later pled guilty to the two crimes Tuesday as part of a plea agreement.

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ICYMI: Virginia State Police are investigating embezzlement allegations after an internal review found funds missing from the Virginia Association for Pupil Transportation. @VSPPIO @CBS6 wtvr.com/news/local-news/vir…
Police investigating after accounts 'significantly compromised' at Virginia association

Police investigating after accounts 'significantly compromised' at Virginia association

Virginia State Police are investigating allegations that a former employee of the Virginia Association for Pupil Transportation (VAPT) embezzled funds from the group.

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The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia declined to prosecute anyone related to the collapse of the EnRichmond Foundation, according to the Acting Public Affairs Specialist for the @FBIRichmond Leslie Chappell McLane. @CBS6 wtvr.com/news/local-news/enr…
They lost thousands when EnRichmond collapsed. Now they're learning no one will be prosecuted.

They lost thousands when EnRichmond collapsed. Now they're learning no one will be prosecuted.

EnRichmond acted as an umbrella organization and allowed the groups to be tax-exempt and fundraise as a non-profit.

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Recent testing done at Hiram Davis Medical Center in Dinwiddie shows legionella bacteria growing and spreading at uncontrolled levels inside the medical facility, which houses some of Virginia’s most medically fragile patients. @CBS6 wtvr.com/news/local-news/leg…
Legionella found in water at Virginia medical facility that handles vulnerable patients

Legionella found in water at Virginia medical facility that handles vulnerable patients

Legionella bacteria can cause a serious type of pneumonia if people breathe in small droplets of water containing the bacteria, or accidentally swallow contaminated water into their lungs.

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Thrilled to share the birth of Jack Francis Ralston. Born 12/23 @ 7:55 a.m. He was transverse, so the amazing team at VCU had to push him head down. A special shout out to my OBGYN Dr. Christine Isaacs who kept me and baby calm and safe throughout this pregnancy! @VCUHealth
Image from Melissa J. Hipolit (@MelissaCBS6)
Image from Melissa J. Hipolit (@MelissaCBS6)
Image from Melissa J. Hipolit (@MelissaCBS6)
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What a joy to bring these two women together for a random act of kindness! Karen Grim---your generosity blew me away! @CBS6 wtvr.com/news/local-news/com…
She felt inspired by a Virginia family's resilience. So CBS 6 helped connect them

She felt inspired by a Virginia family's resilience. So CBS 6 helped connect them

When Karen Grim saw Rachel Morris share her story as part of a CBS6 investigation into issues with the state’s self-sufficiency programs, she felt compelled to do something for Rachel and her family.

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I loved the opportunity to help out some deserving moms in the RVA with the help of Virginia Credit Union and Little Hands Virginia! @CBS6 @LittleHandsVA wtvr.com/cbs-6-gives/melissa…
They are preparing for the birth of their children. CBS 6 wanted to help out

They are preparing for the birth of their children. CBS 6 wanted to help out

The holidays can be tough for anyone, especially if you are preparing for the arrival of a baby. And one of the most expensive things that new parents can buy is a car seat.

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VDH declined to release 753 messages from leadership at the agency and leadership in the OEMS related to public records requests from CBS6 into “possible financial irregularities” at the OEMS. @CBS6 wtvr.com/news/local-news/vdh…
Virginia Dept. of Health opts to withhold 753 messages related to 'possible financial irregularit...

Virginia Dept. of Health opts to withhold 753 messages related to 'possible financial irregularit...

The Office of Emergency Medical Services (OEMS), which is part of VDH, faces a multi-million-dollar deficit, VDH Chief Operating Officer Christopher Lindsay said.

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Despite taxpayers spending more than $26 million on them in fiscal year 2023, according to numbers provided to CBS 6 by the VDSS, just one percent of Virginia households that need government assistance to get by even participate in the programs. @CBS6 wtvr.com/news/local-news/cbs…

CBS 6 investigates why tax-funded self-sufficiency programs are failing families: 'It's crisis...

Despite spending more than $26 million on them in 2023, just one percent of Virginia households that need government assistance participate in the programs.

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UPDATE: VDH COO Christopher Lindsay said an internal review showed there have been years of moving funds from one source to another to cover shortfalls with little to no oversight. @CBS6 @VDHgov wtvr.com/news/local-news/off…
Virginia Health Department admits to Office of Emergency Medical Services multi-million-dollar...

Virginia Health Department admits to Office of Emergency Medical Services multi-million-dollar...

Christopher Lindsay said an internal review showed there have been years of moving funds from one source to another to cover shortfalls with little to no oversight.

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