State employees who’ve always thought they had the perfect idea to improve Virginia’s government but never believed anyone would listen … now have the ear of the Governor.  And as Virginia Public Radio’s Tommie McNeil reports, they have about two weeks to submit their suggestions … and the one with the most innovative idea will get more than a penny for his thoughts.

Every day that a law enforcement officer puts on a uniform and leaves for work, there’s always the possibility that it may be the last time their loved ones see them.  As Virginia Public Radio’s Tommie McNeil reports, recent events have made a Public Safety Memorial Commission more determined than ever to create a monument and program to pay tribute to the fallen and assist their families.

Virginia IS apparently for lovers … of parks—where attendance is setting records as a recreational destination for millions of visitors.  75 years ago, the Commonwealth established its state parks system, and as Virginia Public Radio’s Anne Marie Morgan reports, Governor McDonnell has proclaimed June as a month to commemorate that anniversary.

Former Governor Doug Wilder has recently returned from a trip to Africa.  His purpose there was to provide advice to help elected leaders restructure their government after years of political unrest.  But as Virginia Public Radio’s Tommie McNeil reports, Wilder says he came back more knowledgeable about issues with which his own country has struggled.

Since the start of the War on Terrorism, 233 Virginians have been killed in the line of duty—20 since last year’s “Wall of Honor” ceremony at the State Capitol.  Leaders at this year’s tribute reminded Virginians that while they enjoy this Memorial Day weekend with cookouts and vacations … the sacrifices made by these fallen members of the military allow all Americans to enjoy their freedoms.  Virginia Public Radio’s Tommie McNeil reports.

With Virginia’s primary elections fast approaching in August and the general election a few months later, state leaders want to prevent voting irregularities as much as possible. That’s why the State Board of Elections is addressing a problem that occurred last November which may not have affected that electoral outcome—but could potentially skew future election results.  Virginia Public Radio’s Tommie McNeil reports from the Capitol.

State employee e-mails are subject to Freedom of Information requests made by the public under Virginia’s open-government laws … which also allow the costs of providing records to be passed along to the requester.  But the e-mails have become so voluminous and cluttered that costs to retrieve them have skyrocketed.  And as Virginia Public Radio’s Anne Marie Morgan reports, the Freedom of Information Advisory Council is concerned that steep charges could have a chilling effect.

Some regions of the Old Dominion appear to be coming out of the so-called Great Recession. But recent cost-of-living data shows Virginians pay more or less depending on where they live. Virginia Public Radio’s Jay King has the story.

In Virginia, more than 300-thousand children are exposed to domestic violence annually… and a state panel has been working to mitigate this problem and identify gaps in services to victims.  But as Virginia Public Radio’s Tommie McNeil reports, although resources are available to families, they aren’t sufficient to prevent the cycle from continuing.

There hasn’t been a systematic study of seniors in Virginia since the late 70s and early 80s … and since then the needs of the Commonwealth’s aging population have changed dramatically. Now there’s a new study in the works to assist in planning for what is being called the “age wave.” And as Virginia Public Radio’s Tommie McNeil reports, the feedback indicates that there’s a lot of preparation to be done.

U.S. House Majority Leader Eric Cantor returned to his Richmond-area district to host a jobs forum comprised of small business-owners and economists … to discuss the challenges they are facing. And as Virginia Public Radio’s Tommie McNeil reports, Cantor said he would like to take many of Virginia’s business models back to Washington and incorporate those practices there.

An alliance of advocacy organization is seeking to delay state regulations that would prevent adoptions by gay couples in Virginia. The new rules removed proposed language that would ban discrimination in adoptions based on family status, sexual orientation and other factors. But as Virginia Public Radio’s Anne Marie Morgan reports, the groups say the State Board of Social Services revised the language without adequate time for public comment.

State lawmakers are working to develop new appropriations criteria in the wake of an Attorney General’s opinion clarifying that direct funding to charities violates the state constitution.  And as Virginia Public Radio’s Anne Marie Morgan reports, the goals include determining whether they can still receive some version of state funding—and, if so, under what conditions.

A consortium of anti-uranium mining groups says it’s stepping up its campaign to visit communities and inform residents and lawmakers about the risks of uranium mining in Virginia.  Although there is a statewide ban on uranium mining, several companies are lobbying the state to lift it in order to mine a large deposit in Pittsylvania County—and perhaps elsewhere—to create jobs and prosperity.  Virginia Public Radio’s Tommie McNeil has more from the State Capitol.

Although some believe the practice is invasive…Virginia is moving forward with familial DNA testing that helps police capture violent offenders.  But as Virginia Public Radio’s Tommie McNeil reports, the technology will be used as a last resort …and even defense attorneys may embrace the approach.

A three-judge panel heard oral arguments in appeals of two U-S district court decisions that either upheld the federal-health care law or struck down the mandate requiring most Americans to buy health insurance or pay a penalty.  The two cases heard before the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals arose from lawsuits filed by the Commonwealth of Virginia and Liberty University.  Virginia Public Radio’s Anne Marie Morgan reports from the federal courthouse in Richmond. https://virginiapublicradio.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/appeal1.mp3

Virginia’s Freedom of Information Advisory Council is weighing whether the law should allow the public to know -and the media to publish-the names, positions, and compensation of state employees … or whether such transparency is an invasion of privacy.  And as Virginia Public Radio’s Anne Marie Morgan reports, the members agree that the public has a right to know how tax dollars are being spent … but they’re not sure yet how MUCH information is appropriate.

While Governor McDonnell will be spending next week abroad in Asia to build business relationships there, he’s asking Virginians to continue building relationships with small businesses as part of the Commonwealth’s Business Appreciation Week.  Virginia Public Radio’s Tommie McNeil has more from the State Capitol.

Despite the fact that federal officials have once killed a proposal to lift the moratorium on offshore gas and oil drilling, Governor McDonnell says he is not dissuaded … and is continuing his push to convince President Obama and Interior Secretary Ken Salazar to expedite the process.  And as Virginia Public Radio’s Tommie McNeil reports, McDonnell says rising gas prices are hurting families and businesses so much that a delay will cripple the economy even more.

The Sierra Club’s response is that even if the moratorium were lifted today, it would still take years to take advantage of any oil or gas discovered, and during that time, the country could be investing in renewable, cleaner energy exploration and development.

This week marks the 50th anniversary of the Civil Rights “Freedom Riders” movement … that began when13 men and women departed from Washington, D.C., on a commercial bus trip to challenge the unconstitutionally segregated interstate bus facilities.  But a pioneer in the movement says it started before 1961, right in Virginia’s  capital city.  And, as Virginia Public Radio’s Tommie McNeil reports, state Senator Henry Marsh says that although African-Americans have made great strides, too many in this generation have forgotten the battles that afforded them today’s opportunities.

One in five children ages 9 through 17 experiences a mental health disorder in the course of a year—and one in 10 is very serious … according to the latest national data.  Now a new report that focuses on the Commonwealth examines whether these children are being adequately treated … and, as Virginia Public Radio’s Anne Marie Morgan reports, it found deficiencies in the array of services statewide.

An Arbor Day tree-planting ceremony and unveiling of a new garden in front of the Governor’s Mansion provided an opportunity for First Lady Maureen McDonnell to showcase her new pride and joy.  But as Virginia Public Radio’s Tommie McNeil reports, it also was an opportunity to raise public awareness of the importance of planting trees and starting gardens.

The Virginia Senate has finally agreed to an amended redistricting bill after Governor McDonnell vetoed the first version.  But although there are some Republicans who were ready to sign off on this new plan, others say that the Democratic majority still protected their own interests.  Virginia Public Radio’s Tommie McNeil reports from the Capitol.

Eight people are dead and more than 50 injured after heavy storms and tornadoes swept through the Commonwealth overnight. Virginia Public Radio’s Beverly Amsler reports.

The Virginia Attorney General’s office is backing a new set of initiatives aimed specifically at helping victims of child sexual violence.  During an information-sharing event, the Attorney General revealed staggering statistics that one in three girls and one in seven boys will be sexually assaulted in their childhood.  And as Virginia Public Radio’s Tommie McNeil reports, abused children often tell no one—and have no way of coping with their pain.

Virginia Senators continued their negotiations Tuesday in an effort to draw a new redistricting map that might be acceptable to both Democrats and Republicans.  But as Virginia Public Radio’s Anne Marie Morgan reports, time may be running out to hold their election primaries as scheduled.

The unveiling of 17 historic markers to tell the story of the Richmond Slave Trail has drawn attention to a tragic chapter in Virginia’s history.  The markers show the route traveled from a James River port by thousands of Africans in bondage.  And as Virginia Public Radio’s Tommie McNeil reports, marking the 150th anniversary of the Civil War includes remembering a dark past as the nation’s largest slave market.

This week marks the 150th anniversary of Virginia’s secession from the Union … which eventually led to a traumatic Civil War.  And although critics of the South say it has yet to get over that conflict, one historian says the U-S can learn lessons on how to resolve issues such as immigration and social-economic disparities by examining the post-Civil War era. 

The General Assembly may be divided on the issue of redistricting, but while Democrats and Republicans continue to draw lines in the sand over political boundaries … they stand undivided over domestic and sexual violence, the rights of victims, and how to better protect Virginians from harm.  Virginia Public Radio’s Tommie McNeil has more from the State Capitol.

Governor McDonnell and the Virginia Department of Education have rolled out the state’s teacher merit-pay plan—inviting select districts to compete for grants to award teachers in ‘hard-to-staff’ schools.  Virginia Public Radio’s Connie Stevens reports.

Virginia’s law firms have been competing statewide to see who can gather the greatest amount of donations for the Commonwealth’s food banks during the fifth annual Legal Food Frenzy.  And as Virginia Public Radio’s Anne Marie Morgan reports, food donations and other charitable contributions are especially needed right now.

Members of the House of Delegates were back at work this week… a few days after the Governor vetoed a bill that reconfigured the General Assembly’s legislative districts.  The House Privileges and Elections Committee unanimously approved new legislation … but as Virginia Public Radio’s Anne Marie Morgan reports, a consensus among ALL players has yet to emerge.

Many may think the unused prescription medications flushed away in Virginia and around the country are gone forever, but millions of people are consuming a cocktail of drugs unknowingly because treatment plants are not able to remove many of the toxins from the water.  But as Virginia Public Radio’s Tommie McNeil reports, the state Attorney General is teaming up with others to not only educate the public about proper medication disposal … but also to address the growing problem of prescription drug abuse among teenagers.

A coalition of gay rights advocates is urging the Governor to reconsider his stance on proposed regulations that would affect whether gay and lesbian couples have the right to adopt within the Commonwealth.  The new rules were first proposed during former Governor Tim Kaine’s administration.  Virginia Public Radio’s Tommie McNeil has more from the State Capitol.

When Governor Bob McDonnell designated April as Confederate History Month, a student at the University of Virginia decided to make her own declaration to honor some of history’s little known heroes, including a Norfolk native named Ella Baker.  Virginia Public Radio’s Sandy Hausman has that story.

The state Senate has introduced its own plan for redrawing Virginia’s 11 Congressional districts … setting up a confrontation with the House of Delegates, which just approved competing legislation.  And as Virginia Public Radio’s Anne Marie Morgan reports, the Senators have very different ideas about where the boundaries should be drawn.