While Virginia has made significant strides to confront human trafficking, it’s still a growing problem—so much so that Governor McDonnell hosted the first-ever state Human Trafficking Summit. What we learned is that while Virginia—especially Northern Virginia—is still one of the largest hubs for traffickers, law enforcement is quickly gaining ground. Virginia Public Radio’s Tommie McNeil has more from the State Capitol.

When the Virginia General Assembly approved new transportation funding this year, it also allocated $2.5 billion more than VDOT’s previous six-year transportation improvement plan. That is allowing to the agency to focus aggressively on some badly needed construction projects statewide to relieve congestion, make repairs, and build new lanes. But as Virginia Public Radio’s Tommie McNeil reports, it will also mean some headaches for motorists traveling on some of the busiest stretches of Virginia.

Mark Obenshain, Republican Candidate

Mark Herring, Democrat Candidate

The federal government shutdown provided fuel for the Democratic candidate for Attorney General to take shots at his Republican rival during their second debate.  But while GOP Senator Mark Obenshain did not distance himself from the group which Democratic Senator Mark Herring says is behind the shutdown, the Republican painted his opponent as a figurehead who lacks vision and understanding of the office of Attorney General.  Virginia Public Radio’s Tommie McNeil reports.

Although the federal health insurance Marketplace for small businesses has been delayed until next month, employers still have some obligations that they must meet this week under the Affordable Care Act.  That includes telling employees about the launch of the individual Marketplace, where employees MAY find coverage options through the approved plans.  But as Virginia Public Radio’s Anne Marie Morgan reports, the experts say the conversation should go beyond mere notification due to the law’s complexity.

 Many companies are inviting insurance agents to come speak to their employees to further explain ALL of their options both inside and outside of the Marketplace.

Enrollment is set to begin October 1st for Virginia’s new health insurance marketplace, which will be operated by the federal government. The exchange that opens this week is for individuals, while the small business program—known as “SHOP”—will open on November 1st.  But as Virginia Public Radio’s Anne Marie Morgan reports, not every plan will be available everywhere in the Commonwealth.

The Virginia State Police and the DMV are highlighting a program that’s been around for some time … but because of a change in state law, it’s being extended to a growing category of motorists. Moped and motorcycle operators are now being offered a FREE accessory that police believe helps deter theft and even lowers some insurance premiums. Virginia Public Radio’s Tommie McNeil has more from the State Capitol.

A coalition of Richmond-area pastors says Richmond’s City Council is overstepping its authority by considering an ordinance that would grant benefits to spouses of city workers in same-sex marriages.  The pastors say the state Constitution is clear in its definition of a marriage being between one man and one woman—which is also as the New Testament defines it.  Virginia Public Radio’s Tommie McNeil has more from the State Capitol.

While it is known as the home of freedom-loving Founding Fathers, Virginia has also had a history of undemocratic institutions and tendencies.  That was the controversial topic of a book launch and discussion hosted by the Library of Virginia.  And as Virginia Public Radio’s Anne Marie Morgan reports, author and historian Brent Tarter discovered primary sources with those ideas throughout the 400 years of the Commonwealth’s history.

The State Department of Aging and Rehabilitative Services is officially under investigation by the U.S. Office for Civil Rights over the state’s Auxiliary Grant program, which funds services mostly for people with disabilities and physical or mental impairments. At issue is whether or not the program’s policies are discriminatory and place unnecessary restrictions on where individuals may live in order to receive the grant funds. Virginia Public Radio’s Tommie McNeil reports.

U.S. Senator Mark Warner says Congress could learn a thing or two from Phyllis Galanti, the wife of former Vietnam War POW Paul Galanti. She was honored today [Friday] during a Virginia War Memorial ceremony … where she spoke about how she remained steadfast in her resolve while her husband was gone for seven-and-a-half years. And as Virginia Public Radio’s Tommie McNeil reports, Warner weighed in on the latest dust-up in Washington. 

Virginia has recently joined other states that want to reduce distracted driving accidents by passing a ban on texting while behind the wheel. But some drivers still don’t get it and perform the act daily. As Virginia Public Radio’s Tommie McNeil reports, how safety advocates can help change that was the focus of the first annual Distracted Driving Summit in Richmond.

While some political pundits say Democrat Terry McAuliffe has all but won the Virginia Governor’s race, a new Quinnipiac University Poll says Republican Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli should not be counted out of the race yet.  In fact, as Virginia Public Radio’s Tommie McNeil reports, it’s a statistical dead heat between the two.

As the demand for health care services is set to expand under the federal Affordable Care Act, a new report suggests that Virginia is in short supply of those doctors needed to handle the influx of patients. The need for primary care and family practice doctors will be especially great.  But as Virginia Public Radio’s Tommie McNeil reports, the state’s Joint Commission on Health Care is looking for solutions.

State lawmakers have been learning more about how the Virginia Information Technologies Agency protects and oversees the Commonwealth’s most sensitive databases.  And as Virginia Public Radio’s Tommie McNeil reports, they’re finding out that while Medicaid expansion is supposed to help benefit those who need services, the state might not be prepared for the influx of data the expansion would bring with it.

State leaders say they do not have a contingency plan if the Virginia Supreme Court upholds a lower court ruling that tolls are taxes and not user fees.  A group of Hampton Roads residents won a victory earlier this year over whether or not they are being unfairly tolled to pay for construction of a second Midtown Tunnel and maintenance of other tunnels.  But as Virginia Public Radio’s Tommie McNeil reports, those who support VDOT’s position say that if residents within that region win this lawsuit, citizens throughout the entire state will lose.

Virginia’s gubernatorial candidates don’t agree on much and when invited to various forums, they speak at different times. But during a candidates’ visit to the Virginia Commonwealth University class of former Governor Douglas Wilder, they both agreed on a matter that has been a sticking point for current Governor Bob McDonnell.
As Virginia Public Radio’s Tommie McNeil reports, neither GOP Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli nor Democrat Terry McAuliffe would sign off on McDonnell’s education reform package that would allow the state to take over failing schools.

Concerns that skyrocketing costs may be driving many Virginia families away from higher education prompted state lawmakers to mandate a study to discover which factors are making tuition and fees so expensive.  In its second in a series of reports, the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission broke down the costs of non-academic university services, including athletics, recreation centers, housing, and dining.  And as Virginia Public Radio’s Anne Marie Morgan reports, it found that these “auxiliary enterprises” are one of the major cost drivers.

The Polaris Project is an organization active in the fight against human trafficking in the U.S. and globally. Pushing for stronger state laws, they rank states on their efforts fight trafficking. Virginia once had a poor score but, as Virginia Public Radio’s Tommie McNeil reports, that has changed.

Virginia’s laws and processes in administering the death penalty can and should be improved.  That’s according to a report unveiled through a project sponsored by the American Bar Association.  And as Virginia Public Radio’s Anne Marie Morgan reports, the goal of the Death Penalty Assessment Team’s findings is to reduce the risk of wrongful conviction or execution.

U.S. House Majority Leader Eric Cantor is being heavily lobbied by two sets of constituents who are at opposite ends of a polarizing debate. One wants him to push for a vote next month on comprehensive immigration reform, while the other wants him to be steadfast, refuse to capitulate, and push to reinforce U.S. borders.  Virginia Public Radio’s Tommie McNeil reports on a visit to the Congressman’s Richmond office by two competing groups.

When DNA evidence began springing people from prison, prosecutors discovered just how unreliable eyewitnesses can be.   Here in Virginia, 13 out of 16 cases of wrongful convictions involved inaccurate identifications.  That led the state to issue model procedures for dealing with witnesses, but after nearly two years, Sandy Hausman reports that very few have put those recommendations into practice.

A defendant who’s charged with committing a sex offense against a child may have his previous convictions used against him in court under legislation that’s being considered by the Virginia State Crime Commission.  The bill’s opponents say that acknowledging prior convictions or negative character traits during a trial has the potential to prejudice a jury against a defendant.  But as Virginia Public Radio’s Anne Marie Morgan reports, some lawmakers believe current state law does not strike the right balance to secure justice for victimized children.

Photo: Old Dominion University

Many pilots learned how to fly and surgeons how to make incisions by engaging in some type of “modeling and simulation” program developed by a group of engineers. But while “modeling and simulation” is now becoming its own profession, in Virginia few schools provide a course of study needed to train and retain these specialized engineers. As Virginia Public Radio’s Tommie McNeil reports, the current administration and General Assembly are trying to change that.

Virginia Civil Rights Memorial at Capitol Square

While the nation reflects on the 50th anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s “I Have A Dream” speech in Washington, a Virginia historian looks at the Commonwealth’s role in the civil rights movement and where it stands today.  Virginia Public Radio’s Tommie McNeil has more from the State Capitol.  

Your responses—or lack of participation—in a new round of surveys by the Virginia Department of Health could very well impact what kind of services are available in your area. As Virginia Public Radio’s Tommie McNeil reports, while VDH still conducts surveys by telephone, the Commonwealth will begin gauging health needs via the Web through a new pilot program. 

The Virginia gubernatorial campaign has garnered most of the media attention this year.  But also on the ballot are elections for all 100 seats of the House of Delegates.  And as Virginia Public Radio’s Anne Marie Morgan reports, many more Delegate seats are contested this year than the last time House candidates ran two years ago.

The Health Flexible Spending Account records of 13,000 Virginia state employees were erroneously sent last month to the wrong human resources or payroll officials … who should have received information only for their own locations.  An insurance subcontractor electronically distributed the confidential health records, which included the employees’ names and Social Security numbers.  As Anne Marie Morgan reports, the exposure of private information was not due to a hacker—but was instead caused by human error.

The Virginia Tourism Corporation has taken a small investment and not only won a national award, but turned it into what could potentially be a huge boost to the state—especially the most economically distressed communities.
As Virginia Public Radio’s Tommie McNeil reports, the Best Advertising Mercury Award from U.S. Travel was given for the Commonwealth’s unique “Old School Virginia” campaign.

A Confederate history organization says it still has plans to erect its battle flag along I-95 next month despite criticism from plenty of Virginians, including the state NAACP.  But a spokesman for “Virginia Flaggers” says the group is not doing anything wrong. As Virginia Public Radio’s Tommie McNeil reports,  members insist that all they’re doing is promoting a piece of their heritage that’s been gradually etched out of American history.

Governor McDonnell has announced a 585-million-dollar surplus for the state fiscal year that ended in June.  The General Assembly’s money committees greeted him with warm applause before he outlined the condition of the Commonwealth’s budget outlook.  But as Virginia Public Radio’s Anne Marie Morgan reports, the good fiscal news couldn’t quite obscure the other news that’s haunting him.

While voter turnout for the last three Virginia gubernatorial elections was dismal, it’s possible that negative campaigning and scandals could discourage even more voters from going to the polls in November. Virginia Public Radio’s Tommie McNeil discusses the possibility with a political analyst—who believes the implications of the negative campaigns are greater than even low voter turnout.

Virginians who undervote or overvote but leave before the machine accepts their final ballots will be able to get some extra assistance from local election officials.  That’s due to a new regulation adopted this week by the State Board of Elections.  And as Virginia Public Radio’s Anne Marie Morgan reports, the extra step may not make much of a difference in lopsided elections, but it will help every vote get counted in the close ones.

If voters can wade through the scandals facing Democratic gubernatorial nominee Terry McAuliffe and his GOP rival, Ken Cuccinelli, they’ll find substantive events where both candidates present ideas for the Commonwealth’s future.  And as Virginia Public Radio’s Tommie McNeil reports, each contender made big announcements Tuesday that they hoped would help put the issues marring their campaigns behind them.

One in five Virginia children suffer from mental disorders—and in about half of those cases, it’s so severe that it’s disruptive to the home and school life. And while incidents like Sandy Hook and the Virginia Tech shootings have brought more attention to the issue, parents of children with these disorders say it should NOT take another tragedy for government officials to finally respond to their calls for additional help.  Virginia Public Radio’s Tommie McNeil talked with one of those parents, who tells her story.

Virginia inventors, entrepreneurs, and university researchers could get additional state protection for their trade secrets under proposals being discussed by a General Assembly panel.  The plan would need to mesh with federal policies on patents, which take precedence over state law. But as Virginia Public Radio’s Anne Marie Morgan reports, lawmakers not only hope to make the Commonwealth an innovation-friendly state …but want to protect inventors against frivolous litigators called “patent trolls.”

State Republicans are responding to a call by one of their own for a special session on ethics reform in light of the scandals now plaguing both the Governor’s office and the gubernatorial campaign.  Virginia Public Radio’s Tommie McNeil has more details from the State Capitol.

College students and others who plan to register more than two dozen new voters for the November election will need to go through special training before they can.  That’s because of a change this year in state law, which also requires those who conduct voter registration drives to sign up with the State Board of Elections or local election offices.  And as Virginia Public Radio’s Anne Marie Morgan reports, the new training also must be state-certified.

With excited, overflow crowds in attendance, the Washington Redskins start week 3 of working out at their new training camp in Richmond.  Virginia Public Radio’s Tommie McNeil spoke with ‘Skins General Manager Bruce Allen about how things are going in the new venue. 

Governor McDonnell speaking on Washington radio station WTOP now says that not only is he paying back all loans received from Star Scientific CEO Jonnie Williams, he is also returning all gifts. As VPR’s Tommie McNeil reports, as the Governor continues to do damage control, he is shifting the focus on a broken state gifting and disclosure system, NOT improprieties on his part.

Officials in Virginia  are  looking at  just how sequestration cuts are impacting military operations in the Commonwealth.
As Virginia Public Radio’s Tommie McNeil reports, it can be difficult to guage how families are adjusting to their first reduced paychecks as a result of sequestration furloughs.

Before the Virginia General Assembly adjourned this year, it took up the issue of child sexual abuse and whether Virginia laws effectively deter the crime or prosecute the offender. Months later, members of the State Crime Commission are faced with the daunting task of reviewing the laws, and making recommendations, without weakening current law. Tommie McNeil reports.

Several national publications rank Virginia within the top five for raising a child or providing a decent education but when it comes to finding an orphaned child a permanent home before they turn 18, the organization Voices for Virginia’s Children ranks the Commonwealth 49th. As VPR’s Tommie McNeil reports, it’s why the McDonnell administration is kicking off a series of events throughout the state to help promote adoption.

Virginia’s DMV is facilitating a unique relationship between the military and the transportation industry. While there is a shortage of commercially licensed drivers and fewer jobs for veterans, the DMV is making it easier for servicemen and women who have specialized driving experience to obtain their Commercial Drivers License when returning home.  As Virginia Public Radio’s Tommie McNeil reports, the program is part of a statewide effort to translate the skills learned in the military into the certifications needed for civilian jobs. 

Despite the sources and their political leanings, pollsters are finding that the Star Scientific scandal is taking a toll on Governor McDonnell’s approval ratings.  But as Virginia Public Radio’s Tommie McNeil reports, a new Quinnipiac poll also finds that overall, most Virginians still like their governor. 

The General Assembly’s watchdog agency says many of the factors driving up the cost of university tuition and fees are NOT directly related to instruction.  The Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission has been examining higher education costs to determine the operational efficiency of the Commonwealth’s 15 four-year institutions—and whether ways can be found to reduce expenses.  And as Virginia Public Radio’s Anne Marie Morgan reports, JLARC found that the soaring tuition increases have exceeded inflation.

A special cyber-security panel of the Joint Commission on Technology and Science has voted to move forward with crafting state legislation to enable many deployed military voters to cast their absentee ballots on-line.  The panel decided that the pilot program should focus on active-duty military personnel based outside of the continental U.S.–instead of also including spouses and other employees. And as Virginia Public Radio’s Anne Marie Morgan reports, some expressed concern about security challenges and ensuring the integrity of those ballots.

College students have just as much at stake in the upcoming November elections as any other Virginian, and what the next Governor does may significantly impact the choices students make.  It’s why a panel of university student leaders grilled both Democrat Terry McAuliffe and Republican Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli during a Google “Hangout for Higher Ed.”  And as Virginia Public Radio’s Tommie McNeil reports, both gubernatorial candidates say tackling the costs of college and initiating economic development to help graduates are top priorities.

Chef Todd Schneider/FILE

The criminal trial of a former Executive Mansion chef accused of embezzlement will proceed as planned.  Richmond Circuit Court Judge Margaret Spencer had considered a motion by the defense to dismiss the case against Todd Schneider.  But as Virginia Public Radio’s Tommie McNeil reports, she ruled late today Friday that there is no reason to do so.

On the heels of the recent Supreme Court decision striking down a portion of the Defense of Marriage Act, the Human Rights Campaign and other lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender organizations are throwing their support behind the three Democrats running for statewide office. The candidates pledge that upon being elected to office they’ll act to reverse certain restrictions on the LGBT community. But as Virginia Public Radio’s Tommie McNeil reports, other officials say they will also champion the cause regardless of the election’s outcome.

Virginians will soon be able to register to vote on-line thanks to a new state system that will “go live” on Wednesday. Residents will still have the option of using standard paper applications … and can still register at the DMV or other agencies.  But as Virginia Public Radio’s Anne Marie Morgan reports, state officials believe the digital forms can prevent the mistakes that sometimes accompany the paper versions.