Archive for category Virginia’s News

What’s Next for Embattled Former Governor Bob McDonnell?

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Now that embattled former Governor Bob McDonnell and his wife are out of legal jeopardy, what’s next for the man who was once a rising star in Republican politics? Michael Pope has the story.

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Va News Topics: School Principal Reprimanded

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In Virginia’s public schools not many things are more critical than Standards of Learning Tests – known as the SOL’s. Now a highly honored school principal has been reprimanded for a series of phone calls made to parents ahead of this years final testing period. Those have been among the most read stories over the past week on the Virginia Public Access Project’s Va News link at vpap.org.

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Virginia Lawmaker Asking for Complete Overhaul of U.S. Tax Code

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One Virginia congressman is hoping to throw the entire U.S. tax code in the trash can and start over. Michael Pope reports from Capitol Hill.

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Roanoke Preschool to Receive State Funding

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Governor Terry McAuliffe during a visit to Greenvale in Roanoke Thursday. Credit: Mallory Noe-Payne / WVTF

Governor Terry McAuliffe was in Roanoke today to visit a preschool. The school is receiving money through a new grant program that’s part of a state-wide focus on early childhood education. Nick Gilmore reports.

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Executive Overreach or Prosecutorial Discretion? Congress Debates ‘Slush Funds’

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Do federal prosecutors have a slush fund? One Virginia congressman says they do, and he wants to bring an end to it. Michael Pope has the story.

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Major Virginia Paper Endorses Third-Party Candidate for President

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This strange political season has thrown another curve ball, an endorsement from one of Virginia’s largest newspapers to a third-party candidate. The unusual move made national headlines over Labor Day weekend. Mallory Noe-Payne reports.

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Virginians To Have Several Options on Presidential Ballot This Year

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Election officials in Virginia have put the finishing touches on the presidential ballot this year, which will have five choices for voters. Michael Pope has the story.

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Va News Topics: Toll Road Issue, Small Town Online Data Center

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A small Virginia town has learned that landing a major online data center is not the economic windfall it once appeared to be, and a Virginia woman thought she was all paid up on the Dulles Toll Road until she found out she wasn’t. Those have been among the most read stories over the past week on the Virginia Public Access Project’s Va News link at vpap.org.

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Lawmakers Working to Break Cycles Within Juvenile Criminal Justice System

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What happens when children get involved in the criminal justice system? Oftentimes, they get sent to large juvenile facilities, which critics say leads to a cycle of getting re-arrested and ultimately a life of crime and imprisonment. Now state leaders are trying to break that cycle. Michael Pope reports.

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Virginia Wine Sales Reach Record Highs

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Virginia wine is going places. Sales of state-made wine and hard-cider reached a record high in fiscal year 2016. Mallory Noe-Payne has the story.

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Republicans Take Aim At Mandatory Donations to Left-Wing Groups

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Judiciary Chairman Bob Goodlatte, who introduced the Stop Slush Funds Act of 2016. Credit: Gage Skidmore / Creative Commons

Do federal prosecutors have a slush fund? That question is behind a bill currently under consideration by Congress, one that is about to get a vote next week. Michael Pope reports.

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Republicans Want Virginia Supreme Court to Hold Governor in Contempt

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Republican leaders in the General Assembly say the Virginia Supreme Court should hold Democratic Governor Terry McAuliffe in contempt of court for his action to restore voting rights to former felons. Michael Pope has the story.

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State Accepting Comments on Concealed Carry Ban

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Last October, Virginia’s Governor used executive action to ban concealed-carry in state offices. There was an immediate backlash from many pro-gun advocates, and Wednesday in Richmond they got the chance to speak out. Mallory Noe-Payne reports.

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Virginia Lawmaker Jailed for Sex Scandal is Front-Runner in Richmond’s Mayoral Race

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The presidential election isn’t the only political showdown in Virginia this November. The state’s capital is also electing a new mayor. A poll out Tuesday from Christopher Newport University finds former state delegate Joe Morrissey has a commanding lead in Richmond’s mayoral race. Mallory Noe-Payne reports.

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What’s Happening Behind Closed Courthouse Doors In McDonnell Case? ​

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Former Governor Bob McDonnell had his conviction overturned by the United States Supreme Court, but that doesn’t mean his legal troubles are over yet. And now, as Michael Pope tells us, the 4th Circuit Court of Appeals is granting a delay in the case.

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Supreme Court to Rule on Virginia Redistricting Case This Fall

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This fall the Supreme Court will weigh in on whether race unfairly played a role when the lines were drawn for some Virginia House of Delegates seats. Matt Laslo reports.

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Virginia Republicans Already Looking Ahead To Next Year’s Election and Beyond

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The 2016 election is about to heat up after Labor Day, but Republicans in Virginia are already thinking ahead to 2017 and beyond. Michael Pope reports.

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Va News Topics: Outdated Zoning Regulations, Annoying Drones

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Outdated zoning and use regulations can hinder development as Henrico County has learned, and a Virginia woman has brought down a drone she thought was intruding over her property. Those have been among the most read stories over the past week on the Virginia Public Access Project’s Va News link at vpap.org.

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Airbnb Hosts May Soon Have to Pay Lodging Tax in Virginia

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For now, the thirty five hundred Airbnb hosts in Virginia operate largely in the shadows. The vast majority of those businesses pay no taxes, and they are not regulated by local governments in a way similar to hotels or bed and breakfasts. But, as Michael Pope tells us, that’s about to change.

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Budget Shortfall Means Delayed Raises for State Employees and Teachers

Virginia_flag_mapVirginia’s governor announced an unexpected budget shortfall today. It means state employees and teachers who were due for a raise won’t see that money anytime soon. It also means state agencies will have to find ways to cut spending, and Virginia’s rainy day fund will be taking a hit. Mallory Noe-Payne reports.

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Virginia Hosts Hackathon Using State Data

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Hackathon is a bit of a buzzword these days. It’s an event where software developers come together and are given a short period of time to collaborate on new projects. Think lots of computers, lots of creativity, and lots of energy drinks. You might associate a hackathon with universities or tech companies, but probably not state government. Virginia, though, is looking to change that. Mallory Noe-Payne reports.

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Will Don Beyer’s Fundraising Ability Land Him a Senate Seat?

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For political candidates, raising money isn’t always just about the next election. Sometimes running up a large campaign war chest is about thinking ahead beyond Election Day. Michael Pope reports.

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Third-Party Presidential Candidates Face Friday Deadline in Virginia

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When voters head to the polls this November, they’ll be facing more choices for president than Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump. Who else will be on the ballot, and what kind of influence might that have on the election? Michael Pope has the story.

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Students File Discrimination Complaint Against Richmond Public Schools

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Credit: Mallory Noe-Payne / WVTF

Students and advocacy groups in Richmond are accusing school administrators of unfairly disciplining black students, and students with disabilities. Two students and a local chapter of the NAACP filed a federal discrimination complaint against Richmond Public Schools Wednesday. Mallory Noe-Payne reports.

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Limiting Some Football Practice Drills to Cut Head Impact Risk for Young Players

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Researchers at Virginia Tech are out with the first findings of a five year study tracking head impacts to children who play tackle football.  Robbie Harris reports.

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Trump Staffers Caught Posting Off-Color Messages to Social Media

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Fresh off a campaign shakeup, Donald Trump is facing new allegations that people who work for him are making questionable statements about Muslims online. Michael Pope has the story.

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Virginia Colleges Preparing for New School Year

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Many of Virginia’s colleges are back in session this week. Classes at Virginia Tech started Monday, the University of Virginia’s began today — and Virginia Commonwealth University kicks things off tomorrow. Mallory Noe-Payne reports.

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Republicans Say McAuliffe is Trying To Rig Election

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Governor Terry McAuliffe’s effort to restore voting rights to former felons is attracting some criticism from Republicans, who say the move a politically motivated effort to help his friend Hillary Clinton win the White House. Michael Pope reports.

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Virginia Governor Renews Efforts to Restore Felons’ Rights

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Credit: Mallory Noe-Payne / WVTF

The fight to restore voting rights to Virginia’s felons has been a tug of war between Virginia’s Democratic Governor and state Republicans. Today, the governor gave his next big pull, announcing almost 13,000 individual restorations and laying out a path for more. Mallory Noe-Payne reports.

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Va News Topics:Mock 5th Grade Quiz, Gathering Pokemon Players

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A question about 20th Century Virginia’s most powerful politician has proven to be a surprising stumper on a mock 5th Grade quiz taken by over a thousand adults, and history, geography and technology working together have brought overwhelming numbers of Pokemon players to a small Virginia community. Those have been among the most read stories over the past week on the Virginia Public Access Project’s Va News link at vpap.org.

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Critics of Predatory Lending Divided Over Best Way to Help Borrowers

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What’s the best way to protect people from predatory lending? One federal agency has a new proposal, but it’s getting mixed reviews — even among people who agree that something needs to be done. Michael Pope has the story.

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Former Delegate Seeking Appeal In Wake Of McDonnell Decision

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The Supreme Court’s decision to overturn former Governor Bob McDonnell’s conviction for corruption may have had consequences far beyond the fate of the former governor and his wife. Michael Pope has the latest legal twist.

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Local Governments Struggle with Handling Airbnb Tax Cheats

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The new disruptive economy is shaking up everything from the newspapers to the music business, and the latest target is the hotel industry. But local governments aren’t getting their cut of the action, at least not yet. Michael Pope has the story.

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Religious Leaders Call for Action Against Predatory Lending

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Faith leaders from across Virginia are joining forces with religious figures from around the country to press federal regulators to take action against predatory lending. As Michael Pope tells us, the move comes in reaction to a new federal rule designed to protect consumers.

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Virginia Beach to Consider Penalty for Airbnb Rentals That Don’t Pay Lodging Tax

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The old saying goes that there are only two things certain in the world, death and taxes. But as Michael Pope tells us, that’s not necessarily true for the short-term rental market.

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Scientists Still on the Case of the Missing Chespeake Bay Blue Crabs

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Scientists know more about the blue crab than just about any other species in the Chesapeake Bay. So when millions of young crabs vanished in 2012, scientists became detectives, searching for clues. Pamela D’Angelo reports.

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Va News Topics: Religious Instruction, Fredericksburg Airbnb Regulations

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Some parents in Staunton are unhappy after the school board voted to no longer allow students time off for religious instruction, and Fredericksburg is the latest city to regulate Airbnb rentals. Those have been among the most read stories over the past week on the Virginia Public Access Project’s Va News link at vpap.org.

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Virginia Birth Rate Continues to Decline Long After Recession

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The recession may be over. And Virginia may be adding jobs again. But the state’s birth rate has not recovered yet, and it continues to fall. Michael Pope is digging into the numbers.

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Critics Say New Federal Rule On Predatory Lending Doesn’t Go Far Enough

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The federal government is about to move forward with a new rule designed to protect consumers from predatory lending. But critics say the rule doesn’t go far enough. Michael Pope has the latest in his ongoing investigation into predatory lending.

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Campaign Finances Big Factor in Virginia Congressional Races

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Virginia may have three open congressional seats this year, but the races aren’t all that contested. Only one of the seats is highly competitive. So what do the campaign finance numbers have to say about the congressional races this year? Michael Pope is following the money.

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Paintings and Poems Collide in Charlottesville Mural

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If you’ve driven through the UVA campus recently, you may have noticed a mural going up on the side of the Graduate Hotel. It’s a collaboration with the Charlottesville Mural Project, a Philadelphia artist and a prize-winning poet. Emily Richardson-Lorente has the story.

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Chesterfield and Loudoun Counties Have Some of the Fastest Growing Job Numbers in America

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Virginia is home to some of the fastest growing job centers in the country, according to new data from the federal government. Michael Pope has the story.

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Legal Troubles Not Over for Bob and Maureen McDonnell

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The United States Supreme Court may have thrown out the public corruption convictions for former Governor Bob McDonnell and his wife Maureen McDonnell. But, as Michael Pope tells us, that’s not the end of legal jeopardy for the couple.

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Va News Topics: Public Fountain Costs, Bail for Low Income People

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Virginia Beach wants to wash it hands of the cost of maintaining any more public fountains, and the founder of a Virginia non-profit that pays bail for low income people says they are being harassed by a government official in Augusta County. Those have been among the most read stories over the past week on the Virginia Public Access Project’s Va News link at vpap.org. More from Fred Echols:

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Virginia Lawmakers Look to Address Mandatory Arbitration in Financial Contracts

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Several members of the Virginia congressional delegation are calling the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau to take swift action against mandatory arbitration clauses. Those are provisions tucked away into consumer financial contracts that allow corporations to avoid lawsuits. Michael Pope reports.

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Menhaden Fishing Limits are Swimming in Controversy

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A fish crucial to Chesapeake Bay crabbers and Virginia’s omega-3 oil industry is proving to be one of the most controversial, as Atlantic fisheries managers struggled this week at their summer meeting to determine how much should be caught. Pamela D’Angelo reports.

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Confusion Reigns on Transgender Bathrooms as Schools Prepare for Fall

640px-Transgender_Pride_flag.svgAs schools across Virginia prepare for the end of summer and the first day of classes, superintendents and principals will be waiting to hear the outcome in a dramatic court case that could have a lasting influence for transgender students across the country. Michael Pope reports.

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CubeFest to Crank the Sound Way Beyond ’11’

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Virginia Tech, Center for the Arts, Location: Blacksburg VA, Architect: Snohetta

“Spatial Music” is an immersive roomful of sound that is so new it can be heard in only a few places on the planet. One of them is Blacksburg, Virginia, where you’ll find a venue called “The Cube” at the Moss Arts Center at Virginia Tech.  This week, a three-day “spatial music festival” will explore the new medium with a concert series and workshops. Robbie Harris has more on what this new venue, and its 2 tons of audio equipment, can do.

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Virginia Republicans React to This Week’s Trump Controversies

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Republican leaders across Virginia are grappling with how to handle the latest round of controversy from Donald Trump. And, as Michael Pope tells us, they’re taking a variety of approaches.

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Local Governments Leading Airbnb Regulation Efforts

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As state leaders argue over how to craft regulations overseeing Airbnb, local governments are moving forward with their own rules. Michael Pope has the story.

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