Releasing clusters of balloons into the sky has become a common way to mark a special occasion or call attention to an issue, but the balloons are creating an issue of their own.  Robbie Harris has more.

While House Republican leaders are working to avoid defaulting on U-S debt, they’re still not offering legislation to reopen the entire federal government. Capitol Hill reporter Matt Laslo has this story on how some Virginia Republicans disagree with the tactics of their party leaders.

As thousands of federal workers in Virginia are locked out of their offices, lawmakers in the commonwealth are pointing fingers across the aisle. Matt Laslo has the story from Washington.

With regular reports these days about school shootings, you might expect kids to be somewhat nervous, but a new survey shows students in 453 middle schools around the state feel safe – and most like school, as we hear from reporter Sandy Hausman.

Field production for this story was provided by Ted Keefe.  

The United States has been called a ‘land of immigrants” and some say the debate about immigration reflects the very core of our identity as Americans. The immigration reform bill, passed by the US Senate in June, appears stalled in Congress.  As Robbie Harris reports, Virginia has played a role in the saga of community conflict over immigration.

Some Republicans in Virginia are willing to risk a government shutdown in order to defund so-called Obamacare, while others say the strategy will backfire. Matt Laslo has the story on a divided Republican Party.

Following this week’s shooting at the Washington Navy Yard some Virginia lawmakers are renewing their push for new gun control measures. While that effort is unlikely to go anywhere, Matt Laslo is finding there seems to be bipartisan agreement the Pentagon needs to review the access it grants contractors.

There are about 30,000 Virginians in state prisons, and Virginia spends more than $25,000 a year to house each of them, making the Department of Corrections the most expensive agency in Richmond, with a billion dollar annual budget.

It spends $160 million on healthcare, but critics say that care is inadequate, and some inmates could be dying for lack of medical attention.  Another 30,000 people are locked up in city or county jails, and as we’ll hear throughout this series, their care is also questionable.

The state of Virginia spends an average of $5,300 a year per inmate for medical care in prisons, and that cost has been rising 5-7 percent per year, taxpayers may not be getting their money’s worth, and people locked up for minor crimes could be paying with their lives.   Here’s Part 2 of Sandy Hausman’s 5 part series:

Fifty years ago, this country began closing mental hospitals where people with psychiatric disorders were often warehoused.  The idea was to send patients back to their communities, where they would live better lives with help from local mental health programs.  Unfortunately, those services were limited, and many people ended up on the streets or behind bars.  Today, up to 18% of inmates in Virginia prisons are taking drugs for psychiatric conditions, and critics say some are being punished because they can’t comply with prison rules.  Sandy Hausman has Part 3 of her series.

Photo: Family Caregiver Alliance

The United States has more people in prisons and jails than any other country in the world — 2.2 million inmates — a 500% increase over the past thirty years.  We’re also a graying society, with millions of baby boomers claiming the title of senior citizen.  Those two trends spell trouble for Virginia’s prisons.  Sandy Hausman reports that caring for a single senior behind bars can cost more than $65,000 a year.

By the end of this year, California must release 9,600 prisoners from the nation’s largest correctional system, because the Supreme Court says overcrowding makes it impossible to provide adequate healthcare for inmates. Failing to do so constitutes cruel and unusual punishment – a violation of the U.S. Constitution.  Virginia’s prisons are also crowded and facing a lawsuit over medical care that will be heard this spring, but as Sandy Hausman reports, on other reasons for change in the Commonwealth’s correctional centers.

Virginia was once a big producer of bay scallops, but around 1930 a disease hit the sea grass beds that were home to those shellfish, and in 1933, two big storms wiped them out.  Today, scientists report early success in bringing the grass beds back – and with them, the scallops as Sandy Hausman reports.

Police are waiting for results of an autopsy before closing the case of a 19-year-old University of Virginia student who died over the Labor Day weekend after taking a dose of the street drug known as Molly.  Sandy Hausman reports on what it is, and why police are warning the public against it.

Thousands of property owners in southwestern Virginia say they were cheated out of royalties for methane gas extracted from their land. A federal judge will consider a recommendation this week on whether their cases can move forward as a class action lawsuit.  Robbie Harris has more.

As Congress resumes this week after its month long break there are a lot of pressing issues facing lawmakers that have a big impact on the economy in Virginia. Matt Laslo has this preview…

Virginia Democratic Senator Tim Kaine has cast a vote supporting President Obama’s request to use military force in Syria. Matt Laslo has the story from Washington.

Alan Jones, Mark Bernardo, and Kelly McPhee pled guilty to manufacturing fake IDs.

Federal investigators have closed the book on what could be the nation’s largest maker of fake identification – a Virginia company that made millions without advertising or even creating a website.   Three people plead guilty to supplying up to 25,000 high-quality drivers’ licenses to customers around the world who learned about their services by word of mouth.  Sandy Hausman has details.

A new program is rolling out that provides tax credits for scholarship donations to private schools in Virginia. Passed by the 2012 Virginia General Assembly Session, The Education Improvements Scholarships Tax Credit Program has significant support from non-public, faith-based schools. Tab O’Neal reports.

More information about the tax credit program is available here.

AFP/Getty Images via NPR

Potential  U-S military engagement in Syria is sparking a debate among the region’s lawmakers over whether sequestration is impacting the U-S military’s ability to respond to conflicts abroad.  Matt Laslo has the details.

On September first, Dominion Power is required to submit a report to the state, explaining how it will provide electricity over the next fifteen years, but even before that happens, a coalition of environmental groups is demanding the utility use more sustainable energy sources to generate power.  Sandy Hausman has that story.

National Gallery of Art

The National Gallery of Art is running an exhibit connected with the anniversary of the March on Washington.  As Matt Laslo reports, the exhibit delves into Virginia’s sordid history with slavery.

Virginia’s School Board Association and the Norfolk Board of Education are suing the state to stop implementation of a new law that would allow Richmond to take over local schools when they consistently fail Standards of Learning tests.  Sandy Hausman has that story.

Photo: University of Virginia School of Nursing

When a woman reports a rape, she is given a forensic evidence exam–known informally, as a rape kit.  But the rape kits used by hospitals all over the country are using a technique that puts women with dark skin at a disadvantage.  Allison Quantz reports.

A special panel of the Freedom of Information Advisory Council has declined to endorse legislation to require the State Corporation Commission to comply with many provisions of Virginia’s open-government laws.  The Rights and Remedies subcommittee took up the issue at the request of a Fairfax Delegate who believes that many of the SCC’s activities are too shielded from the public.  As Virginia Public Radio’s Anne Marie Morgan reports, supporters of the requirement say they’re seeking a middle ground that would still safeguard the SCC’s regulatory activities.

The governor’s speech was not well received in certain circles.  Democrats and economists said McDonnell  should not claim credit for low unemployment or another budget surplus as  Sandy Hausman reports.

Recently a jury in Spotsylvania County awarded a family more than $1.4 million dollars in a negligence suit against a local nursing home. The facility has a history of safety violations, and as Rebecca Blatt reports, federal regulators say the problems continue to persist…

A Virginia-based singer-songwriter has found musical inspiration in a rather unlikely place: The Metro system.

Jason Mendelson just released the fourth volume of his “MetroSongs” series — all featuring songs inspired by different Metro stations. Rebecca Sheir met with him and his band, The Open Doors, and asked how the whole “MetroSongs” venture began.

“MetroSongs Volume 4: Multi-tracking” is out now.

Photo: Chicago Tribune

With Congress in recess for the month President Obama is preparing to continue pressuring Republicans to work with him on job creation. Members of Virginia’s congressional delegation say that while his speeches rev up his base he still isn’t trying to work with the G-O-P.  Matt Laslo reports from Washington, D.C.

The Chesapeake Bay Foundation has released the results of a poll showing strong support for clean-up efforts and little desire for delay.  Two pollsters who work for Republicans and Democrats questioned more than 600 people.  Sandy Hausman reports on what they found.

Photo: Service Employees International Union

Congress is gone for the month of August so local immigration advocates are planning to take their fight for reform to Republican’s district offices in Virginia. Matt Laslo has the details.

While Americans are growing more health-conscious and monitoring what they eat, the latest trend is becoming more aware of foods containing Genetically Modified Organisms. But as Tommie McNeil reports, a Virginia nutritional counselor says GMO labeling is not so obvious in the packaging, and more foods contain GMOs than one might suspect.

Clay Street Market, Richmond VA.
Photo: Tricycle Gardens

A food desert is a neighborhood with no supermarkets – a place where you can’t buy fresh fruits or vegetables.  The small corner stores carry canned and dried food that keeps well on the shelf but is less nutritious than fresh produce, often high in fat and sugar.  For a city of its size, Richmond, Virginia is the worst food desert in the nation, but an effort is underway to fix that problem. Sandy Hausman has the story.

The recent discovery of a prehistoric whale skeleton along the shore of the Potomac River may help scientists understand life and climate change millions of years ago during the Miocene Epoch. The dig lies 150 feet below ancient cliffs at Virginia’s Stratford Hall in Westmoreland County, the birthplace of General Robert E. Lee.

Wading along this pristine shoreline, over fallen trees and under ancient cliffs Jon Bachman, who works at Stratford Hall was with a group of scientists in June when he found the 15 million-year-old whale skull.

“We’re walking along the beach when I notice something that looks like a gray hubcap sticking out about 3 ½ feet from where the cliffs meet the beach,” said Bachman.

The Calvert Marine Museum across the river in Maryland was called and a team of scientists and students led by paleontologist Stephen Godfrey removed the 6 ½ foot-long baleen whale skull last month. Now they’re back for the 25 foot skeleton.

“These cliffs give us a portal into that 10 million year block of time that’s represented by the depth of the sediments here from about 18 million years ago to about 8 million years ago. So as close as to Washington we know what creatures were living here at that time,” said Godfrey.

The discovery was kept quiet until the prized whale skull was removed. Stratford Hall didn’t want patrons near the unstable cliffs. There was also talk of fossil raiders. John Nance, another paleontologist with the Calvert Museum said it was about preserving the site.

“Because we don’t want to have a lot of people coming around and possibly disturbing it. It holds a lot of scientific value but on the market these bones wouldn’t sell for very much at all. Big sharks teeth. That’s what sells,” said Nance.

The skull and some of the bones are now  on display at the Calvert Maritime Museum.

–by Pamela D’Angelo

You can watch a video of the excavation, posted by John Nance at the Calvert Marine Museum.

A bill that would have helped crackdown on Internet predators that was shot down during the last General Assembly session is now being restructured so that it has a chance of survival next session. As Virginia Public Radio’s Tommie McNeil reports, the bill’s co-sponsor believes the measure would give law enforcement a much-needed tool to pursue and prosecute those who might otherwise get away with the unthinkable.

Since the mid 18th century, Americans throughout New England and the South have been gathering for shape note singing, a form of a capella sung mostly from a popular tune book called The Sacred Harp. Now there’s a new tune book that captures some of Virginia’s musical past.

Photos: Aniridia Foundation
Above, a normal eye. Below, the eye of a child born with aniridia, a congenital eye disorder. People born with the disease have no iris and are generally legally blind.

An international conference gets underway at UVA tomorrow (Wednesday).  It will draw fewer than 200 people to talk about a very rare disease, but what happens there could prove important to millions of patients as Sandy Hausman reports.

Republican Ken Cuccinelli and Democrat Terry McAuliffe are close in the latest polls. But the two major party candidates for Virginia Governor are far apart on almost all the issues.  In their first debate, sponsored by the Virginia Bar Association, the two men set the tone for what is likely to be a tough, hard campaign.  Joe Staniunas reports.

President Obama is vowing to attempt to combat climate change from the Oval Office, which Virginia Republicans say will cost jobs in the state while also hiking energy prices. Matt Laslo has the story from the U-S Capitol.

It’s estimated that more than 100-thousand people a year die as a result of hospital errors.  In emergency situations, when every second counts, even small mistakes can make the difference between a good outcome and a bad one. Robbie Harris has this report on a new tool for reducing errors when children are brought in to the emergency room for urgent care.

When the weather is warm, some people start thinking of higher elevations – like the ski resort Wintergreen which is now hosting a festival of music, art, wine and food.  Sandy Hausman reports on this year’s festivities.

Virginia’s Alcoholic Beverage Control director says he’s asked state police to review an incident last spring that landed a UVA sorority girl in jail and created a public firestorm.   A Virginia civil liberties group says the legislature should also be involved.  Sandy Hausman has details.

Photo: Derrick Hamrick/Nature Conservancy

Pine forests were once common in this part of the world — from New Jersey to Florida and west to Texas.  It was a rich environment for a small and smart little woodpecker that is now endangered.  Sandy Hausman reports on what happened to the bird, and why it’s now coming back.

Photo: Specialty Food Association

If you’re a foodie, chances are you’ve heard about Feast – a small, Central Virginia shop with a big reputation and a new reason to brag.  It was named Outstanding Retailer of the Year by the Specialty Food Association, as Sandy Hausman reports.

Photo Credit: Monticello

Seventy nine people from 38 countries became U.S. citizens today, during the annual swearing in at the home of Thomas Jefferson.  The event drew more than 3,000 people – in part because the featured speaker was a Grammy-winning rock star.  Sandy Hausman has that story.

Virginia’s attorney general is asking the U.S. Supreme Court to let the Commonwealth keep its law against sodomy on the books, because he claims it protects children from predators, but critics say we have other laws to do that, and Ken Cuccinelli is simply playing politics.  Sandy Hausman has the story.

Lawmakers in the region are having mixed reactions to the Supreme Court’s decision to strike down the Defense of Marriage Act. Capitol Hill reporter Matt Laslo has the story.

Virginia lawmakers are trying to figure out how Congress should respond to the Supreme Court’s decision to strike a section of the Voting Rights Act. Capitol Hill reporter Matt Laslo has the story.

Photo Credit: Rachel Grossman

In Loudon County, part of Northern Virginia,  scientists are doing big research on a very small insect. And the results could have major implications for how the brain functions.  Rebecca Sheir has the story.

Now that the U.S. Supreme Court has ruled companies cannot patent human genes, it may be cheaper to have a genetic test that identifies women at high risk for breast and ovarian cancer, but Sandy Hausman reports that the test is not appropriate for most women and might provide a false sense of security. 

Millions of birds passed through Virginia this spring, and the National Wildlife Federation says many are in trouble, in part because of climate change.  A warming planet is drying up wetlands, causing more storms and producing less food.  Sandy Hausman traveled to the Eastern Shore to report on one species — the rust- colored sandpipers known as red knots.  Each year, they fly about 10,000 miles – from the tip of South America to their nesting grounds in the Arctic – stopping in Virginia to refuel.  

More than 25 million Americans have diabetes, putting them at risk for eye damage that can lead to blindness.

Often, problems occur before the disease is diagnosed, but doctors at the University of Virginia have made an exciting discovery that could protect or even restore vision. Sandy Hausman reports.

On average, people lie several times a day. Some of those lies are big ones but most are lies or deceptions we’ve come to live with if not accept or anticipate. A professor at Longwood University says deception is rampant in our culture and he’s looking for a way to help employers weed out dishonest applicants.  Sandy Hausman has that story.

One of the nation’s most controversial artists has announced a surprising new work.  Sandy Hausman reports on a living tribute to W.E.B. Dubois.