One of the most contentious issues the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries has faced in recent years, is regulation of an activity known as ‘Fox Hound Training.”  Opponents call it “Fox Penning” and consider it a cruel practice for the animals involved.  Supporters say their dogs are being trained to hunt under controlled conditions aimed at protecting all the animals involved. The DGIF board will vote Thursday on new safety requirements proposed at its meeting in March.  Robbie Harris reports.

Virginia lawmakers are having mixed reactions to reports that the Obama Administration potentially tracked phone records of tens of millions of Americans. Matt Laslo has the story from Washington.

Sixty Five years ago, ‘The Marshall Plan’ for reviving Europe’s economy after World War II, changed the course of history. As Secretary of State after the war, General George Marshall conceived the plan in the wake of the devastation of World War Two. The plan resides here in Virginia and is still studied by leaders and scholars from all over the world.
Now, thanks to help from archivists at Virginia Tech, they won’t have to travel here to see it. Robbie Harris has more.

Learn more at the George C. Marshall Foundation website.

Dr. John Hawley/UVA

A University of Virginia professor has won the Asian equivalent to the Nobel Prize for his research on energy, magnetism and black holes.  The news came by e-mail, and John Hawley is still buzzing as Sandy Hausman reports.

The last time the state of Virginia had its own, definitive plant guide was 1762, with the book “Flora Virginica.” Now, after more than a decade in the making, the volume has finally been updated.  Connie Stevens reports.

LM Otero/AP via NPR

Smithfield Foods is being sold to China’s largest pork producer. Beverly Amsler reports on the $4.7 billion deal.

A 1960s era poverty measurement is being replaced by one that more accurately reflects Virginians’ living standards and spending patterns.  Beverly Amsler explains.

Photo: Wildlife Center of Virginia

It’s spring, and that means business for the Wildlife Center of Virginia, where hundreds of animals – many of them babies — are brought for treatment of injuries or illness. This year veterinarians are caring for a record number of bear cubs, and as Sandy Hausman reports, the public is invited to watch.

A bipartisan group of Virginia lawmakers is fighting to win federal recognition of six tribes in the commonwealth. Capitol Hill reporter Matt Laslo has the story.

Chocolate Covered Cicadas

As the 17-year cicadas emerge from the ground, millions of birds will be feasting – and a few people plan to join the party, harvesting, cooking and eating these insects which experts say are high in protein, low in fat and cholesterol.  Sandy Hausman was at one of the first dinner parties to celebrate the coming of cicadas.

Experts say that due to the prolific use of pesticides it is not recommended to eat any bug without knowing its origins are safe.

Those debit cards that the Virginia Department of Taxation issued to taxpayers instead of checks are NOT going anywhere. In fact, as the tax season wraps up, most residents have already seen them.  But as Virginia Public Radio’s Tommie McNeil reports, Tax Commissioner Craig Burns has told the Senate Finance Committee that he believes the worst is over.

Revenue that Virginia officials were anticipating from online sales tax legislation in Congress is now in doubt. Matt Laslo reports on the battle going on behind the scenes on Capitol Hill over a proposal to collect online sales taxes.

Roanoke College is out with a new poll detailing how Virginians view their financial situation and general business conditions now and in the future.  Beverly Amsler has the details.

John C. Herr, Professor of Cell Biology and Biomedical Engineering
Photo: University of Virginia

Scientists at the University of Virginia have made a surprising discovery that could mean more effective treatments for a range of deadly cancers.  Sandy Hausman reports on how this finding could shape future therapies, and how long it might take to bring those to market.

A University of Virginia Professor of Education has won two new grants to help American children read.  The program she’s developed is already in use statewide and has spread to every state and five other countries.  It’s called PALS, and Sandy Hausman tells why it’s a breakthrough for kids.

The Compton-Bateman House in Better Days

Preservation Virginia’s 2013 list of endangered places ranges from 12 acres of old growth hardwoods to century-old schools built for Africa American students. The sites on the list are threatened by development, neglect and a lack of funding. Tim Thornton reports.

Scientists don’t often get involved in political campaigns, but in Virginia one of the nation’s leading men of science has stepped up to endorse a candidate for attorney general.  Sandy Hausman tells why.

Virginia lawmakers say they’re united in their attempts to combat sexual harassment in the military. But Matt Laslo found that lawmakers haven’t found a legislative fix yet.

The race to stay ahead of drug resistant ‘super bugs’ threatens to be a losing battle.  But a Blacksburg company is working on an innovative solution to the problem.  Robbie Harris has more.

Next month, the federal government is expected to announce whether it will allow fracking – an intensive form of drilling for natural gas – in the George Washington National Forest, a popular area for hiking, hunting and fishing.  Sandy Hausman paid a visit to the forest and filed this report.

Regardless of the legal outcome, the issues surrounding a former chef from the governor’s mansion and gifts from the CEO of a company called Star Scientific may take a political toll on the state’s top Republicans.  Sandy Hausman has that story.

Virginia Republican Congressman Bob Goodlatte could play an outsized role in this year’s immigration debate. But Matt Laslo reports that some Democrats accuse him and other Republicans of trying to kill the effort.

Doctors have long advised people with high blood pressure to cut back on salt consumption, but a new study from the University of Virginia says that may not be necessary.  Sandy Hausman tells why.

Photo Courtesy of U.Va.’s Curry School of Education

If you’re a parent or grandparent with young children, you’ve probably heard about red-shirting – a term borrowed from the world of college sports.  It refers to keeping a child back in school, so he or she will be a little older than classmates and have some academic and social advantages.  Sandy Hausman reports a new study takes a close look at that practice, which concerns some educators.

A hearing in Richmond Circuit Court Thursday could mean more trouble for Virginia’s Governor, whose relationship with a Richmond-area businessman is the subject of an FBI investigation.  It could also have implications for his fellow Republican,  attorney general Ken Cuccinelli, who will ask to be excused from the case.  Sandy Hausman reports on the case of a former chef at the governor’s mansion, and why it’s a problem for the state’s top Republicans.

Lawmakers in the region are divided over a measure to give more flexibility to the FAA while leaving strict spending requirements in place for other parts of the government.  Matt Laslo reports from the Capitol.

Some lawmakers on Capitol Hill want to exempt members of Congress and their staffs from participating in new health insurance exchanges. Matt Laslo reports that while critics say the idea is hypocritical … at least one lawmaker in the region says it’s a valid option.

Federal and state wildlife agencies are searching for those responsible for poisoning six bald eagles last month on the Eastern Shore of Virginia. Pamela D’Angelo reports.

Photo: August Rode/Flickr via Chesapeake Bay Program

Virginia and other Chesapeake Bay States are under orders from the EPA to reduce the amount of phosphorous and nitrogen going into our rivers and streams, but a new report adds urgency to the cause.  Sandy Hausman has that story.

A massive community search is over, after police found the body of a second Virginia State University student in the Appomattox River. The two victims – both 19-year-old freshmen – apparently drowned during what police are calling a hazing ritual.  Sandy Hausman has more on that story.

A progress update of the first- ever phased separation of conjoined twins sharing vital organs indicates both girls are doing just fine. The six-month-olds, A’zhari and A’zhiah Jones, spent their first full day completely separated at Virginia Commonwealth University after doctors performed a complex procedure that now allows them to live apart on the same liver. Tommie McNeil report.

Five years after the Chesapeake Bay blue crab fishery was declared a federal disaster an annual scientific survey shows the population is far below the previous year, but scientist’s are not too worried. Pamela D’Angelo reports.

Virginia’s senators say they aren’t giving up on efforts to pass stricter federal gun laws even as they were dealt a major setback last week. Matt Laslo has the details from Washington.

Governor Bob McDonnell issued a letter earlier this month urging college presidents and boards to hold the line on in-state tuition – a plea repeated Thursday by the University of Virginia’s Rector Helen Dragas, but the board of visitors voted 14 to 2 to increase tuition and fees by 3.8%  or about $450 for in-staters and 4.8% — just over $1,800 for students from other states.  The board approved even bigger tuition and fee hikes for students in the law, business, engineering and medical schools.  The meeting was disrupted twice by students demanding a living wage for housekeepers, cooks, maintenance workers and other staff, as Sandy Hausman reports.

Many Virginians are heaving a sigh of relief after getting tax returns done and in the mail, but for some the challenge of paying taxes as just begun.  They’re the ones who get notices from the IRS.  At the very least, that’s an annoyance, and for some it’s a nightmare, but free help could be a phone call away as Sandy Hausman reports.

Virginia’s rural Eastern Shore community is getting back to normal after Charles Smith confessed to a majority of the 77 arsons set there since November. The area has an abundance of renovated manors and crumbling structures, some more than 200 years old. At first residents were glad when arsonists targeted derelict houses. But as the crimes went on, they began to wear on the tiny community. Pamela D’Angelo reports.

It has been six years since the tragic shooting at Virginia Tech, when the words, “We are all Hokies” echoed around the world. Recent events suggest these horrific acts show no sign of abating.  But the Director of the Center for Applied Behavior Systems at Virginia Tech believes there may be a solution to this trend of tragedy, which seems to have society in its grip.  Robbie Harris prepared this report.

President Obama’s  new budget has of course sparked a battle on Capitol Hill. Matt Laslo reports on how Virginia lawmakers are reacting to the president’s blueprint for the nation.

It’s that time of year again, when The Thomas Jefferson Center for the Protection of Free Expression in Charlottesville issues its annual Muzzle Awards – also known as the Muzzies.  As always – there are some incredible accounts of free speech repressed, as Sandy Hausman reports.

April may be known for more than showers this year.  As Beverly Amsler reports, some insects will make a return this spring after nearly two decades underground.

This Friday, Virginia’s Board of Health meets again to vote on controversial new rules that would force women’s health clinics that provide abortions to meet standards written for hospitals – or to close.  Now, a candidate for lieutenant governor says guidelines issued by the governor himself dictate another course of action for the so-called Targeted Regulation of Abortion Providers – or TRAP.  Sandy Hausman has that story.

National Republican leaders are doing some soul searching after suffering losses in November. But Matt Laslo reports that some Virginia Republicans are wary of a new re-branding effort being conducted by the national party.

The skills that veterans acquire in the military could be aligned with formal credentials for civilian jobs under the first bill that Senator Tim Kaine has introduced in the U.S. Senate.

Kaine unveiled his legislation at the American Legion Headquarters in Richmond yesterday.  He said that as of February this year, the unemployment rate among “Gulf War 2” veterans was 9.5%—up from 7.6 % since early last year.

Under the “Troop Talent Act,” service members would be given information throughout their military careers about earning civilian certifications that match their military occupational training. The Department of Defense would also provide more information to organizations that award credentials and licenses so that they can match the skill sets.  The bill would also seek to prevent fraud by establishing strict standards for courses or programs that guarantee a credential after successful completion.  Additionally, it would add Information Technology to a DOD pilot program that aims to increase access to high-demand career fields.

With the arrival of spring, flu season comes to an end.  Officials say 2013 was an especially bad year, with much of the country reporting high rates of disease.  The Centers for Disease Control recommended anyone over the age of six months be vaccinated, but many took a pass.  A new report from Virginia Tech sheds some light on why parents might choose to ignore medical advice when it comes to vaccines.  Sandy Hausman reports.

Opposition has continued to legislation that requires a new statewide school division to take over under-performing schools until they turnaround—even after Governor McDonnell proposed amendments last week.

The bill would establish a new Opportunity Educational Institution Board to assume management of schools that have been denied accreditation, but the Virginia Education Association, organizations representing school boards and superintendents, and the PTA are among the groups calling on lawmakers to reject them.

As Virginia Public Radio’s Anne Marie Morgan reports, they didn’t like the bill before—and say they like it even less with the amendments.

The public comment period is now underway on the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries’ proposed new regulations for Fox Hound training preserves.  Robbie Harris has more on the story.

State lawmakers are again taking sides in the battle over abortion.  Governor McDonnell is now asking legislators to impose a limit on insurance policies to be sold here through a federal exchange – a place where Virginians who don’t have coverage through work or school can buy it.  Sandy Hausman has more on that story.

The U.S. attorney’s office is investigating a Richmond area company that makes face cream and nutritional supplements.  It’s called Star Scientific, and a complaint was filed in federal district court alleging the firm made false and misleading statements and failed to disclose potentially illegal transactions.  The company says it has done nothing wrong.  Meanwhile, reporters are finding links between Star Scientific and two of Virginia’s top political leaders – Governor Bob McDonnell and Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli.  Sandy Hausman has details.

A day after presumptive Democratic gubernatorial candidate Terry McAuliffe made a statement about his desire to implement Medicaid expansion, Governor McDonnell and McAuliffe’s GOP opponent have responded.  McDonnell says he’s not caving in to the pressure to implement the expansion without reforms… and has submitted budget amendments to require those changes.  As Virginia Public Radio’s Tommie McNeil reports, Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli says the Governor is doing the right thing.

Under the Affordable Care Act, the federal government has pledged to pay the full cost for additional Medicaid recipients and will scale back to paying no less than 90% after that.

There are still eight long months before Virginians head to the polls to choose a new governor, but Quinnipiac University’s Peter Brown expects the race to about as tight then as it is now. And as Virginia Public Radio’s  Tommie McNeil reports, that may have a lot to do with candidate identity—or the lack thereof—when it comes to Republican Ken Cuccinelli and Democrat Terry McAuliffe.