Virginia Public Radio

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 House of Delegates and the Virginia Senate went back to work Monday to develop new plans that outline boundaries for their General Assembly districts. The previous version had been vetoed by Governor McDonnell and, as Virginia Public Radio’s Anne Marie Morgan reports, the second version has its own hurdles to overcome.

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.

The General Assembly returned to Richmond today (4/11/11), this time to take action on legislation that reconfigures the Commonwealth’s 11 Congressional districts.  And as Virginia Public Radio’s Anne Marie Morgan reports, the House Privileges and Elections Committee quickly approved a plan that’s not dramatically different from the current map.  

A statewide coalition of citizen reformers says it’s not too late for a redistricting compromise that actually benefits the voters—instead of incumbents and the majority party within each legislative chamber.  The members say before the legislation arrives at the Justice Department, that last line of defense is Governor McDonnell… and they are urging him to consider a nonpartisan commission’s recommendations before signing off on the House and Senate plans.  Virginia Public Radio’s Tommie McNeil reports.

While the House passed its own redistricting plan Wednesday night, the Senate debate continues.  Democrats and Republicans submitted competing plans in a Senate Privileges and Elections Committee and the Democratic majority prevailed….but as Virginia Public Radio’s Tommie McNeil reports, Lieutenant Governor Bill Bolling says the battle is just beginning.

State lawmakers took a break from redistricting to conduct their annual Reconvened Session…where they considered Governor McDonnell’s recommendations to 134 bills, four vetoes, and 86 budget amendments.  And as Virginia Public Radio’s Tommie McNeil reports, the House agreed to a gubernatorial amendment that would once again cut Public Broadcasting funding.

Former Governor Tim Kaine has announced that he’s running for the seat currently held by U-S Senator Jim Webb.  Kaine, who is also the Democratic National Committee Chairman, made his announcement by tweeting, “I’m running” on the social media Website, Twitter.  Virginia Public Radio’s Anne Marie Morgan has more from the State Capitol.

State lawmakers have convened their redistricting session …where they will configure new maps of the General Assembly’s legislative district boundaries.  But as Virginia Public Radio’s Anne Marie Morgan reports, the session’s first day began with constituents and even some lawmakers unhappy with their handiwork.

Governor McDonnell has signed into law 25 bills aimed at assisting active-duty members of the military, veterans, and their families.  And as Virginia Public Radio’s Tommie McNeil reports, a second goal of the new laws is to help make Virginia the most veteran-friendly state.

The Governor’s Independent Bipartisan Advisory Commission on Redistricting has narrowed down the options for redrawing congressional and General Assembly district boundaries.  But now it will be left to lawmakers next week to decide if they will set aside partisanship and avoid gerrymandering.  Virginia Public Radio’s Tommie McNeil has more details from the Capitol.

It won’t be long before Virginia women are officially recognized on the grounds of the State Capitol for their contributions to the Commonwealth and the nation.  A state commission established to recommend a monument that will acknowledge women held its inaugural meeting this week… and will soon travel throughout the state to find out how residents think the tribute should be depicted.  Virginia Public Radio’s Anne Marie Morgan has more from the Capitol.

This week, Virginia’s redistricting and census data will be presented across the Commonwealth for public comment.  But as Virginia Public Radio’s Tommie McNeil reports, a House committee has approved the general guidelines for how the lines will be drawn … with little input from the voters.

Disagreements over the federal health care overhaul continue in Virginia, one year after the measure became law. And as Virginia Public Radio’s Tommie McNeil reports, some of the State’s most prominent political figures remain in the center of the debate.

Thirteen colleges and universities have been competing in two divisions to re-draw the Commonwealth’s legislative district boundaries. And now, the Virginia Redistricting Competition has announced the winning teams– who also hope their maps will influence state lawmakers as they draw their own lines next month. Virginia Public Radio’s Anne Marie Morgan reports from the Capitol.

Virginia businesses could get some relief from a local tax that was first imposed during the War of 1812 … under two bills that have been signed into law by Governor McDonnell.  In the past, businesses which have been struggling to stay afloat have been required to pay the local license tax—even when they were losing money.  Virginia Public Radio’s Anne Marie Morgan reports from the State Capitol.

A disease that affects three-to-four times more people than HIV/AIDS but gets far less attention … and is the largest vector-borne disease in the U.S. … is quickly becoming a major threat to Virginians—especially children.  As Virginia Public Radio’s Tommie McNeil reports, a state task force on Lyme disease has been asked to provide more education to school nurses, psychologists, and medical professionals about the deadly, degenerative, neurological disease.

At least two members of Virginia’s Congressional delegation are calling for regulatory reforms that they say will take the choke-hold off businesses and jump-start the U-S economy.  And as Virginia Public Radio’s Tommie McNeil reports, 7th District Congressman Eric Cantor held a “Job Creators Forum” to discuss how to do just that.

While the job of lobbyists is to sway lawmakers in the direction of their causes, the job of legislators is to represent voters within their districts.  Although many states don’t have a means of keeping voters informed about who is trying to influence elected officials, Virginia is one of the few states that does.  And, as Virginia Public Radio’s Tommie McNeil reports, there’s an extra push this week to raise awareness and increase transparency in government.

A state task force that’s examining how to stem the tide of mortgage foreclosures in Virginia was updated Tuesday on the latest trends.  The panel will be weighing potential state laws that could change the process of foreclosing on homes.  And, as Virginia Public Radio’s Anne Marie Morgan reports, the panel is not certain that the number of cases has peaked.