Race issues dog Allen

Chris Graham

The Top Story by Chris Graham   A group of former University of Virginia football teammates of U.S. Sen. George Allen alleges that the former quarterback regularly used the n-word to refer to African-Americans. A second group of the Republican’s former teammates has stepped up to say that this is not true. Meanwhile, the state’s…

Is wrestling recommended viewing for children, teens?

Chris Graham

Story by Chris Graham A large video screen in the John Paul Jones Arena replayed scenes from a ballyhooed “live sex celebration” that WWE heavyweight champion Edge and women’s champion Lita had taken part in several months earlier. And that was early in the “Monday Night Raw” show that was broadcast live on national television…

Do you believe in ghosts?

Chris Graham

The Top Story by Chris Graham Brenda Gordon didn’t want to admit to herself that she believed in ghosts. Being confronted with evidence of their existence will tend to make a believer out of anybody, of course. “I moved into the house that my dad lived in, and he’s been dead since 1997, and the…

Soccer at a pop-culture crossroads

Chris Graham

Story by Chris Graham Everything about soccer in the United States would seem to point in the direction of the sport taking on more prominent status in American popular culture. An estimated 18 million Americans are on an organized youth or adult soccer team – only basketball has more active team participants.

The Ann Coulter way

Chris Graham

Stop the Presses column by Chris Graham I’ve got it all figured out. How I’m going to become rich and famous, that is. Here goes … I’m going to be Ann Coulter. You know, the shrill shrew who threatens to eat her rivals’ children. Sorry, that was Mike Tyson. Coulter is the one who picks…

I’m only happy when it rains

Chris Graham

Stop the Presses column by Chris Graham What was with all the dampness yesterday morning? Seriously, it was like the sky was crying or something. I don’t get it. Every day, the big yellow ball rises in the east, sets in the west. These things that some people call clouds float in the sky –…

From fantasy to reality

Chris Graham

Story by Chris Graham Your fantasy-sports-playing friend used to watch the games like you did – rooting for his favorite team from childhood, living and dying with their wins and losses, their historic triumphs and their painful setbacks. That was before he saw the light – and that he, too, could be Theo Epstein.

Need two?

Chris Graham

Story by Chris Graham If you’ve ever been to a major-college or professional sporting event or A-list music concert, you’ve undoubtedly passed by at least a few people engaging in commerce related to the secondary-ticketing industry on your way to the host venue. “Who needs two?” is their bark – but increasingly the bite is…