Letter to the Editor | J.R. Tolbert

AFP

In just two months, President Barack Obama has set the nation in a new direction when it comes to transitioning to a clean-energy economy and stopping global warming. Obama’s proposed budget lays out a framework for action on these issues, and to move ahead Congress must approve his budget.

Letter to the Editor | Morgan Chiti

AFP

Virginia is moving forward in so many aspects, but it refuses to move forward on one important issue: restoration of voting rights for former felons. It simply does not work to argue that this is a form of continuing punishment for individuals convicted of a felony. They have paid their debts to society, waited the…

Yep, even more bad news

AFP

Media General has cut 90 jobs from its flagship newspaper, the Times-Dispatch in Richmond, according to a story on the paper’s website Thursday. Twenty-eight of the positions were in the newsroom, according to an Associated Press report. The rest were scattered throughout the production, circulation, marketing, business, advertising, operations, facilities, prepress design and targeted solutions…

Wednesday, April 1, 2009

Chris Graham

– State News: Kaine announces agreement on passenger rail in Lynchburg, Wednesday, 4:15 p.m. – Capitol Hill: Report explores defense-contractor case decline, Wednesday, 4:15 p.m. – Capitol Hill: Perriello proposes earmark reform, Wednesday, 4:15 p.m. – State News: Kaine signs law barring REAL ID compliance, Wednesday, 10 a.m. – Capitol Hill: GSA outlines proposed public-building…

VCU set to introduce new hoops coach

AFP

Virginia Commonwealth didn’t wait long to find its next head basketball coach. Former Florida assistant Shaka Smith will be introduced at the Siegel Center in Richmond on Thursday as the new head man. Smart, 32, replaces Anthony Grant, himself a former Florida assistant, who left VCU last week to take the head job at Alabama.

Greg Marrow | Transportation fix

Chris Graham

Recently there has been much discussion, which is gathering momentum, to privatize the 41 rest areas along the 325 miles of I-81 in an effort to save the Virginia Department of Transportation about $12 million. While this may sound appealing in the short term, it will do little, if anything, to solve the much larger…

Grant takes ‘Bama job, leaving VCU, UVa. in the lurch

Chris Graham

One possible player in the University of Virginia men’s basketball coach search is out of the game. Former Virginia Commonwealth University coach Anthony Grant is the new head coach at Alabama. Grant will reportedly be paid in the $2 million-a-year range. VCU had reportedly made an offer in the million-dollar range to try to keep…

Jill Hanken | Will Congress take up a health-care solution?

AFP

As we recognize “Cover the Uninsured Week,” we can note the ever-increasing number of Americans who don’t have health insurance as well as those who can’t afford the spiraling costs of health insurance premiums and required out-of-pocket expenses. The average health insurance premiums for family coverage have skyrocketed 90 percent since 2000, leaving millions of…

Friday, March 27-Sunday, March 29

Chris Graham

– Local News: Traffic delays on I-64 in Albemarle this weekend, Saturday, 4 p.m. – State News: Prosecutors drop charges against McCain T-shirt scofflaw, Saturday, 4 p.m. – Local News: Community Bank begins food drive, Saturday, 4 p.m. – Local News: VDOT road work schedule, Saturday, 4 p.m. – Local News: Staunton Police warn of…