A merger that isn’t Comcastic

AFP

On Dec. 3, 2009, the cable giant Comcast announced plans to buy NBC/Universal from General Electric in a $28 billion merger. Ever since, lawmakers in Washington and legions of activists have been raising the alarm about the threat such a deal would pose to telecommunication workers, cable and Internet users, and communities of color. As…

Ken Plum: ABC for sale

Ken Plum

In thinking about what makes Virginia special from her neighboring states, I would include on my list the fact that corner liquor stores with their barred windows and neon signs do not exist in Virginia. But that picture may change soon if the McDonnell administration has its way. As a candidate for that office, Gov….

Jim Bishop: Gettin’ in beachtime, makin’ waves, mullin’ the future

Jim Bishop

Column by Jim Bishop Submit guest columns: [email protected]   “Sittin’ on the dock of the bay, Watching the tide roll away . . .” – Otis Redding (1968) VIRGINIA BEACH – What could be finer than to be in Carolina in the morning? How about poolside in Virginia Beach on a sunny, warm afternoon, alternately…

McDonnell signs charter-school legislation

Chris Graham

Edited by Chris Graham [email protected]   Nine days before Virginia’s new laws take effect, Gov. Bob McDonnell today ceremonially signed legislation that will facilitate the expansion of charter schools in the Commonwealth. The legislation, HB1390, sponsored by Del. Scott Lingamfelter, R-Woodbridge, and SB737, sponsored by Sen. Steve Newman, R-Lynchburg, was part of the governor’s 2010…

Ken Plum: Reforming and restructuring Virginia government

Ken Plum

Column by Ken Plum www.kenplum.com   Gov. Bob McDonnell is to be commended for appointing a Commission on Government Reform and Restructuring to “make government simpler and easier to use, more efficient and more effective.” The 30-person commission made up of businesspersons and legislators has an ambitious schedule of completing its initial report in two…

Local students among Comcast scholarship honorees

Chris Graham

Edited by Chris Graham [email protected]   Three local students were among those recognized at an event in Richmond last week as Comcast Foundation scholarship winners. Seth Jergenson of Waynesboro High School, Emberli McGann of Stuarts Draft High School and Laura Reeves of Buffalo Gap High School will all receive $1,000 scholarships from the Comcast Foundation.