Deeds touts higher-ed initiative at UVa.

Chris Graham

Sen. Creigh Deeds stopped in Charlottesville on Wednesday to discuss his plans to increase access to higher education with students and faculty at the University of Virginia. At the stop, Deeds outlined his plan to create 70,000 new degrees over the next 10 years. At the core of that plan is the ‘Virginia Forward’ scholarship…

JMU forms institute with green focus

AFP

Enhancing its commitment to environmental stewardship, James Madison University has formed the Institute for Energy and Environmental Sustainability. The new institute will coordinate the university’s current stewardship efforts while seeking opportunities to expand its research in environmental stewardship areas. “JMU is taking an important step toward solidifying our statewide energy and environmental leadership role by…

Kaine on hand for announcement of new tech business in Rockingham

AFP

Gov. Timothy M. Kaine today announced that Shenandoah Sustainable Technologies, LLC (SST), a Rockingham County based sustainable construction company will add 72 jobs and $600,000 in capital investment throughout Virginia over the next three years. SST specializes in the construction of self-sufficient buildings and the retrofitting of existing buildings. The company serves residential, commercial and…

AFP InDepth | Examining Landes’ record on jobs

Chris Graham

The 2009 state elections are going to be about the economy, for obvious reasons. Steve Landes thinks this is to his benefit. “The NFIB, the National Federation of Independent Businesses, who represent small businesses, they’re supporting me, they’re not supporting you,” said Landes, who works in the marketing and public-relations department at the DuPont Community…

Loan program to promote energy efficiency

AFP

Gov. Timothy M. Kaine today announced the recapitalization of the Commonwealth’s Energy Leasing Program, a loan program to finance energy efficiency projects in state agencies. The Commonwealth has secured $40 million in financing for the projects, including $10 million in capital from Grant Capital Management, a state-certified SWAM vendor. The loans are expected to be…

Shannon releases first TV ad

AFP

Steve Shannon’s campaign for attorney general released the first television ad of the 2009 attorney general’s race today. The ad, which is titled “Focused,” highlights Shannon’s experience as one of the founders of Virginia’s first Amber Alert program, a public safety initiative that uses media to help recover abducted children, as well as his record…

David Cox | The thesis

David Cox

Twenty years ago a Regent University student named Robert F. McDonnell wrote a thesis for his master’s degree. Unearthed by the Washington Post, it’s become fodder for the political campaign this same Mr. McDonnell, now universally known as “Bob,” is waging as a Republican for governor. His conclusions have drawn plenty of fire. In the…

House Dems to Speaker Howell: Get the fox away from the hen house

Chris Graham

As the House Appropriations Committee met Monday to discuss additional cuts to the state budget, embattled Del. Phil Hamilton continued to serve on a committee that oversees state spending while under the cloud of a federal investigation. House Democrats renewed their call, now echoed by statewide Republican candidate for attorney general Ken Cuccinelli, for Speaker…