McDonnell sells budget amendments to legislators

Chris Graham

Gov. Bob McDonnell prepares to address state legislators on Friday. Gov. Bob McDonnell talked up his proposed amendments to the 2010-2012 state budget to state legislators on Friday. The focus in his speech to members of the Senate Finance Committee and House Appropriations and Finance committees was on job growth. Earlier in the week, McDonnell…

Cuccinelli: Voting Rights Act ‘creeping into the drawing of lines’

Chris Graham

Virginia has “outgrown” the need for federal oversight into political redistricting mandated under the Voting Rights Act, Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli told reporters and editors at today’s AP Day at the Capitol in Richmond. “I don’t for a moment mean to contend that we don’t have to contend, in our society and in Virginia, with…

Cline: ‘Skins suite seats misused by Lottery staff

Chris Graham

State Del. Ben Cline, R-24th District, announced today that he had received confirmation of recent actions by Virginia Lottery employees in which luxury skybox suite seats reserved for winners of the Redskins Legacy game were misused by Lottery staff. Cline also announced that he would be asking for an independent audit of the Virginia Lottery…

JMU offers Ph.D. course in counseling, supervision

AFP

Natural disasters, traumatic events, crises to families and terrorist threats are on the rise in the world. James Madison University’s graduate psychology department is ready to respond. Beginning January 2011, JMU will offer a Ph.D. in Counseling and Supervision. The innovative program will address urgent national needs to train and supervise more master’s-level counselors. Its…

Children’s Choir releases new CD

AFP

The Shenandoah Valley Children’s Choir, in its 19th year, has released its 14th compact disc, “Songs from the Heart,” a general collection of recordings from the last two choir years. Released Oct. 15, the newest recording includes favorites such as “Jubilate Deo” with the Washington Symphonic Brass and John Fast, organist, and “The Garden Song”…

Chris Dewald: Dem bones

AFP

I hope people render an input on this. I have been told I am too sensitive. In reference to an article that appeared in the News Leader. The specific article can be found here. I think it is great for the City of Staunton to offer trick-or-treat events. What disturbs me is the apparent use…

Mark Warner: A responsible step forward

Chris Graham

I wanted to let you know about the recent progress of legislation I have introduced that will make government work better and save taxpayer money. The Government Performance and Results Modernization Act of 2010, which I’m proud to say is co-sponsored by two Republicans and two Democrats, requires each federal agency to set clear performance…

Governor announces specialty-crops funding

Chris Graham

Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell announced funding today for 18 agriculture-related projects which will promote and enhance the competitiveness of Virginia’s specialty crops. The projects resulted from the competitive grant process established by the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS) for the United States Department of Agriculture Agricultural Marketing Service Specialty Crop Block Grant…

State announces funding for prisoner re-entry

Chris Graham

Gov. Bob McDonnell on Friday announced initial funding for his strengthened prisoner re-entry program currently under development. Under the leadership of Banci Tewolde, appointed by the governor to serve as the state’s first prisoner re-entry coordinator, the Commonwealth has secured federal funding for three components of the governor’s comprehensive prisoner re-entry initiative. Virginia has been…

WHSV puts Children First

AFP

Children First Day took place on Saturday. The event was hosted by the WHSV station and held at Eastern Mennonite University in Harrisonburg. With the parking lots completely full, the event is still going strong after 14 years. The event not only has booths both inside and outside of the University Commons at EMU, but…