Virginia lifts restrictions on long hair, beards in state prisons

AFP

After 11 years and an ACLU lawsuit, the Virginia Department of Corrections confirmed today that it was finally allowing prisoners with long hair or beards out of segregation. The ACLU lawsuit, filed in 2003 on behalf of Muslim and Rastafarian prisoners, claimed that DOC’s policy requiring inmates to be clean shaven and to keep their…

Virginia fights bank scams

Chris Graham

A new program involving state government and a group of Virginia banks and credit unions aims at protecting consumers and financial institutions from fake-check scams. Sixty-one banks and credit unions participating in this effort will hand out a brochure created by Consumer Federation of America about fake-check scams and similar frauds to every consumer who…

Abolish the Department of Ed?

Chris Graham

I’m still waiting for somebody to tell me why I’m wrong to think that we don’t need a federal Department of Education. Contrarian by nature that I am, I’ll give it the ol’ college try myself. Here’s my case against the Department of Ed in a nutshell: The money that makes its way from Washington…

Armstrong critical of McDonnell ABC math

Chris Graham

House Democratic Leader Ward Armstrong is sounding off on a move by Gov. Bob McDonnell to hire a private consultant to help sell his controversial plan to sell off Virginia’s 332 ABC stores. “At a time when people across the state are looking for leadership on jobs, education, transportation and a host of other issues,…

Sanford D. Horn: Thank You, Veterans

AFP

The men and women wearing the Stars and Stripes the world over past and present are to be honored this November 11 – Veterans’ Day. From the Revolutionary War, solidifying our freedoms as outlined by the Founding Fathers in separation from Great Britain, through to the current conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan, men and women…

Credit union announces scholarships

AFP

For the 16th year, DuPont Community Credit Union will award $1,000 scholarships to 20 high school seniors at the DCCU Annual Meeting in late April. A total of $20,000 in scholarships to area students will be awarded at the meeting. The deadline for applications is March 7, 2011. “DuPont Community Credit Union prides itself in…