Tom Perriello: In the classroom

AFP

A well-educated workforce is critical for regaining America’s long-term competitive advantage. This includes not only the higher education that will be necessary for global competitiveness, but also the solid foundation of a strong K-12 education. I have often said that there are no shortcuts to regaining our competitive advantage, so at this moment, while we…

Helping more kids Ride With Pride

AFP

Ride With Pride will be hosting its first benefit concert on Friday, Sept. 10. The concert will take place at the Frontier Culture Museum in Staunton. Gates will open at 6 p.m., and music will begin at 7 p.m. The bands performing at the Ride With Pride Benefit Concert will be local artists Lisa Meadows…

Rights groups urge feds to reject 287(g)

Chris Graham

A coalition of faith groups, civil and human rights organizations, and government officials have asked the Department of Homeland Security to reject Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell’s request to allow the Virginia Department of State Police to enter into a 287(g) agreement with Immigration and Customs Enforcement. A 287(g) agreement, named after a provision of federal…

Hunger Action Month

AFP

The Blue Ridge Area Food Bank is part of a national movement to raise awareness and take action to fight hunger in America. September is Hunger Action Month, and today marks the launch of hunger-fighting activities and hunger awareness initiatives in the community. Throughout the month, Feeding America’s nationwide network of more than 200 food…

Wilson Library adds to Board of Trustees

Chris Graham

The Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library Foundation on Tuesday announced that six members have joined its Board of Trustees: Mary Lynn Bayliss of Manakin-Sabot, Virginia; Katherine Grayson Wilkins of Washington, D.C.; R. Steven Nichols of Staunton; Hampden H. Smith III of Lexington; Rita M. Smith of Richmond; and William T. Walker Jr. of Staunton. All began…

Bruce Sallan: A Jew in church

AFP

My wife is Christian; I’m Jewish. Since we were not going to have children together, this wasn’t much of an issue since this was a second marriage for both of us. We did have the Christmas tree problem but resolved that amicably, by at first going to her parent’s house to celebrate Christmas with them….

Daniel Brindis: A nudge in the right direction

AFP

If you blinked, you might have missed Sen. Blanche Lincoln change what your child likely eats for lunch at school. Recently, in the wake of Elena Kagan’s confirmation, the Senate quickly and unanimously passed Lincoln’s Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act. After years of negotiations and a recent push from Michelle Obama, the proposal received 30 seconds…

ACLU asks U.S. Supreme Court to uphold freedom of the press on college campuses

Chris Graham

The ACLU of Virginia today asked the U.S Supreme Court to review a ruling by the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals that allows restrictions on alcohol-related advertising in college publications in Virginia. In April, on a divided vote, the Fourth Circuit upheld the Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Board’s prohibition on the advertising of beer, wine,…