Daily Rant | Jobs and Schools

AFP

Before you get too riled up about how badly our local schools are doing graduating our kids on time, keep it mind the role the economy plays in education. AFP editor Chris Graham explores the link between a stable economic base, the family unit and learning in today’s Daily Rant. AFP Video. Length: 1:27.

Tom Perriello | Fifth District Report

Chris Graham

Recently, a group of more than a dozen superintendents and school officials from around the Fifth District had the opportunity to sit down with U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan to talk about the challenges and opportunities in our education system. I convened this roundtable to give school districts the opportunity to communicate directly with…

Deeds TV ad touts Post endorsement

Chris Graham

Today the Deeds campaign released a new ad highlighting the Washington Post’s strong endorsement of Creigh Deeds for governor. The ad, “Longtime Champion,” highlights the Post’s selection of Deeds as “the better choice for governor,” calling Deeds “a longtime champion” of “enlightened, bipartisan” accomplishments.

Press Briefing | Press Secretary Robert Gibbs

Chris Graham

Monday, Oct. 19 Press Secretary Robert Gibbs is joined in the press briefing by Dr. Jared Bernstei, deputy assistant to the president on economic policy, and Melody Barnes, director of the Domestic Policy Council. MR. GIBBS: Good after – or good morning, I should say. Sorry, I’m used to doing this in the afternoon. Before…

GOP, for the most part, dominating local House money races

Chris Graham

26th District Democrat Gene Hart is giving Republican incumbent Matt Lohr a run for his re-election money, literally. Aside from Hart, though, Democratic candidates contending for seats representing the Central Shenandoah Valley in Richmond are struggling to keep pace with their Republican counterparts. Hart actually outraised Lohr in the Sept. 1-30 reporting period, according to…

Shannon releases plan to protect consumers on payday lending

Chris Graham

Attorney-general candidate Steve Shannon today released a new plan to protect consumers against exorbitant loan rates. The plan calls for tightening restrictions on the rates charged by payday lenders, increasing penalties for lenders who break the law, and providing financial literacy education for consumers. “It is the attorney general’s responsibility to protect Virginians,” said Shannon….

Stimulus to aid school-construction bond pool

Chris Graham

Gov. Timothy M. Kaine today announced the availability of $119 million in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act bond authorizations for local school divisions to finance energy-efficiency improvements and renovations, as well as renewable-energy projects for public-school buildings. Projects will be financed through the Qualified School Construction Bond program, and will be selected through a competitive…

Watters headlines ‘Children’s Hour’

Chris Graham

The Wayne Theatre Alliance and the Waynesboro Heritage Museum presents the third “Children’s Hour” on Friday at 6:30 p.m. The featured performer will be Eve Watters. The program is ideal for school-age children and adults. Eve Watters enchants audiences of all ages with an amazing mixture of music and stories from around the world. With…