VCU enters into agreement with Verizon to rename basketball arena

AFP

To celebrate its tenth birthday, the building is getting a new name. Virginia Commonwealth University Athletics is pleased to announce they have entered into a partnership with Verizon Wireless to rename their ten-year-old basketball venue the Verizon Wireless Arena.  “We are thrilled to have Verizon Wireless join our corporate partnership family,” said Norwood Teague, VCU…

Toss-up: New poll has McDonnell-Deeds race too close to call

Chris Graham

What was a nine-point advantage for Bob McDonnell in the Virginia governor’s race two weeks ago is now down to two, according to a new poll by Rasmussen Reports released Thursday afternoon. The poll has McDonnell’s lead at 48 percent to 46 percent for Creigh Deeds. McDonnell led two weeks ago by a 51 percent-to-42…

Kaine: State needs line of credit to meet unemployment obligations

AFP

Gov. Timothy M. Kaine on Tuesday filed a request with the U.S. Department of Labor for a repayable advance of $252 million from the Federal Unemployment Account to meet the obligations of the Virginia Unemployment Compensation Program through December 2009. With increased demand for benefits and reduced employer contributions to the state’s unemployment insurance trust…

Verizon boosts wireless capabilities in Valley

AFP

In a continuing effort to provide the best wireless service for local residents in communities up and down the I-81 corridor in Virginia, Verizon Wireless has completed work that increases the number of calls its wireless network can handle. In Spring Hill, Kiser Hill, Waynesboro, Reservoir Hill, South Staunton, Weyers Cave, Tinkling Springs, Sampson, Middle…

Children’s Choir to perform for Carter

Chris Graham

It marks the second time the Shenandoah Valley Children’s Choir has sung by invitation for a U.S. president. It is also the second time the choir was invited to provide music before a crowd of more than 6,000 at the presentation of the Global Nonviolence Award by the Mahatma Gandhi Center at James Madison University….

VCU researchers discover possible male-infertility gene

AFP

Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine researchers have discovered a gene involved with the production of sperm that may contribute to male infertility and lead to new approaches to male contraception. One in six couples trying to conceive a baby is affected by infertility, according to the American Fertility Association – and in about half…

Poll: Thesis negatives dragging down McDonnell

Chris Graham

Has the controversy over Bob McDonnell’s 1989 graduate-school thesis had an impact on the Virginia governor’s race? A new poll suggests that it has, and that it has the potential to do more damage as more voters start to pay attention to the upcoming state elections. Fifty-two percent of the 600 registered voters surveyed by…