Shannon launches TV ads in local markets

AFP

Attorney-general candidate Steve Shannon launched two television ads in the Charlottesville and Harrisonburg media markets today. The ads highlight Shannon’s experience as a prosecutor and his plans to improve public safety in Virginia. The first ad, titled “Focused,” highlights Shannon’s experience as one of the founders of Virginia’s first Amber Alert program, a public safety…

Matthews makes changes to depth chart

AFP

James Madison football coach Mickey Matthews has announced several personnel moves for his team. Matthews has shifted junior Griff Yancey (Glen Allen, Va./Hermitage) from free safety to running back, will employ sophomore Corwin Acker (Landover, Md./Blake) in more of a receiver’s role than at running back where he’s been used previously, and will start redshirt…

AFP kicks off inaugural Fund Drive

AFP

“I listen to public radio, and it’s free, but if I had to, I’d put the quarter in the slot. Well, fund-drive time is when you collect all the quarters and put them in the slot.” A reader and new subscriber thus explained why she signed on to purchase from the AFP what she otherwise…

The Pulse | Silly season going on largely outside public view

Chris Graham

That’s what I call the part to an election cycle where we have the debates and the candidate endorsement interviews. I refer to it as the silly season because, well, to be honest, I just don’t see the value to the hand-wringing that goes on with debates and endorsements, on all sides. Which isn’t to…

Daily Rant | You Don’t Like My Accent?

Chris Graham

The flap over Creigh Deeds’ stuttering is turning into something more. Commenters on the AFP and other websites are saying the way Deeds talks is an indication that he’s, well, stupid. AFP editor Chris Graham thinks it’s a anti-Mountain Virginia bias thing, and details his upset to that effect in today’s Daily Rant. AFP Video….

JMU forms institute with green focus

AFP

Enhancing its commitment to environmental stewardship, James Madison University has formed the Institute for Energy and Environmental Sustainability. The new institute will coordinate the university’s current stewardship efforts while seeking opportunities to expand its research in environmental stewardship areas. “JMU is taking an important step toward solidifying our statewide energy and environmental leadership role by…

ACLU, NAACP team up on voter cards

AFP

Between now and Election Day, the American Civil Liberties Union of Virginia and the Virginia State Conference of the NAACP will be distributing informational cards describing voters’ rights at the polls. Available free in small or large numbers to civic groups, non-profit organizations, individuals and political campaigns (regardless of affiliation), the 2009 Virginia Voters’ Rights…

Stimulus dollars to go to conservation efforts

AFP

Gov. Timothy M. Kaine today announced the allocation of $40 million from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) to implement the Virginia State Energy Plan (SEP), a blueprint for funding energy-related initiatives throughout Virginia. The funding will help create jobs, encourage energy conservation, and promote alternative energy generation through rebates to residential and commercial…

The Pulse | Kaine team needs to work on its media strategy

Chris Graham

A long-time friend in the local media who covered the Tim Kaine visit to Staunton last week with me for the News Virginian felt, shall we say, slighted at the treatment accorded him by the Kaine traveling party, and called me to get my input on what had transpired. The media folks on hand, including…