Today’s Topics
- Budget
- Education
- Transportation
- Economy
- Storm Cleanup
- The McDonnell Administration
- Military
- Energy
- Politics
- Legal
- Local
Budget
Va. might have to cut $2.9 billion more by ’12 | The Washington Post
RICHMOND — State agencies might need to cut up to $2.9 billion more from core services, such as education, law enforcement and health care, by mid-2012 to accommodate Virginia’s financial crisis.
More on this story:
- Virginia budget outlook poor; shortfall could grow | The Richmond Times-Dispatch
- Revenue picture sours in Virginia | The Washington Examiner
- Lawmakers talk about further cuts as state budget shortfall nears $3 billion | The Roanoke Times
Education
Minorities in gifted classes studied | The Washington Post
Gov. Timothy M. Kaine announced Tuesday that the Virginia Education Department has launched a study of minority students’ low participation in gifted education programs statewide.
Allen tax plan backed by Crusade | The Richmond Times-Dispatch
RICHMOND, Va. — Possibly as remarkable as the political pairing in support of a tax-code change to renovate old schools is the range of good it would do, former Gov. and U.S. Sen. George Allen told the Richmond Crusade for Voters last night.
In Fairfax, parents concerned about alternative testing methods | The Washington Post
Lynbrook Elementary School, which serves one of the poorest communities in Fairfax County, seems to be a model for reform. Three years ago, the Springfield school failed to meet state testing goals in English. Since then it has charted double-digit gains for every one of its closely monitored racial and ethnic groups of students.
Kaine cites pre-K success during his term | The Richmond Times-Dispatch
RICHMOND, Va. — Gov. Timothy M. Kaine says the number of children in pre-kindergarten classes has grown by nearly 40 percent during his term but that he wanted to do “so much more than that.”
U.Va. likely to increase tuition | The Richmond Times-Dispatch
CHARLOTTESVILLE — The University of Virginia is likely both to raise tuition and ask alumni to dig deeper into their pockets as the university seeks to find a more sustainable funding model in an era of dwindling state support.
Richmond superintendent cites progress, needs | The Richmond Times-Dispatch
A lot has been made in pop culture about what’s going to happen in 2012, Richmond School Superintendent Yvonne W. Brandon said yesterday to an auditorium packed with school officials, community business partners and students.
Beach schools propose grade scale changes | The Virginian Pilot
A plus sign could make all the difference for Beach students competing to get in colleges and universities across the nation.
Top thinkers will share ideas at CNU | The Daily Press
Yes, the event has a not-so-illuminating name: TEDx NASA.
Report: No disciplinary action should be taken in EastMont SOL testing case | The Roanoke Times
Montgomery County’s interim superintendent recommends that no disciplinary action be taken against the former principal at Eastern Montgomery High School, according to an internal investigation into Standards of Learning irregularities at the school between 2006 and 2008.
City schools’ enrollment drop shows signs of slowing | The News & Advance
The enrollment drop in the Lynchburg City Schools may have slowed for now.
City, schools seek saving by consolidating operations | The News & Advance
City and school administrators say their ongoing consolidation effort has already generated some minor savings and bigger-ticket ideas are under development.
Transportation
Group pushes for new Potomac River bridge | The News & Messenger
There is a renewed push to find a new way across the Potomac River.
VDOT plans test lift of I-64 High Rise Bridge on Thursday | The Virginian Pilot
The Virginia Department of Transportation plans to test the High Rise Bridge on Thursday morning.
Franklin Co. wants to restrict trucks on winding state route | The Roanoke Times
ROCKY MOUNT — Franklin County has joined Roanoke County in a request to restrict trucks on a portion of Virginia 116.
Economy
Federal stimulus funds allocated to phantom congressional districts | The Virginian Pilot
Anyone checking the federal government Web site that tracks stimulus money will find that Virginia’s 12th Congressional District got more than $2 million.
U.S. Food Service Inc. to shut Va. Beach operations | The Richmond Times-Dispatch
VIRGINIA BEACH — A major national food-distribution company plans to close its Virginia Beach warehouse and offices as part of its plan to consolidate operations.
‘A long way to go’ | The Star Exponent
The local housing market is still in trouble as many homeowners continue to face foreclosure — a problem exacerbated by persistent job losses and the expectation of more unsound mortgages coming due.
Storm Cleanup
Webb and Warner push for storm aid | The Daily Press
Virginia Sens. Jim Webb and Mark Warner are pressing federal officials to release disaster aid in the wake of last week’s powerful nor’easter that rocked Hampton Roads.
Barge stuck in Va. Beach freed on morning high tide | The Virginian Pilot
Crews have freed the huge barge that was stuck on the beach near a fishing pier in Sandbridge.
The McDonnell Administration
Co-chairs named for McDonnell inauguration | The Richmond Times-Dispatch
Sheila Johnson, the Democratic businesswoman who endorsed Republican Bob McDonnell in the governor’s race this year will serve as one his inaugural co-chairs, the campaign announced yesterday.
Military
Bill includes $476.1M for Va. military construction | The Virginian Pilot
A $134 billion spending bill approved by the U.S. Senate includes $476.1 million for military construction projects in Virginia
Energy
County panel supports turbines | The Daily Progress
With little hesitation, the Albemarle County Planning Commission sent a formal recommendation to the Board of Supervisors on Tuesday that called for wind turbines to be allowed in the county.
JCC supervisor to share climate change ideas with lawmakers on Capitol Hill | The Daily Press
JAMES CITY – Supervisor John McGlennon is a firm believer that local governments, if given the proper legislative arsenal and funding, are in the perfect position to implement programs that would help curb climate change.
Politics
Delegate Onzlee Ware faces $1000 fine per the SBE | The Roanoke Free Press
Virginia’s State Board of Elections will take up a recommendation by David Allen, Campaign Finance Manager and either confirm or dismiss the allegation at the November 23 meeting of the Board.
Legal
City attorney finds policy violated with extra funding | The Danville Register and Bee
Former City Manager Jerry Gwaltney violated City Code, policies and procedures when he au-thorized an extra $465,000 for Coleman MarketPlace without City Council approval, City Attorney W. Clarke Whitfield reported to City Council during its Tuesday night work session.
Norfolk court rules on ‘legal notice’ issue | The Virginia Lawyers Weekly Blog
A newspaper that wants to publish legal notices does not need a court order, a Norfolk Circuit Court ruled today in In Re: Dow Jones & Co.
Local
Beach expects $84M shortfall in ’10-’11 | The Virginian Pilot
This year’s budget shortfall was unprecedented, and next year’s could be worse.
Turning history into art | The Daily Progress
Local artisans are helping to prolong the existence of a tulip poplar tree that once stood beside Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello.
York supervisors nix parasailing proposal | The Daily Press
YORK — York County’s Board of Supervisors shot down a proposal Tuesday night that would have brought parasailing to the York River waterfront.
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