Today’s Topics
Transportation
Tysons will need $15 billion — ‘with a B’ | The Washington Post
Remaking Tysons Corner into the second city of Washington will take a lot more than a new Metro line and a downtown of tightly clustered buildings designed for walking. It will take almost $15 billion in new roads and public transportation.
VDOT adds 16 traffic cameras to Central Virginia locales | The Daily Progress
The Virginia Department of Transportation has added 16 traffic cameras in Central Virginia to manage traffic flow, monitor weather conditions and assist emergency responders on Interstate 64 and primary highways.
Health
Va. to close pharmacy for mentally ill | The Washington Post
Virginia is eliminating its statewide pharmacy for the mentally ill, which obtained discounted drugs and distributed them through local mental health boards rather than commercial drugstores, as part of its effort to reduce spending in tough budget times.
Officials: H1N1 has plateaued | The Star Exponent
RICHMOND — Pediatrics practices are being swamped with caring for sick children, trying to get shipments of H1N1 vaccine to give to patients, and answering parent questions about when to worry if a child has sniffles or a cough.
Swine-flu issues keeps area pediatricians busy | The Richmond Times-Dispatch
Pediatrics practices are being swamped with caring for sick children, trying to get shipments of H1N1 vaccine to give to patients, and answering parent questions about when to worry if a child has sniffles or a cough.
Richmond to offer vaccine to all students, says official | The Richmond Times-Dispatch
Richmond will reach beyond public school children to administer 3,300 doses of swine-flu vaccine in the next week.
State board suspends Staunton physician’s license for 3 years | The Richmond Times-Dispatch
The license of a Staunton physician accused of having sexual relations with patients, verbally abusing a 5-year-old, smoking marijuana and other misconduct was suspended yesterday for three years.
Peninsula Health District’s H1N1 flu shot clinics canceled for next week | The Daily Press
The Peninsula Health District will not hold any after-school H1N1 flu vaccine clinics next week. Officials said the district – which serves Newport News, Williamsburg, Poquoson, York and James City counties – had received some vaccine, but not enough to hold large-scale clinics.
Election
Va. investigates legality of access to voter list | The Washington Post
A day after a nonprofit group canceled a mailing designed to get out the vote, the Virginia State Board of Elections is investigating whether the organization illegally obtained access to a closely controlled registration list that includes voter histories.
Va. looks into missed absentee ballot deadlines | The Daily Progress
A death and a computer snafu sparked by a name change were responsible for delays in mailing out absentee ballots in Greene and Nelson counties, respectively, local registrars said.
Undaunted Beach inmate plans to cast ballot | The Virginia Pilot
James Paul Beckstedt said he hasn’t missed an election in 50 years, and he’s not going to let being in jail break his voting streak.
Education
SCHEV accepts college remediation plans | The Richmond Times-Dispatch
The State Council of Higher Education for Virginia has accepted remediation plans by Richard Bland College and the University of Virginia’s College at Wise intended to bring the schools into compliance with certification standards.
January return for 4 behind racist symbols | The Washington Post
Four of the six Stonewall Jackson High School students who faced year-long expulsion for arranging pieces of sod into racist symbols will have the opportunity to return to school at the end of January, a panel of three Prince William County School Board members decided unanimously Wednesday night.
Campus newspaper liquor ad issue examined by court | The Richmond Times-Dispatch
A federal appeals court grappled yesterday with the question of whether a judge went too far when she overturned Virginia’s ban on liquor advertising in college newspapers — a regulation the state says is intended to curb illegal underage drinking.
Hampton Roads colleges’ boost to economy | The Virginia Pilot
Hampton Roads public colleges and universities have created more than 22,200 jobs and contributed $450 million in annual tax revenue to the state, according to a study released Thursday by the Virginia Business Higher Education Council.
Environment
Congress OKs $50M for Bay restoration | The Washington Examiner
Efforts to restore the Chesapeake Bay are now only a signature away from receiving their largest ever federal contribution.
Is it time we put ailing Bay on diet? | The Freelance Star
Like an obese patient at risk of a heart attack or stroke, the Chesapeake Bay needs to go on a “pollution diet” to survive, scientists say.
Energy
PATH moves to stay on the map | The Loudoun Times
PATH, the 765,000-volt transmission line planned for northern Loudoun County, certainly is going somewhere, according to the company’s response to a motion to kill the project.
Dominion Resources profit increases | The Richmond Times-Dispatch
Sharp drops in the price of natural gas and other fuels boosted Dominion Resources Inc.‘s profit for the third quarter.
Bonner: Sorry for fake letters | The Daily Progress
WASHINGTON — The head of the “grassroots” lobbying firm that sent bogus letters to U.S. Rep. Tom Perriello and two other congressman apologized Thursday to a congressional panel investigating the deception.
Legal
Lawyer seeks public benefits for Tri-Cities citizens | The Richmond Times-Dispatch
When citizens are denied public benefits like food stamps or unemployment insurance, they rarely seek legal council, said Geraldine M. Doetzer, the only public-benefits attorney at the Legal Aid Justice Center in Petersburg.
Can Virginians get locked up if they witness a crime and do nothing? | WTVR
RICHMOND – Could you go to jail if you witness a crime, and do nothing to stop it? What if you witness a crime and don’t call police?
Beach’s new system for its court cases has fewer details | The Virginia Pilot
Curious about your neighbor’s criminal history?
Want to check a prospective baby sitter’s record?
Judiciary panel approves Keenan | Virginia Lawyers Weekly Blog
The U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee today unanimously approved the nomination of Virginia Supreme Court Justice Barbara Keenan for the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.
Economy
Alcoa to close plant in Lebanon, VA; 76 employees to lose jobs | TriCities.com
Continued problems in the auto industry has claimed more jobs in the Tri-Cities region.
Local
Rep. Randy Forbes sets up site to assist paper mill employees | The Daily Press
FRANKLIN – Rep. Randy Forbes has set up a Web site to help people affected by International Paper Co.’s decision to close its plant in Franklin.
Chambers explore merger | The News & Messenger
The two area chambers of commerce are looking to join forces.
Investors hope to save old Lynchburg mill from demolition | The Richmond Times-Dispatch
LYNCHBURG Two Richmond-area developers are working to pull one of Lynchburg’s oldest commercial buildings back from the brink of demolition.
Virginia regulators ordered two Richmond-area businessmen and to stop selling securities for 120 days while determining whether to permanently ban them from that business.
F’burg office supports local census operations | The Star Exponent
The U.S. Census in Virginia is ready for 2010.
Second developer gets offer from federal officials | The Virginia Pilot
The site of the failed Granby Tower condominium project isn’t the only land the federal government covets.
Local water projects to get federal money | The Virginia Pilot
More than $25.4 million in federal money is headed to Hampton Roads for a variety of water and development projects, and $50 million more could be coming for the Chesapeake Bay cleanup effort.
Chesapeake lays off 23 employees | The Virginia Pilot
Twenty-three employees will be notified today that they will lose their jobs with the city, according to a city news release.
- The Most Progressive Budget in Virginia’s History - December 21, 2019
- When is a Clean Water Act Permit Needed? - December 21, 2019
- Should U.S. Consider Modern Monetary Theory to Improve Economy? - December 21, 2019