A new program is rolling out that provides tax credits for scholarship donations to private schools in Virginia. Passed by the 2012 Virginia General Assembly Session, The Education Improvements Scholarships Tax Credit Program has significant support from non-public, faith-based schools. Tab O’Neal reports.

More information about the tax credit program is available here.

AFP/Getty Images via NPR

Potential  U-S military engagement in Syria is sparking a debate among the region’s lawmakers over whether sequestration is impacting the U-S military’s ability to respond to conflicts abroad.  Matt Laslo has the details.

On September first, Dominion Power is required to submit a report to the state, explaining how it will provide electricity over the next fifteen years, but even before that happens, a coalition of environmental groups is demanding the utility use more sustainable energy sources to generate power.  Sandy Hausman has that story.

National Gallery of Art

The National Gallery of Art is running an exhibit connected with the anniversary of the March on Washington.  As Matt Laslo reports, the exhibit delves into Virginia’s sordid history with slavery.

Virginia’s School Board Association and the Norfolk Board of Education are suing the state to stop implementation of a new law that would allow Richmond to take over local schools when they consistently fail Standards of Learning tests.  Sandy Hausman has that story.

Photo: University of Virginia School of Nursing

When a woman reports a rape, she is given a forensic evidence exam–known informally, as a rape kit.  But the rape kits used by hospitals all over the country are using a technique that puts women with dark skin at a disadvantage.  Allison Quantz reports.

A special panel of the Freedom of Information Advisory Council has declined to endorse legislation to require the State Corporation Commission to comply with many provisions of Virginia’s open-government laws.  The Rights and Remedies subcommittee took up the issue at the request of a Fairfax Delegate who believes that many of the SCC’s activities are too shielded from the public.  As Virginia Public Radio’s Anne Marie Morgan reports, supporters of the requirement say they’re seeking a middle ground that would still safeguard the SCC’s regulatory activities.

The governor’s speech was not well received in certain circles.  Democrats and economists said McDonnell  should not claim credit for low unemployment or another budget surplus as  Sandy Hausman reports.

Recently a jury in Spotsylvania County awarded a family more than $1.4 million dollars in a negligence suit against a local nursing home. The facility has a history of safety violations, and as Rebecca Blatt reports, federal regulators say the problems continue to persist…

A Virginia-based singer-songwriter has found musical inspiration in a rather unlikely place: The Metro system.

Jason Mendelson just released the fourth volume of his “MetroSongs” series — all featuring songs inspired by different Metro stations. Rebecca Sheir met with him and his band, The Open Doors, and asked how the whole “MetroSongs” venture began.

“MetroSongs Volume 4: Multi-tracking” is out now.

Photo: Chicago Tribune

With Congress in recess for the month President Obama is preparing to continue pressuring Republicans to work with him on job creation. Members of Virginia’s congressional delegation say that while his speeches rev up his base he still isn’t trying to work with the G-O-P.  Matt Laslo reports from Washington, D.C.

The Chesapeake Bay Foundation has released the results of a poll showing strong support for clean-up efforts and little desire for delay.  Two pollsters who work for Republicans and Democrats questioned more than 600 people.  Sandy Hausman reports on what they found.

Photo: Service Employees International Union

Congress is gone for the month of August so local immigration advocates are planning to take their fight for reform to Republican’s district offices in Virginia. Matt Laslo has the details.

While Americans are growing more health-conscious and monitoring what they eat, the latest trend is becoming more aware of foods containing Genetically Modified Organisms. But as Tommie McNeil reports, a Virginia nutritional counselor says GMO labeling is not so obvious in the packaging, and more foods contain GMOs than one might suspect.

Clay Street Market, Richmond VA.
Photo: Tricycle Gardens

A food desert is a neighborhood with no supermarkets – a place where you can’t buy fresh fruits or vegetables.  The small corner stores carry canned and dried food that keeps well on the shelf but is less nutritious than fresh produce, often high in fat and sugar.  For a city of its size, Richmond, Virginia is the worst food desert in the nation, but an effort is underway to fix that problem. Sandy Hausman has the story.

The recent discovery of a prehistoric whale skeleton along the shore of the Potomac River may help scientists understand life and climate change millions of years ago during the Miocene Epoch. The dig lies 150 feet below ancient cliffs at Virginia’s Stratford Hall in Westmoreland County, the birthplace of General Robert E. Lee.

Wading along this pristine shoreline, over fallen trees and under ancient cliffs Jon Bachman, who works at Stratford Hall was with a group of scientists in June when he found the 15 million-year-old whale skull.

“We’re walking along the beach when I notice something that looks like a gray hubcap sticking out about 3 ½ feet from where the cliffs meet the beach,” said Bachman.

The Calvert Marine Museum across the river in Maryland was called and a team of scientists and students led by paleontologist Stephen Godfrey removed the 6 ½ foot-long baleen whale skull last month. Now they’re back for the 25 foot skeleton.

“These cliffs give us a portal into that 10 million year block of time that’s represented by the depth of the sediments here from about 18 million years ago to about 8 million years ago. So as close as to Washington we know what creatures were living here at that time,” said Godfrey.

The discovery was kept quiet until the prized whale skull was removed. Stratford Hall didn’t want patrons near the unstable cliffs. There was also talk of fossil raiders. John Nance, another paleontologist with the Calvert Museum said it was about preserving the site.

“Because we don’t want to have a lot of people coming around and possibly disturbing it. It holds a lot of scientific value but on the market these bones wouldn’t sell for very much at all. Big sharks teeth. That’s what sells,” said Nance.

The skull and some of the bones are now  on display at the Calvert Maritime Museum.

–by Pamela D’Angelo

You can watch a video of the excavation, posted by John Nance at the Calvert Marine Museum.

A bill that would have helped crackdown on Internet predators that was shot down during the last General Assembly session is now being restructured so that it has a chance of survival next session. As Virginia Public Radio’s Tommie McNeil reports, the bill’s co-sponsor believes the measure would give law enforcement a much-needed tool to pursue and prosecute those who might otherwise get away with the unthinkable.

Since the mid 18th century, Americans throughout New England and the South have been gathering for shape note singing, a form of a capella sung mostly from a popular tune book called The Sacred Harp. Now there’s a new tune book that captures some of Virginia’s musical past.