Posts Tagged Government & Politics

Five Democrats Seeking Nomination for Governor Debate at VSU

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The Democratic primary for governor is only two months away, and the campaign is heating up. The five candidates seeking the party’s nomination have met for the first televised debate of the primary season. Michael Pope has details.

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Governments Big and Small Weigh Meeting Options During Pandemic

StateSeal00When should governments decide to overlook requirements that they meet in-person and in-public? Michael Pope reports.

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Following Two Special Elections, Republicans Retain Control of Virginia’s Lawmaking Bodies

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Heading into the legislative session, both of Virginia’s lawmaking bodies remain controlled by Republicans. Two special elections in the state senate yesterday could have possibly flipped that control. Mallory Noe-Payne has more.

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Should Local Offices in Virginia Remain Nonpartisan?

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Should candidates for local offices be identified as Republicans or Democrats in Virginia? That’s an issue now being considered by the courts. Michael Pope reports.

 

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Tim Kaine Says Congress Should Declare War on Islamic State

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Now that he’s off the campaign trail and back in the Senate, Tim Kaine is returning to an old argument. Michael Pope reports.

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Trump Won the Election, But is Still Concerned About Voter Fraud in Virginia

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President-elect Donald Trump may have won the election. But he’s now claiming that “serious voter fraud” happened in Virginia. Michael Pope has the story.

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The New Lost Cause: Getting General Assembly to Address Confederate Symbols

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Members of the General Assembly are preparing for the upcoming session, and a number of key issues are emerging. But there’s one issue that’s not expected to be part of the discussion. Michael Pope has the story.

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Virginia Elects a New Governor Next Year. Will Voters Seek Another Trump?

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Now that Election 2016 has come and gone, the politics of Election 2017 are already moving into place. And, as Michael Pope reports, the election of Donald Trump as president could have a strong influence on the race for governor next year.

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About Three in Four Virginia Voters Expected to Show Up on Election Day

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How many voters are expected to show up on Election Day? Michael Pope has this preview.

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Deadly Ambush of Fairfax Officer Prompted Constitutional Amendment ​on Ballot This Year

Virginia_flag_mapWhen they head to the polls on Election Day, most voters will be focused on the presidential election. But here in Virginia, they’ll also be considering a little-known constitutional amendment — one that had a violent beginning. Michael Pope has the story.

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Shifting Demographics in Chesterfield and Loudoun Create Key Battlegrounds

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It wasn’t all that long ago that Virginia was considered a red state, or at least a state that strongly leaned Republican. Now Democrats have won the last two presidential cycles, and the trend is expected to continue again this year. Michael Pope is digging into the numbers.

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Elections Officials Bracing for Armed Poll Watchers

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After the campaign headquarters of Jane Dittmar was visited by armed demonstrators recently, election officials across Virginia began asking about what will happen when people show up on Election Day with firearms. Michael Pope has the story.

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Could Hackers Influence the Election?

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With alleged cyber-attacks from Russia on the rise, federal officials are looking at ways to keep foreign operatives from meddling with this year’s elections. Matt Laslo reports from Washington.

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Once Again, McAuliffe Presses for Medicaid Expansion

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State leaders are divided over the best way to close a $1.5 billion budget shortfall. But Governor McAuliffe is taking the opportunity to once again press for expanding Medicaid. Michael Pope explains.

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Trump Supporters Concerned Campaign Will Pull Out of Virginia

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The presidential campaign may seem endless, but the end is near. That means campaigns are making crucial decisions about how to allocate resources in the final few weeks before Election Day. Michael Pope reports.

 

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How Will Governor McAuliffe Deal With the Budget Shortfall?

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Up to 26 state employees may be losing their jobs, and no state employees will be getting previously promised pay raises. That’s because of a budget shortfall this year. As Mallory Noe-Payne reports, Governor McAuliffe today gave specifics on how he plans to close the gap.

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Democrats Hope Trump Turmoil Helps Downballot in Fifth Congressional District

Virginia_flag_mapOne of the hottest congressional races on the ballot this fall is the Fifth Congressional District, which stretches from Charlottesville to Danville. It’s a district currently held by Republicans, but Democrats are hoping the turmoil of the Donald Trump campaign might be giving them new momentum. Michael Pope has the story.

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Comstock is First Prominant Virginia Republican to Ask Trump to Step Aside

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Republicans across Virginia are struggling to figure out how to handle their relationship with Donald Trump in the wake of his hot mic moment on the Access Hollywood bus. So far, only one prominent Republican is calling for the candidate to step down. Michael Pope has more.

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Most News Outlets Claim Pence as Debate Winner. But…Did Kaine Actually Lose?

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Virginia Senator Tim Kaine is getting a rough treatment for his debate performance Tuesday night, a hard-driving style that showed off the former governor’s attack dog skills. Did Kaine lose the debate? Michael Pope reports.

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How Will Tim Kaine Perform Tonight?

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Virginia’s Senator, and Democratic vice Presidential candidate, Tim Kaine will be in the national spotlight this evening, when he debates Mike Pence, Trump’s running mate. What kind of performance is Kaine expected to deliver? Michael Pope has this preview.

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Why Longwood?

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Thousands of people are descending on Farmville, Virginia – home to Longwood University, the site of Tuesday’s vice presidential debate.  Sandy Hausman looks at why the parties will face off at that little-known school.

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Is Virginia Congressman Bobby Scott Eyeing a Senate Seat?

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Virginia Beach Congressman Bobby Scott is stepping up his fundraising efforts and forming a new political action committee. It’s the clearest sign yet that he’s angling for the Senate seat that might be vacated by Tim Kaine if he becomes vice president. Michael Pope reports.

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Clinton Earns Endorsement From Prominent Republican

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Hillary Clinton is picking up a major Republican endorsement in Virginia, longtime Republican Senator John Warner. Michael Pope reports.

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Five Billion Dollar Proposal to Tackle Largest Youth Incarceration Rate in World

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Many young people are disconnected from school and work, a situation that some say can lead to a life of crime and prison. In Virginia Beach, for example, 20 percent of blacks age 16 to 24 are not in school and have no job. Now one Virginia congressman has a very expensive solution. Michael Pope has the story from Capitol Hill.

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Virginia’s 5th Congressional District Could Help Decide Who Controls House of Representatives

Virginia_flag_mapDemocrats need to win thirty seats to regain control of the U.S. House, and to do that they must record some upsets on November 8th.  That could happen in Virginia’s 5th Congressional District where Tom Periello was elected in 2008. Sandy Hausman tells us why the pundits are watching this year’s contest.

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New Poll Shows Clinton Leads Among Virginia Voters

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Hillary Clinton continues to lead Donald Trump here in Virginia, according to a new poll from Christopher Newport University. Michael Pope reports.

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Absentee Voting Starts Today in Virginia

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Voting in Election 2016 is underway in Virginia. Absentee voting began this morning. As Michael Pope tells us, the last few election cycles have seen a dramatic rise in absentee balloting in Virginia.

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State Democrats Want a Change to Virginia’s Photo ID Law

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Opponents of Virginia’s photo ID law made their case today before the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals.  They claim the requirement creates an unnecessary burden for people who want to vote. Sandy Hausman reports.

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Virginia Superintendents Oppose Feds Directing Money to High-Poverty Schools

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A new federal rule that divides school funding based on need is under attack from Virginia’s superintendents. (Credit: Richard Lee / Flickr)

On Capitol Hill, lawmakers are at odds over how to hand out federal dollars to local school divisions in Virginia and across the county. Michael Pope reports.

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Should Virginia Take Partisanship Out of its Elections?

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This year, only one congressional race in Virginia is competitive. That means almost all the members of Virginia’s congressional delegation are in totally safe seats. During the General Assembly election last year, NONE of the incumbents lost their seats. Now, one member of the House of Delegates says it’s time to introduce some more competition into the process. Michael Pope reports.

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In Light of McDonnell Case, Some Virginia Lawmakers Want A Stricter Federal Bribery Statute

Virginia_flag_mapNow that prosecutors have dropped bribery charges against former Virginia Governor Bob McDonnell some lawmakers on Capitol Hill are calling for tightening the federal bribery statute. Matt Laslo has the story from Washington.

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Petersburg’s Financial Woes Worry State Lawmakers

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Petersburg has a looming deadline for a $1.4 million bill to the state. That’s just one concern of many when it comes to the city’s pressing financial problems. Virginia’s lawmakers are starting to wonder how the city’s finances will affect the state. Mallory Noe-Payne reports.

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Ed Gillespie Leads GOP Candidates for Governor in New Poll

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Campaign 2016 will end in a matter of weeks, which means that campaign 2017 is already starting to take shape behind the scenes. Michael Pope has new details on the race for governor. Michael Pope has new details on the race for governor.

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Bobby Scott Leads as Potential Senate Pick, Although Campaign Finance Could Be Stumbling Block

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Democratic Congressman Bobby Scott is ramping up his presence on Capitol Hill, appearing at a Hillary Clinton campaign event this week and sending new fundraising emails. Michael Pope has this look at his campaign finance record.

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State Lawmakers Want Changes to the Constitution Over Felon Voting Rights

Virginia_flag_mapPer Virginia’s constitution, any felon — violent and nonviolent — can’t vote unless their rights are restored by the Governor. It’s been the subject of a summer’s-long court battle that finally ended this week. However, the conversation over changes to Virginia’s laws on the matter are just getting started. Mallory Noe-Payne has the story.

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Will Foreign Hackers Attack Voter Registration Rolls in Virginia?

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Will Virginia’s election this year be hacked? As Michael Pope tells us from Capitol Hill, that is a growing concern in Washington.

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How Many Votes Did Your Member of Congress Miss Last Year?

Virginia_flag_mapMichael Pope is digging into the numbers.

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Bobby Scott Joins House Military Vets in Show of Support for Clinton

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Democrats are hoping that Donald Trump’s behavior on the campaign trail may be able to help them with military voters in Virginia. Michael Pope reports.

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Lawmakers Struggle Over Solution To Potential Government Shutdown

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Congress is back after taking the summer off and lawmakers are wrangling over how to keep the federal government’s lights on after funding runs out at the end of the month. Matt Laslo reports from the Capitol that Virginia lawmakers are upset that they’re left with few good options.

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What’s Next for Embattled Former Governor Bob McDonnell?

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Now that embattled former Governor Bob McDonnell and his wife are out of legal jeopardy, what’s next for the man who was once a rising star in Republican politics? Michael Pope has the story.

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Virginia Lawmaker Asking for Complete Overhaul of U.S. Tax Code

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One Virginia congressman is hoping to throw the entire U.S. tax code in the trash can and start over. Michael Pope reports from Capitol Hill.

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Executive Overreach or Prosecutorial Discretion? Congress Debates ‘Slush Funds’

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Do federal prosecutors have a slush fund? One Virginia congressman says they do, and he wants to bring an end to it. Michael Pope has the story.

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Major Virginia Paper Endorses Third-Party Candidate for President

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This strange political season has thrown another curve ball, an endorsement from one of Virginia’s largest newspapers to a third-party candidate. The unusual move made national headlines over Labor Day weekend. Mallory Noe-Payne reports.

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Virginians To Have Several Options on Presidential Ballot This Year

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Election officials in Virginia have put the finishing touches on the presidential ballot this year, which will have five choices for voters. Michael Pope has the story.

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Republicans Take Aim At Mandatory Donations to Left-Wing Groups

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Judiciary Chairman Bob Goodlatte, who introduced the Stop Slush Funds Act of 2016. Credit: Gage Skidmore / Creative Commons

Do federal prosecutors have a slush fund? That question is behind a bill currently under consideration by Congress, one that is about to get a vote next week. Michael Pope reports.

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Republicans Want Virginia Supreme Court to Hold Governor in Contempt

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Republican leaders in the General Assembly say the Virginia Supreme Court should hold Democratic Governor Terry McAuliffe in contempt of court for his action to restore voting rights to former felons. Michael Pope has the story.

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State Accepting Comments on Concealed Carry Ban

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Last October, Virginia’s Governor used executive action to ban concealed-carry in state offices. There was an immediate backlash from many pro-gun advocates, and Wednesday in Richmond they got the chance to speak out. Mallory Noe-Payne reports.

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Virginia Lawmaker Jailed for Sex Scandal is Front-Runner in Richmond’s Mayoral Race

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The presidential election isn’t the only political showdown in Virginia this November. The state’s capital is also electing a new mayor. A poll out Tuesday from Christopher Newport University finds former state delegate Joe Morrissey has a commanding lead in Richmond’s mayoral race. Mallory Noe-Payne reports.

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What’s Happening Behind Closed Courthouse Doors In McDonnell Case? ​

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Former Governor Bob McDonnell had his conviction overturned by the United States Supreme Court, but that doesn’t mean his legal troubles are over yet. And now, as Michael Pope tells us, the 4th Circuit Court of Appeals is granting a delay in the case.

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Supreme Court to Rule on Virginia Redistricting Case This Fall

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This fall the Supreme Court will weigh in on whether race unfairly played a role when the lines were drawn for some Virginia House of Delegates seats. Matt Laslo reports.

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