Category: Local

Reminder: 9500 Liberty screening tonite

Just a reminder that the screening of the movie 9500 Liberty will be at 7:15pm tonight at the Naro in Norfolk. In case you want to know a bit more about the movie, check out this review. In this film, an anti-immigration blogger in Prince William County named Greg Letiecq uses his site to bring … Continue reading Reminder: 9500 Liberty screening tonite →

Norfolk council: do your job!

"I am reluctant to pull the council into this. But if we can help resolve this, we will try." The above quote came from Norfolk Mayor Paul Fraim in an article today regarding the latest turf battle between Norfolk Commissioner of the Revenue Sharon McDonald and Treasurer Tom Moss. An inquiry has been launched into … Continue reading Norfolk council: do your job! →

9500 Liberty film screening in Norfolk Tuesday

9500 Liberty will have a screening Tuesday evening at the Naro in Norfolk. Prince William County, Virginia becomes ground zero in America’s explosive battle over immigration policy when elected officials adopt a law requiring police officers to question anyone they have "probable cause" to suspect is an undocumented immigrant. 9500 Liberty reveals the startling vulnerability … Continue reading 9500 Liberty film screening in Norfolk Tuesday →

Warner roundtable on women on combat

Senator Mark Warner held a roundtable in the Norfolk Main Library this morning to hear from military women and representatives of various veteran support groups on the issue of combat stress. Last month, Warner sponsored legislation directing the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs to spend the next year studying whether it is adequately addressing the … Continue reading Warner roundtable on women on combat →

Smigiel: A new choice. A new voice.

The first candidate to announce for the upcoming Norfolk council elections in May was Tommy Smigiel, who is taking on incumbent Randy Wright in Ward 5. Smigiel, a former Virginia Teacher of the Year, has hit the ground running. He's got his website up and has been knocking doors and attending meetings throughout the ward. … Continue reading Smigiel: A new choice. A new voice. →

Support expansion of state health care benefits

The articles last week on the proposal by outgoing Governor Tim Kaine to expand health care benefits of state employees didn't tell the whole story. Now that we have the  proposed language for the changes, hopefully some of the commentors will rethink their positions. Let's start at the beginning. In 2007, then Attorney General Bob … Continue reading Support expansion of state health care benefits →

Virginia Beach, Chesapeake shenanigans

No longer can South Hampton Roads residents point to Norfolk for the follies of its elected representatives. Add Virginia Beach and Chesapeake to the mix. In Virginia Beach, Dan Lowe, the school board member representing the Bayside district, resigned. The remaining members get to appoint a replacement. Current at-large member Carolyn Weems was one of … Continue reading Virginia Beach, Chesapeake shenanigans →

Warner & other freshmen on health care reform

According to a press release, senator Mark Warner is leading a freshman group of 11 Senators on health care reform issues. The eleven freshmen are Sens. Mark Begich (AL), Michael Bennet (CO), Roland Burris (IL), Kay Hagan (NC), Ted Kaufman (DE), Paul Kirk (MA), Jeff Merkley (OR), Jeanne Shaheen (NH), Mark Udall (NM), Tom Udall (CO) and Mark Warner(VA).  Since Labor Day, these freshman Democrats have … Continue reading Warner & other freshmen on health care reform →

Without a mention of “macaca”

Who doesn't remember S. R. Sidarth, the young man whose recording of then-Senator George Allen brought the word "macaca" into the consciousness of  every Virginian in 2006 and brought down the Senator's re-election campaign? Apparently, Alex Trebek 🙂 Last night, the older, clean shaven Sidarth appeared on Jeopardy, the long-running trivia game show. I caught … Continue reading Without a mention of “macaca” →

Portsmouth sheriff threatens removal of courthouse security

For the second time this year, Portsmouth Sheriff Bill Watson has threatened action in the city in a dispute over compensation. Earlier this year, Watson threatened to suspend services provided by inmate work crews unless his deputies received raises. This time, Watson says he will keep his deputies from providing courthouse security. “Jan. 4, they … Continue reading Portsmouth sheriff threatens removal of courthouse security →