Former Virginia Governor Tim Kaine will run for a U.S. Senate seat from his state. In an online announcement, Kaine, who is currently the Democratic National Committee chairman, says the nation has, quote, "big challenges" and he is "convinced that Virginia has answers" that can make the U.S. stronger. Democratic Virginia Senator Jim Webb has said he will not run next year to seek another term. The race for the Republican nomination for the Senate seat includes former Governor and Senator George Allen and Tea Party favorite Jamie Radtke.
Virginia Rep. Bob Goodlatte's effort to ban the use of federal dollars to implement the restoration of the Chesapeake Bay is the focus of a protest letter signed by more than 60 scientists, former governors and state officials. The letter contends the proposal would "severely undermine" the federal effort to clean up the bay.
Amherst County supervisors last night unanimously accepted the resignation of County Administrator Lee Lintecum. Supervisors met in closed session for an hour and a half before the vote. Chairwoman Claudia Tucker told the News and Advance it was clear to Lintecum they weren’t satisfied with his performance. Lintecum was hired in 2009 after the forced departure of his predecessor. Since then four supervisors have stepped down or been defeated in re-election efforts.
House Democrats are questioning the sponsor of the Republican House redistricting plan over the proposed number of majority-black districts. Del. Chris Jones was questioned Tuesday on why the number of majority-minority districts would remain at 12 rather than grow to 13 or 14.
The man accused of causing the wreck that killed a Liberty University professor and her teenaged son last summer has pleaded NOT guilty. Prosecutors say Paul Harris’s blood alcohol level was more than twice the legal limit. But his defense attorney blames a lab mixup and says he will show Harris's car had frequent mechanical issues. The crash on Route 460 at the Bonsack Walmart killed Jill Jones and her 16-year-old son Nico. Harris’s trial resumes today.
The US Postal Service is moving some mail processing operations out of Lynchburg to Roanoke. Officials with the USPS say the consolidation is necessary because of the agency’s financial situation. They say customers should not see a change in service. Some employees from the Lynchburg Processing and Distribution Facility may be reassigned to the processing facility in Roanoke or to other vacant positions.
