News 2008-06-27 Andanh.com

And the Smack of the Day Award goes to ... Thu, 26 Jun 2008 16:14:15 -0500
... House Speaker William J. Howell of Stafford. It seems Sen. Dick Saslaw had the temerity today to go before the House Rules Committee, which Howell chairs, to argue in favor of his own transportation bill and the gas tax it contains. Saslaw knew what he was getting into. "Based on what I've heard," he said to the committee, "I should be asking for a cigarette and a blindfold." "Senator Saslaw," Howell replied, "there’s no smoking in this building." Saslaw's plan was sent on to the full House without a committee recommendation. It is not expected to pass. For full coverage of the day's events in the General Assembly, check out Hugh Lessig's story in tomorrow's Daily Press and at www.dailypress.com.

Talking guns Thu, 26 Jun 2008 15:50:38 -0500
Reactions from politicians have been pouring in this afternoon in response to the U.S. Supreme Court ruling today on the District of Columbia's ban on handguns. The court ruled 5 to 4 that the ban on handgun ownership is unconstitutional. Republicans were quick to praise the ruling as a victory for Second Amendment gun rights. More interesting was the response of Democrats, who are divided on gun control. Virginia Sen. Jim Webb, who has a permit to carry a concealed gun, praised the ruling. ``I strongly believe that the Second Amendment to the Constitution guarantees the American people the right to defend themselves, particularly in their own homes," Webb said. ``Accordingly, I applaud today's decision by the Supreme Court to strike down the District of...

As offshore-drilling vote stalls, tempers flare Thu, 26 Jun 2008 15:48:02 -0500
House Republicans were a little too eager today to get a vote on a plan to open the nation's coasts to oil and gas drilling. The Democratic chairman of the House Appropriations Committee, Rep. David Obey, D-Wis., had postponed a vote on the annual Interior Department spending bill that Republicans hope to use to lift a federal drilling ban. When the committee met today on an unrelated spending bill, Republicans tried to offer an amendment replacing the scheduled bill with the Interior Department bill. When Republicans then tried to get a vote on a drilling amendment, Democrats moved to adjourn the meeting. The motion to adjourn passed on a strict party-line vote. Republicans were apparently steaming mad, convinced that Democrats are blocking a vote on...

And Drake isn't far behind Thu, 26 Jun 2008 14:25:51 -0500
Republican U.S. Rep. Thelma Drake, who is facing a challenge from Democrat Glenn Nye in the 2nd District (see below), just sent out her comment on the Supreme Court gun decision: "Justice Scalia's opinion in DC v. Heller will be regarded as one of the most important in history not because it overturned the DC gun ban but because it clarified one of the most basic and fundamental rights of all Americans: the 'individual right to keep and bear arms.' "Our Founding Fathers believed that Americans have a constitutional right to protect themselves and their loved ones. The Supreme court, by asserting that the 'Second Amendment protects an individual right to possess a firearm unconnected with service in a militia,' upheld that principle." So what...

Nye praises Supreme Court decision on gun rights Thu, 26 Jun 2008 13:55:00 -0500
I just took a break from reading a couple of long Weekly Standard stories about Democratic Bubba consultant Mudcat Saunders long enough to find this e-mail from the Glenn Nye campaign: "Glenn Nye Praises Supreme Court Decision Protecting Second Amendment Rights "Glenn Nye, Democratic Candidate for Congress in Virginia’s 2nd District, released the following statement praising today’s Supreme Court ruling on gun rights: "The Second Amendment guarantees our right to bear arms and today, in a decision that was crucially important to the people of Virginia and all Americans, the Supreme Court affirmed that right. I am a strong supporter of the Second Amendment, and in Congress I will make sure the rights of responsible gun owners are protected." It was interesting timing. In the...

General Assembly update Thu, 26 Jun 2008 13:54:25 -0500
It is difficult to imagine how the General Assembly can come up with a compromise plan on transportation funding after what happened Thursday morning. Then again, experienced hands at Capitol Square never draw conclusions until lawmakers turn out the lights, lock the doors and wait a few days. Here's the rundown of the morning activity. The House Rules Committee took three major votes. It killed the transportation plan from Gov. Timothy M. Kaine. This isn't a surprise because Kaine had proposed increasing the tax on vehicle purchases and home sales, hitting two businesses that are really struggling right now. House Republicans, who are generally adverse to tax increass, couldn't let this one get out of committee. It passed a plan that raises the gas tax....

A pre-victory party for Webb Thu, 26 Jun 2008 15:52:34 -0500
With passage of his GI Bill now seemingly assured, Virginia Sen. Jim Webb gathered with supporters Thursday morning to celebrate their success and hail what they described as a new era for military veterans. The Senate is expected to approve the GI bill-- giving war veterans a free college education-- sometime Thursday night as part of a spending package to finance the Iraq war. It has already cleared the House and President Bush has signaled his approval after months of White House opposition. ``This is the first wartime GI bill since Vietnam, in more than 30 years," Webb said at a news conference with key co-sponsors of his measure. ``It is well deserved." The bill will pay the cost of a veteran's college tuition, room...

One transportation plan dies, one goes to the executioner Thu, 26 Jun 2008 10:01:57 -0500
This just in from Richmond: The House Rules Committee has sent the tax plan passed yesterday by Senate Democrats to the House floor without a recommendation. It's expected to die there. The committee also effectively killed Gov. Tim Kaine's $1 billion transportation proposal. There's also word that Del. Phil Hamilton is about to offer new legislation that would focus on Northern Virginia and Hampton Roads. More to come.

The editor is ... on Thu, 26 Jun 2008 08:38:50 -0500
Good morning! Dave's Morning Call here -- your chance to let the political editor of the Daily Press (that would be me) hear what's on your mind. Grab a cup of coffee, and let's talk.

Hampton Arts offers summer acts Sun, 29 Jun 2008 00:00:00 -0400
W hile the rest of us ease into summer, arts administrators are busy assembling concert series for the coming months and into next season. Here are a few things to look out for:

Lure butterflies with a plant they feed on Sun, 29 Jun 2008 00:00:00 -0400
B utterfly weed is a favorite food source for adult and larval forms of the monarch butterfly. That makes the plant a double-good addition to your yard.

Local author launches another fanciful fiction series Sun, 29 Jun 2008 00:00:00 -0400
W illiamsburg author Larissa Ione takes a walk on the dark side in her paranormal romance, "Pleasure Unbound" (Forever, $6.99), the first novel in her new Demonica series.

One tax bill dies, while another barely clings to life Fri, 27 Jun 2008 00:00:00 -0400
Although some legislation moves ahead, a solution on transportation appears nowhere in sight at the moment.

New historic highway markers going up Fri, 27 Jun 2008 00:00:00 -0400
The Virginia Department of Historic Resources says seven new historic highway markers are set to be placed across the state.

UCC's annual conference looks to church's future Thu, 26 Jun 2008 00:00:00 -0400
The United Church of Christ has old roots in fighting against racism and intolerance.

Amid a public breakup between the former pastor of its largest church and a presidential front-runner, the United Church of Christ begins its annual Southern Conference meeting today in Suffolk.

Gas tax boost clears Senate Thu, 26 Jun 2008 00:00:00 -0400
One leader says it will take a tragedy to get something done on transportation.

Democrats running the Senate pushed ahead with a $1 billion transportation tax package Wednesday, setting the stage for a showdown with hostile conservative Republicans in the House of Delegates.

Police seek bicyclist in man's shooting Thu, 26 Jun 2008 00:00:00 -0400
An 18-year-old was shot in the lower abdomen by a man believed to have been riding a bike in southeast Newport News on Wednesday night.

Missing Suffolk man, thought to be in danger, is found safe Thu, 26 Jun 2008 05:46:00 -0400
A Suffolk man who was missing and considered to be in danger was found safe and unharmed in Franklin on Wednesday evening.

Suffolk police looking for man with multiple warrants Thu, 26 Jun 2008 06:41:00 -0400
Police in Suffolk are asking for the public's assistance in locating a man wanted on several charges.

Rogers Store contained history Fri, 27 Jun 2008 00:00:00 -0400
The site of the abandoned Rogers Store in Carsley was donated in 1999 to Surry County's historical society by Becky Rogers and her son. The property contained turn-of-the-century memorabilia and dozens of old ledgers detailing the business of the county from the late 1800s to the 1950s.

Youth violence will be focus of panel talk Fri, 27 Jun 2008 00:00:00 -0400
The youth violence epidemic will be the focus of a panel discussion Wednesday hosted by U.S. Rep. Robert C. "Bobby" Scott, D-Newport News.

Town Council OKs $1.18 million budget Fri, 27 Jun 2008 00:00:00 -0400
The Windsor Town Council this week approved a nearly $1.18million operating and capital budget, up about 9 percent from this year's $1.08million budget. The budget keeps the real estate tax rate unchanged at 10 cents for every $100 of assessed value.

Officials present revised plans for development Thu, 26 Jun 2008 00:00:00 -0400
Green space — and two hemlock trees — are preserved in the latest proposal.

Town officials on Tuesday presented scaled-back proposals for housing at the James-Washington streets intersection.

Historic black home area is reborn Fri, 27 Jun 2008 00:00:00 -0400
With a federal grant and an infrastructure investment by the city, Braxton Court has been revitalized.

Holly Knoll home to Moton Fri, 27 Jun 2008 00:00:00 -0400
Holly Knoll, which is listed as a Virginia and National Landmark, is the central building of the Moton Conference Center, established after Robert R. Moton's death in 1940. It was the Gloucester home of Moton, a Virginian, who followed Booker T. Washington as a Tuskegee Institute president.

Puller Center moving into larger facility Thu, 26 Jun 2008 00:00:00 -0400
The center for disabled workers hopes to expand services, and might open an art gallery.

If you're wondering what happened to the Lewis B. Puller Center, it hasn't gone away.

Hybrids don't pass costly test drive Fri, 27 Jun 2008 00:00:00 -0400
The higher price tags attached to gas-saving hybrids aren't really the best value, a study says.

Hybrids may be tops when it comes to saving gas, but they're far from the best choice for budget-conscious car buyers, a new study says.

Busch rejects InBev's $46B bid Fri, 27 Jun 2008 00:00:00 -0400
Chief executive tells Belgian brewer its unsolicited offer was "financially inadequate" and not best for shareholders.

Anheuser-Busch Cos. rejected an unsolicited $46 billion purchase offer from InBev Thursday, just hours after the Belgian brewer appeared to set the stage for a hostile takeover bid.

CW chosen as a top 10 attraction Fri, 27 Jun 2008 00:00:00 -0400
Colonial Williamsburg is one of the top 10 patriotic attractions in the United States in a list compiled by travelers and editors using Trip Advisor, an online community for travel enthusiasts.

Gas gauge Fri, 27 Jun 2008 00:00:00 -0400
Some of the lowest prices drivers reported Thursday to virginiabeachgasprices.com:

Wave of bad news weighs Dow down Fri, 27 Jun 2008 00:00:00 -0400
A barrage of bad news, including yet another record high for oil, drove stocks sharply lower Thursday. The Dow Jones industrial average hurtled down nearly 360 points to its lowest level in almost two years.

Mortgage firm lays off 48 workers in Chesapeake Fri, 27 Jun 2008 00:00:00 -0400
Forty-eight workers at HSBC Mortgage Services' Chesapeake facility are losing their jobs.

Anheuser-Busch to stop selling caffeinated alcoholic drinks Fri, 27 Jun 2008 00:00:00 -0400
The decision was part of settlement reached after the brewer was accused of marketing to minors.

Anheuser-Busch Cos. will quit selling caffeinated alcoholic drinks as part of a legal settlement, the company and attorneys general for several states said Thursday.

Oil prices may force 10M cars off road by 2012 Fri, 27 Jun 2008 00:00:00 -0400
With rising fuel costs, an economist says that consumers will soon rely on public transit.

Growing global demand and supply constraints will push oil prices to $200 a barrel and gas prices to $7 a gallon within four years, forcing 10 million U.S. cars off the road, according to Jeff Rubin, chief economist at CIBC World Markets.

Gun ban ruling has Chicago thinking it's next Fri, 27 Jun 2008 04:54:00 -0400
As news spread of the U.S. Supreme Court's decision to strike down the handgun ban in Washington, D.C., one thing was clear in Chicago: The city's own ban now faces a challenge as serious as any in its 26-year history.

Report: North Korea destroys nuclear reactor tower Fri, 27 Jun 2008 04:58:00 -0400
North Korea destroyed the most visible symbol of its nuclear weapons program Friday, according to a news report, in a sign of its commitment to stop making plutonium for atomic bombs.

Oil climbs to record above $141 in Asia Fri, 27 Jun 2008 04:26:00 -0400
Oil prices climbed to a record above $141 a barrel in Asian trading Friday as the dollar's protracted slump prompted investors to flock to oil as a hedge against inflation.

Voters led to polls in Zimbabwe election Fri, 27 Jun 2008 05:49:00 -0400
Paramilitary police deployed in a park in Zimbabwe's capital and marshals led voters to polling stations Friday for an internationally discredited presidential runoff held in an atmosphere of intimidation.

Obama, Clinton take first public step toward unity Fri, 27 Jun 2008 03:46:00 -0400
When Democrats Barack Obama and Hillary Rodham Clinton step onstage in their first joint campaign appearance in New Hampshire, it will be the first public display of a rapprochement between former rivals hoping to set aside differences and unify the party while helping each other.

Poll: Math, yes; standardized tests, maybe Fri, 27 Jun 2008 06:03:00 -0400
More math, please. A large majority of Americans think schools are placing too much emphasis on the wrong subjects, and more than half think they're doing just a fair job in preparing children for the work force or giving them the practical skills they need to survive as adults, according to an Associated Press poll released Friday.

Attorney who took on big tobacco faces sentencing Fri, 27 Jun 2008 03:56:00 -0400
Richard "Dickie" Scruggs, a prominent attorney who took on tobacco, asbestos and insurance companies, was scheduled to be sentenced Friday for his role in a high-profile judicial bribery case.

Officers test laser speed guns to bolster cases Fri, 27 Jun 2008 04:10:00 -0400
Police officers took aim this week at vehicles zipping down a runway in tests meant to convince judges that laser speed guns -- increasingly popular among law enforcement -- are as accurate as their radar cousins.

Paris Hilton donates to LA's Childrens Hospital Fri, 27 Jun 2008 03:35:00 -0400
Paris Hilton is making good on her promise to become a better person.

Rose, Beasley, Mayo go 1-2-3 in NBA draft Fri, 27 Jun 2008 04:51:00 -0400
Minutes after the NBA draft started, Derrick Rose learned he was headed home. Long after it ended, O.J. Mayo and Kevin Love were on the move.

Nice flowers, now show some class Fri, 27 Jun 2008 00:00:00 -0400
D ear Mr. Gear,

Today's Regional Mystery Fri, 27 Jun 2008 00:00:00 -0400
Q : Are there any federally endangered or threatened species in Virginia?

ABC, economy shutter Cheers eatery Thu, 26 Jun 2008 00:00:00 -0400
State charges could have led to a fine or license revocation.

A restaurant facing charges from the state department of Alcoholic and Beverage Control has closed down after 21 years in Newport News.

Her kindness might have cost her life Thu, 26 Jun 2008 00:00:00 -0400
A woman "who looked out for everybody" is killed, and police arrest a man they say was staying in her house recently.

Barbara Norvell liked giving candy to children who played in her front yard.

High court strikes down DC handgun ban Thu, 26 Jun 2008 10:46:00 -0400
The Supreme Court ruled Thursday that Americans have a right to own guns for self-defense and hunting, the justices' first major pronouncement on gun rights in U.S. history.

International science fare Wed, 25 Jun 2008 00:00:00 -0400
Jefferson Lab chef serves a wide range of food to a diversified group of people.

T he old saying that an army marches on its stomach is true, even if the "army" is composed of hundreds of scientists, students, engineers and researchers that populate the Jefferson Lab in Newport News. This Department of Energy nuclear physics research facility attracts people from around the world to conduct experiments that cannot be done anywhere else.

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