AP
RICHMOND, Va. (AP) _ A bill that reduces state ratemaking oversight of Virginia’s two largest electric utilities is headed to Democratic Gov. Terry McAuliffe’s desk. The House of Delegates approved legislation Thursday that proponents say will prevent potential rate increases due to looming federal environmental rules. Opponents say the legislation may lead to higher-than-necessary electric bills. The legislation prohibits the State Corporation Commission from reviewing base rates of Dominion Virginia Power and Appalachian Power for several years. During the rate review freeze, the SCC will not be able to order rate rebates or reductions if the utilities make excessive profits, not will utilities be able to raise their base rates. McAuliffe has not said whether he will sign or veto the bill.
RICHMOND, Va. (AP) _ The Virginia Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control is kicking off the spring leg of its college tour with a visit to Virginia Tech. Officials say the tour to talk to students and others about preventing alcohol and drug abuse is scheduled to stop in Blacksburg on Feb. 21. The visit is part of a tour of college campuses around the state. The conference is free to all college students. The tour began last October at James Madison University and also made a stop at the University of Richmond in November. The tour also will make stops at the College of William & Mary on March 21 and at George Mason University on March 24.
ROANOKE, Va. (AP) _ A former office worker at a Roanoke medical practice has pleaded guilty to illegally using the employer’s federal drug registration number to prescribe painkillers and sleeping pills for family members and others. Acting U.S. Attorney Anthony Giorno says 63-year-old Vicki Chilton Mullen of Roanoke pleaded guilty to six drug fraud and distribution charges Wednesday. Her son, 39-year-old Daniel Mullen of Vinton, pleaded guilty to the same charges. According to prosecutors, Vicki Mullen called in unauthorized prescriptions for years, allowing four people to illegally obtain more than 130,000 pills that they consumed or distributed. Gregory Mullen and others provided personal information of other people so Vicki Mullen could call in prescriptions in those individuals’ names without their knowledge. Two other people previously pleaded guilty and two face charges in the scheme.
RICHMOND, Va. (AP) _ Members of Virginia’s congressional delegation are reintroducing legislation to grant federal recognition to six Virginia Indian tribes. The legislation is being introduced Wednesday by Sen. Tim Kaine and Rep. Rob Wittman in their respective chambers. Others backing the legislation include Sen. Mark Warner and Reps. Bobby Scott, Gerry Connolly and Don Beyer. The legislation would grant federal recognition to the Chickahominy, the Eastern Chickahominy, the Upper Mattaponi, the Rappahannock, the Monacan and the Nansemond tribes. Kaine says it is a “grave injustice” that the tribes have not received federal recognition. Federal recognition would grant Virginia’s tribes legal standing and status in their relationships with the U.S. government. Benefits would include access to federal programs and the option to pursue the repatriation of historical and cultural artifacts.
RICHMOND, Va. (AP) _ A study commissioned by the companies planning to build a pipeline to deliver natural gas to the Southeast says the project would lower customer energy bills and increase employment. The $5 billion, 550-mile Atlantic Coast Pipeline would run through West Virginia, Virginia and North Carolina. It’s a joint venture between Dominion Resources, Duke Energy, Piedmont Natural Gas and AGL Resources. The study released Wednesday says customers in Virginia and North Carolina could save about $377 million annually in lower energy costs. According to the analysis, those lower costs could spur more than 2,200 jobs because businesses would have more money to invest in growing their businesses and consumers would have more money to spend. If approved by federal regulators, the pipeline is expected to be in service by late 2018.
RICHMOND, Va. (AP) _ The General Assembly has passed legislation to allow use of two derivatives of the marijuana plant for treating severe epilepsy. It’s the first effective medical marijuana legislation to win approval in Virginia, according to its House sponsor, Del. Dave Albo. Albo’s measure, passed by the House 98-0 Tuesday, allows possession of cannabidiol oil or THC-A oil with written certification by a doctor that it is needed for treatment of intractable epilepsy. Lawmakers were moved by emotional testimony from parents of children with epilepsy who have suffered debilitating side effects from taking legal drugs. A similar bill was approved by the state Senate last week 37-1. Albo says medical marijuana for treatment of cancer and glaucoma is technically legal in Virginia, but federal law has prevented that law from being implemented.
RICHMOND, Va. (AP) _ The Virginia Senate has passed legislation aimed at making sure the state can continue carrying out capital punishment by lethal injection. Passed 23-14 Tuesday after a contentious debate, Senate Minority Leader Richard Saslaw’s bill empowers the Department of Corrections to enter into contracts with compounding pharmacies to acquire the three-drug cocktail used in the process. The Fairfax County Democrat said the measure is necessary because the state is running out of the drugs and their European manufacturers are refusing to allow them to be used in executions. Most controversial was a provision allowing the state to keep secret the identities of those who manufacture and supply the drugs and the names of the components used in the compounding process. Critics said the public deserves access to that information.
Jesse Matthew, Jr.
Hannah Graham
CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. (AP) _ Law enforcement officials say 33-year-old Jesse Matthew Jr., already charged with the abduction of University of Virginia student Hannah Graham, has been indicted on a count of first-degree murder in the case. Prosecutor Denise Lunsford said at a Tuesday news conference that he was indicted on the murder charge Monday. Matthew already was charged with abduction with intent to defile in the case. The 18-year-old Graham disappeared in September and was found dead in Albemarle County a few weeks later. Police have said forensic evidence also links Matthew to the 2009 disappearance and death of 20-year-old Virginia Tech student Morgan Harrington, whose body also was found in the county. Lunsford says no charges have been filed against Matthew in that case. Lunsford says Matthew’s first court appearance is scheduled for Feb. 18.
Joseph Morrissey
RICHMOND, Va. (AP) _ A Virginia lawmaker jailed after a sex scandal involving a teenager has pleaded not guilty to four new felony charges. Del. Joseph Morrissey’s jury trial on perjury and felony charges is scheduled to start April 28. At his arraignment Monday, Morrissey asked the judge for a trial within three weeks. However, a special prosecutor from Arlington who just took over the case two weeks ago said she could not be ready that soon. The 57-year-old Morrissey pleaded guilty to contributing to the delinquency of a minor after prosecutors accused him of having sex with a 17-year-old employee of his law office. He’s spending nights in jail and attending legislative sessions during the day on work release. The new charges pertain to a document presented in court in the first case.
Jesse Matthew, Jr.
CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. (AP) _ Authorities in Virginia have scheduled a news conference to provide an update in the case of a man linked to two college students who disappeared and were later found dead. The briefing by Albemarle County’s police chief and its prosecutor is set for 11 a.m. Tuesday. Officials said in their announcement that they will not answer questions before the press conference. Jesse Matthew Jr. is charged with abduction with intent to defile in the case of University of Virginia student Hannah Graham. The 18-year-old Graham disappeared in September and was found dead in Albemarle County a few weeks later. Police have said forensic evidence also links Matthew to the 2009 disappearance and death of Virginia Tech student Morgan Harrington, whose body also was found in the county.