AP
CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. (AP) _ A national sorority advocacy group says the University of Virginia’s suspension of Greek activities isn’t the answer to resolving sexual assault and student safety issues. The National Panhellenic Council said Tuesday that it supports U.Va.’s plan to review the university’s culture and practices and wants to be involved in addressing the issues. But the council says the suspension of sorority activities should be lifted. University President Teresa Sullivan suspended Greek activities until Jan. 9 after Rolling Stone published an article describing an alleged gang rape at the Phi Kappa Psi fraternity house. The magazine has since backed away from many details. The council and two other national Greek organizations had urged the university on Sunday to lift the suspension. On Monday, the university said the suspension will remain in effect.
RICHMOND, Va. (AP) _ Nearly 4 percent of Virginia’s state employees are paid below the federal poverty level. The Richmond Times-Dispatch says state figures show the annual salaries of more than 3,800 state employees are below the federal poverty level of $23,850 for a family of four. The total includes more than 900 workers whose salaries are below the federal poverty level of $19,970 for a family of three. The number of state employees who receive federal assistance such as food stamps has increased from 892 in 2011 to 2,287 in 2013. Jobs in the poverty zone include hospital food service workers and housekeepers, school security officers, mental health workers, deputy sheriffs, corrections workers, secretaries, researchers and associate professors. Sen. Dave Marsden of Fairfax County says state employees’ wages have stagnated for years.
CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. (AP) _ National fraternity and sorority organizations are urging the University of Virginia to lift its suspension of Greek activities after Rolling Stone acknowledged missteps in its reporting of an alleged gang rape on campus. The Fraternity and Sorority Political Action Committee, the National Panhellenic Conference and the North-American Interfraternity Conference said in a statement Sunday that the university should also apologize and explain how it will restore the reputation of organizations and students harmed by its “rush to judgment.” University spokesmen did not immediately return telephone and email messages to The Associated Press. University President Teresa Sullivan suspended Greek activities until Jan. 9 after Rolling Stone published an article describing an alleged gang rape at the Phi Kappa Psi fraternity house. The magazine has since backed away from many details.
NORFOLK, Va. (AP) — A federal study shows the rate of workplace injuries dropped last year in Virginia and remained below the national average. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics said Thursday that for every 100 full-time workers in private industry, Virginia recorded 2.6 injuries and illnesses in 2013. That’s down from 2.7 in 2012. The Virginian-Pilot reports that the rate fell nationally to 3.3 last year from 3.4 in 2012.In a statement, federal labor officials say they’re encouraged that the rates continue to decline over the past few years, but noted not to ignore the three million workers who suffered injuries last year.
WASHINGTON (AP) _ Rolling Stone has clarified its apology over a story that had reported a female student was gang-raped at a University of Virginia fraternity _ telling readers the mistakes were the magazine’s fault, not the alleged victim’s. The original note to readers, issued Friday, said its trust in the alleged victim, Jackie, was misplaced. The updated note removes that line, which struck some critics as blaming the victim. The updated message from Rolling Stone adds some details calling into question its original story. Rolling Stone notes that the fraternity has denied the assault, and said there was no event there on the night Jackie alleged she was raped. And the magazine says that Jackie is now unsure that the man who lured into a room to be raped was a member of the fraternity.
RICHMOND, Va. (AP) _ Virginia regulators are warning investors to avoid schemes involving digital currency and other threats. The State Corporation Commission says these and other emerging schemes are considered top threats for investors. Division Securities and Retail Franchising director Ron Thomas says the largest threat is unlicensed agents selling unregistered products. He advises investors to independently verify any investment opportunity and the background of the person and company offering it.
RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — Virginia families have until the end of March to enroll in the state’s prepaid college tuition program for this year. Officials say the annual enrollment period for Virginia529 prePAID began Monday and ends March 31. The enrollment allows families to purchase at this year’s pricing future in-state tuition and fees at Virginia public colleges and universities. Contracts are available by the semester at different pricing levels and families or individuals may purchase contracts for newborns up to children in ninth grade. Program CEO Mary Morris says enrolling in a plan now gives families the assurance that they can cover a part of their future cost of higher education.
RICHMOND, Va. (AP) – The Virginia Chamber of Commerce is partnering with state agencies and others to strengthen the state’s economic competitiveness. Officials said Friday that the group plans to partner with the Virginia Employment Commission, the Council on Virginia’s Future and other statewide associations. The partnership will survey employers to identify the fastest growing industry sectors and the critical skills needed to meet employment demand. The survey is one of several initiatives the group is taking in 2015, including an interactive website tracking economic development statistics.
RICHMOND, Va. (AP) _ More than 2,300 Virginians are receiving checks as part of a national settlement with a major subprime mortgage servicing company. Attorney General Mark Herring says checks of about $1,150 are now being distributed and should be received by consumers in the coming weeks. The money is going to borrowers who had mortgages serviced by Ocwen Financial Corporation and two affiliated companies, Litton Loan Servicing LP, and Homeward Residential Holdings LLC, and who lost their homes to foreclosure over a four-year period beginning in 2009. Ocwen agreed to the $2.1 billion settlement after state and federal investigations resulted in allegations of many violations of in its servicing of mortgages and its foreclosure procedures.
BEDFORD, Va. (AP) _ A Roanoke man is scheduled to stand trial in March on charges of trying to arrange the killing of his ex-wife. Kevin Colgan is charged with soliciting murder. The Roanoke Times reports that a Bedford County grand jury indicted the 61-year-old Colgan on Friday. Colgan is accused of offering to pay $5,000 to an undercover detective to kill his estranged wife. He was arrested June 19. The Bedford County Sheriff’s Office has said investigators became aware of threats Colgan made against his wife. She had a protective order against him. The couple’s divorce was finalized in August after Colgan was arrested. Colgan’s trial is set for March 15 in Bedford County Circuit Court.