Evan Jones
The two major party candidates for governor presented differing views last night on opening schools before Labor Day. During their televised debate, Terry McAuliffe said he supports the law in place that prevents most Virginia schools from opening before September. Ken Cuccinelli says school systems should make those decisions, not the state. Area legislators from both parties worked together in recent years to secure waivers for Roanoke Valley school systems here that want the earlier start. WFIR’s Evan Jones has the story.
The Republican candidate for Lieutenant Governor says his opponents are trying to bring faith and religion into question when criticizing some of his previous statements from the pulpit. But the Democratic candidate says the statements are harmful and divisive. Rev. E.W. Jackson and State Senator Ralph Northam met for a debate last night at George Mason University.WFIR’s Evan Jones reports on one of the issues raised.
The authority that has overseen Explore Park since its inception approved a long-term lease today that members say will ensure its use and growth for a new generation. Roanoke County Supervisors are expected to approve the 99-year lease tonight, enabling the county to take over Explore Park operations and development. WFIR’s Evan Jones has the story.
Gasoline is once again selling in the Roanoke Valley for less than $3.00 a gallon. The gas price web site roanokegasprices.com showed five Salem area stations yesterday selling regular in the $2.90’s. Analysts say it is part of a normal seasonal trend, and prices are likely to fall even more through Halloween. WFIR’s Evan Jones has the story.
Records show the average Roanoke region gas price is currently about 42 cents a gallon lower than at this time last year.
Roanoke County Police say the discovery of a man’s body near Explore Park is being treated as a “suspicious death.” Officers were called just afternoon to Rutrough Road for a well being check where they found one man dead. Police are not yet identifying the man ore releasing any further information.
Here is the full Roanoke County Police news release as of 2:50 pm Monday:
At 1215 P.M. today Officers from the Roanoke County Police Department responded to the area of 4300 Rutrough Rd. in Roanoke County in reference to a well being check. Officers found a deceased white male. The Roanoke County Police Department is currently investigating the case as a suspicious death. No further information is currently available.
The Taubman Museum of Art hopes the artwork of Yoko Ono will bring new visitors — and show them what else the museum holds. Ono is best known to many as Beatle John Lennon’s wife, but she was an early avant-garde performance artist in her own right and remains active to this day. “Imagine Peace” features works from the couple’s “Year of Peace” along with many interactive works that involve the visitor. WFIR’s Evan Jones has the story.
Click here for full “Imagine Peace” exhibition information from the Taubman Museum of Art.
Mark Herring
Mark Obenshain
The Democratic candidate for Attorney General, Mark Herring, says Consol Energy’s $15,000 contribution to Republican Mark Obenshain’s campaign is intended to obtain favorable treatment in a multi-million dollar royalties dispute with Virginia landowners. Obenshain says any such suggestion is “ridiculous and groundless”. WFIR’s Evan Jones has the story.
Appalachian Power’s parent company says proposed Obama administration power plant rules will mean fewer options for future electricity production — and are likely to mean higher bills in coming years. The Environmental Protection Agency today unveiled rules to set first-time limits on carbon emissions from new plants. Supporters say they will reduce pollution and lessen the severe weather impacts of climate change. WFIR’s Evan Jones has the story.
The Virginia Education Association says teachers in the state are wondering how a recent federal study determined they are paid above the national average. The VEA says the state average is actually more than $6,700 below the national norm, the widest gap on record. WFIR’s Evan Jones has the story.
(Continue reading for the full VEA statement.)
A second statewide poll out this week also shows a close race for governor, but this one has many more Virginians saying they’re still undecided. A Roanoke College poll released today shows Democrat Terry McAuliffe leading Republican Ken Cuccinelli 35% to 33%, but when you figure in the margin of error, pollsters consider it a statistical tie. The tight results pretty much mirror the Quinnipiac Poll released Tuesday, but with one big difference: the Roanoke Poll says 22% of likely voters are still undecided, many more than Quinnipiac’s survey. As for Libertarian Robert Sarvis, the Roanoke Poll finds 8% support, close to Quinnipiac’s finding of 7%.
Click here for full Roanoke College poll results and methodology.
Click here for full Quinnipiac University poll results and methodology.