Evan Jones
Most of the money coming in to this year’s race for governor is from out of state sources — an indication of its national importance to both parties. The Virginia Public Access Project reports 54% of the money going to Republican Ken Cuccinelli’s campaign through June this year came from out of state. For Democrat Terry McAuliffe, it’s 74%. WFIR’s Evan Jones has the story.
Roanoke planners and engineers are going over the developer’s plan for a hotel atop the downtown Market Garage — more than 800 pages of specs for things like building strength, wiring, and plumbing. If all seems well, construction on a downtown Hampton Inn and Suites could begin in September. WFIR’s Evan Jones has the story.
Virginia Western Community College is preparing to start a new course next month in app development for Apple mobile devices. It’s a field that Western officials say shows no sign of slowing demand, especially as almost all businesses with an on-line presence now want separate apps for smartphones and tablets. WFIR’s Evan Jones has the story.
The Grandin Theater needs about $9,000 to reach its fund-raising goal for new digital projectors. The new projectors are already in because movie distributors will stop providing film prints to theaters by year’s end. The cost: about $200,000. WFIR’s Evan Jones has the story.
The Grandin accepts donations on its web site and at the theater.
Gov. Bob McDonnell
A Virginia Tech political analyst says Governor McDonnell’s apology can help repair his public standing, but he cannot fully escape the damage caused by large loans he did not disclose from a wealthy campaign donor. McDonnell released the apology yesterday, saying he has repaid more than $120,000 in loans to him and his family — loans that had not been publicly disclosed. WFIR’s Evan Jones has the story.
Gov. Bob McDonnell
Governor McDonnell has issued a public apology and says he has repaid in full more than $120,000 in loans that he and his family received from wealthy donor Jonnie Williams. McDonnell released a statement today saying he is deeply sorry for the embarrassment he and some family members have brought upon Virginia. The repayments include more than $50,000 for a loan made to the governor’s wife Maureen and more than $70,000 for two other loans made to a real estate business owned jointly by McDonnell and his sister. Meantime, a Virginia Tech political analyst says the apology may help the governor repair his reputation, but only up to a point. WFIR’s Evan Jones has the story.
(Continue reading for the Governor McDonnell’s full statement)
U.S. Forest Service photo
Forestry experts say it’s now clearer that ever: the spread of a destructive tree insect appears inevitable across Virginia, and many ash trees are sure to fall victim. The Emerald Ash Borer is a green beetle from Asia blamed for killing tens of millions of ash trees in more than a dozen U.S. states, and now sighted around here as close as Giles County. WFIR’s Evan Jones has the story.
Click here for the US/Canada web site devoted to emerald ash borer information
Virginia housing advocates say it’s still too difficult in many cases for homeowners to receive mortgage modifications and avoid unnecessary foreclosures. Richmond-based Housing Opportunities Made Equal, or “HOME”, says it’s often a matter of big banks making paperwork or procedural errors in those modifications. WFIR’s Evan Jones has the story.
A Roanoke area college says the demand for Information Technology graduates keeps growing, so it is adding some new programs as the needs evolve, including network administration and cyber security. American National University in Salem say there are more than two jobs waiting out there for each qualified grad. WFIR’s Evan Jones has the story.
Virginia’s major party candidates for governor hold their first debate Saturday in one of the few face-to-face meetings so far between Democrat Terry McAuliffe and Republican Ken Cuccinelli. It is sponsored by the Virginia Bar Association and begins at 11:00 am. WFIR’s Evan Jones spoke with both running mates for a preview.
The debate is sponsored by the Virginia Bar Association and can be viewed on line at pbs.org