Evan Jones
A noted Richmond political expert expects the Ken Cuccinelli campaign for governor to take a direction that may “confound” many people. Bob Holsworth expects Cuccinelli’s Republican campaign to adopt a populist theme, one more typically associated with Democratic candidates. Holsworth says Cuccinelli needs to go beyond attacks on federal government overreach and address concrete state issues to be successful. WFIR’s Evan Jones has the story.
The freshly-nominated statewide Republican ticket touched down in Roanoke today as part of a three-day fly-around tour of Virginia. GOP convention delegates selected Ken Cuccinelli, E.W. Jackson, and Mark Obenshain as the party nominees for Governor, Lieutenant Governor and Attorney General over the weekend. WFIR’s Evan Jones reports on their Roanoke visit.
Virginia’s new transportation funding bill appears ready to speed up VDOT plans for new safety measures on Fancy Gap Mountain on Interstate 77, where heavy fog sometimes leads to big pileups. VDOT wants to install a variable speed limit system to slow traffic when fog moves in, but it never had the funding. Now, pending final approval next month, VDOT will be able to advertise bids for such a system by June of next year. WFIR’s Evan Jones has the story.
Dollar General stores are looking for new employees for its stores in the Roanoke area and across the country. A career fair in Roanoke tomorrow is one of 170 they’ll hold in 40 states as the growing chain seeks to hire 10,000 new employees this month. The local career fair runs from 10:00 am until 2:00 pm at the Dollar General at Orange Avenue and Gus Nicks Boulevard. WFIR’s Evan Jones has the story.
Click here for more Dollar General Career Fair information
Center in the Square re-opens its doors tomorrow after a $30 million renovation that took almost two years. The building may be the same, but what’s inside looks a lot different. The center will hold a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 9:30, then the doors open at 10:00. WFIR’s Evan Jones has the story.
Click here for full Center in the Square reopening information.
(Continue reading to see photographs taken Thursday.)
Terry McAuliffe has a narrow lead over Ken Cuccinelli in the latest statewide poll, but the governor’s race remains close. The Quinnipiac University poll has Democrat McAuliffe with 43% right now and Republican Cuccinelli with 38%. Previous Quinnipiac Polls found the governor’s race to be a virtual tie. 17% of those questioned say they are undecided at the moment, and if it comes down to Independents in November, that’s pretty much a dead heat at present with 38% for Cuccinelli and 37% favoring McAuliffe.
Click here for full poll results and methodology.
Merchants and businesses at a Salem shopping center are asking for unusual donations this weekend for a military field hospital in Afghanistan. Spartan Square is holding “Armed Forces Appreciation Day” Saturday from 10:00 until 1:00, and along with all the events, they will announce regular requests for donations of twin-size sheet sets in darker colors. WFIR’s Evan Jones has the story.
Liberty University leads a legal challenge today to President Obama’s health care overhaul when a federal appeals court in Richmond considers the university’s lawsuit. Liberty claims religious employers should not be required to pay for abortion coverage, but in much larger terms, it is challenging the entire employer mandate. Obama Administration lawyers say Liberty’s case is without merit. WFIR’s Evan Jones has the story.
Botetourt County’s emergency services director has resigned, just over a year after taking the job. Carr Boyd submitted his resignation this week; he will stay through the end of the month. Boyd came to Botetourt County from Charlotte, North Carolina in May of last year as the first person to direct the county’s new Department of Emergency Services. No reason is given to us for his resignation, but Boyd has been at odds with some volunteer fire department chiefs over their emergency response roles and command structures.
A new statewide poll shows Governor McDonnell’s approval rating falling to its lowest level in two years — but pollsters say recent allegations involving the governor do not seem to play a role in the decline. The Quinnipiac University poll shows the governor’s job approval rating at 49% to 28%. WFIR’s Evan Jones has the story.
Click here for full poll results and methodology.