Evan Jones
The U.S. Postal Service will consolidate its Lynchburg and Roanoke mail sorting operations this coming weekend, part of a nationwide cost-cutting program. These are the centers that sort where in the region or country all those first class letters are heading. WFIR’s Evan Jones has more on the local impact.
Postal officials say the local consolidation will eliminate about 90 positions, and affected employees are taking positions elsewhere in the postal service or taking early retirement. Union leaders say no workers are involuntarily losing their jobs.
Opponents of uranium mining in Virginia are worried the state may still move ahead, so they’re running a radio ad in some cities aimed at Governor McDonnell. The opponents worry the governor may direct state agencies to craft uranium-mining regulations, to show the safeguards that would be in place. Uranium mining backers say the ad has nothing to do with science or facts. WFIR’s Evan Jones has the story.
Here is the full radio ad:
Click here for the Virginia Uranium web site
At least three candidates are seeking the Hollins District seat on the Roanoke County Board of Supervisors. Two have already announced, and a third is set to do so. Republican Mike Bailey and Independent Gary Jarrell are already in, and Republican Al Bedrosian formally announces his candidacy tomorrow morning. WFIR’s Evan Jones has the story.
Del. Onzlee Ware
Roanoke Delegate Onzlee Ware takes on a key assignment today, as a House-Senate conference committee begins its work to hammer out a compromise transportation funding bill. The committee’s work began Thursday afternoon in a meeting with Governor McDonnell. Ware is one of five House members on the committee, the only Democratic delegate, and the only member from the Roanoke region. He spoke with WFIR’s Evan Jones.
Final approval is anything but assured, but changes in Virginia’s transportation funding remain possible this year after the State Senate yesterday approved its own version. The House has already approved a much different plan and seems sure to reject the Senate version, and that is when the two sides will try to work out a compromise. WFIR’s Evan Jones has the story.
Multi-million dollar renovations are nearing the halfway point at Roanoke Regional Airport. The work includes renovating each departure lounge, the the second floor public seating area, rest rooms and even things down to the elevator and front entrance way. The $4.4 million project started in early fall and should be complete by August. WFIR’s Evan Jones has the story.
The House of Delegates has passed legislation to keep the names of all Virginia concealed handgun permit holders secret. Supporters say it’s matter of protecting citizens’ privacy, but opponents say it goes against government transparency and public disclosure. This follows a New York state newspaper’s recent decision to publish concealed carry permit holders’ home addresses. WFIR’s Evan Jones has the story.
Click here to read the full bill. The approved changes in language are found at the bottom of section D.
The top federal prosecutor for western Virginia says if other states would follow Virginia’s lead, gun violence involving people with documented mental health issues would likely decrease. U.S. Attorney Tim Heaphy testified in Washington Tuesday before a U.S. Senate subcommittee considering ways to reduce gun violence. WFIR’s Evan Jones has the story.
A key provision of Governor McDonnell’s school reform package is to heading to Governor McDonnell’s desk. “The Educator Fairness Act” passed the Senate yesterday; it defines incompetence to include “one or more” unsatisfactory performance evaluations, McDonnell says he will promptly sign it. WFIR’s Evan Jones has the story.
The Virginia Lottery is waiting to present a big check to last week’s $217 million Powerball jackpot winner, and when he or she comes forward, the lottery will take several steps designed to help that person deal with the sudden riches. WFIR’s Evan Jones has the story.
Lottery officials say the winning ticket was purchased at a self-service machine at Richmond International Airport.