Evan Jones
Elton John has twice sold out at the Roanoke Civic Center — and done so almost as soon as tickets went on sale. It is a different story for his third performance in the Star City, but as WFIR’s Evan Jones reports, Civic Center officials still expect a full house.
The State Senate appears headed for a budget impasse as Democrats in the evenly-split chamber seem ready to use their leverage. Republicans call the process “collaborative”, but Democrats say there is nothing collaborative about refusing to share power. WFIR’s Evan Jones has the latest.
The General Assembly takes up Virginia’s next budget this week — and all eyes are likely to be focused on the State Senate, where the 20-20 party split means something has to give to ensure passage. So far, Lieutenant Governor Bill Bolling has been able to cast tie-breaking votes, but when it comes to the budget, there must be a majority of Senators — at least 21 — voting yes.WFIR’s Evan Jones has the story.
Many public school teachers across the state say they are wearing black today in what the Virginia Education Association calls a “statewide day of mourning.” Teachers are showing their unhappiness with state funding levels that have left many without pay increases for several years. WFIR’s Evan Jones has the story.
Roanoke Police hope these surveillance photos will help them find the people wanted for robbing a man outside an ATM. Police say it happened in the early-morning hours of February 1st at the Roanoke-Salem Plaza, near Melrose and Peters Creek. A Roanoke man had just withdrawn money from the ATM when a car drove up, two men got out and assaulted the victim, took his money, then took off in a car with a third person at the wheel. The getaway car is described as a green Honda. Police ask anyone with information to call them.
(Continue reading to see more surveillance photos)
Jim Guest
The CEO of Consumers Union, which publishes Consumer Reports, says the digital age is empowering consumers to more effectively battle well-funded corporate interests. Jim Guest speaks tonight at Virginia Tech. More from WFIR’s Evan Jones.
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Jim Guest will be the inaugural speaker for the Alfred and Shirley Wampler Caudill Lecture in Consumer Affairs tonight at 7:30 pm. He will speak at Virginia Tech’s Graduate Life Center auditorium. The event is free and open to the public.
House Republicans in Richmond are still holding out hope that the Senate will approve a bill to end tenure job protection for Virginia public school teachers. More from WFIR’s Evan Jones.
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The House of Delegates has given final approval to what’s been called the “Personhood” bill, despite dire predictions from its opponents. The bill’s real test lies ahead in the Senate, where it has died in the past when Demcrats held control. WFIR’s Evan Jones has the story.
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The bill would grant legal rights of “personhood” to a human embryo at the moment of conception. Sponsors say it creates a legal remedy for parents whose unborn child is killed by a negligent or criminal act. Opponents say the bill could bar women from abortions or even some forms of contraception and creates a myriad of unforeseen consequences.
Click here for full information on House Bill 1.
If you suffer from springtime allergies, be prepared for an earlier start this year — perhaps in the next few weeks. Our warm winter means many trees will have an early start to spring, and as a result, so will the allergies. WFIR’s Evan Jones has the story.
The State Senate remains split down the middle on changes to state election law. First was the bill requiring voters to show ID at the polls; now there is one Republican backers say prevents double voting — both absentee and in person — but Democrat opponents say there is no need for the bill. The latest election debate from WFIR’s Evan Jones.
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Click here for full information on Senate Bill 536