Evan Jones
Virginia’s Planned Parenthood Centers are facing a potential state and federal double-whammy of sorts this year. The battle now turns to Washington, where defunding proposals have already cleared the House. This comes the same year Virginia’s General Assembly passed a law setting additional state standards for any center providing first trimester abortions. The story from News/Talk 960’s Evan Jones.
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It’s getting down to crunch time for next year’s Roanoke County school budget as school officials work to hammer out the details. Administators and board members hold the first of two “budget summits” Thursday evening. As News/Talk 960’s Evan Jones reports, one goal is to increase teacher compensation.
“This Old House” has named a Roanoke neighborhood as Virginia’s “most timeless” for 2011. The home improvement magazine and television program includes “Mountain View” among 64 recognized nationwide.
The temporary budget resolution that cleared Congress this week is notable in part because it eliminates all Congressional earmarks. Senator Mark Warner put his name to many earmark requests in his first two years, but as News/Talk 960’s Evan Jones reports, the senator has changed course.
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Montgomery County Schools plan more corrective action to ensure the structural soundness of several school buildings — including two in the Shawsville area. News/Talk 960’s Evan Jones has the story.
Passenger counts at Roanoke Regional Airport are steadily increasing, led by a potentially important economic indicator: business travelers. News/Talk 960’s Evan Jones has the story.
Roanoke Police are ramping up their cyber-presence in hopes of reaching more people in the mobile communication age. Chief Chris Perkins says police are putting more information and videos on the the department’s Facebook page, things like maps showing where crimes have occurred and major unsolved cases. More from News/Talk 960’s Evan Jones.
The Roanoke Valley’s newest state legislator says he learned a lot about the ways of Richmond this winter, and Greg Habeeb says all in all, Virginia residents should feel pretty good about their General Assembly. Among his greatest frustrations — not being able to fully ready every bill he votes on. But Habeeb was pleased with a general lack of partisanship, and the combined efforts of Roanoke Valley legislators to pass a bill permitting Roanoke City Schools to open earlier.
A tornado watch is in effect for the entire Roanoke Valley until 4:00 pm. Monday. A watch means conditions are favorable for formation of such storms. And a line of severe weather is expected to roll across Virginia Monday afternoon. As News/Talk 960’s Evan Jones reports, these storms are arriving right on schedule.
Roanoke County is moving closer to adopting regulations for large wind energy turbines, should any company apply to put them up. And as News/Talk 960’s Evan Jones reports, that process moves on to a public hearing this week.