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President Donald Trump
WFIR political analyst Bob Denton says even with the widespread praise President Trump received for his address this week to Congress, he may face new challenges with his core supporters. Denton wonders if the president’s stated willingness to be flexible on key issues might lead to conflicts with some of his strongest supporters. WFIR’s Evan Jones has more:
David Eisenhauer
ROANOKE, Va. (AP) – A former Virginia Tech student is scheduled to go on trial this fall in the slaying of a teenage girl.The Roanoke Times reports that a 10-day jury trial for 20-year-old David Eisenhauer has been set for Nov. 6. Eisenhauer’s trial was supposed to begin next week, but was postponed last month.Eisenhauer is charged with first-degree murder, abduction and hiding 13-year-old Nicole Lovell’s body. Lovell was from the town of Blacksburg, where Virginia Tech is located.Twenty-year-old Natalie Keepers is charged with being an accessory to kidnapping and murder and with helping to hide Lovell’s body. Keepers’ trial is scheduled to begin on March 27, but her attorneys have also asked for it to be pushed back. A judge will consider that request Monday.
President Donald Trump
WASHINGTON (AP) – President Donald Trump is planning to meet with sailors and shipbuilders on an aircraft carrier in Virginia as he promotes his plans for a major buildup of the nation’s military.Trump is traveling today to Newport News to deliver a speech aboard the USS Gerald R. Ford, a $12.9 billion warship expected to be commissioned this year after cost overruns and delays. He’s also meeting with the carrier’s builder.A draft White House budget plan would add $54 billion to the Pentagon’s projected budget, a 10 percent increase.”To keep America safe, we must provide the men and women of the United States military with the tools they need to prevent war – if they must – they have to fight and they only have to win,” Trump said Tuesday.
President Donald Trump
U.S. Sen. Tim Kaine
President Trump is scheduled to visit a Virginia shipyard tomorrow, one that builds aircraft carriers and submarines. And this is one time when the president and Senator Tim Kaine are in at least some agreement. More from WFIR’s Evan Jones.
NORFOLK, Va. (AP) – All Virginia day care workers will have to undergo fingerprinting for a criminal background check after state lawmakers passed a bill intended to make sure the state doesn’t lose out on federal funding.The Virginian-Pilot reports child care providers will have to undergo the fingerprinting by the end of September. Previously, workers at churches and small, home-based centers not licensed by the state weren’t included in the requirement.Supporters said the change brings child care protections up to speed, but opponents called it government overreach.The state had faced losing millions in federal funding if the requirement were not enacted. But a sunset provision means the legislation expires next year unless lawmakers take further action.
From Roanoke Police: On February 27, 2017 at 6:48 a.m. Roanoke Police were dispatched to the 2400 block of Daleton Avenue NE to investigate a report of a person down in a yard. Officers observed that the individual had a wound to his upper body and was holding a knife. Emergency responders from Roanoke Fire EMS pronounced him dead at the scene. He was identified as Brandon Dale Meador, age 28, of Roanoke. Officers collected potential evidence, interviewed neighbors, and are attempting to develop a time line of the activities of Meador prior to his death. An autopsy was performed this morning at the Medical Examiner’s Office and a manner of death has not been determined. The incident is a death investigation and is ongoing at this time. Anyone with information can call the RPD tip line at 540-344-8500. Callers can choose to remain anonymous.
The Roanoke Rescue Mission is the new home for 18 pieces of strength-training equipment donated by Carilion Wellness – formerly the RAC. YMCA staff members will come to the Rescue Mission once a month to train guests there on using the equipment properly; the donated equipment was split between facilities for men and women. Carilion will also provide health screenings.Bud Grey is the Vice-President of Wellness for Carilion – he says it was a joint project with the YMCA: