News
Gov. Terry McAuliffe
RICHMOND, Va. (AP) – Virginia’s highest court has struck down Gov. Terry McAuliffe’s executive order restoring voting rights to more than 206,000 felons. The Supreme Court of Virginia issued the ruling declaring the order unconstitutional late Friday afternoon. In a 4-3 decision, the court says McAuliffe overstepped his clemency powers.
The executive order, issued in April, restored voting rights of felons who completed their sentences and also allowed them to run for public office, serve on a jury and become a notary public.
Republican lawmakers filed a lawsuit challenging the order.
The court ordered the state to cancel the registration of all felons under the order. More than 11,000 felons have registered to vote under the action.
(AP photo)
TAMPA, Florida (AP) — Hillary Clinton named Virginia Sen. Tim Kaine as her vice presidential running mate Friday, adding a centrist former governor of a crucial battleground state to the Democratic ticket. In a text message to supporters, the presumptive Democratic nominee said, “I’m thrilled to tell you this first: I’ve chosen Sen. Tim Kaine as my running mate.” Kaine himself tweeted, “I’m honored to be her running mate.” The two will make their first appearance together as a ticket Saturday at a rally in Miami. Clinton’s decision caps a highly secretive, months-long process to find a political partner. It’s also the final puzzle piece for the general election, pitting Clinton and Kaine against Republican Donald Trump and running mate Mike Pence, the Indiana governor. Clinton called Kaine by phone around 7:30 p.m. Friday to offer him the job, and he accepted, according to a campaign aide. She then called President Barack Obama to inform him of the decision.
In addition to a new partnership that’s the first of its kind, the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles yesterday announced several new initiatives. WFIR’s Starr Anderson has the details.
Its billed as a chance to get familiar perhaps with plays and playwrights before they become famous. The Festival of New Works returns to the Waldron Stage at Mill Mountain Theatre this weekend as WFIR’s Gene Marrano reports:
More from Todd Ristau about the Festival of New Works this weekend:
The launch of an on-line grocery ordering service in May at the Bonsack Kroger store has meant 25 new jobs there according to regional e-commerce manager George Anderson. He was at West Main Street in Salem today, where the second Kroger in the valley to offer “Clicklist” has just launched that service. Clicklist customers arrange a time when their bagged groceries will be brought out to the curb. 10 stores in Virginia and 127 Kroger locations nationwide now offer the Clicklist service. Anderson also says most orders are being placed in the evening for next-day pickup:
From the Virginia Department of Taxation: Legislation enacted by the 2015 General Assembly combined Virginia’s three sales tax holidays into one three-day holiday beginning the first Friday in August at 12:01 a.m. and ending the following Sunday at 11:59 p.m. This year’s sales tax holiday is August 5-7. During the sales tax holiday period, consumers can purchase qualifying school supplies, clothing, footwear, hurricane and emergency preparedness items, and Energy Star™ and WaterSense™ products without paying sales tax. This includes qualifying items purchased online, by mail or over the phone. In addition to the specific items exempted, retailers may also choose to offer other items “tax-free” by paying the sales tax themselves during the holiday.
Click here for the Department of Taxation’s sales tax holiday web page
SafeSide Tactical has spent nearly 2 years and more than $4 million renovating the former Noland Plumbing warehouse in downtown Roanoke for its new indoor shooting range. WFIR’s Starr Anderson has an update on the project.
The Roanoke City Police department and community partners announced the Roanoke Valley HOPE initiative to combat substance abuse this morning -a drop-in program where people seeking help for drug addiction and alcohol abuse can be paired with a “volunteer angel” and get the counseling needed. HOPE participants can turn in drugs and drug paraphenalia with no questions asked. They can also join the program by walking in to the Roanoke City Police department headquarters – again, without fear of being charged with a crime. Every second Monday of the month those seeking help can come to the Bradley Free Clinic – where Janine Underwood is the executive director – for her, “HOPE” is also personal:
