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RICHMOND, Va. (AP) _ Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe is proposing a billion dollar increase in education spending, small tax cuts, and a 2 percent raise for state employees. The Democratic governor is also renewing his long-shot push to convince the GOP-controlled General Assembly to approve an expansion of Medicaid. McAuliffe unveiled his $109 billion two-year budget proposal Thursday at the Capitol. He says he took a conservative approach to spending that will help improve Virginia’s long-term economic outlook. Higher-than-predicted tax revenues have given McAuliffe more leeway in crafting his budget, which will be a starting point for negotiations with Republican legislative leaders. GOP lawmakers have already acted coolly toward some of McAuliffe’s announced proposals, and have repeatedly said they will not vote to expand Medicaid.
Anyone holding on to Norfolk Southern stock may be hearing soon from Canadian Pacific. CP is now appealing directly to shareholders in its efforts to acquire NS, and it appears poised to initiate a contentious proxy fight if the Norfolk Southern board doesn’t go along. More from WFIR’s Evan Jones.
Roanoke County Police have identified the final two subjects involved in a Grand Larceny and Property Damage at the Bonsack-area Kroger at 3970 Valley Gateway and the Kroger at 7223 Williamson Rd on 11/18/15 . Approximately 3000 dollars of coffee was stolen and the bay doors of the loading area damaged at Valley Gateway. The suspects have been identified as Dweight E. Harmon age, 61 charged with Grand Larceny and Property Damage Larry T. Stacy age, 45 charged with Grand Larceny and Property Damage Rachel M. Dixon, age 43 charged with Grand Larceny.
Last July’s first annual Life-Guard “Roto Run 5K” organized by the “flight medicine” team at Carilion Clinic was a 5K race designed in part to promote healthy activities. But that was only part of it says Program Director Susan Smith, who today presented a check for $3700 raised at the Roto Run to Jefferson College of Health Sciences – for the school’s Education Foundation and a scholarship for nursing and paramedic students that are pursuing flight medicine:
Kroger news release: Kroger opens its first wine and growler bar in western Virginia at noon tomorrow (Thursday, December 17) at the Colonial and Brambleton store in Roanoke County. Growlers are reusable glass containers for beer or wine, usually 32 or 64 ounces. “By adding growlers, Kroger can introduce customers to new and emerging brews that are only available on draft or specialty items they have never had a chance to taste,” said Terry Creaturo, wine coordinator for the Mid-Atlantic Division. “It’s a way to feature local and craft beers made in limited qualities.” The wine and growler bar has 12 taps for beer and 16 for wine, offering a mix of local, regional and national offerings. The bar will be open every day, generally from noon to 8 p.m.
(Continue reading for the rest of the news release.)
UPDATE: Norfolk Southern Corporation says its board of directors will “carefully consider” the latest proposal from Canadian Pacific “with the assistance of its financial, legal and regulatory advisors.” Norfolk Southern has rejected CP’s previous offers as “grossly inadequate” and unlikely to pass regulatory review.
OMAHA, Neb. (AP) _ Canadian Pacific is increasing its offer to buy Norfolk Southern railroad by adding an additional payment that would vary depending on the stock price of the new company. Canadian Pacific CEO Hunter Harrison said Wednesday that his company remains committed to the deal despite Norfolk Southern’s opposition. He wants shareholders of the Norfolk, Virginia, railroad to decide whether to pursue it. Canadian Pacific says its new offer could add as much as $3.4 billion to its previous offer that it estimated was worth between $37 billion and $42 billion. That value is based on the projected value of stock in a new company that would own both railroads. Norfolk Southern says the previous offer was worth roughly $27 billion based on current share prices. In the latest offer, Canadian Pacific is offering to pay Norfolk Southern investors up to roughly $11.305 per share more if shares of the combined company are worth less than $175 in October 2017. Norfolk Southern didn’t have an immediate comment.