Here are a few Virginia and national news headlines, political and otherwise, for Friday, January 31. Oh, and note to national TV/print “news” – Amanda Knox doesn’t matter in the slightest bit, I’d rank that story about 1,000,000,000 in importance, behind the fact that it snowed in the winter somewhere in America.
*Economy grew 3.2 percent in fourth quarter, fueling hopes for faster recovery (And, as usual, if it weren’t for Republicans – in this case, their shutdown of the government – the economy would have grown faster.)
*Henry Waxman to retire at end of congressional session (Very sorry to see him go, but he was a great Congressman, not many like him anymore unfortunately.)
*The 1% as victims? That’s rich!
*Some Republicans See Racism As a Factor in Immigration Stalemate (“‘I hate to say this, because these are my people – but I hate to say it, but it’s racial,’ says a Republican congressman.” Ya think?!?)
*New Documents Raise Questions About Keystone Environmental Study (“TransCanada recommended the contractor conducting State Department environmental review of the pipeline environmentalists have said is biased towards TransCanada. The company did not disclose that the two firms had worked together previously.”)
*Why Robert Sarvis is no Virginia Senate race spoiler for Ed Gillespie
*Warner to speak at Shad Planking (Interesting, I thought Democrats had bagged this event permanently. Guess not.)
*Our view: ABC reforms get the elbow
*McAuliffe hosted breakfast for Hampton Roads lawmakers
*McDonnell defense fund raised under $12,000 last year
*Bill banning gay conversion therapy fails in Va. House
*‘Pro-Family’ Legislators Kill Bill Protecting Same-Sex Families (“Pro-Family” in quotes because these people are not – repeat, NOT! – in any way “Pro-Family.”)
*McAuliffe attempts to defuse textbook map dilemma (“Gov. Terry McAuliffe drops behind-the-scenes efforts to kill legislation related to the Sea of Japan.”)
*‘East Sea’ bill advances (“A House education subcommittee on Thursday evening backed House Bill 11, which would require Virginia textbooks to note that the Sea of Japan is also referred to as the East Sea. The bill now heads to the full House Education Committee. A Senate version of the legislation has already passed. Gov. Terry McAuliffe said Thursday that if the bill makes it to his desk, he would sign it.”)
*Ebbin formally announces bid for Moran’s congressional seat
*Three More Democrats Enter Race to Succeed Rep. Jim Moran
*Napa wine tasting, trips to Paris & South Korea: General Assembly gift-giving (“View the entire list of gifts courtesy of VPAP here.”)
*Va. lawmakers scrutinize past gifts, ponder ethics overhaul (“Current members of the Virginia General Assembly accepted more than $260,000 in gifts last year.” Unacceptable. Pass serious ethics reform now!)
*Senate panel backs Sunday hunting on private land
*Senator’s mental health reform proposals advance in Va.
*Virginia bill would allow pets, owners to be buried together
*George Mason conducts massive recycling experiment at Patriot Center game (“The university wanted to see how much trash was produced by, and could be recycled from, 7,700 people. Answer: a lot.”)
*McAuliffe: Scrap letter grades for rating schools
*Arctic air finally retreats, but wintry worries won’t disappear for long (“A real thaw will mean an enjoyable weekend but more potential storminess looms.”)
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