Last night, about 150 people (by my count) showed up at Buford Middle School for the candidate’s forum of the four hopefuls vying for the 25th District seat, to fill out Emily Couric’s term. Candidates Creigh Deeds, Nancy O’Brien, Meredith Richards and Al Weed answered a series of questions from the moderator and from the audience during the two-hour event. As always, a tremendous amount of information on the candidates can be found on George Loper’s website. The Democrats’ nominating convention is Saturday at 11am tomorrow at the County Office Building. Given that it’s highly like that a Democrat will win the election, this convention is when our next senator will be selected. If you want to have a say in this process (and you’re a Democrat), be certain to show up. Though the elections aren’t held until December 18th, the winner will be chosen tomorrow.
cvillenews.com
UVa’s Medical Center is paying the federal government $3M as a result of a Department of Justice probe of their billing practices. Turns out that throughout the last decade they’ve misbilled the government for outpatient clinic costs, though not necessarily intentionally. WINA has the story.
Janis Jaquith, regular essayist for the Daily Progress and NPR’s Marketplace (and my mother), has contributed a brief essay on Channel 29 and their habit of personally thanking their “Washington correspondent.” Writes Janis, “Oh, right. Like Jim Hanchett will be at the WVIR Christmas party. I don’t think so.” Read on for her essay.
It’s so embarrassing to watch Channel 29 news these days. Whenever it’s time for the Washington report from Jim Hanchett (obviously some kind of franchise deal – Jim Hanchett is “our man in Washington” for tons of NBC affiliates) you know that the Charlottesville anchor is going to pretend to be in direct contact with ol’ Jim, and say, “Thanks, Jim.”
Oh, right. Like Jim Hanchett will be at the WVIR Christmas party. I don’t think so.
How stupid does WVIR think we are? This kind of thing has been going on for years with a variety of “McReporters”. The reason I can remember Jim Hanchett’s name is that he’s been doing this for several months now.
Whenever I’m watching the Channel 29 news and see Jim Hanchett come on the screen, I start muttering, “Don’t do it Stacey – don’t thank him! It makes you look ridiculous!”
And then I cringe as Jim Hanchett says, “Back to you” and I squeeze my eyes shut as Stacey Horst says, “Thanks, Jim.”
I don’t object to WVIR using other news sources – it’s pretending that the reporter is part of the local news staff that I find insulting.
It makes the whole operation look so rinky-dink…and deceptive. And who wants their news to come from a deceptive source? Think about it.
Democrat Mark Warner has won the governor’s race, Republican Jerry Kilgore has won the race for attorney general, Republican Rob Bell got the 58th district seat in the House, and Democrat Timothy Kaine was elected to lieutenant governor. Bell and Kilgore’s victories were particularly spectacular, each getting 60% of the vote. WVIR has detailed results.
Will writes: It’s that time of year when we all get to exercise our right to vote! Elections for governor, leutenant governor, attorney general, and a smorgasbord of other positions are underway right now, so mosey on over to your local voting center and cast your votes.
I just know I’m going to get into that booth and be faced with elections that I’ve never even heard of. It happens every year.
Sideblog
Police announced this afternoon that their investigation into what was initially believed to be a fatal fire on Rugby Avenue is now a homicide investigation. #
The Virginia Supreme Court has denied George Huguely’s appeal. His second-degree murder conviction will stand, WRIC reports. #
In a carefully worded story, and not citing specific sources, WTVR reports that forensic evidence belonging to Jesse Matthew Jr., the main suspect in the disappearance of Hannah Graham, matches forensic evidence collected during the investigation of Morgan Harrington’s 2009 murder. #
In the wake of Hannah Graham’s disappearance, and the evidence that came from private security footage, city officials are revisiting the question of installing security cameras on the downtown mall. #
Both Charlottesville Registrar Sheri Iachetta and former Electoral Board member Stephanie Commander have turned themselves in to the police on
foursix and four felony counts of embezzlement, respectively. #Ten years ago, the National Institutes of Health budget doubled and schools like the University of Virginia built massive new research facilities. A decade later, those buildings remain largely underutilized. NPR visits UVA in this story on the effect of federal binge and spurge spending in the sciences. #
In 2012, Council approved a new student housing complex on West Main—now some council members are questioning whether what they were shown matches what was built. #
The Architectural Review Board has approved a bike-themed mural on West Market, below the McGuffey Art Center, although at least one member expressed concerns that it might look like the bicyclists were riding away from Charlottesville’s downtown. #
City Police Chief Tim Longo is meeting with city leaders to work on protocols regarding the use of military surplus police weapons in Charlottesville. #
A 100-year-old Colonnades resident received military honors for her service in the WWII Women’s Army Corps #
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