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Proposed high school in Hampton Roads would build on anti-drug successes elsewhere
Andrew Finch, who’s worked at and evaluated “recovery” high schools for more than a quarter century, has some advice for administrators who want to open such a sanctuary for teenagers battling substance abuse in South Hampton Roads: Create a school that’s distinct from the general population of students – and possibly in a separate building […]
Attorney’s crusade on speed cameras jeopardizes workers, schoolchildren
Attorney and former state delegate Tim Anderson has a beef with speed cameras that monitor school and work zones around the commonwealth. Anderson, who’s based in Virginia Beach, has filed lawsuits in state and federal courts against the shutterbugs in Chesapeake and Suffolk. “It is completely, totally profit policing,” the Republican told me. Anderson said […]
Picking up litter, propping up lives
Prince William County officials are considering a path few other localities in Virginia have dared to tread: hiring panhandlers to pick up trash and debris instead of soliciting for sawbucks and more on county roads. Though it might be cumbersome logistically, I hope the county approves the program. More communities should try doing something different, […]
Black woman’s bid to buy Virginia Beach home faces illegal barrier, echoes of the past
People who overstate the racial progress America has witnessed over the past several decades need to be reminded, ever so often, of the discrimination that still lurks in housing, education, employment and the like. An African-American woman’s quest to buy a pricey condo near the Virginia Beach Oceanfront – impeded by the white homeowner’s refusal […]
Protests of controversial graduation speakers useful, have a history
High-ranking elected official comes to campus to pontificate at graduation. University bigwigs pat themselves on the back for the PR boost. Noticeable numbers of graduates then protest at the ceremony, outraged at the luminary – and the university’s tone-deaf selection. That’s what we witnessed last week as Gov. Glenn Youngkin gave the commencement speech at […]
Allowing more high-speed police pursuits is unwarranted – and dangerous
Every time police officers activate their lights and sirens, punch their accelerators and pursue fleeing motorists in Virginia, I hope they remember people like Andre Bassette Jr. Or teenage cyclists like Geormond Morton. Or Gary Roberson, whom I once interviewed. All of these individuals were “third parties” – innocent pedestrians, drivers or their passengers who […]
Continued lack of affordable housing hinders pride, security among Virginians
Frank Hruska, executive director of Habitat for Humanity for South Hampton Roads, faces persistent problems trying to build modest homes for low- and middle-income families. Inflation has boosted the cost of housing construction. Plus, vacant, usable land has become more expensive over the years. “We are in a perfect storm right now,” Hruska told me. […]
Journalist was trailblazer, mentor, paper’s racial conscience
Marvin L. Lake – journalist, Renaissance man, holder of many professional “firsts” – was made of decidedly sterner stuff. Otherwise, he couldn’t have withstood the racial slights and outright prejudice he fought after becoming The Virginian-Pilot’s first Black summer intern in 1966 and later, in 1969, its first Black reporter. He understood the long game, […]
Newest anti-homelessness project builds on strong efforts statewide
Nonprofit officials in Roanoke recently refurbished a former motel, transforming the units into permanent housing for the homeless. The move could literally be a lifesaver for those who have survived for years on the streets. I don’t make that claim lightly. Studies and news stories reveal homeless individuals die an average of 12 years sooner […]
Lowering the cost of prison phone calls helps families and society
Just a week before the 9/11 terror attacks, The Virginian-Pilot editorial page wrote: “It is not in the state’s interest to gouge the people whom prison inmates call collect, usually loved ones. This, however, is precisely how the present system works. It must be changed.” I’m proud to have been on the editorial board that […]
Virginians can stomach the cost of free meals for all K-12 students
Full bellies and nutritious food options aren’t a guarantee for all of Virginia’s public schoolchildren. Hungry students can’t focus on learning and comprehension. Researchers say free school meals boost attendance and improve diet, as well reduce the stigma associated with children who struggle to pay in the cafeteria line. That’s why Virginia should join a […]
To save lives, lawmakers must seek common ground on gun legislation
Democrats in the Virginia General Assembly, now in charge in both chambers in the session that opened last week, hope to pass several gun-control bills. The wish list includes legislation to ban the sale of new assault weapons and large-capacity magazines, The Washington Post reported. They also want to place Gov. Glenn Youngkin, a Republican, […]