David Sherfinski

Virginia sues over purported pension fraud

The state of Virginia is suing the Bank of New York Mellon, alleging that the company that oversees the commonwealth's retirement system skimmed money off the top of financial transactions it made on behalf of the state.

August 12, 2011

Most Virginia schools fall short of federal achievement standards

Just 38 percent of Virginia's 1,839 schools made annual benchmarks last year in English and math under provisions of the 2002 No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Act, according to detailed figures released Thursday by the Virginia department of Education.

August 11, 2011

Black moves residence in bid to return to Richmond

Dick Black, a staunchly conservative former state delegate who notably irked colleagues in 2003 by passing out plastic fetuses before a crucial abortion vote, has moved — again — to run in the Aug. 23 Republican primary race for an open Virginia Senate seat in Prince William and Loudoun counties.

August 9, 2011

Acrimony escalates in state Senate race in Arlington

The acrimonious tone of the Democratic primary in Northern Virginia's 31st State Senate District is sharpening as the Aug. 23 primary election approaches.

August 8, 2011

Virginia redistricting creates moving target

Virginia House Minority Leader Ward L. Armstrong, whose Southside district was moved north to include parts of Prince William and Loudoun counties during redistricting this year, is among the most notable of the casualties of a process that has left some incumbents playing musical chairs in bids for re-election.

August 7, 2011

Prince William County sues feds for status of illegal aliens

Prince William County on Thursday filed a lawsuit in federal court demanding the release of records related to the status of more than 4,000 criminal illegal immigrants that the county has detained and transferred to the Department of Homeland Security since 2008.

August 4, 2011

Va. county sues feds to learn status of detained illegal immigrants

Prince William County on Thursday filed a lawsuit against the Department of Homeland Security demanding the release of records related to the status of criminal illegal immigrants the county has detained and transferred to the agency since 2008.

August 4, 2011

Poll: Likely GOP candidates lead potential Democrats in ‘13 Va. governor’s race

Likely Republican candidates have a slight early edge over potential Democratic opponents in the 2013 Virginia governor's race, new poll figures released Wednesday show.

August 3, 2011

Poll has Cuccinelli in good shape in Virginia

A poll released Tuesday by the Democratic-leaning firm Public Policy Polling says Virginia Attorney General Kenneth T. Cuccinelli II would have more than a fair shot at the GOP nomination for governor in 2013, if he chooses to run.

August 2, 2011

Uranium firm urges Va. towns to keep ‘open mind’

A company seeking to mine a 119-million pound southern Virginia uranium deposit has sent letters to localities urging officials to "keep an open mind" before the release of studies that could affect whether the General Assembly votes to overturn the nearly 30-year ban on the practice.

August 2, 2011

Race for ‘safe’ seat in Virginia Senate gets dirty

The mud is flying in the Democratic primary for a Northern Virginia state Senate seat thought to be safe - drawing cash and attention to an intraparty fight as Republicans plot to take the state's upper chamber in the fall.

August 1, 2011

Va. House, Senate stall on Hill redistricting

The Virginia General Assembly appears at an impasse over how to redraw lines for the state's 11 congressional districts, with Republicans and Democrats unable or unwilling to compromise on competing maps.

July 31, 2011

General Assembly elects two justices to Virginia Supreme Court

The Virginia General Assembly finally voted to fill two vacancies on the Virginia Supreme Court on Friday, elevating justices Elizabeth A. McClanahan and Cleo E. Powell from the Court of Appeals to the state's highest court.

July 29, 2011

Day job puts Virginia Democrat at odds with Obama

An organization headed by Democratic Party of Virginia Chairman Brian Moran is suing the Obama administration. And it's making some state Democrats uncomfortable.

July 28, 2011

Campaigns focus on Virginia hoping to catch a swing state

Virginia is again showing its stripes as a swing state, with Democrats and Republicans pouring money into the commonwealth 15 months ahead of the national elections.

July 27, 2011

Fairfax gives nod to rail cost-cutting

Fairfax County on Tuesday conditionally endorsed Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood's plan to cut roughly $1 billion in costs from the second leg of the Dulles Metrorail project.

July 26, 2011

Virginia Assembly returns Friday to fill judicial vacancies

The Virginia General Assembly is set to reconvene Friday to elect judges to fill two vacancies on the state Supreme Court, lawmakers confirmed Monday.

July 25, 2011

Virginia faces an $800M shortfall, report says

Virginia is facing a shortfall of about $800 million in its next budget, according to a report released Monday by think tank the Commonwealth Institute for Fiscal Analysis.

July 25, 2011

McDonnell marks Civil War milestone

Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell commemorated Union and Confederate soldiers while condemning slavery as an "evil and inhumane" institution in an address Thursday marking 150 years since the first major land battle of the Civil War.

July 21, 2011

McDonnell wants action on judicial appointments

Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell on Thursday sent a letter to leaders in the Virginia General Assembly telling them to move quickly on selecting judges for state courts, including the Supreme Court, as he is prepared to do it himself should they adjourn their special redistricting.

July 21, 2011