Lawmakers concerned about
suicide rates
Over the past 25 years,
suicides have risen dramatically among young people in Virginia, statistics
show. Legislators and concerned citizens want the state to increase
its suicide prevention efforts. [Full story
by Tracey Wainwright]
VCU to honor former Gov.
Wilder tonight
Former Gov. L. Douglas
Wilder will be honored tonight at Virginia Commonwealth University
during a reception and dinner commemorating the 10th anniversary of
his inauguration. [Full story by Artis Gordon]
Gilmore details King holiday
plan
State employees would get
a four-day weekend under Gov. Jim Gilmore's plan to establish a separate
holiday honoring Martin Luther King Jr., The
Roanoke Times reported. Under the proposal, the third Monday of
January would commemorate the civil rights leader, and the preceding
Friday would be a holiday for Confederate icons Robert E. Lee and
Stonewall Jackson. Currently, Virginia has one holiday for all three
men. Gilmore's plan would cost about $900,000 annually in overtime
pay at state agencies that operate around the clock, The Times said.
GOP proposes pay raise
for teachers
Virginia's 83,000 public
school teachers would get raises of at least 2.4 percent under a proposal
by Republican members of the House. They're concerned about a teacher
shortage, The
Virginian-Pilot reported.
Hager backs waiting period
for abortions
Republican Lt. Gov. John
H. Hager on Wednesday strongly supported requiring a 24-hour waiting
period for a woman to get an abortion, the Richmond
Times-Dispatch reported. Hager also called for a waiting period
for many adults seeking their first driver's license.
Bill would help elderly
buy medicines
Older adults and disabled
people who have trouble affording the medicines they need would receive
help under a bill backed by Democratic legislators, The
Roanoke Times reported. Delegate Creigh Deeds, D-Alleghany County,
is sponsoring a bill that would offer assistance with prescription
drug purchases for people who are more than 65 years old or disabled.
