WASHINGTON (AP) — As part of its effort to expand private health care, the Department of Veterans Affairs is exploring the possibility of merging its health system with the Pentagon’s, a cost-saving measure that veterans groups say could threaten the viability of VA hospitals and clinics. VA spokesman Curt Cashour called the plan a potential … Continue reading
WASHINGTON (AP) — Hillary Clinton’s presidential campaign and the Democratic National Committee helped pay for political research into Donald Trump that ultimately produced a dossier of allegations about his ties to Russia, The Associated Press has learned. Trump has called the material “phony stuff,” and on Wednesday he portrayed himself as the aggrieved party. The … Continue reading
WASHINGTON (AP) — The top House Republican on Thursday blasted high-tax states that deliver billions to the federal government as he faced a backlash from rank-and-file GOP lawmakers over a sweeping tax-cut proposal. But beyond the tough rhetoric from Speaker Paul Ryan, disgruntled lawmakers met privately with Republican leaders and reached for possible compromises to … Continue reading
~ 139 localities will receive funding ~ RICHMOND – Governor Terry McAuliffe announced today, Sept. 29, $2.7 million in new federal Local Emergency Management Performance Grants (LEMPG) to help localities plan and respond to emergencies in their areas. The Virginia Department of Emergency Management (VDEM) will administer funds, which are from the fiscal year 2017 Emergency … Continue reading
RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — A divided federal appeals court says county commissioners in North Carolina can open their meetings with Christian prayers. A three-judge panel of the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals declared the Rowan County commissioner’s prayer practice constitutional on Monday. The appeals court decision reverses a lower court ruling that said the … Continue reading
A Virginia Beach woman has been charged with child abuse after a 4-month-old girl died in what police called an unlicensed daycare at her home. Virginia Beach police say 48-year-old Marlene Rice was arrested and charged on Tuesday. The infant died on Aug. 15. Police say Rice called 911 to report that the baby wasn’t … Continue reading
WASHINGTON (AP) — For the first time, thousands of low-income high-school students in nearly two dozen states will soon be able to get federal grants to take college courses for credit, part of a program the Obama administration plans to begin this summer. The experimental program allows high school students to apply for federal Pell … Continue reading
Marijuana is illegal for any reason under federal law, but states have boldly experimented with allowing its use anyway, starting with California 20 years ago. Some states have made the drug legal for medical purposes; others have removed jail sentences for carrying small amounts; and some let adults 21 and older use it for any … Continue reading
NEW YORK (AP) — U.S. stocks moved solidly higher Tuesday, helped by improving economic data from Japan and Europe as well as hopes that the European Central Bank will expand its stimulus program. However, trading remained quiet ahead of the release later this week of the U.S. government’s monthly jobs survey. KEEPING SCORE: The Dow … Continue reading
GRAND FORKS, N.D. (AP) — Megan Halek could be the best unmanned aircraft pilot coming out of the University of North Dakota’s highly regarded aviation program this year: She’s aced a training program and has enough air experience to fly private jets worldwide. That won’t be enough to land her dream job, flying the Predator … Continue reading
HONG KONG (AP) — Japanese stocks rose Wednesday as investors bet on another shot of stimulus from the country’s central bank while other Asian benchmarks slipped ahead of U.S. growth figures and the Fed’s latest policy decision. KEEPING SCORE: Japan’s benchmark Nikkei 225 rose 0.6 percent to 18,884.33 while South Korea’s Kospi slipped 0.4 percent … Continue reading
NORFOLK, Va. (AP) — A 36-year-old Virginia man has been sentenced to 11 years in prison for providing schematics of an aircraft carrier under construction to someone he believed was an Egyptian intelligence officer. Mostafa Awwad of Yorktown received the sentence in federal court in Norfolk on Thursday. Court records say Awwad tried to steal … Continue reading
PITTSBURGH (AP) — “Dance Moms” star Abby Lee Miller has been charged with hiding $775,000 worth of income from the Lifetime network reality show and spinoff projects during her Chapter 11 bankruptcy. The investigation began when a channel-surfing bankruptcy judge saw Miller on TV in December 2012 and figured she had to be making more … Continue reading
NORFOLK, Va. (AP) — A North Carolina man who owned a music-sharing website has pleaded guilty to copyright infringement. Rocky P. Ouprasith of Charlotte entered the plea Friday in federal court in Norfolk. The 23-year-old Ouprasith faces up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine. He will be sentenced on Nov. 17. Federal … Continue reading
NORFOLK, Va. (AP) — Federal authorities say a wood-boring beetle in a cargo container at the Port of Norfolk is the first of its kind to be found in the United States. The U.S. Customs and Border Protection says agriculture specialists discovered the beetle among untreated wooden pallets from Poland. The pest is a type … Continue reading
Spartan Echo 