: News
By Meymo Lyons
Virginia's Department of Transportation says it's ready to keep the state's roads clear of ice and snow this winter, despite deep cutbacks elsewhere in the agency's budget.
VDOT says that it increased snow-removal funding by about $4 million so it can provide adequate manpower, materials and equipment to get the job done. The agency has a $79.6 million snow-removal budget for state-maintained roads this winter. Another $14 million is budgeted for snow and ice removal on roads maintained by the state through interstate contracts.
The department says more than 3,000 crew members will be standing by to handle snow removal. More than 2,300 pieces of equipment, 62,000 tons of sand and 239,000 tons of salt will be available.
Fictional 'Mothers' Reveal Facts Of A Painful Adoption Process
After years trying to conceive, novelist Jennifer Gilmore and her husband decided to adopt. What they thought would be a relatively simple process was instead a long and painful one. In her latest novel, Gilmore channels these autobiographical experiences into fiction.In Raw Milk Case, Activists See Food Freedom On Trial
Activists say the case against Wisconsin dairy farmer Vernon Hershberger is about raw milk — and much more. His supporters have turned the case into a rallying cry for personal food freedom and the rights of farmers and consumers to enter into private contracts without government intervention.Losers In Chicago School Closings Target Elected Officials
The Chicago school board on Wednesday voted to close dozens of schools, despite community protests that the closings disproportionately affect minority students. The Chicago Teachers Union and community activists plan to show their disapproval by campaigning against elected officials who disagreed with them.How That 'Nigerian Email Scam' Got Started
You've probably seen it in your inbox before: Someone who claims to have come into a fortune needs your help. You can share in the profits — if you send along a deposit or your bank account number. Boston Globe correspondent Finn Brunton talks about the history of the "Nigerian prince" or "419" scam, which actually got its start long before email.Leave a Comment
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