Latest Virginia Regional News

WASHINGTON (AP) The White House says a Virginia judge's ruling declaring a key provision of the federal health care law unconstitutional doesn't create uncertainty about the implementation of the law. U.S. District Judge Henry Hudson in Richmond has become the first judge to rule against the law.

RICHMOND, Va. (AP) Virginia State Police say they've spent the day busily responding to wrecks and fender benders blamed on the winter storm sweeping the state. Troopers say a large number of crashes occurred in the greater Richmond area.

DANVILLE, Va. (AP) A committee of the National Academy of Sciences committee is meeting in Danville and taking stock of the potential consequences of uranium mining in Virginia. The panel has heard from representatives of the Southern Environmental Law Center, the Dan River Basin Association and others.

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. (AP) Health officials are reporting a rise in the number of flu cases in Virginia and are exhorting residents to get the flu vaccine. This year's vaccine is available at local health departments, physician offices and many pharmacies.

NORFOLK, Va. (AP) Police say a Norfolk woman has died after being shot by an officer responding to a report that she was brandishing a hammer. Police identify the woman as 22-year-old Tynisha Townsend.

FREDERICKSBURG, Va. (AP) A wounded hawk whose shooting led to a felony charge against a Fredericksburg man is expected to recover fully from its injuries. A city police spokeswoman says federal authorities found the hawk yesterday. Sixty-five-year-old Lop Senavanh is charged with shooting toward an occupied building.

NORFOLK, Va. (AP) A Norfolk baseball league that was evicted from Navy property will have a new home behind an elementary school next year. Norfolk's recreation director says the city will issue a permit to allow Ocean View Little League to use the Ocean View Elementary School site from February to November 2011.

LYNCHBURG, Va. (AP) Liberty University plans to construct a new health sciences building and upgrade several existing structures. The school in Lynchburg also plans to beautify the Lynchburg campus. Chancellor Jerry Falwell Jr. says Liberty has sold $120 million in tax-exempt bonds to pay for the projects.

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