RICHMOND

A legislative proposal offering private-school tuition tax credits to corporations has begun advancing through the Virginia House of Delegates.

Del. Jimmie Massie’s bill, HB321, was approved 4-1 by a House subcommittee this morning.

RICHMOND In more fallout from the uproar in Hampton Roads over the imminent re-tolling of the Midtown and Downtown tunnels, Gov. Bob McDonnell's administration has pledged to establish a more open, inclusive process for future transportation projects the state undertakes with private-sector partners.

RICHMOND Mandatory ultrasounds before abortions. Tougher voter identification standards. Repeal of a limit on handgun purchases. In what's shaping up to be a banner year for conservatives, these and other bills have passed the General Assembly this winter - backed strongly by Republicans, with occasional support from some Democrats.

By Larry O'Dell RICHMOND Legislation to restrict the use of restraints on pregnant inmates in Virginia was rejected Thursday by a House of Delegates subcommittee, which chose to let state prison officials address the issue through regulations that are now being developed.

By LARRY O'DELL

RICHMOND, Va. The Virginia Senate passed legislation Thursday allowing private adoption agencies to deny placements that conflict with their religious or moral beliefs, including opposition to homosexuality.

By Bob Lewis  RICHMOND Virginia's House of Delegates has written into its law books centuries of common law allowing people to kill those who intrude into their dwellings and menace them.

One bill that shields people who kill or maim intruders from civil lawsuits passed 75-22 Thursday.

RICHMOND A measure to significantly alter employment terms for some public school teachers cleared a Senate committee Thursday after a local Republican changed his vote. The amended bill brought by Sen. Mark Obenshain at the behest of Gov. Bob McDonnell would place teachers without continuing contracts as of July 1, 2013, under three-year deals. Those with ongoing contracts would keep them.

ELIZABETH CITY, N.C.  Pasquotank County leaders are trying to come up with a redistricting plan that will pass federal muster and increase representation for black residents.

The Daily Advance of Elizabeth City reports that while 40 percent of Pasquotank residents are black, there are currently six white and one black members on the county board of commissioners.

RICHMOND

The chair of the Virginia Beach School Board appealed this morning to the region’s legislators to help with a roughly $40 million budget shortfall.

RICHMOND

A bill moved forward this morning requiring college police to work with local law enforcement, especially in the most serious cases, such as rape or murder.