FALLS CHURCH Virginia Senate candidate George Allen's three conservative rivals won louder ovations from a conservative gathering at their final debate Friday, while the front-runner instead gave more seasoned and measured responses to subjects including foreign policy and an openly gay judicial nominee.

The FCC launched a proceeding Thursday to explore whether communications can be restored after natural disasters or emergencies by putting specially equipped drones or other aircraft in the air.

Just weeks after Pentagon and Central Intelligence Agency officials warned publicly of the dangers posed by leaks about the raid that killed Osama bin Laden, top officials at both agencies and at the White House granted Hollywood filmmakers unusual access to those involved in planning the raid and some of the methods they used to do it, newly released government records show.

The two Virginia Beach men competing in the 2nd Congressional District election this year exchanged letters Monday urging each other to adopt civil rules to avoid personal attacks. But they can't agree on where to draw the line.

NORFOLK
The Berkley postal station is safe for now.
But the U.S. Postal Service hasn’t dropped plans for major reductions at the Norfolk Processing and Distribution Center on Church Street.
An agency spokeswoman Wednesday provided an update on the sites after an official announced Monday that the Postal Service had dropped plans to close 600 offices.

U.S. Rep. Scott Rigell and three other congressmen have launched a House work group in Washington that seeks to make legislators more accountable by linking their compensation to performance. The bipartisan Fix Congress Now Caucus, which is based in the Virginia Beach Republican's office, lists 10 members - eight Republicans and two Democrats - on its website.

WASHINGTON A Senate committee has approved legislation to give benefits to same-sex partners of federal workers. The Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee sent the legislation to the full Senate on Wednesday. The Senate has failed to pass previous versions of the bill.

By David Pitt DES MOINES, Iowa U.S. Postal Service spokesman Richard Watkins says the agency is stalling plans to close 600 urban and suburban postal branch offices and satellite stations. Watkin's announcement Monday follows the agency's decision last week to halt the planned shutdown of hundreds of rural post offices, saying they can remain open with shorter hours.

By Wesley P. Hester Richmond Times-Dispatch (MCT) U.S. Sen. Jim Webb, D-Va., a decorated Vietnam Marine combat veteran, served as the assistant secretary of defense for reserve affairs and later as secretary of the Navy.

VIRGINIA BEACH Despite repeated attacks from tea party opponent Jamie Radtke, former governor and senator George Allen didn't rise to the bait, barely responding to her barbs Friday night in a debate among the four candidates vying for the Republican nomination for U.S. Senate.