Gary Emerling

Virginia to vote on smoking ban

Virginia lawmakers are set for a final vote Tuesday on legislation to ban smoking in restaurants and bars, in a state that was the first to harvest tobacco. Published February 10, 2009

Lawmakers unveil alternative spending plans

RICHMOND | House and Senate lawmakers on Sunday presented their tentative rewrites of Gov. Tim Kaine's budget proposal, scraping to find money for such services as public safety and health care while anxiously awaiting the outcome of the federal economic-stimulus package on Capitol Hill. Published February 9, 2009

Clinton urges Va. party to stay united

Former President Bill Clinton may have been the biggest name at Virginia Democrats' Jefferson-Jackson Dinner on Saturday, but gubernatorial candidate Terry McAuliffe grabbed a share of the spotlight for himself. Published February 8, 2009

Bill Clinton to headline Democrats’ fundraiser

Former President Bill Clinton headlines a gathering of Virginia Democrats this weekend for a top-dollar fundraiser that offers a chance to celebrate the party's recent electoral dominance while preparing for a high-stakes governor's race already garnering national attention. Published February 7, 2009

Bulova apparent winner in Fairfax

Democrat Sharon S. Bulova appeared to have pulled out a narrow victory over Republican Pat S. Herrity in the high-stakes race for Fairfax County Board of Supervisors chairman Tuesday night. Published February 4, 2009

McDonnell resigning as attorney general

Virginia Attorney General Bob McDonnell announced Tuesday he will resign to focus full time on his bid for governor. Published February 4, 2009

Fairfax race tests parties statewide

Fairfax County voters head to the polls Tuesday for a local election with statewide implications. Published February 3, 2009

Confederate flag flying halted

Change came to the streets of Alexandria for the inauguration of President Obama. Published February 2, 2009

Zoo outpost on front line of research

While most area residents know the District's National Zoo as a place to admire pandas and take pictures of elephants on a free afternoon, a lesser-known home to vitally important programs of conservation and biology research sits outside the Beltway and out of the sight of Washington tourists. Published February 1, 2009

Driver IDs in VA to get new look

The Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles will soon begin issuing redesigned driver's licenses with enhanced security measures to prevent tampering and fraud. Published January 30, 2009

D.C.: Stimulus for ‘bait and switch’

D.C. officials say any federal stimulus funds provided for schools and bridges in the District will enable them to drop their own funding plans for such projects and divert the money to help plug other gaps in their 2010 budget. Published January 29, 2009

Va. absentee ballot bill advances

Legislation to avoid absentee-ballot disputes such as the one that marred last year's election in Virginia sailed through a House committee Friday and is receiving bipartisan support in the General Assembly. Published January 24, 2009

Packed streets, no incidents

So far, so good as crowded streets and packed Metro stations appeared to yield no major incidents in the District Monday, as the city inched toward the close of celebrations surrounding President-elect Barack Obama's inauguration. Published January 19, 2009

Capital to be virtually locked down for inauguration

The estimated crowd of more than 1 million for the inauguration in the District will also bring thousands of law-enforcement officers and military personnel from across the country in an unprecedented security effort. Published January 18, 2009

Police report quiet night of inaugural bar feting

Freezing weather, late arrivals and a lack of participation appeared to dampen the opening night of longer alcohol hours in the District early Saturday morning, leaving bar stools open and glasses full for those who did brave the elements. Published January 18, 2009

First night of inaugural bar feting quiet

Freezing weather, late arrivals and a lack of participation appeared to dampen the opening night of longer alcohol hours in the District early Saturday morning, leaving bar stools open and glasses full for those who did brave the elements. Published January 17, 2009