Gary Emerling

D.C.’s homicides outpace nearby cities

The District's 2008 homicide total is on pace to equal last year's while other jurisdictions are experiencing fewer slayings, suggesting that city leaders are struggling to maintain significant declines in the homicide rate in recent years. Published December 10, 2008

Virginia GOP looks to future at retreat

What's the next step for a political party that suffered humbling defeats in November's elections? Try a mountain retreat. Published December 6, 2008

Same-sex marriage activists regroup

Backers of an attempt to legalize same-sex marriage in the District next year are re-evaluating their strategy in light of political realities, including a California referendum last month in which blacks voted overwhelmingly for a constitutional amendment to prohibit the practice. Published December 5, 2008

Virginia governor candidates preview race

RICHMOND | The top candidates for Virginia's governorship came together Tuesday for the first time, giving an opening glimpse of what is expected to be a hotly contested race next year. Published December 3, 2008

Obama win drives interest in Electoral College vote

An often-overlooked procedure for electing a U.S. president is sparking interest after this year's historic contest. Published November 28, 2008

Flaws found in camera contract process

A D.C. Inspector General's audit has found that city employees made numerous mistakes in awarding a multimillion-dollar service contract for the District's traffic-camera system that opened the city to potential legal action. Published November 27, 2008

Goode to seek recount in 5th

Rep. Virgil H. Goode Jr., Virginia Republican, said Monday he will request a recount of his 5th District congressional race after official election results showed that challenger Tom Perriello unseated him by 745 votes. Published November 25, 2008

Metro chief joins transit industry call for help

Metro General Manager John B. Catoe Jr. joined leaders from transit agencies across the country Tuesday in requesting help from Congress to prevent a crisis in their industry by having the U.S. Treasury guarantee certain long-term financing deals imperiled by the credit crisis. Published November 19, 2008

Nickles fight pits Fenty vs. council

A key D.C. Council committee Monday tried to block the appointment of Peter J. Nickles as the city's permanent attorney general, setting up a showdown that could test Mayor Adrian M. Fenty's influence on council members. Published November 18, 2008

Obama’s picks may shift 4th Circuit

One of the country's most traditionally conservative appellate courts offers President-elect Barack Obama a prime opportunity to begin reshaping the federal bench. Published November 18, 2008

GOP gets wake-up call on minority vote

Virginia Republicans say the overwhelming support by blacks and Hispanics that led to big wins for Democrats on Election Day taught them a valuable lesson: The party must work harder to make minority voters feel included and involved or pay dearly at the polls. Published November 17, 2008

McAuliffe sets committee for governor run

Former Democratic Party Chairman Terry McAuliffe is one step closer to launching a bid for the Virginia governor's mansion. Published November 11, 2008

Dems see inroads in N. Virginia’s exurbs

President-elect Barack Obama's victories in Loudoun and Prince William counties proved the importance of both exurbs to the Democratic senator's triumph in Virginia. Published November 10, 2008

Nation’s street sweepers turn into spies

Local street sweepers will soon turn into spies. Shhhh. Don't tell anyone, but cameras have been perched outside the cabs of the District of Columbia's tractor-sized sweepers. The drivers can activate the cameras at the push of a button and take pictures of parked cars in their way. Published November 6, 2008

House balance rides on 5th District race

The balance of power in Virginia's House delegation is hinging on the outcome of one race after an election in which Democrats won a U.S. Senate seat, two congressional seats and delivered the traditionally Republican state to Sen. Barack Obama. Published November 6, 2008

Va. majority hinges on 5th District race

The balance of power in Virginia's congressional delegation now appears to hinge on the outcome of one contest. Published November 5, 2008

In Va., Warner wins; Dems gain 2 House seats

Virginia completed its march from red to blue Tuesday by electing former Gov. Mark Warner to the U.S. Senate and voting for a Democratic presidential candidate for the first time in 44 years, but the balance of power in Virginia's congressional delegation now appears to hinge on the outcome of one contest. Published November 5, 2008

Obama, Warner win in Virginia

Sen. Barack Obama carried Virginia in the presidential voting and former Virginia governor Mark Warner won his bid to represent the state in the U.S. Senate. Published November 4, 2008

Court rejects NAACP suit, McCain files one, too

A federal judge Monday denied a request for Virginia officials take steps to reduce waits at polling places attended by minority voters, while the campaign of Republican presidential candidate Sen. John McCain filed a last-minute lawsuit hoping to garner more military votes from overseas. Published November 3, 2008