Guest Columns
Students should return to the classroom
Gov. Ralph Northam has finally called legislators back to Richmond for the special session to work on the budget. The General Assembly will convene August ... Read more
2 months ago by Matt Fariss.
Law enforcement to be topic of discussion in special session
I appreciate all the calls and emails I have received over the past couple of months from my constituents regarding the current school reopening situation. ... Read more
2 months ago by Tommy Wright.
COLUMN — Bill would provide computers for veterans, students
This week I was proud to sponsor the Computers for Veterans and Students Act with Congresswoman Abigail Spanberger (VA-07), Congressman Rob Wittman (VA-01), and Congresswoman ... Read more
2 months ago by Guest Columnist.
COLUMN — Warner discusses $100 billion broadband proposal
Access to high-speed internet is a necessity in our digital economy. Especially now, during this global health crisis, broadband internet is essential for individuals applying ... Read more
2 months ago by Guest Columnist.
Governor’s school plan presents many challenges
Business is not the only thing that has changed this year because of the COVID-19 issues. In mid-March, Gov. Ralph Northam made the decision to ... Read more
2 months ago by Frank Ruff.
Law enforcement curriculum to be examined
In recent months, our nation has struggled with its responses to two diseases, COVID-19 and racism. One stems from a viral threat, and the other ... Read more
2 months ago by Guest Columnist.
COLUMN: Less law enforcement means more crime
Speaker of the House Eileen Filler-Corn has decided to convene a joint meeting of the Public Safety and Court of Justice committees to consider “reforms” ... Read more
2 months ago by Tommy Wright.
COLUMN – School plan presents many challenges
Business is not the only thing that has changed this year because of the COVID-19 issues. In mid-March, Gov. Ralph Northam made the decision to ... Read more
2 months ago by Frank Ruff.
COLUMN — Virtual town hall planned July 14
The Northam administration ordered a subcontractor to remove a one-story-tall American flag from the new General Assembly building under construction this past weekend, as it ... Read more
2 months ago by Matt Fariss.
COLUMN — July 1 brought new laws and big changes to Virginia
On July 1, legislation passed during the 2020 General Assembly session became law, with some exceptions. Several changes were made to Virginia’s election law. This ... Read more
3 months ago by Matt Fariss.
Remember sacrifices of dedicated correctional officers
During these difficult times of managing the COVID-19 virus, I have read, heard, and seen many activities thanking groups for their dedicated work in the ... Read more
3 months ago by Staff Report.
COLUMN — Police, citizens should be re-educated
Looking back, law officers carried revolvers long before they began carrying fully automatic weapons or high capacity semi-automatic pistols. The object was to apprehend offenders, ... Read more
3 months ago by Peter Kapuscinski.
COLUMN — Thinking through these troubled times
Recent events have made me step back and catch my breath. My system has been bombarded with images that bring back memories of a not-too-long-ago ... Read more
3 months ago by Carl U. Eggleston.
COLUMN — Statue must never return
Removal of Confederate statues represents the ongoing fall of America’s “Berlin Wall” of segregation following the abolition of slavery. That is why the statue celebrating ... Read more
3 months ago by Guest Columnist.
Fort Bragg should be named after Farmville native
Recently, the U.S. military has been debating changing the names of forts that were named in honor of Confederate military leaders. Without getting into the ... Read more
3 months ago by Guest Columnist.
It’s time to rename Longwood’s Ruffner Hall
In June 2020, the University of Virginia announced it would rename its Curry School and Ruffner Hall because their namesakes were prominent white supremacists. Will ... Read more
3 months ago by Guest Columnist.
COLUMN — Reforms proposed to address racial injustice
For centuries, our nation has preached equality as our cardinal virtue while burdening African Americans with systemic inequality. The horrific murders of George Floyd, Breonna ... Read more
3 months ago by Guest Columnist.
Thin blue line will get thinner
The term “thin blue line” is used to refer to those law enforcement officers who are assigned the task of keeping society from descending into ... Read more
3 months ago by Frank Ruff.
Defunding the police idea is a real threat
As protests over the killing of George Floyd have progressed, a demand to “defund the police” has become more and more prevalent. Some Democratic politicians, ... Read more
3 months ago by Tommy Wright.
COLUMN — Monument argument is just a distraction
On Friday, parts of Virginia began to open further as Phase 2 of the governor’s plan came into effect for most of Virginia, excluding NOVA ... Read more
3 months ago by Matt Fariss.
COLUMN — Congress needs to do its part
These are difficult times. George Floyd’s family deserves justice and Congress needs to do its part. That’s why I am calling on Speaker Nancy Pelosi ... Read more
3 months ago by Guest Columnist.
COLUMN — Urge county to recycle with STEPS
In the face of COVID-19 uncertainty, STEPS temporarily shut down recycling operations in March. It was a tough decision but one we had to make ... Read more
4 months ago by Guest Columnist.
Coronavirus is taking a heavy toll
The COVID-19 pandemic has taken a heavy toll on our nation and on the 5th District. Christine and I are heartbroken by the incredible loss ... Read more
4 months ago by Alexa Massey.
Eggleston proposes cuts to staff, council pay
As the months go by and the country remains under the grip of a global pandemic, it becomes clear that things have changed. The coronavirus ... Read more
4 months ago by Carl U. Eggleston.
Senator questions Northam’s decisions
We all grew up being told more, bigger, and better is good. Such phrases as “keeping up with the Joneses” was the mantra of the ... Read more
4 months ago by Frank Ruff.
SVCC is continuing its mission through the pandemic
A year ago when I accepted the offer to serve as Southside Virginia Community College’s (SVCC) sixth president, the world was a different place. People ... Read more
4 months ago by Guest Columnist.
We have much to mourn
This is a time for mourning. We began the week as we have traditionally done with Memorial Day, mourning for those that we have lost ... Read more