Virginia General Assembly - Virginia Republicans look to revisit districts' lines

Republicans poised to take control of the state Senate in January plan to use their newfound power to make additional changes to election district boundaries. The plan to revisit redistricting is the latest post-election twist in the fight for Senate dominance as Republicans assert their control, and Democrats gird against losing it. The legislature's upper chamber will be split 20-20 in January. That gives the GOP an advantage because Republican Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling will have a tiebreaking vote, which he has said he'll use to resolve any deadlock on organizing the Senate to favor his party. Democrats doubt Bolling's authority is that broad and last week said they'll ask the courts to resolve that question. Read more from the Virginian-Pilot.

Defective Drywall - Homeowners gain traction in Chinese-drywall fight

A Circuit Court judge on Wednesday entered a default judgment against the Chinese manufacturer that produced the tainted drywall that emits corrosive fumes that made some local homes unlivable. It was the first time that Taishan Gypsum Co. Ltd. had appeared in a local court, more than two years after the company was first named as a defendant in a lawsuit. The company has since been named in numerous lawsuits in Virginia and across the country. Read more from the Virginian-Pilot.

Light Rail - Poll: Public on board with expanding light-rail route

A new poll shows that 80 percent of Norfolk and Virginia Beach residents want to see light rail extended. And preferred destinations are the Oceanfront, Norfolk Naval Station, Town Center in Virginia Beach, Norfolk International Airport and Old Dominion University, in that order. Christopher Newport University's Wason Center for Public Policy polled more than 800 residents of Norfolk and Virginia Beach in a phone survey earlier this month. The number of participants were split between the two cities. Read more from the Virginian-Pilot.

Transportation - State releases some details of Midtown Tunnel deal

The Midtown project, which includes extending the Martin Luther King Freeway and upgrading the Downtown Tunnel, is close to becoming a reality with the state poised to sign an agreement with a private consortium that would begin construction, and toll collections, next year. Because it's a public-private partnership, details have been kept under wraps during negotiations. Now, with the debate over priorities spurring rumors about financial implications of a competing Patriots Crossing, Transportation Secretary Sean Connaughton has released some details about the Midtown Tunnel deal, which is expected to be signed by the end of the year. Read more from the Virginian-Pilot.

Virginia Beach - Va. Beach mayor asks council to postpone hotel vote

Mayor Will Sessoms recommended today the City Council push back its vote on the proposed $109 million convention center hotel. The vote had been scheduled for Dec. 13. The city has been under fire for its speedy timeline to vote on the public-private partnerhip with developer Armada Hoffler, which includes $61.8 million in upfront city costs to build a 361-room Hyatt hotel and city-owned conference space next to the Virginia Beach Convention Center. The first public briefing on the project is still scheduled for Tuesday's City Council meeting. Read more from the Virginian-Pilot.

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