The race for Senate in Virginia got much more interesting today, as Democratic National Committee chair and former governor Tim Kaine announced that he would pursue the seat being vacated by current Sen. Jim Webb. Kaine, who has chaired the DNC since January 2009, will likely face former Sen. George Allen in what is already being touted as a key bellwether race during the national 2012 election cycle. more ›

No disrespect meant to Governor Tim Kaine, whom I'm sure is a competent storm chaser, but are there seriously not more qualified people in the Commonwealth of Virginia to do this sort of thing? While I'm certain that a helicopter tour of the state would have given Kaine a better impression of the damage done in Hampton Roads by storms, that helicopter tour might have informed any number of state employees who are 1) not the governor and 2) trained in insurance adjustment or aid deployment or whatever field is involved with checking out storm damage from the air. more ›

Obviously, Tim Kaine wasn't wooed by the state GOP's plentiful YouTube skills -- representatives from the office of the Virginia Governor have denied the FOIA request made by the Republicans seeking details of his recent schedule, including travel he takes as head of the Democratic National Committee. According to Kaine's communications director, the "governor's working papers" are not included under the purview of the Freedom of Information Act. Stilted, the Republicans have changed course, now using the strategy of comparing Kaine to disgraced South Carolina governor Mark Sanford -- because obviously, traveling publicly as the head of a major party's committee is on par with fleeing the country for a week to meet your mistress. more ›

For all the hubbub about Virginia being one of the keystones of the new Democratic revolution, it's still important to remember that the states still boasts a fairly wide conservative base. A fairly wide conservative base whose leadership has obviously mastered the art of using iMovie to splice together a montage of Tim Kaine speeches, postcards, "I've Been Everywhere," and huge text overlays. Take that, lefties! more ›

Just last month, the state of Maryland saw some activity with regard to the death penalty. Yesterday was Virginia's turn. The Washington Post reports that Virginia Governor Tim Kaine vetoed a mess of bills related to gun carry, capital punishment, and vicarious liability. more ›

Really big news from Virginia. The Post is reporting that Gov. Tim Kaine and House Speaker William Howell (R) announced this morning that they have struck a deal on legislation that would ban smoking in restaurants and bars across the entire state. The agreement is one that some thought would never come, given the importance of tobacco to the state's economy. more ›

With Michael Steele having been elected the Republican Party's chairperson yesterday, the national political battle between Republicans and Democrats has suddenly become much more local. Not only is Steele from Maryland, but he'll be doing battle with Virginia's Tim Kaine, who was recently appointed to serve as the Democratic Party's head. more ›

I don't think I've ever seen a group work so hard to do nothing. It was doing nothing taken to an art. They had since February to come up with something and they came up with nothing. It was like a 'Seinfeld' episode, the show about nothing. - Virginia Governor Tim Kaine more ›

Virginia Governor Tim Kaine (D) today ended a two-week moratorium on lethal injections after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that the execution method did not violate constitutional protections against cruel and unusual punishment. more ›

Today the Post is reporting some big, if symbolic news -- Virginia Governor Tim Kaine (D) decided yesterday to impose a moratorium on executions until the U.S. Supreme Court can issue a ruling on a case challenging the constitutionality of lethal injections. Kaine's announcement directly stayed two upcoming executions. more ›

Good morning, Washington. Recent increases in gun-related crime in the city seems to be today's main topic of news, just as the Supreme Court may announce today whether it intends to take another look at D.C.'s handgun ban. D.C. Mayor Adrian Fenty has scheduled a press conference this morning to address the District's position on its gun safety law, but in the meantime the Washington Post is questioning the law's effectiveness and just last... more ›

Good morning, Washington. It looks like California's still on fire, and likely to remain so. Most versions of the aforelinked AP story include the phrase "firefighters all but concede defeat," and the Post is calling the resulting evacuation the largest in modern history. It all sounds pretty grim. Good luck, West Coast. Yet More Stadium Parking Controversy: The Post reports on the latest in a seemingly neverending series of deliberations over parking at the... more ›

>> D.C. looks to be trapped in the middle of a presidential endorsement face-off, with Virginia Gov. Tim Kaine already firmly in the Sen. Barack Obama camp (the first governor to endorse the candidate), and Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley declaring his support for Sen. Hillary Clinton. Will D.C. Mayor Adrian Fenty step into the fray with an endorsement of his own? >> Police have arrested a 12-year-old boy in connection to the "pins in the... more ›

Welcome to May, Washington. It's beautiful outside and will stay that way throughout the week. In fact, checking WUSA's weather forecast this morning, we smiled at all the pretty suns and mild temperatures. The clearest meteorological message, though, is the helpful "Warm" and "Nice" written neatly across the image. Not too shabby. It's also nice weather for balloting. Today, voters in Wards Four and Seven head to the polls to elect new D.C. council members.... more ›

Virginia Governor Tim Kaine has declared a state of emergency in the Commonwealth after 32 people, mostly students, were killed today in two shootings at Virginia Tech University. Dozens are still hospitalized with injuries ranging from minor to critical. The tragedy is being called the deadliest mass shooting in U.S. history. Officials say the assailant, described as an Asian man in his 20s, took his own life after the second attack. The first shooting happened... more ›

Well, folks, it's happened. Everyone who lives in, commutes to, travels through, or even gets near Virginia in a car, bus, or train can breathe a little easier. Yesterday, as expected, the Virginia legislature approved Governor Tim Kaine's changes to the transportation bill, which we detailed last week. The expected revenue certainly won't dig Virginia out of the hole it's in with respect to transportation. But hopefully, it can keep the hole from getting any... more ›

Those of you anxiously waiting to hear if you'll have to permanently crush out your butts in Virginia eateries can happily light up another. Yesterday, the state's General Assembly voted to reject Governor Tim Kaine's proposed smoking ban in Viriginia's restaurants. In their very last session before they break for the rest of 2007, Assembly members urged the Governor to reconsider what some claim would be too-widely sweeping a restriction -- making it illegal to... more ›

Whether you are legitimately concerned about the future of transportation development in Virginia or simply sick of the endless debate clogging column inches in your local paper, the end is finally in sight. When the General Assembly finally compromised on a transportation funding package earlier this month, Governor Tim Kaine was not particularly pleased with what he saw. The Governor had promised to exercise his option to amend the bill and send it back to... more ›

When the District floated the idea of a smoking ban in bars and restaurants, opponents warned that business would simply flee to less restrictive locales -- namely Virginia. But that may change, even if slowly. more ›

Good Morning, D.C. Are you one of those people who counts on regular weather patterns to plan your week and travel? Ha! After a week of wintry mix horrors and an odd weekend in the 50's, temperatures are back in the 30's today, with winds causing spotty power outages in our area. If you miss the fluffy white stuff, then hold your breath for about 24 hours and enjoy a wet snow front tomorrow. But... more ›

After talking about it (or not talking about it) for months on end, the Virginia Legislature has finally sent Governor Tim Kaine a package of transportation legislation. Now the question is, does he have the stomach to sign it? Also this week, a reality check for the Purple Line and ticked-off drivers take parking enforcement into their own hands. Photo by andertho... more ›

Ever since legislation was introduced in the D.C. Council that would mandate vaccinations for the HPV virus, the issue has moved to the forefront of the public health debate around the country. With an increasing number of states considering a mandatory vaccine -- at least 20 to date -- debate has raged between advocates that believe that a vaccine could prevent a serious public health crisis, opponents who claim that it infringes upon the rights... more ›

Many schools are still closed and roads and sidewalks still dangerously icy this morning as the region struggles to dig out of the winter storm that passed through earlier this week. Most of the really bad news continues to come out of the suburbs, where many homes are still without power, and injuries and at least one death have been reported. The Post has a good rundown of the extent of the metro area's ice... more ›

We regret that we must bring you this headline in earnest, D.C. It's not just hype, it's the real deal. Cold weather is up in your grill: literally if you try to start your car this morning and figuratively if you're walking outside without a scarf or mouth guard of some kind. Several wind-chill advisories are out, predicting the coldest temps in three years and real threats of hypothermia and frostbite for those most vulnerable to the elements. So as my mom always said, "check yourself before your wreck yourself, then check out the morning roundup." more ›

Happy Friday, Washington. DCist had our very own staff holiday party last night, and as you might imagine, we're all a little worse for the wear this morning. So we hope you'll forgive us for a late-breaking, hastily tossed together Morning Roundup. As soon as our heads stop pounding, we'll resume our regularly scheduled blogging. Metro Cries 'Uncle': After boat loads of Metro commuters sent in thousands of angry emails and messages reacting, shall we... more ›

>> If Virginia being the lynch pin to a Democratic Senate wasn't evidence enough that something supernatural is up, the state's governor has now confirmed his house is haunted. Gov. Tim Kaine told listeners to his monthly radio show that he has definitely had paranormal experiences in the Executive mansion. Apparently a regular pattern of phone calls that reveal no one on the other line when answered is enough proof for Kaine. Could his ghost just be a 12-year-old girl with a crush who just can't seem to talk to him in homeroom? [WTOP] more ›

Prince William County is earning itself quite a perplexing reputation. Last Friday, while most of us were recovering from turkey hangovers, the Washington Post reported that Prince William, whose representatives in the Virginia House of Delegates have been instrumental in defeating bills to help pay for Northern Virginia transit improvements, will consider a bill placing a one year moratorium on new home construction. According to county officials quoted in the Post story, the move would... more ›

Though Virginia Governor Tim Kaine gave the proposal to tunnel Metro under Tysons a toe tag two months ago, a coalition of Northern Virginia businesses and residents remain determined to revive it. Even after a panel of experts endorsed the widely-favored tunnel, Kaine was forced to instruct transportation officials to move ahead with plans for overhead tracks, rather than risk almost $900 million, or a quarter of the project's total budget, in federal support. The... more ›

It's been a chaotic month for AOL employees. First came news that the Dulles-based online giant would be cutting 5000 jobs. Today, another shoe is dropping: the company's accidental release of customer search data has finally reached the fall guy phase, resulting in the departure of CTO Maureen Govern and, presumably, others. Here's hoping that those previously laid-off can at least extract a little schadenfreude from the fiasco. Macaca Misstep Takes Toll In Poll: Yesterday WUSA released a new poll, and the news it brings is not good for George Allen. The numbers show that the senator's lead over Democratic challenger James Webb has evaporated from nineteen percentage points to a mere three. Perhaps most stunningly (if not importantly, given their generally low turnout rates), Allen has suffered a 40-point swing among young people. The poll also brings great news for Virginia homophobes: the fall ballot's marriage amendment is poised to pass by a 2:1 margin. Post Mayoral Endorsement Looms: How's this for meta-journalism: we're about to note another news outlet's story about yet another news outlet's potential endorsement in the mayoral race. Pretty ridiculous, we know. Still, there's no denying that the Post's endorsement could be a big deal in the election, and NBC4 does a fine job laying out the case. As you might expect, they identify the middle of the pack — and Marie Johns in particular — as the biggest potential beneficiaries. But it's anyone's guess who'll actually get the nod. Blacksburg Manhunt Starts And Ends Tragically: WTOP reports on yesterday's fugitive spree near Virginia Tech. William Morva escaped from Montgomery Regional Hospital, allegedly killing security guard Derrick McFarland in the process and prompting the nearby university to cancel classes for the day. Morva was recaptured around 3:30 p.m., but not before Montgomery County Sheriff's Deputy Eric Sutphin's life had also been lost. The suspect is now being held at an unnamed regional facility. Traffic Study Prompts Controversy: The Post reports on a spat between Va. Governor Tim Kaine's administration and pro-growth forces in Loudoun. At the center of the dispute is a study conducted by VDOT and released last month that predicts traffic problems if the Dulles South development is allowed to proceed. The newly-formed Right Growth Policy Institute has now released a set of emails between the Kaine administration and study engineers demonstrating a hands-on approach aimed at enhancing the political consequences of the study. However, although the arrangement may have been shady, no one seems to be questioning the validity of the study's conclusions. Briefly Noted: Cropp releases another aggressively anti-Fenty flyer... Deadlock in Richmond over sentence for Arlington man... K-9 unit deployed to identify exact location of Wone murder... Virginia police handed out thousands of tickets last weekend... Georgetown jewelry store robbers were caught on tape... This Day In DCist: One year ago we profiled a jumbo slice alternative, nursed foolish dreams of a Nats playoff appearance, and penned a gloriously immature headline. Image posted to DCist Photos by Flickr user andertho more ›

We've all seen the signs around the District -- by city law, pedestrians in crosswalks without crossing signals have the right of way. But will we ever get caught zooming through intersections while pedestrians try to cross? According to the Post, we just might. Provoked by the 10 pedestrian deaths so far this year, police have started going undercover to enforce the District's pedestrian laws, often to the chagrin of city drivers oblivious to... more ›