All results / Stories / Michael Lee Pope
As Virginia Loses Federal Money, Debate Emerges About Fairfax County’s Course of Action
County leaders are not willing to go with the flow as feds change the rules.
Across Mount Vernon, large-scale 1960s-era parking lots dominate the landscape and flood the streams.
Neighbors Trump County Officials in Public Art Selection
Cherrydale and Maywood selected public art as part of development process.
Neighbors don’t usually get to select public art for their neighborhood, but few neighborhoods have the rich history and active civic associations of Cherrydale and Maywood.
Enrollment Spikes Again as Schools Prepare for Opening Day
Classrooms are packed to capacity throughout the city.
With the first day of school fast approaching for most of the city’s public schools, central administration officials are scrambling to respond to dramatic enrollment increases.
City Leaders Approve Plan to Demolish Jefferson-Houston and Construct New Facility
$45 million facility is seen as a way to revitalize long-struggling school.
The name “Jefferson-Houston” presents a paradox — a hyphenated marriage of slave-owner Thomas Jefferson and civil-rights leader Charles Houston.
Week in Alexandria
The field of Democratic candidates became more crowded this week, with two more candidates officially announcing their candidacies for the primary for City Council.
In Session
Alexandria’s Senate delegation is divided on the King’s Dominion Law, the 30-year-old mandate that prevents school systems from opening before Labor Day.
Week in Alexandria
In an emotional speech to the Alexandria Democratic Committee Monday night, four-term Del. David Englin (D-45) said he will not seek reelection to the House of Delegates next year.
Alexandria: Will Carluccio's Beat Site’s Jinx?
Long-shuttered landmark at 100 King has storied past.
The jinx of 100 King St. dates back to the Corn Exchange, the ill-fated original purpose of the building. When grain merchants failed, the soaring 25-foot ceilings were used as retail space to sell groceries and feedstuffs. Ground-floor retail space was reserved for Diamond tires in the 1920s. Since that time, the building has business after business open and close. More recent years have seen the landmark building boarded up and seemingly abandoned. Now London-based Carluccio's is hoping to break the curse of 100 King, opening its first American location here in Old Town.
Aquatics Facility Underwater
County officials delay $80 million facility after construction bids bust the budget.
Construction bids came in "significantly higher" than estimates, so she would not be bringing the construction contract to the County Board in early 2014 as expected. Now county officials have launched an investigation to determine why the bids were so high and what the county's next steps should be.
Week in Alexandria
It’s been almost 40 years since the Richard Nixon administration filed a series of lawsuits against property owners along the waterfront.
Week in Alexandria
The waterfront is no stranger to debate, and now another potential clash is brewing.
Blitzkrieg Special Election for Arlington House Seat
Democrats to choose House of Delegates candidate this weekend.
Democrats are preparing for a lightning-fast special election this weekend, a caucus that will choose the party's candidate for the House of Delegates seat vacated by longtime Del. Bob Brink (D-46).
Streetcar To Take Center Stage in Special Election
House of Delegates special election to focus renewed attention on streetcar issue.
When voters in the 48th House District head to the polls on Aug. 19 to select a candidate in a special election to replace longtime Del. Bob Brink (D-48), the Columbia Pike Streetcar proposal will once again be on the ballot.
Victims of Tribe-For-Rent Scam to Get $15 Million Payout in Settlement Agreement
15,000 Virginia victims get $6 million worth of predatory loans absolved, $9 million in cash awards.
The commercial features images of teepees and a tribal drumbeat. The company billed itself as having ties to the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe in South Dakota. But Virginia Attorney General Mark Herring says that was nothing more than a fraud, a scheme he calls rent-a-tribe.
Trio of Challengers on the Ballot to Challenge Moran This November
Republican, Independent Green and independent offer a variety of options for voters.
A trio of challengers will oppose longtime U.S. Rep. Jim Moran (D-8) this November, although the Northern Virginia district is solidly blue and not considered competitive.
From Medicaid to Broadband, Northern Virginia Lawmakers Prepare for Raucous Session
Democrats plan to use new numbers to accomplish wide-ranging agenda.
This year’s General Assembly will be like no other. For starters, members walking the halls of the Capitol will look different. The crop of freshman includes the first transgender woman to serve in the Virginia General Assembly, the first lesbian, the first Asian-American women and the first two Latinas. Gone are the 12 Republican members who were unseated, all white males. Also gone are the three members who got out before the bloodbath that flipped their seats from red to blue, also all white males. In their place is a diverse and young group of new members who are eager to make their mark on the commonwealth.
An Election about Elections
Voters to determine how redistricting works next year.
When Republicans were in charge of drawing political boundaries for the General Assembly and Congress, Democrats supported an amendment to the Virginia Constitution creating a new mapmaking commission. The idea was to take the power of political gerrymandering out of the hands of the majority and hand it over to a group that wouldn’t be quite so focused on screwing the opposition. But then Democrats seized control of the General Assembly, and most House Democrats flip flopped on the issue.
Seven Republicans Running for Governor
May 8 convention to determine direction of party heading into November.
Republicans haven’t won a statewide race since 2009, when Attorney General Bob McDonnell received 59 percent of the vote against Democrat Creigh Deeds. Since then, Republicans have been shut out of the Executive Mansion. Ken Cuccinelli lost to Terry McAuliffe in 2013, and Ed Gillespie lost to Ralph Northam in 2017. Now Republicans are about to determine their statewide candidates in a May 8 convention, which will take place at 37 locations.