News in Virginia


  • Psychologist says Evan Gargiulo, defendant in cabdriver's killing, was insane - A nationally known psychologist, who for decades has testified exclusively as a prosecution witness attacking defendants' claims of insanity, appeared for the defense in Fairfax County on Tuesday and said a man who fatally shot a cabdriver in Tysons Corner was insane.

  • Va. Senate passes governor's plan to expand charter schools - RICHMOND -- The Virginia Senate on Tuesday passed Gov. Robert F. McDonnell's proposal designed to expand the number of the state's charter schools.

  • Bump in unemployment rates seen as sign that jobseekers are back on market - Unemployment rates rose in the District, Maryland and Virginia in January, a shift that economists called a positive sign for the economy because it suggests that discouraged jobseekers are feeling more optimistic about their prospects and have resumed looking for work.

  • Governors, state school superintendents propose common academic standards - Several states are poised to adopt standards proposed Wednesday for what students should learn in English and math, a crucial step in President Obama's campaign to raise academic expectations across the country.


  • Obama renews backing of earthquake-stricken Haiti - President Obama pledged enduring U.S. support on Wednesday for Haiti's recovery and reconstruction following its devastating earthquake two months ago, and the visiting Haitian president urged the creation of a special U.N. disaster relief force.