Judge in Va. sentences Miami businessman to 100 years for $126M scheme that defrauded hundreds

RICHMOND, Va. — A Miami businessman who stole $126 million from hundreds of people across the country was sentenced to 100 years in federal prison Tuesday after a judge heard three hours of wrenching, often tearful testimony from eight victims.

Volkswagen of America July sales rise by less than 1 pct on diesel sales, ‘Clunkers’ program

HERNDON, Va. — Volkswagen of America Inc., a subsidiary of Wolfsburg, Germany-based Volkswagen AG, said Monday its July sales rose by less than 1 percent as its diesel cars posted strong sales and consumers took advantage of the government’s Cash-for-Clunkers program.

Obama celebrates new GI Bill, improved education benefits for post-9/11 servicemembers, vets

FAIRFAX, Va. — President Barack Obama said Monday a new GI Bill for those who fought in Iraq and Afghanistan is an investment in both a new generation of veterans and the future of America.

Back on campaign trail, Obama has same style, faces more complicated opponent on health care

BRISTOL, Va. — At times, it seems like Barack Obama has time-traveled back to last summer when he was simply a Democrat running for the White House. Only now, he’s the president facing a more complicated objective and opponent as he campaigns to overhaul the nation’s costly and convoluted health care system.

First lady Michelle Obama thanks military families in Virginia and calls for public support

NORFOLK, Va. — First lady Michelle Obama is calling military families “quiet heroes” and urging the public to support them.

Rosetta Stone posts second-quarter loss on special items

ARLINGTON, Va. — Language education company Rosetta Stone Inc. reported a second-quarter loss due to several special items.

Jury begins deliberations in corruption trial of ex-congressman found with cash in freezer

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — Jury deliberations have started in the corruption trial of a former Louisiana congressman who gained notoriety after FBI agents found $90,000 hidden in his freezer.

Brink’s 2nd-quarter profit drops 58 percent to $20.3 million as sales slide

RICHMOND, Va. — Armored car company Brink’s Co. said Thursday that its second-quarter profit plunged 58 percent to $20.3 million as sales slipped nearly 6 percent.

Gov says some kin of Va Tech shooting victims don’t want state review panel renewed

RICHMOND, Va. — Virginia Gov. Tim Kaine says not all relatives of the 32 people slain at Virginia Tech want a state panel that reviewed the massacre reconvened.

Obama greeted in Va. by protesters against health care overhaul, tries to allay some concerns

BRISTOL, Va. — President Barack Obama was greeted by about 200 people protesting his health care overhaul at a Virginia supermarket Wednesday and he told workers that the government was not taking over the system.

Jury to begin deciding whether ex-congressman Jefferson is guilty of taking $400,000 in bribes

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — Ex-congressman William Jefferson was a political rock star in west Africa who was willing to wield his influence for financial benefit, but that is not a crime, his defense lawyer told a jury Wednesday.

Prosecutors say $90,000 found in freezer was only the latest bribery scheme by ex-congressman

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — Prosecutors say the $90,000 cash found in the freezer of a former Louisiana congressman was just the most recent bribe money he’d received.

Alexandria police chief resigns after drunken driving charges

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — Alexandria Police Chief David Baker is resigning following his arrest on drunken driving charges.

Va. police chief resigns after being charged with DUI at more than twice the legal limit

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — The police chief of a Virginia city is resigning after he was accused of drunken driving at more than twice the legal limit.

Families of Virginia Tech victims want state to reopen investigation of 2007 mass shootings

ROANOKE, Va. — Families of the Virginia Tech shooting victims asked Gov. Tim Kaine on Tuesday to reopen a state commission’s investigation of the 2007 mass killings in which 32 people died.

Va. Tech Institute: Texting while driving much more dangerous than talking on cell phones

BLACKSBURG, Va. — Texting while driving increases the risk of a crash much more than previous studies have concluded with motorists taking their eyes off the road longer than they do when talking or listening on their cell phones, a safety research institute said Monday.

Michelle Obama cuts ribbon on Va. community health center aided by federal stimulus funds

BOWLING GREEN, Va. — First lady Michelle Obama promoted the work of community health centers on Monday, saying they have a critical place in her husband’s effort to overhaul how the nation delivers health care.

US man who joined al-Qaida gets life for then-President George W. Bush assassination plot

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — A U.S. man who became an al-Qaida terrorist while attending college in Saudi Arabia and plotted to assassinate then-President George W. Bush was defiant Monday as he was sentenced to life in prison.

Year-round skiing in Virginia opening Aug. 29

LYNCHBURG, Va. — August wouldn’t come to mind as the right time of year for skiing, unless you were headed to South America.

Alexandria, Va., police chief charged with drunken driving at more than twice the legal limit

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — The police chief of a Virginia city is accused of driving drunk at more than twice the legal blood-alcohol limit.

Closing arguments near in bribery trial of ex-congressman accused of hiding cash in freezer

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — Defense lawyers for a former Louisiana congressman accused of taking bribes and found with $90,000 in cash in his freezer presented their side to a federal jury Thursday in a matter of hours.

Attorney says Former La. congressman Jefferson not expected to testify at his bribery trial

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — A former Louisiana congressman accused of taking hundreds of thousands of dollars in bribes will not testify in his defense at his bribery trial, his lawyer said Wednesday.

Altria 2Q profit up and co. hikes forecast as cuts help offset falling cigarette volumes

RICHMOND, Va. — Even though Americans bought fewer cigarettes in the second quarter, profit rose 9 percent at Altria Group Inc., owner of the nation’s biggest cigarette maker, Philip Morris USA, as the company cut costs and integrated a recently acquired smokeless tobacco maker.

Missing mental health records of Va. Tech gunman found at former university official’s home

RICHMOND, Va. — Missing mental health records of Virginia Tech gunman Seung-Hui Cho have been discovered in the home of the university clinic’s former director, according to a memo obtained by The Associated Press on Wednesday.

Virginia governor: Mental health records of Tech gunman, missing from university, now found

RICHMOND, Va. — Missing mental health records for Virginia Tech gunman Seung-Hui Cho have been found more than two years after the massacre, Virginia Gov. Tim Kaine said Wednesday.

Altria 2Q profit rises as lower expenses help offset dip in cigarettes sold, hikes forecast

RICHMOND, Va. — Altria Group Inc., owner of the nation’s biggest cigarette maker Philip Morris USA, said Wednesday that its second-quarter profit rose 9 percent partly as lower corporate expenses and the impact of an acquisition helped offset a decline in the number of cigarettes it sold.

Altria Group 2nd-quarter profit rises on acquisition, lower expenses, higher cigarette sales

RICHMOND, Va. — Altria Group Inc., owner of Philip Morris USA, said Wednesday that its second-quarter profit rose 9 percent partly on lower corporate expenses, an acquisition and improved cigarette sales.

Va. gov. made 14 trips as national Democratic chair in ‘09; GOP questions work for state

RICHMOND, Va. — Records released Tuesday showed Virginia Gov. Timothy M. Kaine took 14 trips as Democratic National Committee chairman during the first six months of 2009, travel that came under scrutiny after state Republicans questioned whether he was neglecting state duties for party business.

Philip Morris Int’l reports 2Q earnings as global tobacco consumption growth expected

RICHMOND, Va. — Cigarette maker Philip Morris International Inc. is scheduled to report third-quarter results Thursday. The following is a summary of key developments and analyst opinion related to the period.

Sheila Johnson, BET co-founder and largely Democratic donor, backs GOP’s McDonnell for Va. gov

RICHMOND, Va. — A billionaire co-founder of the Black Entertainment Television network who is also a key Democratic donor has endorsed Republican Bob McDonnell for Virginia governor.