The Virginia Parole Board last year granted parole in less than 4 percent of the cases it considered. Even old men – prisoners in their 70s and 80s who have served decades behind bars – were routinely denied parole.

Virginia drivers should get used to hitting “send” on their phones before they get behind the wheel of their vehicle. Beginning July 1, a new state law will crack down on texting while driving. Gov. Bob McDonnell approved the law Monday but recommended that the General Assembly reduce the proposed fines for violators.

Gov. Bob McDonnell got what he asked for: a state-run school board to take over failing schools.

Legislation cracking down on texting while driving is only Gov. Bob McDonnell’s signature away from become law after passing the Senate on Tuesday.

Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli issues a blistering attack on federal policies in his book “The Last Line of Defense: The New Fight for American Liberty.” As the book was released this week, it was promoted as “a must-read for every patriot.”

A constitutional amendment allowing the state to take over a failing school narrowly survived the Senate Privileges and Elections Committee and is now before the full Senate.

The day after bills to crack down on texting while driving passed in both the House and Senate, a bipartisan coalition of legislators came together to urge their colleagues to complete the process of turning the measures into law.

Members of the House and Senate are optimistic that at least some of the 10 bills to crack down on texting while driving will make it past the legislative deadline called crossover day.

Here is Sam Isaac’s live-blog of the Richmond Times-Dispatch’s Public Square community forum about gun issues.

A bipartisan group of 10 Virginia House members has sent a letter to the state’s congressional delegation, urging the federal legislators to join in opposing the Virginia Department of Transportation’s plans to charge tolls on Interstate 95.

In January, Norfolk Democrat Kenny Alexander replaced the late Yvonne Miller in the Virginia Senate. On Thursday, Alexander finally got his committee assignments: He received seats on three of the four committees on which Miller served. But Miller’s most important assignment – a seat on the Senate Finance Committee – was given to a Republican, in what Democrats called partisan politics.

A Senate subcommittee tied 3-3 Tuesday on proposed constitutional amendments to restore the voting rights of nonviolent felons who’ve completed their sentences.

Gov. Bob McDonnell and other key Republicans, as well as Democratic legislators, say they are disappointed that a House subcommittee today killed proposals to automatically restore the voting rights of nonviolent felons who have served their prison sentences.

Delegate Kirk Cox of Colonial Heights says he supports Gov. Bob McDonnell’s plan to overhaul the system for funding transportation in Virginia and to pump more money into projects especially in Northern Virginia and Hampton Roads.

Delegate Rosalyn Dance of Petersburg gave Gov. Bob McDonnell a standing ovation when he announced his support for restoring the voting rights of nonviolent felons during his State of the Commonwealth address this week.