News and Notes

From WVTF News...

Finding Homer's Odysseus - 9.2.10

Archaeiologists in Greece believe they've uncovered the ancient palace of Odysseus, the hero of Homer's epic. A classical studies professor in Virginia says we don't have to prove the epic was real for it to be relevant 3,000 years later. Thomas Pierce has the story.

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Plans to change hospital "boarding" - 9.2.10

The Virginia State Health Department acknowledges that there's been a problem for many years with "boarding" in hospitals. Boarding occurs when patients who have already been seen by emergency staff are left unattended for lengthy periods while they wait to be assigned to hospital beds. Now, the state is working with hospitals to develop plans to alleviate the problem. Tommie McNeil has more from our Richmond bureau.

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Farm tour - 9.2.10

Virginians love their farmers' markets. In Charlottesville, for example, as many as 5,000 visit on Saturdays. Last year, the downtown market reported over one million dollars in sales. This holiday weekend, farmers will show their gratitude by inviting consumers to visit them in the country. Sandy Hausman reports on what visitors can expect if they stop by.

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The Ice Road - 9.1.10

It was 71 years ago that Germany invaded Poland, leading to World War II. Nellysford resident Alice Faintich knows the date well. Her father was a child at the time and lived in Poland. The events that followed the invasion would take him on a life-changing journey to Siberia. WVTF's Sandy Hausman reports on a war story that few Americans have heard.

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Salem shop helps mine rescue - 8.31.10

A Salem metal shop's work could speed the rescue of 33 Chilean workers trapped underground for more than three weeks. WVTF's Jay King has details.

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DMV still down - 8.31.10

Virginians seeking renewal of drivers licenses will have to wait at least another day, thanks to a failure of state computers that affected 26 state agencies starting last Wednesday. Workers at the Virginia Information Technology Agency and the private contractor Northrop Grumman worked through the weekend and restored all but three agency systems, including repairs to damaged storage hardware. Anne Marie Morgan has more from our Richmond bureau.

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Job Concerns - 8.31.10

U.S. jobless rates have continued to remain high at 9.5%. While Virginia's 7% unemployment rate is better than the national average, many industry sectors in the Commonwealth are still not hiring. As Virginia Public Radio's Anne Marie Morgan reports from our Richmond bureau, businesses say they can't add more employees to their payrolls in a climate of uncertainty.

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Prescription drug abuse - 8.30.10

Drugs are a common problem in almost any community, but federal authorities say the issues in far southwestern Virginia are so unique that raids and arrests are not enough to solve the problem. WVTF's John Mongle has the story.

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Dan's Jam - 8.30.10

Daniel Perry of Charlottesville earns his living by making jam. With so many fruits and herbs on the market, he's creating some unusual new combinations. WVTF's Sandy Hausman has the story.

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Farm Therapy - 8.27.10

In the absence of great treatments for complex conditions such as autism and schizophrenia, many parents are turning to a surprising place for help with their children. Sandy Hausman reports on farm therapy.