Sandy Hausman

Red bricks covered with ivy have long been seen as a part of Virginia’s charm, but scientists in Richmond warn the vines are taking over – posing a threat to other plants in the state, and they want citizens to do their part in getting ivy under control.
 

With cooler weather here, many people look forward to new fashions – designs that often come from Paris, New York or Rome.  But fashions are also changing in the kitchens of Virginia, with new dishes and ingredients popping up on menus.

There are about 40,000 missing people in this country, and for 27 years UVA graduate student Pat Collins was one of them. 

Some felt sure he was kidnapped or murdered, but campus police disagreed.  Two Charlottesville writers appear to have solved the mystery.

State Police continue their investigation of a crash that claimed the life of one Washington and Lee University student and injured seven others. 

Three remain in the hospital, and the university held a vigil Tuesday evening.

The tragedy occurred on a rural road outside Lexington.

“Around 1:30 this morning, on Turkey Hill Road, which is in Rockbridge County, a 2006 Tahoe was traveling southbound when the vehicle ran off the left side of the roadway, hit a tree stump and overturned," said Sgt. Robert Carpentieri.

The Supreme Court is now weighing a case that could put an end to limits on individual campaign contributions. 

Backers of the idea argue that as long as the donation is disclosed, the risk of corruption is minimal, but another view has emerged from the University of Virginia Law School.

By law, individuals can give no more than $48,600 per election cycle to federal candidates, but businessman Shawn McKutcheon objects.  He says it’s his First Amendment right to give as much as he wants to as many candidates as he likes.