Matthew Leonard

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VCU prepares for UCI championships

Matt Leonard Online Content Editor As this semester comes to a close, VCU has its eyes on September when thousands of spectators plan to watch the Union Cycliste Internationale bike race rip through Richmond. The River City was selected to host the event in 2011, beating out Muscat, Oman and Quebec City, Canada.

As coal industry wanes, so does population

Print this page By Matt Leonard | Capital News Service New census numbers show the southwestern region of Virginia is struggling to hold and attract residents, as the population dropped in almost every locality west of Blacksburg this decade. The city of Norton was the only bright spot in the region, showing slight growth.

Proposal would let Dominion hike electric bills -- FairfaxTimes.com

RICHMOND - Dominion Virginia Power would be allowed to avoid state regulation for eight years while having the ability to raise consumers' electric bills, if the General Assembly passes a bill before the Senate Committee on Commerce and Labor.

BOV considers possible $1,004 fall tuition hike

Matt Leonard Online Content Editor VCU's senior leadership proposed two options for tuition increases that will affect students differently at last week's Board of Visitors meeting. The proposals include either a 2.77 percent ($344) or 3.02 percent ($374) tuition increase.

Buying the board room

Matt Leonard Online Content Editor Eight of the 16 Virginia Commonwealth University board members have donated funds to the respective governors who appointed them to their posts on the university's governing board of visitors. Over their careers the eight men on VCU's board have donated almost $2 million to politicians or political committees.

State GOP Chairman Hopes to Unite Party

Loudoun attorney John Whitbeck says he has been preparing for the job. By Matt Leonard Capital News Service As the newly elected chairman of the Republican Party of Virginia, John Whitbeck wants to unite a frayed political organization and increase its fundraising efforts.

Richmond protest of Ferguson decision continues

Matt Leonard Online Content Editor The Richmond community on Tuesday afternoon continued their stance of solidarity with Michael Brown, an 18-year old African American who was fatally shot by a white cop. The gathering and the march were organized late November to align with the grand jury's decision on indicting the officer who shot Brown, Darren Wilson.

VCU faculty compensation lagging behind in-state peers

VCU faculty salaries are not competitive and individuals are appealing to administration and the Board of Visitors for change. A report from the 2014 BOV budget retreat placed VCU faculty within the 31st percentile for salary compensation compared to their peers nationally.

Former governor faces two years in prison

Matt Leonard Online Content Editor The former governor of Virginia, Bob McDonnell, will begin a two-year prison sentence on Feb. 9. McDonnell and his wife, Maureen McDonnell, were found guilty of corruption charges in September. They had been using the influence of the governor's mansion to acquire gifts and favors from former Star Scientific, Inc.

Same-sex marriage legalized in Va., VCU professor first to marry in RVA

A banner had been hung at the front of her Monday 7 p.m. class that read "Congratulations, Nicole," and her students cheered for her as she entered the room. This came just hours after VCU social work professor Nicole Pries and her partner, Lindsey Oliver, became the first same-sex couple to be married in the state of Virginia.

Va. legislators ease cuts to VCU, education budgets

Matt Leonard Online Content Editor Earlier this month governor Terry McAuliffe announced budget reductions that will directly affect Virginia higher education. At the VCU Board of Visitors meeting last week President Michael Rao said the losses won't be as significant as originally expected.

VCU soccer players serving 10 days in jail

Matt Leonard Online Content Editor A ten day jail sentence began on Wednesday for three former VCU soccer players who pled guilty to the unlawful filming of a minor. Donovan Arias, Finnlay Wyatt and Bobby Hopper were all given a 150 day jail sentence with 140 days suspended for two years.

VCU PD accredited with gold-standard for campus safety

The VCU Police Department received official notice of accreditation from the International Association of Campus Law Enforcement Administrators on Sept. 9. The process, which typically takes three years, took the department only 18 months. "There is really a decision-making process when deciding who you want to be accredited by," said Shana Mell, the accreditation manager at VCU PD.

Va. hospitals, MCV continue fight for medicaid expansion

VCU continues to lobby for Virginia to expand Medicaid after the GOP killed an expansion bill on Sept. 18. The Affordable Care Act created a health care exchange where insurance buyers could compare options and provide subsidies to those who qualified.