Ralph K. Smith

The General Assembly has approved a compromise that promises the largest infusion of transportation dollars in 25 years.  The landmark legislation will generate more than 800 million dollars a year for road construction, maintenance and alternatives...

A final effort to modify Virginia’s mandatory ultrasound law was defeated Monday afternoon in what the sponsor of the legislation described as a “kangaroo court.” Members of the committee said the issue was decided last year, and they...

The prospects appear doomed in Virginia this year for Republican-backed legislation that would replace the state's winner-take-all method of apportioning presidential electoral votes with one that awards one vote to the winner of each congressional...

The wheels are turning as some Virginia lawmakers toss around the idea of raising Virginia's gas tax.  The last time The Commonweath saw the gas tax go up was 26 years ago. Given the fragile state of the economy, drivers say it's hard to imagine...

The power shift in the State Senate is bringing big changes on committees, and veteran Democrats from western Virginia are losing some of their plum assignments. Senator Creigh Deeds, (D) 25th District in Bath County says, "We used to be able to say that...

He hasn't filed the paperwork yet, but former State Senator Brandon Bell says he is 99 percent certain he will run again, and challenge Senator Ralph Smith, the man who defeated him four years ago.  Bell says it wouldn't be a grudge match, but he says...

With less than a month to go until Election Day, campaign season has kicked into high gear. Candidates for the General Assembly are now facing off in a series of debates and joint appearances.   The Senate race in the 21st Senate District pits the...

Brandon Bell served in the State Senate as a Republican. He's running against Senator Ralph Smith as an Independent.  And now Virginia Democrats are fueling his campaign with more than $200,000 in recent contributions. The latest campaign finance...

Virginia Democrats didn't field a candidate in the 19th District Senate race, but now they hope to tip the balance with a six figure contribution. In a race that pits Republican Ralph Smith against Independent Brandon Bell, Senate Democrats have...

NEWS7 has wall-to-wall coverage of tonight’s elections. Tune in toNEWS7 at 5, 6 and 11 on Your Hometown Station. Also catch NEWS7 at 10 on MY19. In between, we will be live streaming political analysis of tonight’s races with Roanoke...

Virginia lawmakers return to Richmond Monday to redraw the state's legislative districts, and two new plans released Tuesday night would have a major impact on how our part of Virginia is represented. Because of population growth in other areas,...

Roanoke NAACP President Brenda Hale drew on her experience as an army nurse, as she commented on the state's redistricting process Monday night. "Fractures hurt, so we don't want to hurt anybody," Hale said. Others attending a public hearing at Virginia...