Congress Considers Patch To Keep Helium Supply Afloat

The Senate is considering legislation to prevent a global helium shortage from worsening in October. That's when one huge supply of helium in the U.S. is set to terminate. The House overwhelmingly passed its own bill last month to keep the Federal Helium Program going.

That was a relief to industries that can't get along without helium. The gas is used in MRI machines, semiconductors, aerospace equipment, lasers and of course balloons.

Rat 'Mutton' And Bird Flu: Strange Days For Meat Eaters In Shanghai

The past couple of months have been unsettling ones for meat eaters in Shanghai.

In March, more than 16,000 dead pigs showed up in a stretch of the Huangpu River — a main source of the city's drinking water.

Afghans Confront Sensitive Issue Of Ethnicity

In Afghanistan, where most people are illiterate and live in areas without paved roads or regular electricity, a state-of-the-art smart-chip ID card may seem extravagant. But the government believes it can help with everything from census data to voter registration to health care.

The format of the proposed card, however, is fueling debate over ethnicity and identity at a time when anxiety is already high over the drawdown of NATO troops.

With Gorgeous Dorms But Little Cash, Colleges Must Adapt

Many high school seniors who are heading to college this fall have just paid their tuition deposits — the first real taste of what the college experience is going to cost them. These students are heading to school at a time that some consider a transformative moment for American colleges and universities. Costs are skyrocketing, and there are some real questions about what value college students are getting for their money.

Cantor's Rebranding Effort Tested By House Republicans

When the House votes Wednesday on a bill called the Working Families Flexibility Act, it will be the latest test of a Republican effort at rebranding.

The architect of that effort in the House, Majority Leader Eric Cantor, R-Va., has so far had a mixed record.

In February, Cantor gave a major policy speech at the American Enterprise Institute. His pitch: The Republican Party needed to broaden its message beyond the fiscal fights of the past two years.

Ladies, Want Women's Sports To Get More Attention? Pony Up

Fans of women's sports often maintain that female athletics get short shrift from the media, so it had to be something of a surprise gift when ESPN presented the start of the WNBA's draft live.

This happened as it was announced that after two abject failures in the past decade, yet another professional soccer league for women will dare venture forth in the United States.

Cuccinnelli Wants to Cut Taxes, Cap Spending

Craig Carper in News

In his first policy announcement in his campaign for governor, Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli discussed his economic agenda  yesterday at a frozen yogurt store in Richmond's Carytown.

Body Found in Chester Identified

John Ogle in News

Chesterfield Police have released the identity of the body found in the Tidewater Fibre Corporation’s recycling plant in Chester last week.

Petersburg President Urges Regional Chamber of Commerce

John Ogle in News

Jeff Kraus has been Chairman of the Petersburg Chamber of Commerce since January. He recently surprised business leaders at the chamber’s annual dinner with his support of a regional chamber.

Jeff Kraus is President of the Petersburg Chamber of Commerce.

Bike for the Blue Comes to Region

John Ogle in News

The 19th Annual Tri-Cities Law Enforcement Memorial Breakfast will happen at the Hopewell Moose Lodge on Western Street in Hopewell.