Four stories to follow in Virginia November 13, 2012 By Tharon Giddens What the Commonwealth’s political reporters should focus on now
Was it Obama’s policies—or the pie? November 5, 2012 By Tharon Giddens Romney ad blames president for Virginia BBQ chain’s closure; locals point to the food, competition
In Virginia, skirmishes in the voting wars November 1, 2012 By Tharon Giddens O’Keefe sting, trashed voter forms lead to some solid coverage
Awash in ads in Roanoke October 19, 2012 By Tharon Giddens At WDBJ, welcome transparency and a commitment to coverage—but room for improvement, too
Hey, big spender October 17, 2012 By Tharon Giddens Virginia’s Senate race is drawing major outside spending—Bob Perry’s million bucks included. Reporters here have more to do
Covering the role of coal in Virginia October 8, 2012 By Tharon Giddens Coal is central to the campaign message war and money story here—but reporting has not kept up
After VA Senate debate, how to cover Kaine’s gaffe? September 21, 2012 By Tharon Giddens While most outlets include some policy coverage, WashPost sticks with a strategy story
As Senate ad war heats up, time for press to step up September 20, 2012 By Tharon Giddens Readers need closer scrutiny of campaign messages in Kaine-Allen contest
To follow the political money: a wonderful tool September 6, 2012 By Tharon Giddens And Virginia’s newsrooms are under-using it
Checking the foundation of ‘We Built It’ August 30, 2012 By Tharon Giddens In many Virginia papers, coverage of McDonnell’s convention speech is a let-down
Last week’s GOP local TV blitz August 22, 2012 By Tharon Giddens What did candidates—and viewers—get from it?
A super resource on super PACs in Virginia August 16, 2012 By Tharon Giddens Early coverage puts VPAP database to good use, but there are opportunities to do more
Covering Paul Ryan’s big day in Virginia August 13, 2012 By Tharon Giddens The Times-Dispatch casts a wide net to deliver a strong package for its readers
In sports or politics, you can’t tell the players without a scorecard August 2, 2012 By Tharon Giddens Times-Dispatch coverage of voter registration controversy skimps on partisan angle
In VA, allegations of racism ignite a controversy July 27, 2012 By Tharon Giddens After national conservative media seize on a state senator’s words, local reporters pick up the story
Roanoke Times excels at campaign ‘event coverage’… July 18, 2012 By Tharon Giddens …But will the paper turn its resources toward the rhetoric?
Tracking campaign cash in the commonwealth July 10, 2012 By Tharon Giddens The Virginia Public Access Project helps political reporters and citizens follow the money
Political money talks. PolitiFact Virginia listens—and then talks back June 29, 2012 By Tharon Giddens As campaign ads swamp the Commonwealth, site aims to “explain what the facts are”
When ads attack in Virginia June 19, 2012 By Tharon Giddens Roanoke’s WSLS-TV, Hampton Roads’ Daily Press did more than repeat claims and counter-claims