Michael Lee Pope | Stories

Back to profile

Michael Lee Pope

Stories by Michael Lee

Aquatics Center On the Ballot

State-of-the-art facility to be considered by voters this fall.

When they head to the polls this November, voters may be thinking of Ryan Lochte and Michael Phelps.

Tease photo

Known and Unknown: What Would Candidates Do In Richmond If Elected?

Two candidates in special election say they don't know what bills they would introduce next year.

Voters in next week’s special election will be faced with a choice between the familiar and the unknown in the Sept. 4 special election.

Tease photo

Hidden History of St. Asaph Racetrack

Del Ray was once home to an infamous gambling operation creating by a double-dealing senator.

You’d never know it today, but Del Ray was once the capital of gambling in Northern Virginia.

Tease photo

Three-Way Race for the House of Delegates Special Election

Voters to choose between Democrat, Republican and Libertarian in lightning-fast campaign.

Voters in the special election for the House of Delegates have a variety of choices, offering candidates on the left and the right and somewhere in between.

Tease photo

Arlington Voters to Determine Fate of Capital-Improvement Projects This November

From a new aquatics center to paving roads, bond initiatives tend to be popular.

It’s been more than 20 years since a bond referendum failed in Arlington, an indication of how popular the spending items are with voters in the county.

Tease photo

Should Virginia Compensate for Dark Days of Eugenics?

Del. Patrick Hope (D-44) asks governor and General Assembly to form a task force.

The number of victims is unknown in Virginia’s system of forced sterilization, a dark chapter that stretched from the 1920s into the 1970s.

Tease photo

A Stark Choice: Candidates in Special Election Are on Opposite Sides of Key Issues

Voters to choose between radically different views in September.

The summer of 2012 is turning out to be the hottest political season in recent memory, and not just because of the record-breaking temperatures.

Tease photo

Lightning Campaign Pits Longtime Elected Official Against Progressive Newcomer

Democrats to determine special election candidate this weekend.

This week, Democrats will determine their candidate in a special election blitz campaign that offers little time for voters to learn much about their options.

Tease photo

After Years of Construction, a New Jones Point Park Emerges from Orange Cones

Southernmost point of the District of Columbia gets a makeover.

Now, after more than a decade hidden behind a veil of orange cones, Jones Point Park is ready to once again take its place among the premier city parks.

Tease photo

Consumer Confidence on the Rise in Washington Region

Survey participants perceive regional economy better than broader national picture.

Consumer confidence is on the rise, according to results of a new survey by the Greater Washington Board of Trade.

Tease photo

Inaction May Cause Federal Officials to Create Health-Care Exchange for Virginia

January 2013 is the deadline for the commonwealth to create authority for exchange.

Virginia is suffering from deadline fever, although Republican Gov. Bob McDonnell is calling for a second opinion.

Tease photo

Despite Failing Grade on Transparency, Law Enforcement Officials Resist Opening Access

Advocates for public access remain frustrated by persistent lack of transparency.

Back in March, Virginia received a failing grade from the State Integrity Investigation as the result of a systematic lack of transparency.

Tease photo

Even in Closed Cases, Police Maintain Culture of Secrecy

Public must rely on information police agencies choose to share, even if it's wrong.

In December of 2008, the Fairfax Police Department chased 19-year-old Hailu Brook across the county line into Arlington and shot him dead.

Tease photo

Arlington and Alexandria Agree to Move in Different Directions on Corridor

Street car to move forward in Arlington; its future is uncertain in Alexandria.

Some say time heals all wounds. For leaders in Arlington and Alexandria, it may also be the solution to a disagreement about how to move forward with a regional transit system.

Tease photo

Ballston Residents Concerned New Theater Could Become Financial Drain

Will Virginia Square black box become a black hole similar to Artisphere?

When the Arlington County Board approved a new nine-story mixed-use commercial building in Virginia Square earlier this year, it was a deal that seemed too good to be true.

Tease photo

Voters to Determine Republican and Democratic Candidates for House and Senate

Low turnout expected in June 12 primary.

Election officials are expecting an extremely low turnout for the June 12 primary, ranging from 3 percent in Arlington to 15 percent in Alexandria.

Tease photo

Arlington County to Create New Group Homes in Wake of Federal Settlement

Local jurisdictions scrambling to adjust to closing of training centers.

Ever since a federal judge issued a ruling earlier this year to close Virginia’s training centers, members of the Arlington Community Services Board have been struggling to figure out what’s next. Right now, there are more questions than answers. And time is running out.

Tease photo

A Street Runs Through It

Effort to reduce stormwater runoff moves to the median.

Drivers along Patrick Henry Drive can see the Arlington County’s latest attempt at combating pollution from stormwater runoff. From the road, it may look like a few rocks and plants in the median. But county officials say the bioretention system is a “green streets” project aimed at absorbing and retaining pollutants rather than sending them into to Chesapeake Bay.

Tease photo

Arlington Launches New Pilot to Clean Stormwater Runoff in Medians

Patrick Henry Drive is the first project; many will follow in coming months.

Drivers along Patrick Henry Drive can see the Arlington County’s latest attempt at combating pollution from stormwater runoff.

Tease photo

First-time Candidate Versus Longtime Congressman

Former Navy pilot hopes to defeat Moran with charges of conflict of interest.

Former Navy pilot Bruce Shuttleworth’s campaign to oust U.S. Rep. Jim Moran (D-8) in the Democratic primary is fashioned as an indictment, a campaign in which the issues are framed as an attack on the incumbent.

First-time Candidate Takes on Longtime Congressman

Former Navy pilot hopes to defeat Moran with charges of conflict of interest.

Former Navy pilot Bruce Shuttleworth’s campaign to oust U.S. Rep. Jim Moran (D-8) in the Democratic primary is fashioned as an indictment, a campaign in which the issues are framed as an attack on the incumbent. The first-time candidate hopes to knock off the 10-term congressman by describing him an insider who uses his power to help campaign contributors and himself.

Tease photo

Potential Compromise Emerges in Corridor Dispute Between Arlington and Alexandria

Is a treaty of Four Mile Run in the works to iron out differences between neighboring jurisdictions?

Back in October 2010, Northern Virginia Streetcar Coalition chairman Tim Lovain feared what he called a “disaster” on the horizon — transit corridor commuters may be facing a day when they would have to get off an Arlington streetcar and board an Alexandria bus.

Tease photo

Northern Virginia Bill Signing Puts Human Trafficking and Domestic Violence in Spotlight

A rare moment of bipartisanship between Republican governor and Democratic legislators.

Strangulation will be punished more aggressively to combat violence against women. Campus police will work with other police agencies to crack down on domestic violence of unmarried couples. And the telephone number for a human trafficking hotline will be placed in the restrooms at strip clubs across Virginia.

Treaty of Four Mile Run?

A potential compromise to ongoing dispute between Arlington and Alexandria.

Back in October 2010, Northern Virginia Streetcar Coalition chairman Tim Lovain feared what he called a "disaster" on the horizon — transit corridor commuters may be facing a day when they would have to get off an Arlington streetcar and board an Alexandria bus.

Tease photo

Arlington and Alexandria Fighting for Limited Pool of Federal Funds

One wants federal money for Columbia Pike, the other wants funds for Potomac Yard.

Arlington County and the City of Alexandria are each vying for an increasingly limited amount of federal transportation funding, leading to a conflict between the neighboring jurisdictions.

Labeling Energy Performance of Public Buildings

Buildings in Arlington are about to become green with envy. A new county program is now installing energy performance labels in the lobby of government buildings, and Arlington officials say they want to expand the program to private buildings. The pilot would be voluntary, potentially attracting companies that want to draw attention to buildings designed for efficiency. In the long run, though, the idea is that people would take a different approach to what kind of information is available to the public.

Tease photo

Tensions Rising Between Arlington and Alexandria Over Transit Corridor

Alexandria leaders lash out at Arlington officials for backing out of an environmental analysis.

Tensions between Alexandria and Arlington are growing along Route 1, where city and county leaders are moving in different directions about how the jurisdictions want to create a high-capacity transit corridor.

Council Notebook

Mayor Bill Euille is asking his colleagues on the City Council to refrain from answering questions about where they think the Potomac Yard Metro should be located.

Tease photo

Arlington County Hopes Energy Labels Will Change Business-As-Usual Attitude

Pilot program starts with government buildings, then moves on to private buildings.

Buildings in Arlington are about to become green with envy.

Tease photo

Do Backyard Hens Pose Threat to Public Health in Arlington?

Here's the scoop on potential hazards of proposed zoning change.

Do backyard hens pose a risk to public health in Arlington? That question will be at the center of a debate now taking place in the county.

Scoop on Chickens in Arlington

Do backyard hens pose threat to public health in Arlington?

Do backyard hens pose a risk to public health in Arlington? That question will be at the center of a debate now taking place in the county. This week, members of the Urban Agriculture Task force will conduct their first meeting. In the next year, the newly created group is expected to craft a resolution for the County Board on what kind of zoning changes — if any — should take place to ease restrictions on backyard hens.

Tease photo

Federal Prosecutors Uncover Schoolyard Prostitution Ring in Suburban Fairfax County

U.S. Attorney: Underground Gangster Crips led prostitution ring that spanned Northern Virginia.

The high school girls were threatened with violence if they attempted to leave. They were sexually exploited by customers of the sex trafficking operation as well as the men who ran the prostitution ring.

Tease photo

Alexandria and Arlington at odds Over Streetcars Versus Bus-Rapid Transit

Transit riders could have to get off the Arlington streetcar to board an Alexandria bus.

Arlington and Alexandria planning officials are moving in different directions along Route One.

Tease photo

Video: Englin Admits to Being Unfaithful in Marriage; Announces He Will Not Seek Fifth Term

Delegate makes announcement in emotional speech to Alexandria Democratic Committee

In an emotional speech to the Alexandria Democratic Committee Del. David Englin (D-45) announced he will not seek a fifth term to the Virginia House of Delegates.

Tease photo

The Rise and Fall and Rise of Commercial Property in Arlington

Was instability in property values caused by the Pentagon?

When the market tanked, Arlington’s residential market remained flat when the rest of the country was in freefall.

Tease photo

Arlington County Board Considers New Housing Grants

Expanded program would help increasing number of people in poverty.

For Arlington’s poorest residents, the recession is far from over.

Tease photo

Virginia Officials Deliberately Moving Slowly on Health Care Exchange

If Supreme Court upholds health-care reform, governor would have to call special session.

Virginia has eight months to create a certification plan for how it plans to create a health-care exchange, a legal requirement of President Barack Obama’s Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.

Business Matters

How far did the empire of Orange Julius reach? What’s the capital of Banana Republic? Is Aeropostale aerodynamic?

Tease photo

Stakes Are High in Virginia Budget Standoff

Lawmakers flee Capitol, where partisan gridlock reigns.

The budget standoff in Richmond could have drastic consequences in Northern Virginia, where every service from education to transportation is on the line.

Tease photo

Local Governments Enjoy Record Spending

Bucking national trend, local governments here expand while others are contracting.

As local governments across America are laying off firefighters and teachers, governments in Northern Virginia are experiencing record levels of spending and an all-time-high number of employees.

Tease photo

Not-So-Super Tuesday

Turnout for Virginia's presidential preference primary was lowest in recent memory.

With two of the major candidates in the Republican presidential contest failing to qualify for the ballot in Virginia, Super Tuesday was anything but super.

Tease photo

State Senate Committee Kills Effort to Overturn King's Dominion Law

School boards were encouraged by support from governor, but couldn't win over Senate committee.

The Senate Committee on Education and Health voted today to kill an effort overturning the King's Dominion Law, which mandates that school divisions across Virginia begin classes after Labor Day.

Tease photo

Governments Across Virginia Hope to Kill Local Aid to the State Program

Jurisdictions hope to kill funding scheme created at height of recession.

In the darkest days of the global financial crisis, leaders in Richmond were willing to do almost anything to balance the budget.

Tease photo

Arlington Superintendent Suggests Raising Class Sizes to Balance Budget

$493.8 million spending plan represents a 4 percent increase over last year’s budget.

With Arlington’s classrooms bursting at the seams, school officials say there’s no end in sight.

Tease photo

Voters to Have Final Say on Eminent Domain Amendment

Opinions are divided as to what kind of influence the amendment could have if passed.

This fall, voters across Virginia will be confronted with a hotly debated amendment to the Virginia Constitution that seeks to limit the ability of local governments to use the power of eminent domain.

Tease photo

House Rejects Amendment Requiring Consent for Ultrasound Procedures

Effort was reaction to bill requiring women seeking abortions to undergo transvaginal ultrasound.

The effort to require women seeking abortions to undergo an ultrasound has also sparked some of the most heated debate in Richmond this year.

Tease photo

Virginia Commonwealth Transportation Board Steps Out of the Jazz Age

Bill would increase representation for Northern Virginia, Richmond and Hampton Roads.

For almost a century, the Commonwealth Transportation Board has been partying like it was 1922.

Tease photo

Bill Would Set Aside Unallocated Money for Preschool Funding

Effort seen as way to use money for preschool rather than returning it to the general fund.

Every year, millions of dollars worth of preschool funding goes unused. Here in Alexandria, for example, Virginia offered $1.6 million worth of matching funds for preschool programs in the city.

Tease photo

Tightening Asbestos Regulations

Bill protecting workers passes Senate with unanimous vote.

It’s a dirty job, but somebody’s got to do it. Yet labor advocates say the people who are licensed to remove asbestos may not be fully aware of the dangers posed by toxic chemicals.

Tease photo

Arlington County Board to Consider More Changes to Sign Ordinance

Elected officials to consider commercial signs along roadsides.

For Dan Magnolia, the headache of dealing with Arlington County government is a sign of the times. Visitors to his business in south Arlington are likely to see a four-foot by three-foot sign announcing the business.