Articles by Kenric Ward

SocietyNews

Texas Governor Pledges to Sign Anti-Sanctuary City Bill

Kenric Ward | January 06, 2017

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott says he expects the Legislature to pass an anti-sanctuary city bill this year, opening a new front in the battle over… Read More

SocietyNews

Deported Immigrants Get Taxpayer-Funded Grants From Obama Administration

Kenric Ward | December 28, 2016

The Obama administration is using a taxpayer-funded program to award business grants to Salvadoran migrants deported from the United States. Run by the nonprofit Instituto… Read More

SocietyNews

Grounded Surveillance Operation Nabbed 110,000 Illegal Immigrants at Border

Kenric Ward | November 30, 2016

While surveillance helicopters were grounded in Texas, the head of Customs and Border Protection called the flights critical to “countering illegal immigration” from Mexico. Records… Read More

SecurityNews

Obama Administration Shuts Down Aerial Surveillance on Border

Kenric Ward | November 21, 2016

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security quietly shut down Operation Phalanx, an aerial surveillance program that intercepts drugs and illegal crossings along the Mexican border…. Read More

EconomyCommentary

Taxpayers on the Hook for New San Antonio Spurs Stadium

Kenric Ward | December 22, 2015

Chalk up another win for the San Antonio Spurs—another stadium deal at taxpayer expense. With $18 million from the city and Bexar County, the NBA… Read More

LawNews

Texas Democratic Party Chairman Defends Man Charged With Criminal Vote Fraud

Kenric Ward | October 16, 2015

The original headline incorrectly described the person facing criminal charges. A client of Texas Democratic Party Chairman Gilberto Hinojosa is facing 16 criminal charges of… Read More

EconomyNews

Food Truck Owners Are Fighting San Antonio in Court Over Regulations

Kenric Ward | October 08, 2015

Steaming mad at an ordinance targeting their business, four food truck vendors are hauling the city of San Antonio into court. Facing $2,000-a-day fines for… Read More

EconomyNews

Government Agency Under Scrutiny for $215 Million Building Renovation

Kenric Ward | January 19, 2015

Costly building renovations at the U.S. Consumer Financial Protection Bureau are raising more congressional concerns that the agency’s spending is out of control. A government… Read More

EconomyNews

Audit: Va. Department of Transportation Squandered Millions on Lousy Contractor

Kenric Ward | January 14, 2015

RICHMOND, Va. — A confidential audit found that the Virginia Department of Transportation wasted millions of tax dollars by failing to fine a nonperforming contractor…. Read More

SocietyNews

Immigration Group Urges Congress to Join States in Fight Against Immigration Executive Action

Kenric Ward | January 10, 2015

As 25 states sue the Obama administration over the president’s controversial executive amnesty order, an immigration group is urging Congress to join the fight on… Read More

SocietyNews

Virginia Attorney General Sits Out Fighting Obama Administration on Immigration Executive Action

Kenric Ward | January 09, 2015

RICHMOND, Va. — Virginia is sitting out the legal fight over President Obama’s controversial amnesty order, even though illegal immigration costs Virginians more than $1.8… Read More

EconomyNews

State Initiative Aims to Get Inspectors Out of Home Kitchens

Kenric Ward | January 02, 2015

BLAND, Va. — Virginians who try to sell homemade food from their kitchens are feeling the heat from state and local inspectors. “I have to… Read More

LawNews

Why Virginia Has More Traffic Lawyers Than Any Other State

Kenric Ward | December 27, 2014

RICHMOND, Va. — In a hurry this holiday? Beware that Virginia ranks as one of the toughest states on speeders, and police are proud of… Read More

EconomyNews

14 States Cut Taxes in 2014. Is Yours One of Them?

Kenric Ward | December 20, 2014

With Wisconsin leading the way, 14 states enacted “significant, broad-based tax cuts” in 2014, according to a report released this week. Surprisingly, several states controlled… Read More

EconomyNews

Six-Figure State Economic Deal May Net ‘One New Job’ for Virginia County

Kenric Ward | December 13, 2014

KING GEORGE, Va. — Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe boasts that his administration has closed a record 228 economic-development deals since the Democrat took office last January…. Read More

SocietyNews

Court Ruling Challenges Obama Immigration Action

Kenric Ward | December 06, 2014

In a ruling that could short-circuit one of President Obama’s executive actions on immigration, a federal court has allowed U.S. tech workers to challenge extensions… Read More

EconomyNews

Farmers Blast Governor’s Hunger Initiative

Kenric Ward | December 03, 2014

RICHMOND, Va. — Market-minded Virginia farmers aren’t buying into Gov. Terry McAuliffe’s government initiative aimed at feeding more hungry children. “If the governor really wants… Read More

 News

Lawmakers, Lobbyists Eye ‘Green’ Energy Subsidies in Lame-Duck Congress

Kenric Ward | December 01, 2014

As the lame-duck Congress limps to the finish line, billions of dollars in federal energy subsidies could be up for grabs. The perennial procrastination has solar… Read More

EconomyNews

Virginia Woman Admits to $7.2 Million Child-Credit Tax Scam

Kenric Ward | November 29, 2014

More than a year after it was reported the IRS sent thousands of refunds to the tiny town of Parksley, Va., a woman has pleaded… Read More

EconomyNews

Government Agency Under Scrutiny for Telework Abuse

Kenric Ward | November 22, 2014

The federal office that stripped the Washington Redskins’ trademark has lost control of its “teleworkers,” who are reportedly gaming the system on the taxpayers’ dime, according to recent… Read More

EnergyNews

Energy Group Warns US-China Climate Deal Will Hurt You in Long Run

Kenric Ward | November 15, 2014

China’s agreement to reduce coal emissions isn’t worth the paper it was printed on, an energy research group says. Noting that Beijing made no binding… Read More

EconomyNews

Tax Incentives for Certain Va. Businesses Driving State into Debt

Kenric Ward | November 13, 2014

RICHMOND, Va. — Tax incentives for selected businesses are driving Virginia deeper into debt, and House Speaker Bill Howell says he’s committed to curbing the special… Read More

LawNews

Potential Attorney General Nominee Criticized by Conservatives on Immigration

Kenric Ward | November 06, 2014

Eric Holder is on his way out, and the New York Post reports that President Obama is considering a surprising replacement: Alejandro Mayorkas, the man… Read More

SocietyCommentary

‘Integrity’ Panel Has Opportunity to Check Governor’s Use of Fund

Kenric Ward | November 01, 2014

RICHMOND — When Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe’s Commission to Ensure Integrity and Public Confidence compiles its legislative agenda, the panel could start by revoking one… Read More

EconomyNews

Virginia Braces for Aftershocks from Wallops Rocket Explosion

Kenric Ward | October 31, 2014

The failed launch and fiery explosion at the Wallops Island spaceport could blow up Virginia’s projected financial windfall at the commercial site. The state invested… Read More

EnergyNews

Power Company Fights with Farmers Over Private Property Needed for Pipeline

Kenric Ward | October 26, 2014

RICHMOND, Va. — Dominion Power is firing back at opponents by shooting down what it calls “myths” over the utility’s proposed Atlantic Coast Pipeline. A… Read More

LawNews

Why One Lawmaker Wants to Rein in Police Seizure of Your Property

Kenric Ward | October 20, 2014

FREDERICKSBURG, Va.—Blasting as “fundamentally un-American” the seizure of assets from citizens, a state lawmaker wants to rein in police powers in Virginia. Virginia law currently… Read More

EconomyNews

Buzz Kill? Richmond Puts Brewery on Public Tab

Kenric Ward | October 17, 2014

RICHMOND, Va. — Thirsty for jobs and good times, the city of Richmond is vowing to build a brewery on the James River. The estimated… Read More

SocietyNews

Independent Voters Hold Key in Maine Governor’s Race

Kenric Ward | October 01, 2014

AUGUSTA, Maine—Outspoken and under fire, Republican Gov. Paul LePage is in danger of losing his re-election bid. One of the most conservative governors in the… Read More

EnergyNews

Fracking Good Times: North Dakota Tops U.S. Income Gains

Kenric Ward | September 27, 2014

North Dakota leads the nation in personal income growth. No other state even comes close. From 2008 to 2012, North Dakotans’ per-capita income jumped 31… Read More