The Virginian-Pilot and The Ledger-Star, Norfolk, VA

Bowled Over.

2011 was the year that saw the toppling of leaders around the globe. It began in winter and grew into what became known as the Arab Spring. But it spread to other regions. Some people were fed up with the lack of basic rights. Others had had enough of crippling economic problems. Still others simply sought justice. Some leaders had been in power for decades; others led for just a short time. Some left peacefully, some were simply voted out, a few died violent deaths. Here's a look at some of ...

What's in a Name? Virginia Beach

Three centuries ago, long before Kempsville was home to sprawling Virginia Beach suburbs, it was a small river port and the scene of two somewhat obscure incidents in the war for American independence. In the mid-1600s, George Kempe, an industrious English immigrant, acquired land along the Eastern Branch of the Elizabeth River. He developed a port for the shipment of tobacco and other goods.

Supreme Court's Credibility Problem

WHEN ASSESSING whether a case before them poses a potential conflict of interest, U.S. Supreme Court justices essentially rely on the late Potter Stewart's memorable definition of pornography - "I know it when I see it." The justices are allowed to determine for themselves whether they ought to sit out a case because of personal or financial connections. Rarely do they decide to recuse themselves.

Citizen Pockets and Unpaid Taxes

GOVERNMENT employees' paychecks come straight from taxpayers' pockets. Public workers who fail to pay their own taxes reach into those pockets twice. So public employees shouldn't be surprised to find the city treasurer snatching dollars from their paychecks until their delinquent accounts have been settled.

Beach Residents Say New School Too Close to Home

By Mike Hixenbaugh The Virginian-Pilot

It's Not Your Dad's P.E. Class

By Hattie Brown Garrow The Virginian-Pilot

Widows Make Sure Memoriesof Our Infamous Day Survive

By Kate Wiltrout The Virginian-Pilot

Your Views

Risk to water is too great ISN'T IT TIME for our elected officials to stop taking risks where we end up paying? Our state government is considering lifting the ban on uranium mining. This would allow for mining to take place at Coles Hill in Pittsylvania County. Coles Hill is spot in the middle of the Roanoke River watershed, which flows into Lake Gaston.

City to Dedicate New Animal Shelter Today

VIRGINIA BEACH The city will dedicate its new animal shelter this afternoon and invite the public to tour the $12.5 million facility.

More Noisefor Others Silencefor Some

By Kate Wiltrout and Aaron Applegate The Virginian-Pilot

How Virginia's and North Carolina's Members of Congress Voted On Major Roll Call Votes in the Past Week:

House votes UNION ELECTIONS

Singer Mccready's Son, 5, in Custody

By Tamara Lush The Associated Press

Christmas Comes Early

By Elisabeth Hulette The Virginian-Pilot

Iran Claims It Shot Downan Unmannedu.S. Spy Plane

By Ali Akbar Dareini The Associated Press

Whites More Likely Than Minorities to Get Presidential Pardons

By Dafna Linzer and Jennifer LaFleur ProPublica

Gop Candidates Vie for Cain Supporters

By Anne Flaherty The Associated Press

Sheriff May Have Botched Scores of Sex-Crime Cases

By Jacques Billeaud The Associated Press

Obama Tries to Ease Tension with Pakistan

By John H. Cushman Jr. The New York Times

Pounded Pakistani Taliban Weaker, Many Say

By Kathy Gannon The Associated Press

Woman Killed, Five Injured in Head-On Crash

HAMPTON A woman was killed and five other people were injured early Sunday morning in a car crash on Interstate 64, according to police.