By PETER HARDIN More than 53,000 acres in the Jefferson National Forest in Virginia would be protected under legislation passed by the House yesterday. Rep. Robert W. Goodlatte, R-6th, spoke against the bill sponsored by his neighbor, Rep.

By PETER HARDIN Virginia Gov. Timothy M. Kaine is prepared to warn Congress tomorrow about potential harm to the Chesapeake Bay from climate change.

By Peter Hardin, Richmond Times-Dispatch, Va. Aug. 3--WASHINGTON -- Two weeks before students return to classes at Virginia Tech, a Senate panel voted yesterday to strengthen the national instant background-check system for gun buyers.

By PETER HARDIN Over opposition from President Bush and tobacco makers, a Senate committee voted yesterday to raise the federal excise tax by 61 cents per pack, from 39 cents to $1.

By PETER HARDIN Responding to the Virginia Tech massacre, the House passed legislation yesterday aimed at strengthening the instant background- check system for firearms buyers.