For a nerd like me, the most exciting thing about reading the Virginian-Pilot today is the newly-optimized site designed for viewing on your mobile device.

I haven’t seen a specific article about the rollout, but Sunday evening I was greeted with stories – formatted much like AP News’ mobile site – rather than the traditional homepage. It focuses on top stories, and you can always get back to the main homepage if you want to see more. Use your smartphone to navigate to www.pilotonline.com, and watch the magic.

Rent-to-Own-to-Jail

In Hampton Roads, criminal prosecutions of rent-to-own theft cases has skyrocketed from 60 in 2006 to more than 2,000 last year. Although debt collection is usually handled through civil courts and credit reports, in Virginia stores like ColorTyme Rent-to-Own (real name!) take advantage of their right to bring criminal charges. A note for the wise: avoid stores with misspellings in their names. Sure it seems cute now, but wait until you’re locked up.

The far more handsome ColorTyme brown leather couch.

The overstuffed yellow leather couch pictured beside the Pilot’s feature, by the way, is hideous. I wouldn’t rent or own it.

In Suffolk, taxis would be cheaper than buses

Suffolk City Manager Selena Cuffee-Glenn (real name!) is proposing her employer sever ties with Hampton Roads Transit midway through the coming fiscal year.  When I look at the numbers, I really can’t blame her.

While few HRT routes operate with, shall we say, great efficiency, Suffolk’s routes are consistently among the worst performers. Systemwide, the average subsidy per ride is $2.23. Among Suffolk’s four routes, the subsidies average $6.00 and $13.50. Did I mention those subsidies are only 49.5% of the story? State and federal subsidies account for another 41.3% of public transportation costs. On average, the rider pays about 9%.

While I’m an ardent supporter of publicly-funded infrastructure in general, and have taken city buses more times than I could possibly count, we have to admit when the system in place just isn’t working. Suffolk’s decision seems less about being a regional cooperator and more about financial realities.

The city manager’s plan includes HRT funding for the next six months, while Suffolk evaluates alternatives.

WHRO and NPR avoid worst of budget cuts

Despite Governor McDonnell’s budget amendment to chop funding for WHRO by more than $350,000, the NPR station is apparently claiming victory after the General Assembly overturned McDonnell’s proposal and returned all but $70,000 in funding.

NPR is more than just talk radio.

On a national level, lobbysists from the Association of Public Television Stations also indicate that enough NPR listeners called their congressmen to make a difference. While the agreement is not yet final, federal funding for public media does not seem to contain “significant cuts.”

Jeff Davis (real name!) of APTS continued, “initial reports state that the bill will contain a 1% across-the-board cut to all programs in order to all programs in order to help achieve the roughly $38 billion in cuts contained in the bill.”

WHRO is in the midst of a campaign to raise $495,000 from listeners and corporate contributions. But of course, you already know this. The Out-Of-The-Box set sounds pretty sweet this year.

Tax tips for procrastinators

Thanks to a federal holiday this Friday, Americans have an extra 3 days to put off doing their taxes. “Her be some tips from yar Pilot newpaperrrh,” says the Tax Pirate.

Chart: Average wages in Hampton Roads

How much do you make per hour? Check out this chart and find out if you should be hitting up your boss for a raise. If you’re seriously thinking about asking for a raise, you might also read this.

Smithfield Foods: from Paula Dean to Temple Grandin

In response to the Humane Society’s undercover video of Smithfield released in December, Smithfield Foods – the largest pork producer in the world – has released a set of videos that show how their hogs enjoy cupcakes, and stories before bed each night. Famed animal activist Temple Grandin is featured prominently.

Norfolk fills key positions

Melanie Purcell has been hired as Assistant City Manager for Norfolk, a long-vacant position that has been filled “temporarily” by Rod Woolard for as long as I can remember. Woolard has been wearing two big hats, as he is also the director of economic development for the city. It’s hard for anyone to wear two big hats very well.