Richmond

VCU men's basketball team has a new coach.

Driving the news: Ryan Odom was introduced to fans and players at the Siegel Center last week, replacing former coach Mike Rhoades.

Here's what to know about the man who will lead the Rams' rebuild.

Odom was born in North Carolina but grew up in Charlottesville. Odom has fond memories of Virginia, and of his time as a UVA ball boy while his father was an assistant coach there.

He played college ball at Hampden-Sydney, where he set the school's record for 3-pointers.

Eight years later, established in his coaching career, he came back to Virginia as an assistant at Virginia Tech.

What he's saying: "My career has surrounded Richmond in a lot of ways," Odom told WTVR last week.

Unlike the last two coaches, Rhoades and Will Wade, Odom never worked as an assistant for Shaka Smart and has no prior connection to VCU.

What's new: Odom will likely lead VCU's biggest diversion yet from the high-energy "havoc" playing style that kept fans on the edge of their seats.

Odom's five-year tenure at UMBC was hallmarked by one of the biggest upsets in March Madness history.

The intrigue: A win for a 16-seed over a No. 1 seed was thought to be virtually impossible in the men’s tournament until 2018 when Odom's Retrievers beat UVA 74-54.

What to watch: Most of the Rams' roster entered the transfer portal when Rhoades left. Odom will likely lead a vastly changed team.

Meet Ryan Odom, VCU's new men's basketball coach

Odom was born in North Carolina but grew up in Charlottesville.

Ryan Odom previously coached Utah State. Photo: Kenneth K. Lam/Baltimore Sun/Tribune News Service via Getty Images

VCU men&#x27;s basketball team has a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="new coach" data-vars-click-url="https://vcuathletics.com/staff-directory/ryan-odom/671" data-vars-content-id="04ae4b53-a3f3-4c49-8d44-dc240aaf40a9" data-vars-headline="Meet Ryan Odom, VCU&#x27;s new men&#x27;s basketball coach" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://vcuathletics.com/staff-directory/ryan-odom/671" target="_blank">new coach</a>.Driving the news: Ryan Odom was <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="introduced" data-vars-click-url="https://richmond.com/sports/college/ryan-odom-is-introduced-as-the-new-vcu-mens-basketball-coach/article_83b7327a-cfd6-11ed-bcbc-772cbce73a3b.html" data-vars-content-id="04ae4b53-a3f3-4c49-8d44-dc240aaf40a9" data-vars-headline="Meet Ryan Odom, VCU&#x27;s new men&#x27;s basketball coach" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://richmond.com/sports/college/ryan-odom-is-introduced-as-the-new-vcu-mens-basketball-coach/article_83b7327a-cfd6-11ed-bcbc-772cbce73a3b.html" target="_blank">introduced</a> to fans and players at the Siegel Center last week, replacing former coach Mike Rhoades.

Sports

Washington D.C.

The stars are aligning for Major League Soccer's yearly showcase, which takes place in the District on Wednesday at 8pm.

What's happening: The 2023 MLS All-Star game is assembling the league's best players, coached by D.C. United's Wayne Rooney, in an exhibition match against English giant Arsenal FC.

Whether you're a casual or a recently turned soccer fanatic who wanted an excuse to frequent D.C. bars at 3am, here's everything to know to keep up.

The big picture: It'll be the first MLS All-Star game at Audi Field, home of D.C. United, since the stadium opened in 2018. The city previously hosted the game in 2002 and 2004 at RFK Stadium.

Events DC says the game is expected to have an $11 million impact on the local economy while bringing some 20,000 fans to Audi Field.

Who's playing: The MLS team will boast some U.S. Men's National Team players, including forwards Jordan Morris and Jesús Ferreira, and defender Walker Zimmerman. Here’s the full roster.

They'll play an Arsenal team that's coming off their best season in years with global stars like Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Jesus. (USMNT goalkeeper Matt Turner plays for Arsenal, but likely won't participate since he's just getting back from national team duty.)

And before you ask ... No, Lionel Messi won't be playing. But he's widely expected to make his MLS debut with Inter Miami later this week.

The backdrop: This year's game will be the first since 2019 to see the All-Stars take on one of Europe's elite teams.

The game has had several other formats over the years: East vs. West, MLS U.S. vs. MLS World, and MLS All-Stars vs. USMNT.

As part of the festivities surrounding the game, a slew of events have been taking place since Sunday, including an eMLS competition featuring stars like Chad Ochocinco and Wale and a performance by singer Kehlani at The Anthem on Monday (Sold out).

Want to attend? Resale tickets are still available on Ticketmaster, starting at about $200.

Be smart: Here are the best ways to get to the game on the Metro. And these are the rules about what you can bring to Audi Field.

Worth noting: Metro is commemorating the game with limited-edition SmartTrip cards. Get them at specially marked vending machines at the Navy Yard, Waterfront, and L’Enfant Plaza stations while supplies last.

MLS All-Star game vs. Arsenal comes to D.C.

Everything you need to know about the All Stars game.

Audi Field shown at nighttime from above during a match

Audi Field nights. Photo: Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images

Washington, D.C.

The stars are aligning for Major League Soccer&#x27;s yearly showcase, which takes place in the District on Wednesday at 8pm.What&#x27;s happening: The 2023 MLS All-Star game is assembling the league&#x27;s best players, coached by D.C. United&#x27;s Wayne Rooney, in an exhibition match against English giant Arsenal FC.

Things to Do

National

Officials in Jackson, Mississippi issued a citywide "boil water" notice on Christmas Day after a powerful winter storm brought frigid temperatures to large swaths of the country. 

Why it matters: It's the latest ordeal for a city that has had water problems for decades. Jackson's 150,000 residents lost water in late August after flooding in the Pearl River wreaked havoc on the city's water system.

Where it stands: City officials had said on Christmas Eve the water system was experiencing "fluctuating" pressure, and some residents said they had no water pressure Saturday, AP reports. 

Officials said a drop in temperature caused a slowdown in production at a water treatment plant. Spokesperson Melissa Payne said the low temperature was contributing to breaks. 

What they're saying: "The system has lost pressure due to line breaks that have not been identified. These breaks are likely caused by the weather," the city said in a statement Sunday. "Water crews are actively trying to find these breaks in order to repair them as quickly as possible."

"Some areas may be experiencing very low pressure. We will continue to work to maximize production at the plants to restore pressure to as much of the system as possible. Even if your pressure is restored, the boil water notice remains in effect until further notice." 

"We understand the timing is terrible. Please know that we hate to issue the notice during the Christmas holiday. "

The city said it had set up water distribution sites for those in need. 

Jackson on "boil water" notice amid frigid weather

"We understand the timing is terrible. Please know that we hate to issue the notice during the Christmas holiday."

A volunteer grabs a gallon of water at a water and food distribution drive held by College Hill Baptist Church and the World Central kitchen on March 07, 2021 in Jackson, Mississippi. Photo: Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images

Mississippi

Officials in Jackson, Mississippi issued a citywide <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="&quot;boil water&quot; notice" data-vars-click-url="https://www.facebook.com/CityofJackson/posts/pfbid0dpnVLqSAQiCqfBF2A3pEcbt6w2gcysFzx9YbARuYZk7LP3nBvxwkBjLR7G2LkQrFl" data-vars-content-id="299b3791-29d3-4e47-9975-55a7c6d4eac5" data-vars-headline="Jackson on &quot;boil water&quot; notice amid frigid weather" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.facebook.com/CityofJackson/posts/pfbid0dpnVLqSAQiCqfBF2A3pEcbt6w2gcysFzx9YbARuYZk7LP3nBvxwkBjLR7G2LkQrFl" target="_blank">&quot;boil water&quot; notice</a> on Christmas Day after a powerful winter storm brought frigid temperatures to large swaths of the country. Why it matters: It&#x27;s the latest ordeal for a city that has had water problems for decades. Jackson&#x27;s 150,000 residents lost water in late August after <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="flooding in the Pearl River" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2022/08/30/jackson-mississippi-water-crisis-flooding" data-vars-content-id="299b3791-29d3-4e47-9975-55a7c6d4eac5" data-vars-headline="Jackson on &quot;boil water&quot; notice amid frigid weather" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2022/08/30/jackson-mississippi-water-crisis-flooding" target="_self">flooding in the Pearl River</a> wreaked havoc on the city&#x27;s water system.

President Biden has made the COVID-19 crisis and a post-Trump return to national unity and traditional democratic ideals his top priorities. From vaccinations to stimulus to schools, Biden is seeking bipartisan compromise while showing a willingness to use executive authority and bare Democratic majorities in the U.S. House and Senate to implement his policies. Republican leaders are navigating deep party divisions over if and how to move beyond former President Trump.

Politics & Policy

VCU’s men’s basketball team crushed the regular season, finishing top of their conference last week

Why it matters: We may have a hometown team on the bracket when March Madness starts next week.

What's happening: VCU is now going to the school's conference tournament, the Atlantic 10 Tournament. They're the first seed and get to skip the first two rounds.

They’ll go straight to the quarterfinals today at 11:30am against No. 8 Davidson at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn.

Watch on USA Network or stream at NBCSports.com.

Zoom in: The winning Atlantic 10 team heads to the NCAA Tournament. But VCU’s only won the A-10 tournament once in 11 years.

Context: VCU has made it to March Madness twice in the last five seasons.

The Rams' famous Final Four appearance was in 2011.

Reality check: Short of winning the A-10, (which wraps up Sunday) VCU’s path to the Big Dance is trickier. They’d have to secure an invite to the tournament on Selection Sunday (which airs Sunday at 6pm on CBS).

The bottom line: Some analysts think the Rams won’t make March Madness if they don’t win the A-10, despite their great season.

That would be a travesty for fans, but we'll still be rooting for them next year.

VCU’s chance at making March Madness

VCU is now going to its conference tournament, the Atlantic 10 Tournament.

VCU Rams guard Nick Kern Jr. (24) celebrates on the court following a college basketball game between the VCU Rams and the Rhode Island Rams on February 15, 202

VCU Rams guard Nick Kern Jr. (24) celebrates on the court. Photo: Erica Denhoff/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

VCU’s men’s basketball team crushed the regular season, finishing top of their conference last weekWhy it matters: We may have a hometown team on the bracket when March Madness starts next week.

The U.S. Military Academy at West Point is starting the process of taking down installations that commemorate or memorialize the Confederacy on its campus, officials said. 

The big picture: The move, which follows recommendations by the Congressional Naming Commission, is part of a broader effort to rename military installations that bore the names of Confederate officers. 

The first phase of the effort at West Point began during the holiday break, which started on Sunday, Dec. 18.

The academy said it will remove a number of installations during the break, including: 

A portrait of Robert E. Lee in Confederate uniform from the USMA Library to place in storage at the West Point Museum. 

A stone bust of Lee at Reconciliation Plaza to place in storage on post.

A bronze triptych at the main entrance of Bartlett Hall and place in storage on post until a more suitable location is determined.

Academy superintendent Lt. Gen. Steven W. Gilland said in a news release a West Point committee "will select an appropriate quote about honor to replace the quote from Robert E. Lee at Honor Plaza. We expect to change the quote by early Spring 2023."

West Point starts removing Confederate iconography from campus

The move is part of a broader effort to rename military installations that bore the names of Confederate officers.

The West Point Military Museum. Photo: John Greim/LightRocket via Getty Images

Confederate States of America

The U.S. Military Academy at West Point is starting the process of taking down installations that commemorate or memorialize the Confederacy on its campus, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="officials said" data-vars-click-url="https://www.westpoint.edu/naming-commission-report/superintendents-message" data-vars-content-id="b8298f18-337b-4e63-adc1-3671edefd565" data-vars-headline="West Point starts removing Confederate iconography from campus" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.westpoint.edu/naming-commission-report/superintendents-message" target="_blank">officials said</a>. The big picture: The move, which follows recommendations by the Congressional Naming Commission, is part of a broader effort to rename military installations that bore the names of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Confederate officers" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2022/05/24/military-army-confederate-names" data-vars-content-id="b8298f18-337b-4e63-adc1-3671edefd565" data-vars-headline="West Point starts removing Confederate iconography from campus" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2022/05/24/military-army-confederate-names" target="_self">Confederate officers</a>.

Fadel Allassan

Stories

MLS All-Star game vs. Arsenal comes to D.C.

Meet Ryan Odom, VCU's new men's basketball coach

VCU’s chance at making March Madness

West Point starts removing Confederate iconography from campus

Jackson on "boil water" notice amid frigid weather