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Virginia sightings detailed in UFO hearings

The pilots reported the sighting but said there was no further investigation by the military.

News

Hot new restaurant openings in Richmond

Treat yourself to something new and freshen up your Insta feed.

Food and Drink

Year-round school experiment kicks off in Richmond

Students at Fairfield and Cardinal elementary schools returned to class Monday, 20 instructional days before their peers.

Education

The Valentine museum is hiring a city historian

It's the first official historian job for the Richmond history museum in its 125 years.

COVID hospitalizations on the rise in Richmond

The uptick comes at a less-than-ideal time with regard to booster availability.

Health

COVID-19 hospitalization rates have risen 77% in Virginia so far this month amid signs of a late summer wave sweeping the country.Why it matters: Simply put, our guard is down.

COVID rates are slightly up in Virginia

COVID-related hospital admissions are considered low in all but two counties in Virginia.

COVID

We&#x27;ve been hearing more anecdotal reports of COVID-19 cases in Richmond and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="around the state" data-vars-click-url="https://www.fauquier.com/news/article_bc695508-9497-5dd8-9f77-c762aad8ba3c.html" data-vars-content-id="74857dd9-eed3-494e-a02a-f070bead1260" data-vars-headline="COVID rates are slightly up in Virginia" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.fauquier.com/news/article_bc695508-9497-5dd8-9f77-c762aad8ba3c.html" target="_blank">around the state</a> over the past few weeks. (Get well soon, Karri&#x27;s boyfriend!)The latest: Overall rates remain low, but there has been a slight uptick in cases, per the most recent data available from the state and CDC.

Illustration of a pattern of covid cells.

COVID spread levels jump in Richmond

When community levels are high, CDC recommends the use of masks in indoor, public spaces and on public transportation.

It&#x27;s time to mask up again, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. What&#x27;s happening: All of metro Richmond, and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="most of central Virginia" data-vars-click-url="https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/#county-view?list_select_state=all_states&amp;list_select_county=all_counties&amp;data-type=CommunityLevels&amp;null=CommunityLevels" data-vars-content-id="981a2b8a-b23b-4428-824e-2fd4813c93d2" data-vars-headline="COVID spread levels jump in Richmond" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/#county-view?list_select_state=all_states&amp;list_select_county=all_counties&amp;data-type=CommunityLevels&amp;null=CommunityLevels" target="_blank">most of central Virginia</a>, is experiencing high community spread of COVID-19, according to weekly community levels <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="calculated by the CDC" data-vars-click-url="https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/#county-view?null=CommunityLevels&amp;list_select_state=Virginia&amp;data-type=CommunityLevels&amp;list_select_county=51760" data-vars-content-id="981a2b8a-b23b-4428-824e-2fd4813c93d2" data-vars-headline="COVID spread levels jump in Richmond" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/#county-view?null=CommunityLevels&amp;list_select_state=Virginia&amp;data-type=CommunityLevels&amp;list_select_county=51760" target="_blank">calculated by the CDC</a> using hospitalization data.

Virginia's flu season surge

A surge in flu cases is hitting earlier than usual.

Yet another wave of viral illness — flu — is crashing on a health system already stretched to a breaking point by COVID-19 and, more recently, RSV.Why it matters: The commonwealth surpassed last year’s peak a full two months before flu season typically begins, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="per the Virginia Department of Health" data-vars-click-url="https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/epidemiology/influenza-flu-in-virginia/influenza-surveillance/" data-vars-content-id="4ad97cd8-912f-4452-8e15-e5fc30ec60e7" data-vars-headline="Virginia&#x27;s flu season surge" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/epidemiology/influenza-flu-in-virginia/influenza-surveillance/" target="_blank">per the Virginia Department of Health</a>.

Illustration of a thermometer shaped like an upwards arrow, with the mercury rising.

COVID rates creep back up in Virginia

Community spread levels are currently medium throughout the Richmond region.

COVID-19 is making a comeback just in time to plague the holiday party circuit.What&#x27;s happening: Hospitalizations in Virginia were <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="up 40%" data-vars-click-url="https://www.vhha.com/communications/virginia-hospital-covid-19-data-dashboard/" data-vars-content-id="d449afd2-1d54-445b-a458-9d72a444d43d" data-vars-headline="COVID rates creep back up in Virginia" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.vhha.com/communications/virginia-hospital-covid-19-data-dashboard/" target="_blank">up 40%</a> last week, per the Virginia Hospital and Healthcare Association.

Illustration of a snowman wearing a mask and with arms made from syringes

Pediatric wards fill up in Richmond as flu season starts early

Doctors say the number of RSV cases, or respiratory syncytial virus — a common illness — jumped fourfold since October.

A surprising increase in respiratory illnesses in children is putting pressure on hospitals around the state.Why it matters: The early onslaught of cases is filling pediatric units earlier than normal, prompting concerns about a challenging flu and respiratory disease season, the Virginia Mercury&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Sarah Vogelsong reports" data-vars-click-url="https://www.virginiamercury.com/2022/10/31/around-virginia-respiratory-illnesses-surge-among-children/" data-vars-content-id="890de1c5-46e4-4b4c-be2d-0e424efaa562" data-vars-headline="Pediatric wards fill up in Richmond as flu season starts early" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.virginiamercury.com/2022/10/31/around-virginia-respiratory-illnesses-surge-among-children/" target="_blank">Sarah Vogelsong reports</a>.

Illustration of a stethoscope in the shape of a pair of lungs

Virginians are slow to get boosted

So far, 437,000 people in Virginia have gotten the new booster.

Virginians aren&#x27;t rushing to get the new Omicron variant boosters — a trend that&#x27;s worrying public health experts as the winter months approach.What&#x27;s happening: So far, 437,000 people in Virginia have gotten the new booster, which is about 7.5% of the eligible population, per <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Virginia Department of Health statistics" data-vars-click-url="https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/coronavirus/see-the-numbers/covid-19-in-virginia/covid-19-vaccine-summary/" data-vars-content-id="0863751f-8118-4325-a425-85d24ebaa7c9" data-vars-headline="Virginians are slow to get boosted" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/coronavirus/see-the-numbers/covid-19-in-virginia/covid-19-vaccine-summary/" target="_blank">Virginia Department of Health statistics</a>.

Illustration of descending bar chart made of syringes gradually shrinking in size.

No, Virginia, there’s no new COVID vaccine mandate

Misinformation surrounding a CDC advisory panel's decision spread widely last week.

An advisory panel <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="voted" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2022/10/20/covid-vaccine-school-immunization-schedule" data-vars-content-id="333cf651-cea5-4b45-997c-88ca17466c6a" data-vars-headline="No, Virginia, there’s no new COVID vaccine mandate" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2022/10/20/covid-vaccine-school-immunization-schedule" target="_self">voted</a> to add COVID-19 vaccines to the CDC&#x27;s schedule of childhood immunizations, but that doesn&#x27;t mean the shot will be required in Virginia or anywhere else.Why it matters: Misinformation surrounding the decision <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="spread widely" data-vars-click-url="https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/2022/10/19/covid-vaccines-children-cdc-disinformation/" data-vars-content-id="333cf651-cea5-4b45-997c-88ca17466c6a" data-vars-headline="No, Virginia, there’s no new COVID vaccine mandate" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/2022/10/19/covid-vaccines-children-cdc-disinformation/" target="_blank">spread widely</a> last week, including in a tweet by Gov. Glenn Youngkin, who <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="vowed to fight" data-vars-click-url="https://twitter.com/GovernorVA/status/1583272988752781313" data-vars-content-id="333cf651-cea5-4b45-997c-88ca17466c6a" data-vars-headline="No, Virginia, there’s no new COVID vaccine mandate" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://twitter.com/GovernorVA/status/1583272988752781313" target="_blank">vowed to fight</a> the non-existent mandate.

Illustration of a bandaid made out of lego blocks.

How Virginia used COVID relief to fund law enforcement

The biggest allocation for police came in the form of $23 million for a one-time bonus for corrections and law enforcement staff.

Virginia spent millions in COVID-19 relief money to boost spending on police, jails and prisons — money that was initially touted as a lifeline for people struggling to afford housing, food and health care.Catch up quick: President Joe Biden gave U.S. cities and counties $350 billion to recover from the pandemic through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Few limitations" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2022/07/19/federal-covid-funds-arpa-state-county-city" data-vars-content-id="f370b07c-2995-4481-a0c5-496d728bbc7f" data-vars-headline="How Virginia used COVID relief to fund law enforcement" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2022/07/19/federal-covid-funds-arpa-state-county-city" target="_self">Few limitations</a> were put on how local governments could spend ARPA funds.

Illustration of a police officer standing on the highest pile of coins in a row. 

Most Virginia kids had COVID, CDC data shows

The CDC released its latest findings on the seroprevalence of antibodies in children.

Nearly 8 in 10 Virginia kids have already been infected with COVID-19, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="new CDC data shows" data-vars-click-url="https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/#pediatric-seroprevalence" data-vars-content-id="1d9da762-8674-4760-a452-204a3eca7d43" data-vars-headline="Most Virginia kids had COVID, CDC data shows" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/#pediatric-seroprevalence" target="_blank">new CDC data shows</a>.Driving the news: The CDC released the results of its latest findings on the seroprevalence of antibodies in children last week.

George Santos introduces expulsion resolution in potential final act in Congress

The House is slated to vote to expel Santos on Friday.

Politics & Policy

Ahead of a vote that could make him the first House lawmaker to be expelled in more than 20 years, Rep. <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="George Santos" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2023/11/28/george-santos-expulsion-vote-republicans-majority" data-vars-content-id="c7450d99-da7b-4552-a983-4be840a7ed9c" data-vars-headline="George Santos introduces expulsion resolution in potential final act in Congress" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2023/11/28/george-santos-expulsion-vote-republicans-majority" target="_self">George Santos</a> (R-N.Y.) is introducing an expulsion resolution on Thursday targeting a House lawmaker from his own state. Why it matters: Santos — who faces an <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="uphill battle in a vote" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2023/11/28/republicans-george-santos-resign-expulsion" data-vars-content-id="c7450d99-da7b-4552-a983-4be840a7ed9c" data-vars-headline="George Santos introduces expulsion resolution in potential final act in Congress" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2023/11/28/republicans-george-santos-resign-expulsion" target="_self">uphill battle in a vote</a> to remove him from office following a scathing House Ethics report — is seeking an expulsion vote on Rep. <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Jamaal Bowman" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2023/11/22/house-ethics-jamaal-bowman-fire-alarm" data-vars-content-id="c7450d99-da7b-4552-a983-4be840a7ed9c" data-vars-headline="George Santos introduces expulsion resolution in potential final act in Congress" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2023/11/22/house-ethics-jamaal-bowman-fire-alarm" target="_self">Jamaal Bowman</a> (D-N.Y.), who pulled a fire alarm in one of the House office buildings.

George Santos expulsion spurs rare bipartisanship among House lawmakers

Rep. Robert Garcia encouraged fellow Democrats to support Republicans' expulsion measure.

House Democrats and Republicans finally have something they agree on: booting Rep. <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="George Santos" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2023/11/30/george-santos-jamaal-bowman-expulsion-resolution" data-vars-content-id="4eec0a24-5338-46c4-8b6e-5526cda73c0f" data-vars-headline="George Santos expulsion spurs rare bipartisanship among House lawmakers" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2023/11/30/george-santos-jamaal-bowman-expulsion-resolution" target="_self">George Santos</a> (R-N.Y.) from Congress.Driving the news: In an email sent to Democratic congressional offices on Thursday, Rep. Robert Garcia&#x27;s (D-Calif.) office advocated for Republicans&#x27; resolution to expel the embattled Long Islander.

GOP speculation mounts that McCarthy will exit Congress early

Multiple GOP lawmakers expect former House Speaker <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Kevin McCarthy" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2023/11/12/mccarthy-gop-elections-2024" data-vars-content-id="dbdacc28-b2ed-40c2-a4cb-3bf4792a4d9b" data-vars-headline="GOP speculation mounts that McCarthy will exit Congress early" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2023/11/12/mccarthy-gop-elections-2024" target="_self">Kevin McCarthy</a> (R-Calif.) to step down from his seat before the end of the year, Axios has learned.Why it matters: The potential exit of McCarthy — who privately told donors he is looking to &quot;get the hell out,&quot; according to a source familiar with the conversation — could leave the House GOP with an even narrower majority.

Trump unleashes grievances, warnings in wild 24 hours on Truth Social

Trump warned that his indictments have opened up a "very big and dangerous Pandora's Box."

Former President Trump has spent the last 24 hours on Truth Social unleashing a torrent of grievances, vengeful promises and links to online conspiracy theories about his political rivals.Why it matters: Trump&#x27;s online rhetoric has <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="frequently dipped into violent extremism" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2023/10/04/trumps-words-turn-violent-pressure-builds" data-vars-content-id="4ce9173c-4439-425e-8986-ec54c92037e6" data-vars-headline="Trump unleashes grievances, warnings in wild 24 hours on Truth Social" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2023/10/04/trumps-words-turn-violent-pressure-builds" target="_self">frequently dipped into violent extremism</a> since he left office, escalating as his legal troubles have mounted. Public fatigue and the pro-Trump echo chamber created by Truth Social have at times softened the shock value of the GOP front-runner&#x27;s daily musings.

Rep. George Santos expelled from Congress in historic vote

Santos is the first Republican to be expelled from the House.

The House on Friday voted to expel Rep. <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="George Santos" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2022/12/19/george-santos-republican-congress-biography" data-vars-content-id="235bb126-9767-4b36-a5c3-4560ae03474e" data-vars-headline="Rep. George Santos expelled from Congress in historic vote" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2022/12/19/george-santos-republican-congress-biography" target="_self">George Santos</a> (R-N.Y.) over his many fabrications on the 2022 campaign trail and his two federal indictments.Why it matters: The vote makes Santos just the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="sixth lawmaker" data-vars-click-url="https://history.house.gov/Institution/Discipline/Expulsion-Censure-Reprimand/" data-vars-content-id="235bb126-9767-4b36-a5c3-4560ae03474e" data-vars-headline="Rep. George Santos expelled from Congress in historic vote" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://history.house.gov/Institution/Discipline/Expulsion-Censure-Reprimand/" target="_blank">sixth lawmaker</a> – and first Republican – to be expelled from the House in U.S. history.

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