School Threats, Figure Skating Champ, Retail Closures: Top VA News

VIRGINIA — The first week of February is wrapping up, and there was a variety of news that readers were paying attention to. Top news stories in Northern Virginia from the past week included threats at school, a suspected overdose of a student at school, more Bed Bath & Beyond closures, failed legislation that would have required parental advisory labels on some library materials, a local figure skater wins the U.S. Figure Skating Championships men's title, prison sentence for six fentanyl overdoses, and more.

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Student Who Reportedly Overdosed At Wakefield High School Dies: Report

A student who reportedly overdosed at Wakefield High School in Arlington on Tuesday has died, according to reports.

Alexandria City High School Evacuated Again After Student Dismissal

Alexandria City High School was evacuated for a second day in a row, this time after students left on Thursday.

Threatening Message Scrawled On Bathroom Wall At Fairfax City School

City of Fairfax Police responded Thursday morning to Katherine Johnson Middle School for the report of a threatening message being found.

Man Sentenced After Distributing Fentanyl To 6 People Who Overdosed

A Dumfries man will face 30 years in prison after he gave fentanyl to six people who overdosed at a party in Fairfax County in 2021, authorities said.

6 More VA Bed Bath & Beyond Stores Targeted To Close

Bed Bath & Beyond, the troubled home goods retail chain, will close six more stores in Virginia in 2023, according to company officials.

Parental Advisory Labels For Library Books Rejected By VA Senate Panel

A bill that would have required parental advisory labels to be placed on materials in both public libraries and school libraries that contain "sexually explicit content" was killed Thursday. The Senate Committee on Education and Health voted to “pass by indefinitely” the measure introduced by Republican state Sen. Amanda Chase.

Vienna Figure Skater Wins U.S. Figure Skating Championship Title

Ilia Malinin, a George C. Marshall High School senior from Vienna, become the men's national winner in the U.S. Figure Skating Championships Sunday. The competition wrapped up Sunday in San Jose, California as the 18-year-old won his first title.

Minority Business Program Lawsuit Involves Firm That Represented Trump

The law firm representing a client challenging Alexandria's minority-owned business grant program had been involved in former President Donald Trump's tax returns case, and its late co-founder worked on a case that led to key parts of the Voting Rights Act being struck down.

Teen Stabbed Mother's Boyfriend In Hybla Valley: Police

A teen who police say stabbed his mother's boyfriend to stop an assault in Hybla Valley Sunday night has not been charged.

Rescued Dogs Begin To Recover After Animal Cruelty Investigation: Cops

An animal cruelty investigation is underway after authorities reported three dogs living in inhumane condition in North Stafford, the Stafford County Sheriff's Office said.

Pickleball Noise Prompts Vienna Town Council To Limit Hours

Vienna officials were in a pickle as they fielded noise complaints about pickleball, a sport growing in popularity.

New Wegmans Grocery Store Opens Doors In Reston Wednesday Morning

Wegmans Food Markets, the national grocery store chain originating in Western New York, is opening the doors of its new location in Reston's Halley Rise development at 9 a.m., on Wednesday.

200 Years Of Black Entrepreneurship Makes Fredericksburg Unique

It isn't news to long-time residents, but Fredericksburg is full of history. Many residents may not be aware that the city has seen a long line of Black entrepreneurs and businesses as early as the 1700s.

'A Perfect Sneering Nest Of Rebels': Leesburg's Civil War History

Leesburg is full of history, from the 1740s through the American Civil War. During the Civil War, the Union and Confederate armies constantly vied for control of the thriving town. The armies gained and lost control of the town more than 150 times during the four-year war.

VA Basketball Team Forfeits Season After Coach Poses As Player

At least two basketball coaches are no longer employed at a Virginia high school after one impersonated a junior varsity player by donning her jersey and playing alongside other teenage athletes, according to officials and reports.

Ex-ABC News Producer Charged With Transportation of Child Pornography

A former producer for ABC News has been charged with “transporting” images depicting the sexual abuse of children, the Department of Justice said Wednesday.

Leesburg Named To Good Housekeeping's Top Travel Destinations List

The Town of Leesburg was named one of Good Housekeeping's 20 Best Cheap Places to Travel in 2023. The list assembled domestic and international destinations for people looking to travel on a budget.