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Au Pair Affair Murder Trial | Infant Sexually Abused | Hate Crime Policy: VA News

Ice Skater Eyes Olympic Gold | Child With Measles | School Vehicle Kills Pedestrian | Teacher Throws Shoe At Student | Redistricting Passes

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On the weekend, we present a review of the top stories and headlines from across Virginia. Here's a roundup of some of the biggest stories across the state. You can also find your local Patch and catch up on those stories by clicking here.

Murder Trial Begins For Husband Accused In Plot With Au Pair

The murder trial of a Herndon husband accused of conspiring with the family's au pair to kill his wife and another man begins Monday in Fairfax County. Brendan Banfield, 40, planned to kill Joseph Ryan and Banfield's wife, Christine Banfield, and place the blame on Ryan, prosecutors have said.

Banfield Bought Gun A Month Before Wife's Grisly Murder, Witness Says

Brendan Banfield purchased a gun about a month before his wife was found dead in their Herndon home, investigators said during day three of Banfield's high-profile, double-murder trial in Fairfax County.

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Au Pair 'Wanted The Truth To Come Out' About Ex-Lover, 2023 Homicide

A former Brazilian au pair and ex-lover of Brendan Banfield, who is accused of killing his wife and another man at his home on Stable Brook Way in Herndon in 2023, testified on Wednesday that she turned against Banfield because she “wanted the truth to come out," according to reports.

NoVA's Ilia Malinin Heads To Olympics After U.S. Figure Skating Title

World champion and Olympic favorite Ilia Malinin of Fairfax dominated the final night of the U.S. Figure Skating Championships. He will help lead a powerful American team headed to the Milan Cortina Games in less than a month.

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Child With Measles Traveled Through MD, NoVA

A child confirmed to have the measles traveled through Maryland, Washington, D.C., and Northern Virginia while infectious late Jan. 7, 2026 through early Jan. 8, 2026, according to state health officials.

Pedestrian Fatally Hit By School Vehicle Identified

A pedestrian fatally hit by a Loudoun schools maintenance vehicle has been identified by authorities as a 20-year-old Ashburn woman.

Child Porn Charges Filed Against Man Who Abused Infant

An Arlington man was arrested by federal law enforcement officers for receiving and possessing child pornography, according to court documents. The suspect reportedly told a man he had previously sexually abused an infant by performing oral sex on the child, court records say.

Police Roll Out Hate Crime Policy After Attack In Store

A Maryland woman faces several charges after she was captured on video attacking a man at an Alexandria grocery store while hurling anti-gay insults at him. The incident also prompted police to roll out a new hate crime policy.

VA Lawmakers Pass Redistricting Amendment, Sending It To Voters

Virginia's Democrat-controlled Senate passed a constitutional amendment on Friday that paves the way for the redrawing of congressional district maps, a move that could give the party three or four more seats in the U.S. House of Representatives, according to multiple reports. The approval was the final step before sending the amendment to voters.

Teacher Charged After Throwing Shoe At Student: Police

A Woodbridge teacher is facing charges after police said she threw a shoe at a student, striking him in the hand. Police said the teacher was speaking to the 11-year-old boy in a hallway when the incident occurred.

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