Blood Supply Shortage, Panda Cub, Cell Service Boost: News Nearby

Here are some of the share-worthy stories from Virginia and DC Patches to talk about tonight:

• Leesburg Fire That Caused $1.2M In Damage Ruled Accidental
• Woodbridge Man Arrested After Pointing Gun At Fellow Driver: Cops
• 'Road May Flood' Signs Installed On Del Ray Area Streets

Cell Service Now Available In All DC Metro Tunnels

Wireless cell service is now available in tunnels systemwide on DC Metrorail, the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority said Wednesday.

Blood Supply At Critical Levels At Inova, Donations Needed

Inova Blood Donor Services put out a call for blood donations amid critical levels of supply. The hospital system has an immediate need for A, B and O blood types.

Giant Panda Cub Makes Public Debut At Smithsonian National Zoo

Xiao Qi Ji, the 20-pound giant panda cub who resides at the Smithsonian's National Zoo, made his national debut Wednesday by livestream from the National Zoo. He can be seen daily via the zoo's panda cam.

Increased Vaccine Allocation Expected In Virginia: Governor

The number of COVID-19 vaccinations available this week should increase 20 percent, Gov. Ralph Northam said Wednesday, as hospitals shift inventory. Increased COVID-19 vaccine allocations are expected from the federal government, the governor said as he addressed the pace of the vaccine rollout in Virginia, and released new data to improve transparency on vaccine distribution.

• NoVA Leaders Call For Vaccine Doses, Mass Vaccination Site
• Manassas' Colgan High School Has First Coronavirus 'Outbreak'
• Loudoun County Offers Free February Drive-Thru COVID-19 Testing

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Also Worth a Look Today

• Arlington County To Receive $2.2M For COVID-19 Vaccine Response
• Falls Church Schools To Expand Hybrid Learning In Late February

Across America

• 'Screaming My Head Off' For More: States Plead For Vaccine Boost
• Man Agrees To Plead Guilty In Plot To Kidnap Michigan Governor
• Internet Users Distracted By Huge Squirrel. (Of Course They Are.)
• Placing Harriet Tubman On $20 Bill To Speed Up: Biden Officials