Turtle Trafficking, Store Closing Sales, Helicopter Noise: Top VA News

VIRGINIA — From a retailer planning to close its remaining stores to measures to reduce Northern Virginia's helicopter noise, we're looking at the top stories of the last week.

Top news stories in Northern Virginia included Bed Bath & Beyond to hold closing sales for remaining stores, a new grand jury sought for fatal police shooting outside Tysons Corner Center, new measures to mitigate helicopter noise, DC police chief leaving, additional background check measures for school district employees after sex crime conviction, new Reagan and Dulles airport dining options coming, and 8-year-old crash victim honored for organ donation.

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Bed Bath & Beyond Files For Bankruptcy, VA Closing Sales Start

Home furnishings giant Bed Bath & Beyond filed for bankruptcy Sunday and is set to begin the process this week of closing its stores in Virginia and nationwide.

Special Grand Jury To Investigate Fatal Police Shooting At Tysons Mall

Fairfax County Commonwealth’s Attorney Steven Descano was granted permission by a judge to convene a special grand jury to investigate a fatal police shooting of an unarmed shoplifting suspect outside Tysons Corner Center.

Sex Offender Registry Checks Run More Often At FCPS After Arrest

All school district employees are being checking against a national sex offender database, and increased background check requirements are being introduced at Fairfax County Public Schools.

Helicopter Noise In Northern Virginia Tackled Through New Measures

New measures are being introduced to reduce the impact of helicopter noise in Northern Virginia and the DC region.

D.C. Police Chief Robert Contee To Retire, Take Job At FBI

Robert Contee, who was sworn in as chief of the Metropolitan Police Department four days before the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol, is stepping down from the role to take a job with the FBI, according to officials and reports.

2 Men, Woman Found Shot Dead In Basement Of Springfield House: Police

Three adults were found dead with gunshot wounds in the basement of a Springfield house Thursday afternoon, according to the Fairfax County Police Department.

3 Friends Split $3M Lottery Prize Purchased At Sterling Giant

A trio of friends are likely much closer now, as they decided to split a $3 million prize from the Virginia Lottery.

Fairfax Co. Officials Not Giving Up Yet On Preserving Lake Accotink

Fairfax County officials are debating whether to dredge Lake Accotink to reestablish lake depth after the county Department of Public Works and Environmental Services recommended allowing the lake to naturally develop into a wetland.

VA Weather: 2 Storms To Bring Heavy Rain, Wind This Weekend

A pair of storms will dampen weekend plans for Virginia residents, and the forecast rain and wind could be severe by the start of next week.

Hero Walk Honors 8-Year-Old Organ Donor Hit By A Car

There was no shortage of tears at Fairfax Hospital on Friday morning. Community members braved the rain to support the honor walk for 8-year-old Jordynn Manning before her organ donation.

Leesburg Fire Causes $2M In Damage, Injures A Firefighter: Authorities

A fire fully engulfed a home in Leesburg on Thursday, injuring a firefighter, causing millions of dollars in damage, and leaving a family cat missing.

10 New Retail, Dining Options Coming To Reagan National Airport

A slate of new concessions are scheduled to begin construction later this year at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, according to a release from the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority.

• 14 New Retail, Dining Options Coming To Washington Dulles Airport

Virginia Man Pleads Guilty To Illegally Trafficking Turtles

A Virginia man pleaded guilty in federal court this week to illegally collecting wild turtles and selling them to buyers in multiple states, according to the U.S. Department of Justice.

Woman Smuggled Animal DNA Through Dulles Airport: Prosecutors

A Russian woman from Leesburg tried to smuggle animal DNA samples through Dulles Airport, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. The woman, Polina Perelman, pleaded guilty on Monday.

TJ Students Secure First Place In Global Math Competition

A team of students from Fairfax County's Thomas Jefferson School for Science and Technology came out on top of a prestigious international math competition Monday.

Mount Vernon Horticultural Director Named To White House Committee

The horticultural director at Mount Vernon is expanding his work from the first president's home to the current president's home.

NoVA Real Estate Expert Offers Tips To Get Your Home Ready For Market

The real estate market in Northern Virginia has been a good one for sellers this spring. But some homes may be taking longer to sell than others, despite the high buyer demand.

12 Virginia Schools Named In U.S. News 2023-24 Grad School Ranking

Twelve universities in Virginia were ranked among the Best Graduate Schools in the country by U.S. News and World Report, which released its annual rankings Tuesday.