School's Satan Club, REAL ID, Superintendent Fired: Top VA News

VIRGINIA — Top news stories in Northern Virginia from the past week included the firing of Loudoun County Public Schools' superintendent in the wake of a report critical of how he handled reports of two sexual assaults; the formation of an after-school Satan Club at an elementary school; three youths overdosed in less than a week in one county; a restaurant turned away a conservative Christian group; your photos of holiday light displays; and the REAL ID deadline has been extended again.

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Interim LCPS Superintendent To Be Named After Ziegler Firing

The Loudoun County School Board voted to name Daniel Smith as the interim superintendent for the school system at an emergency meeting on Thursday evening.

The previous superintendent, Scott Ziegler, was fired by the school board on Tuesday after a grand jury released a report into the school system's handling of two high-profile sexual assaults in 2021.

After-School Satan Club Coming To Virginia Elementary School

An After School Satan Club — which organizers say will teach kids empathy, critical thinking, personal sovereignty and compassion — is slated to kick off next week at an elementary school in Virginia.

3 Children Overdose Within 5 Days In Prince William County

A trio of children have overdosed after consuming fentanyl-laced counterfeit Percocet pills in Prince William County since Friday, police said. One of the overdoses was fatal.

20-Month-Old Dies Of Fentanyl Overdose, Mother Charged: Police

A woman is wanted by police after authorities said her 20-month-old child consumed fentanyl and died in June in Gainesville, according to the Prince William County Police Department.

VA Residents Should Consider Masking Up For The Holidays: CDC

As families and friends in Virginia gather for the holidays, they may want to put on a mask to control the spread of COVID-19, RSV and seasonal flu, the head of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said this week.

REAL ID Deadline Extended Again: What It Means For VA Residents

Virginia residents will have an extra 24 months to obtain their REAL IDs, a document that will be necessary to board domestic flights and enter certain federal buildings, after the Department of Homeland Security on Monday extended the enforcement deadline to May 7, 2025.

Chevy Malibu Sought In I-66 Fatal Hit-And-Run Crash Found In Fairfax

Virginia State Police received a tip late Thursday that led them to locating the car they say was involved in a hit and run crash that killed a Culpeper man earlier in the day on I-66.

Holiday, Christmas Lights 2022: Guide To Northern Virginia Displays

It's that time of year to drive by the impressive holiday light displays. Every year, we share a guide to holiday displays around Northern Virginia and the Fredericksburg area.

Name Change From Lee To Franconia District Officially Approved

It's official: the Lee District is officially renamed as the Franconia District in Fairfax County.

VA Eatery Turns Away Christian Group: Our Staff 'Deserve Dignity'

A Richmond restaurant is drawing both praise and criticism Wednesday after its staff canceled a reservation made by a conservative Christian organization, citing the group's views on women's and LGBTQ+ rights.

Marshall Special Education Teacher Charged With Assault Of Student

A teacher at George C. Marshall High School was charged with the assault of a special needs student, according to Fairfax County Police.

Historic Marker Honors Arlingtonians Buried At Cemetery In Halls Hill

Arlington County placed a historic marker next to the Mount Salvation Baptist Cemetery on Culpeper Street in Arlington in late November in honor of the many prominent Black residents from the Halls Hill neighborhood buried in the cemetery.

Virginia Cop Tied To CA Slayings Threatened To Kill Before: Report

A Virginia law enforcement officer who "catfished" a 15-year-old girl before slaying three of her family members in Riverside, Calif., on Nov. 25 was under psychiatric evaluation in 2016 after threatening to kill himself and his father, the Los Angeles Times reported Tuesday.

Train Hits, Kills Pedestrian In Fredericksburg On Wednesday

A pedestrian died after a train hit him in Fredericksburg on Wednesday morning, according to the Fredericksburg Police Department.

Hate Speech Graffiti Removed From South Riding Sidewalk By Community

Racist, homophobic, and antisemitic graffiti was spray-painted onto a sidewalk outside the Food Lion store in South Riding Town Center. Over the weekend, community members held an inclusivity rally and worked to remove and cover the graffiti with positive messages.