VA's Historic ERA Ratification Could Spark Court Fight | Patch PM

There was plenty of news across Washington, D.C., and northern Virginia on Wednesday. If you missed any of it on your local Patch, here's a roundup of some of the top stories from the past 24 hours.

Man Charged For Ties To Neo-Nazi Group's 'Swatting' Attacks

Federal authorities have charged a Virginia man for his role in calling in false emergencies to draw response from law enforcement, also known as "swatting." Former college student John William Kirby Kelley, 19, is charged with conspiracy to make threats for his alleged actions as part of an online group with neo-Nazi sympathies.

VA Governor Orders Temporary Ban Weapons From Capitol Grounds

Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam announced plans Wednesday to declare a temporary emergency banning all weapons, including guns, from the state Capitol grounds ahead of a massive rally planned for Jan. 20. Authorities want to avoid a repeat of the deadly violence that occurred in August 2017 when armed neo-Nazis, white nationalists and Confederate sympathizers caused mayhem in Charlottesville.

These Are The Top 100 Schools In Virginia, DC For 2020

The latest list of top schools in Virginia and the District of Columbia has familiar names up top and are followed by schools both private and public.

Virginia Makes History With Equal Rights Amendment Vote

The Virginia General Assembly voted Wednesday to ratify the Equal Rights Amendment. The House of Delegates voted 59-41 as a packed gallery of ERA supporters looked on, and the state Senate voted 28-12 to approve the measure. But, the addition of the ERA to the U.S. Constitution faces obstacles.

TSA Confiscates More Firearms At Dulles, Reagan Airports In 2019

Transportation Security Administration officers confiscated more handguns at the Greater Washington-Baltimore airport checkpoints in 2019 than they did in the previous year, although records were not set.

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