Panda Cam Is Back, Puppy Bowl, Chocolate Festival: News Nearby

There was plenty of news across Washington, D.C., and northern Virginia on Monday. 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.

• These Are The Safest Towns In Virginia For 2019: New List
• Major Marijuana Bust Notched In Loudoun County: Police
• Man Arrested For Child Pornography In Manassas: Police

Smithsonian Museums, National Zoo To Reopen

All Smithsonian museums and the National Zoo in Washington, D.C. will reopen on Tuesday, the institution announced on Friday. That means the Panda Cam will soon be back online.

Puppy Bowl XV To Feature Dogs From NoVA Shelters

If you're not into the Super Bowl, there's a good reason to watch the 15th annual Puppy Bowl this year. Pups from Animal Welfare League of Alexandria and Operation Paws for Homes will compete on Team Ruff and Team Fluff in Puppy Bowl XV Sunday, Feb. 3, on Animal Planet.

Watch: NoVA Kid Gets Call To Be Super Bowl Reporter

A 12-year-old Burke boy won't be available to talk Monday night when his dad calls from oveseas, where he's deployed. That's because the youth will be on national television interviewing Super Bowl LIII players.

Chocolate Lovers Festival 2019: Schedule, Events, Parking

One of the region's more eclectic edibles events is almost here, and with it comes what to many folks is quite the delicious aroma. It's the 26th annual Chocolate Lovers Festival, Feb. 1-3.

Snow May Bring Travel Difficulties To NoVA, DC Tuesday Evening

The National Weather Service has issued a winter weather advisory and special weather statement for DC and Northern Virginia ahead of likely snow Tuesday. Rain, snow and below-freezing temperatures Tuesday evening are expected to make for hazardous driving conditions.

Contribute your own content to Patch by signing up for an account and clicking the "Post on Patch" button at the top right of the site.

Also Worth A Look Today

• Prison Tampon Ban Could Be Modified By State
• Flu 'Widespread' In Virginia, No Deaths Reported
• Ariana Grande To Bring Sweetener Tour To DC March 25
• 1 NoVA, 4 DC Bars Make 'The Best Bars In America 2019' List
• Spotsylvania Man Fatally Hit By Vehicle: Police
• Pedestrian Dies In Alexandria Crash: Police

Across America

• Bakery Owner Apologizes For Message On Cookie
• Watch Dramatic Rescue Of Horse Stuck In Creek
• Howard Schultz And The Fancy $5 Gift Card
• Guy Gets Big Ceremonial Check For $1 Lottery Prize
• Watch: 6th Grader Called To Be Super Bowl Reporter

Thank you for reading! Find Your Patch and more news of the day, including our most-read stories.

SIGN UP: (For more news like this, find your local Patch here. If you have an iPhone, click here to get the free Patch iPhone app; download the free Patch Android app here. And like Patch on Facebook!)

Image: Pirate on Alexandria's Canine Cruise, by Shelley Castle Photography