Search

Va. Senate votes to overturn local school mask mandates 02/09/2022 04:46pm • The Virginia Senate on Wednesday passed a bill allowing parents to ignore local school boards' mandates on children wearing masks in school. By a vote of 21-17, with several Democrats joining all Republicans, the Senate passed SB739, which lets parents “elect for to not wear a mask on school p Deep dive needed on DC racial health disparities, researchers say 02/09/2022 01:10pm • This report is part of WTOP's coverage of Black History Month. Read more stories on WTOP.com here. Researchers say structural racism has left D.C. with stark differences in health outcomes, and a new study takes a deeper look into the issue. “We are constantly talking about these racial disp Customers say goodbye as Smitty McGee's in Fenwick closes its doors for good 02/09/2022 10:34am • Smitty McGee's Restaurant and Raw Bar — an Irish-themed sports bar in West Fenwick Island that opened its doors more than 30 years ago — closed for good Saturday, and customers have taken to social media to say farewell. "By far the best wings ever. Too many memories. Sad day," Joshua Tho Disruptions and 'affidavits' halt another Loudoun Co. school board meeting 02/09/2022 05:42am • The battle over masks in schools is being waged in courtrooms, legislative chambers and school board meetings — and Tuesday night, parents upset with the current rules in Loudoun County, Virginia, used words like "corrupt" and "schoolyard bullies" to describe the actions of the district's leaders. Judge blocks Youngkin's mask mandate ban in 7 Virginia school districts 02/08/2022 10:52pm • An Arlington judge issued an order temporarily blocking Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin's executive order regarding mask mandates from being enforced in seven school districts. Alexandria, Arlington, Fairfax County, Falls Church City, Hampton City, Prince William County and Richmond schools can keep Paying for Meals at College: What to Know About Costs 02/08/2022 07:00pm • Some college dining halls lack variety, serving iterations of the same meal every day. Others serve restaurant-quality food, with made-to-order omelet stations, global cuisine options and themed dinner events. No matter the selection, the dining hall can be a place of community on campus. But it doe 23 Top Things to Do in Columbia, South Carolina 02/08/2022 07:00pm • (Note: Some attractions may require COVID-19 testing or vaccination proof and capacity restrictions may be in place due to the coronavirus pandemic. Check directly with the attraction website before your trip.) The mid-sized capital city of Columbia, South Carolina, is steeped in history and buzzing Answers to 15 Common Tax Questions 02/08/2022 07:00pm • Answers to your tax questionsThis is the time of year when people's minds are filled with tax questions -- whether they're searching for free tax help they can trust, trying to squeeze out more valuable deductions, hoping to avoid penalties or an audit, eagerly awaiting their refund, or wanting to m Virginia Senate advances bill to ban school mask mandates 02/08/2022 05:25pm • Parents in Virginia are a step closer to being able to disregard local school board requirements that their children wear masks in school. The Virginia state Senate on Tuesday voted to advance a law that would prevent local school boards from implementing a mask requirement in schools. The legisl Doctors weigh in on the issue of lifting mask mandates 02/08/2022 04:43pm • Federal guidance recommending masking in schools remains in place, but whether and when to lift COVID-19 masking requirements are issues individual states are exploring on their own terms. One medical expert believes the availability of hospital beds to accommodate COVID-19 patients should help c Fairfax Co. considers COVID-19 memorial 02/08/2022 03:48pm • Leaders in Fairfax County, Virginia, want to create a memorial marking the county's losses from COVID-19. On Tuesday, the county’s Board of Supervisors unanimously passed a motion introduced by Chairman Jeff McKay that directs staff to begin work estimating the cost, timeline and potential desi Hogan announces Md. lottery for boosters 02/08/2022 02:39pm • Last year, Maryland held a lottery to encourage people to get vaccinated. On Tuesday, Gov. Larry Hogan announced the state will do the same for boosters. The VaxCash 2.0 lottery will follow in the footsteps of the VaxCash and VaxU contests, which awarded money to adults and scholarship help to st Alex Ovechkin primed to return to lineup vs Blue Jackets; Copley starts in goal 02/08/2022 12:57pm • Alex Ovechkin primed to return, Copley in goal vs Jackets originally appeared on NBC Sports WashingtonCapitals captain Alex Ovechkin was back on the ice for morning skate Tuesday ahead of the team’s game against the Blue Jackets after clearing COVID-19 protocol, and appears ready to rejoin the Reasons for optimism, and caution, in DC’s annual HIV report 02/08/2022 07:45am • D.C. continues to show steady improvement in the battle against HIV, with the number of new cases in 2020 continuing a yearslong decline going back more than a decade. While most of the statistics in the D.C. Health Department's newly-released 2020 data — long delayed due to the coronavirus pan Northern Virginia ice cream shop employs people with disabilities 02/08/2022 04:05am • Employees of Jake's Ice Cream in Northern Virginia pose for a photo. (Courtesy Robin Rinearson) On a cold November day, at least five employees were working behind the counter at Jake’s Ice Cream in Northern Virginia. November is not the high season for ice cream; two or three staff members