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COVID-19: XEC Now Leading Variant in US - Here Are Symptoms COVID-19: XEC Now Leading Variant in US - Here Are Symptoms
Covid-19: XEC Now Leading Variant in US - Here Are Symptoms The XEC COVID-19 variant, first identified in Europe, now accounts for 45 percent of cases in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).  Click here for a new, updated story - COVID-19: Virus Levels Now Surging In These States As infections tick upward, public health experts are urging vigilance. The strain, a mix of earlier Omicron subvariants, exhibits symptoms similar to Omicron and its predecessors. These include: Congestion,  Runny nose,  Cough,  Shortness of breath,  Fever or chills,  Fatigue.  Not…

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by Joe Lombardi
Obituaries
'Bald Ballerina' Maggie Kudirka Dies After Inspirational Cancer Battle, 33 'Bald Ballerina' Maggie Kudirka Dies After Inspirational Cancer Battle, 33
'Bald Ballerina' Maggie Kudirka Dies After Inspirational Cancer Battle, 33 The world lost an extraordinary spirit on Friday, Dec. 27, with the passing of Maggie Kudirka, lovingly known as the "Bald Ballerina. "Maggie, 33, succumbed to metastatic breast cancer at her home, surrounded by family, loved ones shared on Instagram. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Maggie Kudirka (@baldballerina) The Joffrey Ballet School, where Maggie trained, mourned her loss, calling her a “beautiful warrior.” “Maggie’s passion and grace will forever inspire us,” they wrote, reflecting on her profound impact on the dance and c…

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by Cecilia Levine
Politics
Majority Of Americans Limit Political News Amid Fatigue, Overload, Poll Finds Majority Of Americans Limit Political News Amid Fatigue, Overload, Poll Finds
Majority Of Americans Limit Political News Amid Fatigue, Overload, Poll Finds In an era of 24/7 news cycles and social media saturation, most Americans are stepping back from political news to combat fatigue and information overload.
 According to a brand-new nationwide poll by the AP-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research, 65 percent of adults feel the need to limit their consumption of government and political news.
 This sentiment crosses party lines, but Democrats are slightly more likely than Republicans to feel overwhelmed (72 percent vs. 59 percent). Additionally, 50 percent of respondents cited the need to cut back on news about overseas conflicts.
 Around…

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by Joe Lombardi
News
$4.3B Now Recovered For Madoff Ponzi Scheme Victims, DOJ Says $4.3B Now Recovered For Madoff Ponzi Scheme Victims, DOJ Says
$4.3B Now Recovered For Madoff Ponzi Scheme Victims, DOJ Says More than $4.3 billion has now been recovered for victims of Bernie Madoff’s massive and infamous Ponzi scheme, the Justice Department announced, as part of a decade-long effort that has compensated over 40,000 people worldwide for nearly 94 percent of their losses. The DOJ says  its 10th and final distribution from the Madoff Victim Fund (MVF), provided more than $131 million to over 23,000 victims. The latest distribution marks the culmination of a decade-long effort to recover and return forfeited funds tied to Madoff's fraudulent investment empire. Most victims, primarily small inv…

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by Joe Lombardi
Lifestyle
Winning Numbers For Monday, Dec. 30 Powerball Drawing With Estimated $163M Jackpot Winning Numbers For Monday, Dec. 30 Powerball Drawing With Estimated $163M Jackpot
Winning Numbers For Monday, Dec. 30 Powerball Drawing With Estimated $163M Jackpot The winning numbers have been announced for the Monday, Dec. 30 Powerball drawing. The estimated jackpot is $163 million with a $73.9 million cash option after a recent winner reset the prize pool. If no winner claims the top prize, the jackpot will continue to roll until the next drawing at 10:59 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 1 with a possible $178 million prize. The winning numbers for Monday's drawing were 09-19-33-38-39 with a Powerball of 01 and the Power Play was 3X. Lottery players have a 1 in 292,201,338 chance of winning a Powerball jackpot by matching all five ball…

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by Zak Failla
Police & Fire
Car Thief In Hospital Scrubs Caught With High-Tech Help After Virginia Heist, Police Say Car Thief In Hospital Scrubs Caught With High-Tech Help After Virginia Heist, Police Say
Car Thief In Hospital Scrubs Caught With High-Tech Help After Virginia Heist, Police Say A brazen car thief who drove off in a Fredericksburg resident's car while wearing hospital scrubs didn’t get far before cutting-edge technology and quick police work caught up with him, officials say. An officer from the Fredericksburg Police Department responded to the report of a stolen vehicle on Tuesday, Dec. 17 in the 500 block of Emancipation Highway, where the owner of a vehicle advised that his car had been taken while he left it idling in a nearby parking lot. Security footage from the business revealed the suspect dressed in hospital patient attire, prompting investigators to expa…

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by Zak Failla
Lifestyle
Survivor Casting Opens For 2025 Season 49: Apply Now Survivor Casting Opens For 2025 Season 49: Apply Now
Survivor Casting Opens For 2025 Season 49: Apply Now Think you have what it takes to outwit, outplay, and outlast? CBS's iconic reality series "Survivor" is looking for contestants for its 49th season, scheduled to film in spring 2025. Casting for the next season of "Survivor" is officially open, offering fans and first-timers the chance to compete in one of television's toughest challenges. Season 49 will take contestants to a remote location for grueling physical, mental, and social tests as they vie for the coveted title of Sole Survivor and the $1 million prize. Filming is slated to take place from mid-April to mid-May 2025, and applicati…

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by Jillian Pikora
Police & Fire
Sidewalk Stabbing Suspect Charged With Murder In VA After Young Mother Dies At Hospital: Police Sidewalk Stabbing Suspect Charged With Murder In VA After Young Mother Dies At Hospital: Police
Sidewalk Stabbing Suspect Charged With Murder In VA After Young Mother Dies At Hospital: Police A young mother died at the hospital after she and her toddler were stabbed by a 23-year-old man on a Pentagon City sidewalk. Arlington resident Leonardo Reyes is now facing a murder charge after he allegedly attacked Iman Gaye, 26, and a child in the 900 block of Army Navy Drive around 9:45 p.m. on Dec. 14, according to the police. The Arlington Police Department announced the murder charge on Monday night after Gaye died at an area hospital from injuries sustained in the assault. The toddler was released on Monday, Dec. 23 after being treated and evaluated. Reyes was arrested the day…

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by Zak Failla
Police & Fire
Trio Of Masked Men Target Three Woodbridge Smoke Shops In Overnight Burglary Spree: Police Trio Of Masked Men Target Three Woodbridge Smoke Shops In Overnight Burglary Spree: Police
Trio Of Masked Men Target Three Woodbridge Smoke Shops In Overnight Burglary Spree: Police Three smoke shops in Woodbridge were hit in a string of early morning burglaries on Sunday, and police believe the same suspects may be responsible. The first incident was reported at Crystal Smoke & Vape on Cardinal Drive, where officers responded at 3:53 a.m. to investigate an alarm activation. Police found a damaged glass window, but no entry was made, and nothing was reported stolen. Minutes later, at 4:06 a.m., officers were called to the Exotic Smoke Shop on Minnieville Road, where a shattered side glass window indicated forced entry.  Surveillance footage revealed three men…

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by Zak Failla
Sports
Plane Carrying Top 25 College Basketball Team Nearly Collides With Delta Jet Plane Carrying Top 25 College Basketball Team Nearly Collides With Delta Jet
Plane Carrying Top 25 College Basketball Team Nearly Collides With Delta Jet The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is investigating a near-collision at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) involving a charter plane carrying the No. 19-ranked Gonzaga men’s basketball team and a Delta jet.  The incident occurred on Friday, Dec. 27, as the Delta aircraft was taking off for Atlanta, Georgia. According to reports, an air traffic controller urgently instructed the charter plane to "Stop, stop, stop" just before it crossed paths with the departing Delta flight. The quick action avoided a potential disaster, and no injuries were reported. “In the years I’ve bee…

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by Joe Lombardi
Police & Fire
Police ID Speeding 21-Year-Old Driver Killed In Fiery Late-Night Prince William County Crash Police ID Speeding 21-Year-Old Driver Killed In Fiery Late-Night Prince William County Crash
Police ID Speeding 21-Year-Old Driver Killed In Fiery Late-Night Prince William County Crash New details have been released after a speeding 21-year-old Manassas driver was killed in a Prince William County rollover crash shortly before the holidays. Ian Rambert has been identified by investigators as the person involved in a deadly single-vehicle crash in Manassas when he was reportedly traveling more than twice the posted 35 mph speed limit before losing control and rolling over several times. First responders were called shortly before midnight on Saturday, Dec. 21 to the area of Lake Jackson Drive near Blandsford Drive, where there was a reported single-vehicle crash involving …

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by Zak Failla
Police & Fire
Trespasser Who Assaulted Arresting Officer Outside Woodbridge Apartment Busted With Drugs: PD Trespasser Who Assaulted Arresting Officer Outside Woodbridge Apartment Busted With Drugs: PD
Trespasser Who Assaulted Arresting Officer Outside Woodbridge Apartment Busted With Drugs: PD A Stafford man is facing multiple charges after allegedly assaulting a police officer during a trespassing investigation at the Elevations One Apartments over the weekend, authorities said. William Lambert, 26, was arrested shortly after 6:30 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 28 by officers conducting a proactive patrol of the complex in the 14300 block of Bellona Road in Woodbridge, when he was spotted trespassing in the area.  During the encounter, Lambert reportedly kneed an officer several times before ultimately being detained.  Police said no major injuries were reported, and noted th…

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by Zak Failla