8.7% hike to Social Security checks won't cut it, some fear
In a year when inflation has made Americans’ eyes pop when they fill up their gas or walk down grocery store aisles, many Social Security recipients worry whether the biggest cost-of-living increase in four decades will be enough to cover their needs.
Man stopped at Virginia airport security checkpoint with 23 weapons in carry-on
Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers stopped an Alexandria man who had 23 knives stashed in a carry-on bag at a Virginia airport security checkpoint on Wednesday, according to a press release by the agency.
Elite Virginia public school accepts more Blacks and Hispanic students, decreasing Asian representation
A premier public high school in northern Virginia has dramatically increased the number of Black and Hispanic students offered admission under a new application system that some Asian American parents say discriminates against their children.
Biden marks vaccine progress, thanks troops ahead of holiday
President Joe Biden started the Memorial Day weekend by visiting a rock climbing gym in northern Virginia as the state lifted all COVID-19 distancing and capacity restrictions at private businesses and much of the nation pushes toward a greater sense of normalcy.
Northam signs bills creating tuition-free community college program for low, middle-income students
ALEXANDRIA, Va. – Virginia students may be eligible for free tuition at community colleges statewide thanks to a newly signed bill. Ralph Northam signed legislation Monday for his “Get Skilled, Get a Job, Give Back” initiative, or “G3″ program, which makes tuition-free community college available to an estimated 36,000 low and middle-income students pursuing jobs in high-demand fields. The program includes $36 million to cover tuition, fees and books to support eligible students at two-year public institutions in Virginia. Northam made this possible by signing House Bill 2204 and Senate Bill 1405, which establishes and funds the G3 program. Eligibility for the G3 program is determined by submitting an application for federal and state student financial aid, including the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA.
Trains crash in southern Egypt, killing at least 32
(AP Photo)CAIRO – Two trains crashed Friday in southern Egypt, killing at least 32 people and injuring 165, authorities said in the latest of a series of deadly accidents on the country’s troubled railways. Those remarks came a day after a passenger train collided with a cargo train, killing at least 12 people. AdA year earlier, two passenger trains collided just outside Alexandria, killing 43. In 2016, at least 51 people were killed when two commuter trains collided near Cairo. Egypt’s deadliest train crash was in 2002, when over 300 people were killed after fire broke out in a train traveling from Cairo to southern Egypt.
Lawsuit challenges new admissions policy at elite Virginia school
The Pacific Legal Foundation's lawsuit against the Fairfax County school board was prompted by the school system's decision to overhaul the admissions process at the Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology. The Fairfax County school board voted last year to revise the admissions process and eliminate a standardized test that had been a key part of the evaluation process. It also set aside a specific number of slots for students at each of the middle schools in the county. The lawsuit comes as the U.S. Supreme Court is weighing whether to hear a long-running legal case against Harvard University over whether its admissions polices discriminate against Asian Americans. AdWilcox said that the rules governing K-12 schools are different than those governing colleges, but she acknowledged that a Supreme Court ruling on the Harvard case could affect the TJ lawsuit.
Police: Man in custody in Virginia after Florida kidnapping
PEMBROKE PINES, Fla. – Police say a man wanted in the weekend kidnapping of a South Florida family is now in custody in Alexandria, Virginia. Pemboke Pines police said in a social media post that 37-year-old Jaddier T. Sanchez was taken into custody early Monday. They say the 18-year-old woman he is accused of kidnapping was taken to a hospital for treatment of minor injuries. The incident began early Sunday morning, when Sanchez confronted the woman and her parents as they returned to their home. Police say he drove them to several banks to get cash from ATMs.
Titans may be remembered, but T.C. Williams to be forgotten
ALEXANDRIA, Va. – The city of Alexandria’s only public high school is getting a new name after the school board unanimously voted to remove the name of segregationist educator T.C. Williams Titans have national name recognition after the 2000 Denzel Washington film “Remember the Titans” told the story of the team’s state football championship in 1971, the year that previously segregated high schools in the city were merged into T.C. The school board voted unanimously Monday to remove the name after a public survey found 75% support for the change. Williams name change to cost about $325,000 - mostly for new uniforms - and about $5,000 for the elementary school. Numerous schools throughout the state and South moved this year to change the names of schools honoring Confederate leaders.
WATCH: Sen. Mark Warner speaks in Alexandria after winning U.S. Senate reelection
ALEXANDRIA, Va. – Sen. Mark Warner spoke to a crowd in Alexandria after AP confirmed his reelection to U.S. Senate. Mark Warner wins reelection to U.S. Senate Sen. Mark Warner speaks after he wins reelection to U.S. Senate. Posted by WSLS 10 / WSLS.com on Tuesday, November 3, 2020Warner has been a U.S. Senator for Virginia since 2009.
Man tracked through DNA site gets 65 years in rape cases
ALEXANDRIA, Va. – A man who was tracked down with the help a public access DNA database and convicted of raping two lifeguards in Northern Virginia has been sentenced to 65 years in prison. An Alexandria Circuit Court judge handed down Jesse Bjerke’s sentence Friday, radio station WTOP reported. That pointed to Bjerke as a suspect. He pleaded guilty in October 2019 to six felonies, and then earlier this year pleaded no contest and was convicted in the rape of another woman, who was working as a lifeguard when she was attacked in 2014. This was not a crime of impulse.”Prosecutors had asked for a sentence of 80 years; Bjerke’s attorney had asked for “a couple of decades.”
’God puts people in the right places': Lynchburg police officers save woman’s life after choking
LYNCHBURG, Va. – A Lynchburg woman is grateful to be alive after two police officers saved her life while she was choking. On Wednesday, 10 News was there for an emotional reunion between Alexandria Johnson and Lynchburg police officers, Austin Rowland and Michael Johnson. “I believe God puts people in the right places at the right time,” said Alexandria. “I just made sure they watched from a distance and let them know that everything was okay,” Officer Johnson said. With help from Officer Johnson, the family surprised the officers with balloons and cards of appreciation a month later.
Virginia man pleads guilty to $1M virus fraud scheme
ALEXANDRIA, Va. A northern Virginia man has pleaded guilty to a $1.4 million fraud scheme to obtain federal funds meant for businesses struggling under the coronavirus pandemic. They actually received $1.4 million in loans from various banks. His wife, Monica Magdalena Jaworska, 43, of Ashburn, is also charged in the scheme and is scheduled to plead guilty next week. The two were arrested in June at Kennedy International Airport in New York after purchasing one-way tickets to Poland, authorities said. The vast majority of the funds were frozen but Jaafar was able to withdraw at least $30,000 in cash, authorities said.
US expands virus testing of detained migrants amid criticism
The United States resumed deportation flights to Guatemala, nearly a month after the Central American country refused to accept them. (AP Photo/Moises Castillo)WASHINGTON U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement announced Wednesday that it has expanded COVID-19 testing among people held at its detention facilities following criticism of its response to the outbreak. ICE says it now offers voluntary tests for the virus to all people held at detention facilities in Tacoma, Washington, and Aurora, Colorado, and will consider doing the same at other locations. There have been 45 confirmed cases among ICE employees at detention facilities, including 15 at a facility at the airport in Alexandria, Louisiana, where people are held just prior to deportation. The results for the testing at the Aurora, Colorado, facility are expected to be available within a week.
Hokies pull away from Patriots late in 77-58 road victory
FAIRFAX, Va. - Courtesy of Virginia Tech Athletics:The Virginia Tech women's basketball team raced past George Mason 77-58 Sunday afternoon at EagleBank Arena, moving to 2-0 on the young season. The Patriots were led by Jacy Bolton who scored 15 points and added five rebounds. Mason threatened in the third quarter cutting the Hokies' advantage to single digits, but could get no closer than seven points. Four different Hokies were in double figures; Sheppard (22), Rivers (16), Mabrey (11) and Cole (11). Both teams had an assist to turnover ratio of 1.0 (Virginia Tech 14-14 and George Mason 11-11).
Man Buys 25 Identical Lottery Tickets, Wins $125,000
This man won the Virginia Lottery 25 times over! David Maiocco of Alexandria bought 25 identical tickets for the Virginia Lottery Pick 4 drawing on Sep. 3. Maiocco told lottery officials he was on hold with customer service for his TV provider when he decided to pass some time and check his numbers. He discovered his numbers had been drawn, winning him 25 prizes of $5,000 a total of $125,000. RELATED STORIESDriving Home the Jackpot: Couple Finds $100,000 Lottery Ticket in Their CarEven After Winning $5 Million Lottery Jackpot, Teacher Still Plans on WorkingWoman Wins $200,000 Lottery Prize After Cashing In on Another Winning Ticket
Mother Who Pretended 5-Year-Old Daughter Had Died in Car Crash Charged With Murder: Cops
A Louisiana mother is charged with murder after allegedly pretending her 5-year-old daughter had died in a car crash, police said. Anderson said she and her daughter had been in a car crash, according to police. But when officers went to attempt to find the site of the crash, they couldn't. In addition, the injury did not appear to be one that could have been sustained in a crash, police said. They charged her with second-degree murder in the death of her daughter.
Deputies cleared of charges after taser fire
The deputies responded to reports of a man threatening his neighbors and a mailman. Body camera video shows the man, 75-year-old Walter Hopkins, meet them at the door of his home, holding a knife. The video shows Hopkins tried to attack them with the weapon. One deputy took out his taser, and as he pulled the trigger, Hopkins pulled out a cup of gasoline. The mix of gas and the taser caused Hopkins, the deputies, and the home to catch fire.