Democrat James Walkinshaw has won the special election to be Virginia’s next U.S. House representative. Walkinshaw has sat on the board of the state’s most populous county for five years. He also served as the former chief of staff for the late U.S. Rep. Gerry Connolly, who previously held the congressional seat. Tuesday’s special election was set after Connolly died of esophageal cancer in May. Walkinshaw defeated Republican Stewart Whitson. Republicans only have a razor-thin edge in the House. Walkinshaw’s victory only adds to their spending battles this month ahead of a potential government shutdown.

Around 1,000 employees were recently laid off for the National Park Service, which has left many residents and lawmakers concerned.

Parents of children too young to be vaccinated are facing difficult choices as COVID cases fueled by the omicron variant rise to record levels and every encounter seems risky.