Burned Councilman Returns to Work

Danville City Councilman Lee Vogler returned to work this week, just months after he was set on fire outside his office. “All glory to God, I’m home from the hospital!” Vogler wrote on Tuesday.

The councilman was expected to require at least six months of hospitalization to recover. He’d been airlifted to a facility in North Carolina after he was attacked at his professional office at Showcase Magazine on July 30.

Police charged 30-year-old Shotsie Buck-Hayes with attempted first-degree murder and aggravated malicious wounding in connection with the ambush. A criminal court filing said Buck-Hayes admitted that “his intention was to kill Vogler.”

Vogler said he had to relearn many basic movements as he recovered and thanked the community for standing behind him. “The love and support has been overwhelming and has meant so much to me.“

SNAP Benefits on Hold

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has warned officials in Virginia that people will not receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits next month unless the ongoing federal government shutdown is resolved. There are 825,000 Virginians who get SNAP benefits.

People who have SNAP funds preloaded on a card will be able to use that money, but no more will be added.

Ahead of the cutoff, food banks across the Commonwealth were gearing up for an expected increase in demand for services. “We’re approaching things with an urgency and a focus, but we’re not panicking,” an official at the Virginia Peninsula Food Bank said.

SNAP benefits, formerly known as food stamps, provide funding for groceries for people living at or below the poverty line.

Elderly Man Admits Killing Wife

Douglas Sommer, an 89-year-old living in Chantilly, pleaded guilty to a voluntary manslaughter charge after admitting that he killed his 87-year-old wife earlier this year.

The Navy veteran shot his wife five times at close range while she slept. The couple’s adult daughter was also in the home at the time.

The daughter told authorities that she was trying to help the couple move to an assisted living facility, but that Sommer did not want to go.

Sommer could face 15 years in prison after his sentencing hearing on Jan. 9.

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➤ Statewide: Democrat Abigail Spanberger leads Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears 49% to 42% in the latest Commonwealth poll of the governor’s race. The survey of registered voters was conducted in October, following the release of news about the texting scandal surrounding attorney general candidate Jay Jones. (Details)

➤ Norfolk: The city removed a beach ramp at Ocean View because erosion underneath the structure made it unusable. The ramp, which opened just months ago, cost about $400,000 and was intended to aid first responders. (More)

➤ Lynchburg: An independent candidate for Commonwealth’s Attorney is suing the Virginia Department of Elections for printing his complete name, Christopher G. White, on ballots. He goes by Chris. (Details)

➤ Woodbridge: A postal carrier was robbed of packages while working a route this week. Authorities said a masked stranger approached the employee, implied he was armed, and made off with some mail. (More)

➤ Statewide: The National Weather Service warned of fire danger across the Commonwealth because of low humidity and gusting winds that could spread a blaze. (More)

➤ Roanoke: Two people were critically injured when a food truck exploded. The incident appears to have been an accident. (Details)

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➤ Lake Braddock leads the Class 6 Virginia high school football rankings, while Green Run maintained its position as the top team for Class 5. (See Full Rankings)

➤ JMU junior Natalie Jones was named American Conference Diving Athlete of the Week after leading the Dukes to wins over La Salle and Drexel. (More)

➤ UVA will host the NCAA’s Southeast Regional Cross Country Championships on November 14. (More)

Yesterday’s Results: NBA | NHL | NCAAF | Soccer | Tennis

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➤ A recent report found that independent music venues contributed more than $860 million to the state economy last year. Such locales also supported nearly 5,000 jobs and paid $540.6 million in wages. (Details)

➤ Geno’s Steaks, a Philly cheesesteak restaurant founded in 1966, will open its first Virginia location in Hampton Roads. (More)

➤ VFP, Inc., a maker of high-tech fencing, said it will invest $35 million to grow its operations in Scott County. The expansion will create 200 new jobs. (Details)

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[FINAL DAY] The AI Restaurant Brands Are Demanding

Sellouts are good for business, and Miso sold out its initial units of the newest AI-powered kitchen robot, Flippy Fry Station, in just one week. 

Why? The $1T fast-food industry faces 144% worker turnover and $20/hour minimum wages in places like California. But these units can boost industry profits by up to $24B. Brands like White Castle already use them. 

With partnerships in place with NVIDIA, Amazon, and Uber AI to refine its robots and AI, Miso is currently ramping up its U.S.-based manufacturing to capture a $4B/year annual revenue opportunity. 

There are over 100,000 U.S. fast food locations in need, making your opportunity to become an early-stage investor today all the more enticing.

Just don’t waste time. Today is the final day to invest this year.

➤ Rick Mathews of Leesburg recently completed a quest to ride every rollercoaster that allows adults in the country. That’s a total of 1,069 thrill rides. (Details)

➤ The Thank a Teacher Art Contest, sponsored by the Virginia Lottery and The Supply Room, is accepting entries from students in grades K-12. Submissions can be made online until Feb. 2. (More)

➤ Washington and Lee was named tops in the Commonwealth on the 2026 WalletHub list of Best Colleges and Universities. The University of Virginia ranked second, followed by the University of Richmond. (Details)

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Will you carve a pumpkin this year?

1. Yes
2. No
3. Too soon to say

Wednesday’s Results:

Who should Virginia Tech try to hire as its next football coach? 

1. Somebody else: 21%
2. James Franklin: 20%
3. Shane Beamer: 20%
4. Bud Foster: 20%
5. Frank Beamer: 19%

What was Washington and Lee named when it was founded in 1749?

Show me the answer