Pilots Shot Down by Friendly Fire

Two Virginia-based Navy pilots were rescued and are recovering after their plane was accidentally shot down over the Red Sea.

The pilots had just taken off in a two-seat F/A-18 Super Hornet when “the guided missile cruiser USS Gettysburg, which is part of the USS Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group, mistakenly fired on and hit the F/A-18,” according to U.S. Central Command.  

The Navy patrols the area to prevent attacks on commercial ships from the Iranian-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen. 

The plane that was shot down is assigned to Strike Fighter Squadron 11 and operates out of Naval Air Station Oceana, Virginia.

Fire Guts Former College Campus

A massive fire engulfed several buildings at the former Virginia Intermont College in Bristol last week.

The school has been closed since 2014, when it lost accreditation, and the property has been deteriorating since then. 

Council member Neal Osborne said the city wants an explanation from the property’s absentee owner, U.S. Magis International. “They will answer for why this property was not secured, why they did not take proactive steps to prevent this from happening,” he said.

City Manager Randy Eads warned that Bristol may be responsible for cleaning up after the fire and possibly tearing down the buildings.

Washington Commanders Stun Eagles

The Washington Commanders rallied past the division-leading Philadelphia Eagles, scoring a touchdown with just six seconds left to play to pull out a 36-33 victory.

Washington struggled to hold on to the ball, turning it over five times. Rookie QB Jayden Daniels was 24 of 39 for 257 yards and threw five TDs in the win.

Philadelphia jumped out to a 21-7 lead after the first quarter and seemed to be in charge. But Eagles starting quarterback Jalen Hurts left the game with an injury, and Washington rallied.

With the win, the Commanders move to 10-5 and remain in position for a Wild Card spot in the playoffs. Philadelphia drops to 12-3 but remains two games up in the NFC East.

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➤ Alexandria: Alexandria City High School canceled the final two days of classes before Christmas break after a series of fights injured students and staffers. At least two students are charged with assault and battery. (Details)

➤ Charlottesville: Attorney General Jason Miyares, who is seeking reelection, credited his office for a drop in crime, including a 30% decrease in murder rates and a 25% reduction in addiction deaths. (More)

➤ Henrico: A 23-year-old from Prince George County was charged with 10 felony vandalism charges and 11 misdemeanor vandalism-related charges in Henrico County. Aaron James Webb is also expected to be charged with vandalism incidents in the city of Richmond. (Details)

➤ Portsmouth: A recount confirmed that Dr. William Dodson Jr. defeated sitting City Councilman De’Andre Barnes by 33 votes. Dodson was sworn in on Friday. (Details)

➤ Fairfax County: A former extended stay motel will be converted into emergency housing for families and victims of domestic violence. The county purchased the building in August for $14.5 million. (More)

➤ Virginia Beach: City police announced the largest single methamphetamine bust in its history. Police arrested a man and seized 150 pounds of methamphetamine, worth an estimated $350,000, last month. (Details)

➤ The U.S. Senate passed an independent measure allowing the District of Columbia control over the site of the former RFK Stadium. (Details)

➤ CNBC broke down the value of college sports programs. UVA came in at No. 45 on the list, while VT was No. 53. (The List)

➤ UVA men’s basketball rallied to beat American 63-58 in the team’s final game before a Christmas break. (Details)

Yesterday’s results: NFL | NCAAF | NBA | NHL | NCAAM | NCAAW | PGA

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➤ A group including the BayPort Foundation, Ferguson, Newport News Shipbuilding, and Virginia Natural Gas teamed up to award half a million dollars to the Newport News Public Schools New Teacher Institute program. (More)

➤ Capital One, with headquarters in McLean, received clearance from authorities in Delaware for its planned acquisition of Discover Financial Services. (Details)

➤ Big Lots announced it will go out of business, shuttering all 33 of its locations in Virginia. (More)

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➤ An assistant professor at UVA is also a cancer survivor and beauty pageant winner. She is working to raise awareness about pancreatic cancer. (More)

➤ The Blue Ridge Foothills & Lakes Chapter of the Virginia Master Naturalists offers courses for those wanting to learn more about the natural sciences. (Details)

➤ Loudoun County is considering adding three communities to its list of historic villages—Stewartown, Unison, and Willisville. (More)

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Will the Commanders make the playoffs?

1. Yes
2. No

Friday’s Results:

Do you plan to play golf in Virginia next year? 

1. Yes: 37.2%
2. No: 62.8%

What is the combined value of the athletic programs in the ACC conference?

Show me the answer