 Deadly Collision Near Reagan National
On January 29, American Airlines Flight 5342 out of Wichita collided with an Army Black Hawk helicopter, killing all 67 people on both aircraft.
The passenger jet was descending to land in Arlington when the military aircraft, which had been told to pass behind the jet, collided with it.
“This was a disaster waiting to happen,” former commercial pilot Ross Aimer said after the disaster. The operations manager of the DCA air traffic control tower agreed. “It was a combination over many years that I think that built up to that evening,” Clark Allen told National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigators over the summer.
In early December, the federal government accepted responsibility for the crash, admitting it had breached its “duty of care” to the commercial passengers. The NTSB is still investigating.
Missing Giraffes
In April, a team of inspectors from the state attorney general’s office visited the Natural Bridge Zoo in Rockbridge County in an attempt to check on the health of three adult giraffes, two of which had been pregnant the last time they had been observed.
The government assumed legal responsibility for the animals in 2024 after winning a lawsuit against the zoo over poor conditions. Roughly 100 animals were seized, but the giraffes were unable to be relocated at the time. Later, giraffe calves had clearly been born, but were not found on the premises.
In October, zoo owner Gretchen Mogensen refused to disclose to a court the location of the newborn giraffes. Instead, she is spending 100 days in jail. The three adult animals were transferred to a facility in Georgia. One died during transport.
Lee Vogler Attacked
In July, Danville City Council member Lee Vogler was attacked at his place of business, doused with a flammable substance, and set on fire. He was airlifted to the burn unit at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill and began a months-long recovery.
Authorities detained Shotsie Buck-Hayes and charged him with attempted first-degree murder. He was later found mentally competent to stand trial, but no date has been set.
Vogler’s recovery is several months ahead of schedule. He is home for the holidays and even attended council meetings again. “You look good, and we are with you,” another council member told Vogler in October.
Congressional Redistricting
In October, Democrats in the General Assembly introduced a proposed constitutional amendment that, if enacted, would allow them to redraw federal congressional districts ahead of the 2026 election.
The proposal swiftly passed both houses along partisan lines. Democratic lawmakers intend to pass it again in January, and the amendment could be put before Virginia voters in April.
The state’s current congressional delegation consists of six Democrats and five Republicans, based on a district map drawn in 2021. The early redistricting could result in the creation of as many as 10 Democrat-leaning seats in the next election.
Democrats Dominate Elections
In November, Democrats scored sweeping electoral victories. In the governor’s race, Abigail Spanberger topped Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears, while state Sen. Ghazala Hashmi defeated Republican John Reid for lieutenant governor.
In the race for attorney general, Jay Jones ousted incumbent Republican Jason Miyares, even after Jones admitted to sending violent texts that threatened former House Speaker Todd Gilbert and his children.
Democrats also gained 13 seats in the House of Delegates, giving them their largest majority in three decades. The new assembly is scheduled to convene later this month.
Gov.-elect Spanberger promised to focus on affordability when she takes office.
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