Washington Monument Closed Until 2019 | Pedestrian Killed | MGM Casino Prepares Opening | News Nearby

Patch has 32 sites in communities in Va. and D.C. Here are some of the top posts from the past 24 hours.

• Pedestrian Struck, Killed Near Richmond Highway: Police
• Loaded Gun Detected in Carry-On Bag at Dulles Airport
• New MGM National Harbor Will Benefit Entire Region, MGM CEO Predicts

Classic Books Banned in Virginia School System Over Racial Slur

Two classic novels in American literature have been banned from classrooms and libraries of an Eastern Shore school district in Virginia. Harper Lee's "To Kill a Mockingbird," and Mark Twain's "The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn" contain racial slurs, and a parent complained to the Accomack County School Board after her bi-racial son told her he was uncomfortable having to read the books. >>> Read more.

Washington Monument Closed Until 2019; Repair Money Pledged

The Washington Monument — closed to the public for possibly three years as officials battle continuing problems with its elevator — will be repaired and its troublesome elevator modernized, federal officials said Friday. >>> Read more.

Women's March on Washington Organizers: Don't Worry, We're Marching Jan. 21

Fear not, attendees of the upcoming Women's March on Washington: the march will happen on time and on schedule, despite initial permitting obstacles. That's what organizers of the march, which currently has 128,000 signups on its Facebook page, are telling everyone after reports surfaced that they were having difficulties securing a permit for the huge march on the National Mall on Jan. 21, the day after Donald Trump's inauguration as president. >>> Read more.

• Loaded Gun Detected in Carry-On Bag at Dulles Airport
• 'The Great Chocolate Race 2016' to Cause Major Road Closures in Arlington
• Virginia Lottery Under Way for Rare Pappy Van Winkle Bourbon
• Pedestrian Struck Thursday Night in Alexandria, Suffers Life-Threatening Injuries: Police
• Deer Sterilization Monday and Tuesday in Fairfax

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• Congressman Says People at Metro Need to Get Fired: Report
• Metro Silver Line Derailment: Tracks Were in Horrendous Shape, Investigators Find
• Food Lion Murder Suspect Arrested in Maryland: Police
• Former Property Management Co. to Pay $1.6 Million for Defrauding Fort Belvoir, Others
• Ashburn Woman Sentenced to Prison for Embezzlement

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