2-Headed Snake, Huge Rat, Racism: 2018 Top Stories In DC, VA

Sarah Huckabee Sanders ejected from a local restaurant. A rare two-headed venomous snake. Racism at a D.C. park. A huge rat. These were just some of the stories that were a big hit with readers in 2018.

Virginia and D.C. had a lot going on this past year. Here's a look at the top 10 most-read stories in our region in 2018 (minus most crime and weather stories):

Virginia Restaurant Owner Tells Sarah Sanders To Leave Her Joint (June 23)

LEXINGTON, VA — White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders says the owner of a Virginia restaurant told her to leave the establishment Friday night because she works for President Trump.

Man Says Rubbing Produce On Butt Was YouTube Prank: Report (Sept. 17)

MANASSAS, VA—A man who picked up produce, pulled down his pants, rubbed the produce on his buttocks and then put it back on the shelf in a Giant Food at 10100 Dumfries Road was arrested late Saturday afternoon, according to Manassas City Police. He has since told WJLA television he was attempting a YouTube prank.

Virginia Dad Makes 'Bully' Son Run To School In Rain: Video (March 6)

ROANOKE, VA—"Welcome to you better listen to your dad 2018."

That's how a Virginia father begins a live video of his 10-year-old son being forced to run to school in the rain as punishment for bullying.

Rare 2-Headed Venomous Snake Found In NoVA Flower Bed (Sept. 22)

WOODBRIDGE, VA — A northern Virginia resident found a mutant two-headed copperhead snake in a flower bed; wildlife experts are now caring for the rare viper in hopes that it can be transferred to a zoo. A reptiles and amphibians specialist for the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries says that such animals have a tough time surviving in the wild because the two heads want to take different actions.

Woman Finds Lizard In Kale At DC Trader Joe's: Report (April 6)

WASHINGTON, DC -- Imagine opening a bag of kale and finding out it wasn't vegetarian. That's what happened to one D.C. Trader Joe's customer, who found a "very dead" lizard mixed in with the greens, according to a report.

Virginia's Best School Districts: New Rankings Released (Aug. 1)

ARLINGTON, VA — Virginia may have some issues — a transportation system and infrastructure in need of upgrades, a high tax rate, and a high cost of living — but there is one thing we have going for us and that is a stellar education system. Virginia routinely ranks near the top of the best educated states and data compiler Niche has ranked the states's best school districts for 2019.

Racism At DC Park Causes Online Uproar (May 14)

WASHINGTON, DC -- At a time in history when African-Americans have to worry about waiting in a Starbucks while black, booking Airbnb while black, or sleeping in the common room at the college you attend while black, you can add another one to the list: walking in a D.C. park while pushing a baby in a stroller while black.

DC/Virginia Burger Joint Named One Of The Best In The Country

WASHINGTON, DC —America has a long-running love affair with hamburgers, and a Washington, D.C., area burger joint was named to Thrillist's list of the 31 best burger joints in America.

Terrifying Video Shows Plane Aborting Landing At Reagan Airport

ARLINGTON, VA -- Some rather startling new footage has emerged showing a plane's aborted landing attempt at Reagan National Airport Friday due to strong winds.

Huge Rat Rummages Through American University Restaurant: Report

WASHINGTON, DC -- An alarming new video shows a huge rat poking around in food in what is reportedly a restaurant on the campus of American University.

WASHINGTON, DC - OCTOBER 31: White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders speaks to the media on the driveway outside of the West Wing of the White House on October 31, 2018 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Mark Wilson/Getty Images)