CNA Week 3

Oil Spill in Potomac River

On Thursday, an oil sheen was spotted in the Potomac River from Gravelly Point to Jones Point. Government agencies have reported that the runoff came from Roaches Run, a tidal pond flowing into the river, but they have not identified the source of the spill yet. Although the composition of the runoff is currently unknown, the District’s Department of Energy and Environment has reported that it is not a concern to public health.

Republicans Eliminating Oath of Loyalty

State election officials in Virginia have voted to remove the Republican Party of Virginia’s pledge to party loyalty that was previously required to vote for a GOP candidate. The party requested to throw out the oath following criticism from both Democrats and Republicans, notably Donald Trump. The oath’s original purpose was to protect the party’s integrity since Virginia does not require party registration to vote in the primaries; however, the pledge was said to be a discouragement to independent voters and new voters.

Virginia Tech Student Involved in Murder Denied Bail

Natalie Keepers, a Virginia Tech freshman student who was involved in the murder of 13-year-old Nicole Lovell, has been denied bail while she is on trial. She and her boyfriend David Eisenhauer, who was charged with first degree murder and abduction, planned the murder together, and she assisted him with hiding Lovell’s body. Even though Keeper’s parents have testified that she is a Christian girl who struggled with mental health problems, the judge denied her bond due to her role in the murder.