CNA 2

Nicole Lovell murder made more sinister by plotting behind it

More details only heightening the depravity of the crime have continued to come out regarding the murder of 13-year-old Nicole Lovell and the case’s two main suspects, Virginia Tech students Natalie Keepers and David Eisenhauer. During Keepers’ courtroom hearing Thursday, Attorney Mary Pettitt revealed that she and Eisenhauer had formulated the plan to kill Lovell well in advance, including a murder weapon, location, and disposal method. In the wake of the crime, Keepers, 19, is being charged as an accessory to a first degree murder as well as assisting to hide the body, while Eisenhauer, 18, is being charged for both the abduction and murder of Lovell.

Zika virus finds its way into Virginia through Harrisonburg mother

After spending some time on a missions trip to Guatemala, Heather Baker is believed to be the first confirmed Zika victim in the state of Virginia. A swollen lymph node, different aches and pains and a strange rash were her first indications that something was wrong, and on Feb. 1 Baker’s fears were confirmed when she received a notification from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention stating she was infected with Zika. The burden of the disease is heavy with many babies born from mothers infected by the virus having birth defects.

In the face of criticism, Gov. Terry McAuliffe touts new gun deal with Republican leaders

Despite previously supporting the Virginia Governor, former New York mayor Michael Bloomberg’s organization Everytown for Gun Safety has launched a social media attack on McAuliffe after his surprising new deal with the National Rifle Association and GOP representatives. Nevertheless, the governor has shown no remorse and is claiming this deal to be a “bipartisan breakthrough.” Ultimately, the goal of the new agreement is to make Virginians safer, and the only way that could be accomplished in McAuliffe’s eyes was through negotiation with the same organization that he once received an “F” rating from.