By FAIRHOPE, Ala. (AP) — Winston Groom, the writer whose novel “Forrest Gump” was made into a six-Oscar winning 1994 movie that became a soaring pop cultural phenomenon, has died at age 77. Mayor Karin Wilson of Fairhope, Alabama, said in a message on social media that Groom had died in that south Alabama town. A local funeral home also confirmed the death and said arrangements were pending. “It is with great sadness that I share the passing of our dear friend Winston Groom,” Wilson wrote on Facebook, adding her community had “lost an iconic author.” It is with great sadness that I share...…By FAIRHOPE, Ala. (AP) — Winston Groom, the writer whose novel “Forrest Gump” was made into a six-Oscar winning 1994 movie that became a soaring pop cultural phenomenon, has died at age 77. Mayor Karin Wilson of Fairhope, Alabama, said in a message on social media that Groom had died in that south Alabama town. A local funeral home also confirmed the death and said arrangements were pending. “It is with great sadness that I share the passing of our dear friend Winston Groom,” Wilson wrote on Facebook, adding her community had “lost an iconic author.” It is with great sadness that I share...WW…

By RICHMOND, Va. (WWBT) - A court case challenging Virginia’s “red flag” law was dismissed on Friday after Attorney General Mark Herring argued that the measure did not violate constitutional rights. The suit was filed in July by a man who claimed Virginia’s new law was unconstitutional. It named the Charlottesville Commonwealth’s Attorney and Chief of Police. “Virginians voted overwhelmingly for gun violence prevention last November and the General Assembly delivered by passing proven-effective measures, like this so-called ‘red flag’ law,” Herring said. “In Virginia, we have already seen...…By RICHMOND, Va. (WWBT) - A court case challenging Virginia’s “red flag” law was dismissed on Friday after Attorney General Mark Herring argued that the measure did not violate constitutional rights. The suit was filed in July by a man who claimed Virginia’s new law was unconstitutional. It named the Charlottesville Commonwealth’s Attorney and Chief of Police. “Virginians voted overwhelmingly for gun violence prevention last November and the General Assembly delivered by passing proven-effective measures, like this so-called ‘red flag’ law,” Herring said. “In Virginia, we have already seen...WW…

By Highway expansion is often pitched as necessary to combat congestion for a growing population. For opponents, that makes the Virginia Department of Transportation’s planned — a $745 million, 7.4-mile highway expansion in a shrinking corner of the state — all the more perplexing. “This project goes against everything this administration, the Commonwealth Transportation Board and VDOT say they’re doing,” said Trip Pollard, a senior attorney with the Southern Environmental Law Center. “This is very much an old school VDOT approach: barrel ahead with a project that’s not needed, extremely...…By Highway expansion is often pitched as necessary to combat congestion for a growing population. For opponents, that makes the Virginia Department of Transportation’s planned — a $745 million, 7.4-mile highway expansion in a shrinking corner of the state — all the more perplexing. “This project goes against everything this administration, the Commonwealth Transportation Board and VDOT say they’re doing,” said Trip Pollard, a senior attorney with the Southern Environmental Law Center. “This is very much an old school VDOT approach: barrel ahead with a project that’s not needed, extremely...WW…

By RICHMOND, Va. (WDBJ/VDH Release) - The has announced partners will expand within to offer vaccines to people who are 16-64 with high-risk medical conditions, as well as frontline essential workers, including: The expansion follows the state’s announcement this week that some Virginia communities are . There are more than 300 pharmacies currently receiving vaccines within this federal program, which has the ability to expand to more than 1,000 pharmacies across Virginia. Pharmacy expansion is based on equitable and fair access, demand, and supply, according to VDH. People who are...…By RICHMOND, Va. (WDBJ/VDH Release) - The has announced partners will expand within to offer vaccines to people who are 16-64 with high-risk medical conditions, as well as frontline essential workers, including: The expansion follows the state’s announcement this week that some Virginia communities are . There are more than 300 pharmacies currently receiving vaccines within this federal program, which has the ability to expand to more than 1,000 pharmacies across Virginia. Pharmacy expansion is based on equitable and fair access, demand, and supply, according to VDH. People who are...WW…

By (WAFB) - People can now track the date their COVID-19 relief payment scheduled to be deposited into their bank account or mailed to them. The Internal Revenue Service’s (IRS) guides citizens through a process where they can submit their social security number and personal bank account information. That process allows citizens to receive payments more quickly, as delivering paper checks may not begin until May. More: The IRS is not contacting anyone to collect personal or bank account information. Calls, texts, emails, and official-looking postcards or printouts that suggest otherwise are...…By (WAFB) - People can now track the date their COVID-19 relief payment scheduled to be deposited into their bank account or mailed to them. The Internal Revenue Service’s (IRS) guides citizens through a process where they can submit their social security number and personal bank account information. That process allows citizens to receive payments more quickly, as delivering paper checks may not begin until May. More: The IRS is not contacting anyone to collect personal or bank account information. Calls, texts, emails, and official-looking postcards or printouts that suggest otherwise are...WW…

Gov. Northam extends executive order closing non-essential businesses for another two weeks By RICHMOND, Va. (WWBT) - The Virginia Department of Health (VDH) reported 6,889 confirmed COVID-19 cases, 208 deaths and 1,114 hospitalizations throughout the state Thursday. The death toll jumped by 13 overnight, down significantly from the previous day’s jump of 41 deaths. So far, 46,444 Virginians have now been tested for the virus. [ ] Central VA Case Highlights: The numbers reported by the Virginia Health Department are only updated once a day. [ ] See the full breakdown of cases here,...…Gov. Northam extends executive order closing non-essential businesses for another two weeks By RICHMOND, Va. (WWBT) - The Virginia Department of Health (VDH) reported 6,889 confirmed COVID-19 cases, 208 deaths and 1,114 hospitalizations throughout the state Thursday. The death toll jumped by 13 overnight, down significantly from the previous day’s jump of 41 deaths. So far, 46,444 Virginians have now been tested for the virus. [ ] Central VA Case Highlights: The numbers reported by the Virginia Health Department are only updated once a day. [ ] See the full breakdown of cases here,...WW…

By RICHMOND, Va. -- Gov. Ralph Northam recently signed a bill to cap the costs of prescription insulin copays at $50 per month, one of the lowest caps in the country. , sponsored by Del. Lee Carter, D-Manassas, originally aimed to cap the costs of prescription insulin copays at $30 per month. By the time the bill passed the Senate, the cap was amended to $50 per month. Cheers and applause roared through the chamber when the bill seemed poised to unanimously pass the House until a lone delegate their vote and groans replaced the cheers. But they still had something to celebrate ––Virginia...…By RICHMOND, Va. -- Gov. Ralph Northam recently signed a bill to cap the costs of prescription insulin copays at $50 per month, one of the lowest caps in the country. , sponsored by Del. Lee Carter, D-Manassas, originally aimed to cap the costs of prescription insulin copays at $30 per month. By the time the bill passed the Senate, the cap was amended to $50 per month. Cheers and applause roared through the chamber when the bill seemed poised to unanimously pass the House until a lone delegate their vote and groans replaced the cheers. But they still had something to celebrate ––Virginia...WW…

Gov. Northam extends executive order closing non-essential businesses for another two weeks By RICHMOND, Va. (WWBT) - The Virginia Department of Health (VDH) reported 6,889 confirmed COVID-19 cases, 208 deaths and 1,114 hospitalizations throughout the state Thursday. The death toll jumped by 13 overnight, down significantly from the previous day’s jump of 41 deaths. So far, 46,444 Virginians have now been tested for the virus. [ ] Central VA Case Highlights: The numbers reported by the Virginia Health Department are only updated once a day. [ ] See the full breakdown of cases here,...…Gov. Northam extends executive order closing non-essential businesses for another two weeks By RICHMOND, Va. (WWBT) - The Virginia Department of Health (VDH) reported 6,889 confirmed COVID-19 cases, 208 deaths and 1,114 hospitalizations throughout the state Thursday. The death toll jumped by 13 overnight, down significantly from the previous day’s jump of 41 deaths. So far, 46,444 Virginians have now been tested for the virus. [ ] Central VA Case Highlights: The numbers reported by the Virginia Health Department are only updated once a day. [ ] See the full breakdown of cases here,...WW…

Dozens rally outside Richmond jail demanding release of inmates By RICHMOND, Va. (WWBT) - Even though Governor Ralph Northam is proposing a change that would give the Department of Corrections the ability to release certain prisoners, dozens of people rallied outside the Richmond City Jail demanding action from state and local officials to release inmates due to coronavirus concerns. Oliver Hill Way was filled with at least 50 cars, signs and people honking their horns for several hours Friday afternoon demanding action from Virginia leadership to release. The group of at least 30 cars are...…Dozens rally outside Richmond jail demanding release of inmates By RICHMOND, Va. (WWBT) - Even though Governor Ralph Northam is proposing a change that would give the Department of Corrections the ability to release certain prisoners, dozens of people rallied outside the Richmond City Jail demanding action from state and local officials to release inmates due to coronavirus concerns. Oliver Hill Way was filled with at least 50 cars, signs and people honking their horns for several hours Friday afternoon demanding action from Virginia leadership to release. The group of at least 30 cars are...WW…

RICHMOND, Va. (WWBT) - Dominion Energy says Virginia customers will see a $6 discount on their billing each month starting on May 1. “The cost of fuel has gone down and we’re passing the savings directly on to customers,” Dominion Energy said. Typical residential customers in Virginia can expect to see their bill drop by about $6 a month due to a drop in the fuel charge - the cost of fuel for power stations. “The reduction is driven by the outstanding performance of our generation fleet in Virginia, particularly our combined cycle power stations which provided excellent reliability and...…RICHMOND, Va. (WWBT) - Dominion Energy says Virginia customers will see a $6 discount on their billing each month starting on May 1. “The cost of fuel has gone down and we’re passing the savings directly on to customers,” Dominion Energy said. Typical residential customers in Virginia can expect to see their bill drop by about $6 a month due to a drop in the fuel charge - the cost of fuel for power stations. “The reduction is driven by the outstanding performance of our generation fleet in Virginia, particularly our combined cycle power stations which provided excellent reliability and...WW…