Melonie Yielding, a teacher at Prince William County's Ellis Elementary School in Manassas, is one of six K-6 grade teachers (four elementary, two middle) in Virginia selected as state finalists for the 2016 Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching.

“Sen Mark Warner was quoted in a press release as saying, "I’ve consistently urged the FAA to move forward with regulations to make safe operation of unmanned aircraft in U.S. airspace a reality, and implementation of this new rule is a major step forward."

US Secretary of Interior Sally Jewell has appointed David G. Brickley of Woodbridge and president of the September 11th National Memorial Trail Alliance, to a five-year term as a member of the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park Commission.

The US Transportation Security Agency (TSA) reports that its officers discovered a record breaking 81 firearms this week in carry-on bags around the nation Aug. 12-18. Of the 81 firearms discovered, 70 were loaded and 31 had a round chambered.

Congressman Gerry Connolly has had to cancel a Senior Issues Forum Aug. 22 from 3 to 5 p.m. at Westminster at Lake Ridge senior community. 12191 Lake Ridge Drive, Woodbridge VA 22192.

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) reports it has reached agreement with Brazil's Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Food Supply to allow access for U.S. beef and beef products to the Brazilian market for the first time since 2003. In a separate decision, USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) also recently determined that Brazil's food safety system governing meat products remains equivalent to that of the United States and that fresh (chilled or frozen) beef can be safely imported from Brazil.

Seven Virginia colleges and universities will receive $2 million+ from the US Dept. of Education to assist students from disadvantaged backgrounds to apply to and graduate from college as part of the Talent Search program, which identifies and assists students from disadvantaged backgrounds who have the potential to succeed in higher education.

On July 13, 2016, Manassas City Police met with a resident for a report of a suspicious phone call. The reporting party told officers that she had received a phone call from an unknown male who claimed to represent the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).