Here are some of the top headlines from other news outlets around Southwest and Southside:

Thousands of Afghan refugees still living at Virginia military bases about 4,800 of them at Fort Pickett. — Virginia Mercury.

On Christmas Eve, Virginia hits highest covid case count since January. — Richmond Times-Dispatch.

Roanoke registers its warmest Christmas on record; Lynchburg ties its record. — The Roanoke Times.

Lynchburg approves grant to deal with spotted lanternfly. — Lynchburg News & Advance.

Lynchburg economy resilient through pandemic. — Lynchburg News & Advance.

Frequent outages frustrating from Danville Utilities customers. — Danville Register & Bee.

Danville names chief equity officer. — Chatham Star-Tribune.

$5 million to fund planning and engineeering study for proposed Coalfield Expressway route from Grundy to West Virginia line pending before Senate committee, Sen. Tim Kaine says. — Bluefield Daily Telegraph

Saltville plans memorial to Muck Dam disaster nearly a century ago. — Bristol Herald Courier.