Here are some of the top headlines from other news outlets around Southwest and Southside:
Gov.-elect Glenn Youngkin talks rural economic development, cannabis legalization and more. — Virginia Business.
Richard Cullen named counsellor to Youngkin. Cullen is Staunton native who once worked for Rep. Caldwell Butler, R-Roanoke, in the ’70s. — Richmond Times-Dispatch and Virginia Business.
Schools prepare for post-holiday covid surge. — WSLS-TV.
Ballad Health requests changes to federal vaccine mandate, cites staffing challenges. — WJHL-TV.
Ballad Health says tests show omicron is now the dominant covid strain in region. — WJHL-TV.
Virginia’s wine industry is expanding but grape-growing hasn’t caught up. — Virginia Mercury.