Here are some of the top headlines from other news outlets around Southwest and Southside:
Politics and government:
Fate of grocery tax repeal in question following Senate action; Del. Joe McNamara, R-Roanoke County, is sponsor of House version. — Richmond Times-Dispatch.
Senate advances bill to take permitting power away from citizen boards and give it to director of the Department of Environmental Quality; state Sen. Bill Stanley, R-Franklin County, is one of legislators involved this push. — Virginia Mercury.
Campbell County School Board votes to draft resolution “condemning” critical race theory. — Lynchburg News and Advance.
Halifax County supervisors approve substance abuse treatment center for women. — South Boston News & Record and Halifax Gazette-Virginian.
Casino operator pays for two new fire trucks in Danville. — WSET-TV.
Covid:
Masks made optional for Botetourt County students. — The Roanoke Times and WDBJ-TV and WSLS-TV.
New covid cases now in steep decline. — Martinsville Bulletin.
Southwest Virginia covid cases show slow decline. — WJHL-TV.
However, the record number of covid hospitalizations in Ballad Health system don’t. — WJHL-TV.
Health district, Lynchburg city schools to hold vaccination clinic. — Lynchburg News and Advance.
Culture:
Grace Potter to headline Rooster Walk festival in Henry County. — The Roanoke Times.