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

Politics:

Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears casts first tie-breaking vote; kills bill by state Sen. John Edwards, D-Roanoke, at least for now. — The Roanoke Times.

Senate passes bill requiring referendum on Martinsville reverting to a town. — Martinsville Bulletin and WDBJ-TV.

Bath County schools grapple with paying for aides, nurses. — The Recorder.

Economy:

Roanoke economic development group aims to raise $3.6 million, has already raised $2.8 million. — The Roanoke Times.

Landowners sue to overturn Buckingham County’s approval of solar project. — Farmville Herald.

Covid:

Hospitalizations for covid decline sharply. — Lynchburg News and Advance.

Covid deaths mount in Halifax County. — Halifax Gazette-Virginian

Pittsylvania-Danville Health District partners with Dollar General for vaccination clinics. — Chatham Star-Tribune.

School employees worry about persistence of virus, feel unsupported. — South Boston News & Record.

Alleghany County drops mask requirement. — WDBJ-TV.

Other:

Bedford County shaken by 2.3 magnitude earthquake; center was six miles west of Forest. This is second one of the week in region; earlier there was a smaller one in Cumberland County. — WDBJ-TV.

Boulder crashes into Clintwood Food City; no injuries. — WCYB-TV.