Torc logo.
Torc logo.

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

Politics:

Janet Howell, first woman to lead Senate Finance Committee, to retire. — Richmond Times-Dispatch.

Virginia solitary confinement reform bill passes but without key piece sought by advocates. — Richmond Times-Dispatch.

Ratcliffe named new Independence town manager. — Galax Gazette.

Montgomery County approves cigarette tax. — The Roanoke Times.

Economy:

Blacksburg-based Torc autonomous vehicle company to acquire Canadian computer vision company — Virginia Business.

Housing eyed for former Kelly High property in Wise County. — The Coalfield Progress.

Dominion hosts open house for Pittsylvania County solar project. — Chatham Star Tribune.

Public safety:

State police: Pilot dead, missing aircraft found in Carroll County. — WSLS-TV, WSET-TV.

Virginia National Guard expanding Roanoke Regional Readiness Center Complex. — WSLS-TV.

Health care:

Work continues on medical center in South Boston. — South Boston News & Record.

New study finds Central Appalachian coal miners at highest risk of dying from lung diseases. — Virginia Mercury.

Want more health care coverage? There’s no full-time health care reporter west of Richmond. We’d like to change that. Help us fund this position.

Education:

Supervisors question decisions in Prince Edward County schools. — The Farmville Herald.

Campbell County school superintendent retires. — Lynchburg News and Advance.

Weather:

For more weather news, follow weather journalist Kevin Myatt on Twitter at @kevinmyattwx and sign up for his free weather email newsletter. His weekly column appears in Cardinal News each Wednesday afternoon.