On December 28, 2021 at around 4:30 PM, the Leesburg police received communications that a 27-year old woman had been stabbed at the Leesburg Premium Outlets. The suspect was observed to have fled on foot, armed with a knife, towards the Sycamore Hill subdivision, which is behind the mall.

The police located the suspect, a 34-year old man named Corinthian Witcher from Bristow, Virginia, near the intersection of Potomac Station. Drive NE and Lilac Terrace NE. The victim was safely transported by ambulance to a local hospital where she is receiving treatment for injuries to her upper body. The injuries were found not to be life-threatening.

The suspect and the victim do know each other, and there is no further danger known to the public with regards to this matter.

Corinthian Witcher has been charged with attempted murder and aggravated malicious wounding, and bond is not available.

State of Virginia has seen record financial reserves of nearly $4 billion. Governor Northam is now proposing $250 tax rebates for all individual tax filers in Virginia and eliminating the Commonwealth grocery tax. Northam justified his proposal by claiming that he wanted all Virginians to benefit from the Commonwealth’s strong economic growth, which showed a record surplus of $2.6 billion this year. Northam also emphasized that the lower and middle-income families will see greatest benefit with the $250 rebate and the end of the 1.5% grocery tax.

Northam had called for the end of grocery taxes in 2017. However, he had not made this possible until now. Youngkin, who is to become the next Governor, also campaigned for these reforms.

The nearly $4 billion reserve surplus is nearly 17 percent of the state revenue and is attributed to better than expected revenue growth, federal pandemic assistance and cautious spending. Northam also called for 10% raise for public school teachers, investment in public safety, and millions of dollars for historically black colleges and universities among many others in his 2022 proposed budget.

Youngkin’s transitional aide has expressed generally positive views on Northam’s moves, but also called it “a step in the right direction but not entirely fulfilling.”

A bipartisan panel comprised of legal scholars prepared and submitted to the White House the final report, which described public support for imposing term limits but not for adding justices.

The current Supreme Court is comprised of 6 conservatives and 3 liberals, three of them having selected during the Trump era. The Commission was unanimous in its support for imposing term limits.

As to whether the Court should be expanded for more seats, this is more split. For example, retired federal judge Nancy Gertner voiced concerns about the Court being effectively packed by one party and remaining unchanged for years if not decades. Constitutional Law expert Laurence Tribe also voiced concerns of the same kind, although he had originally thought the Court need not be expanded.

Of course, there are those that oppose this as well. For example, Thomas B. Griffith, recently retired from U.S. Court of Appeals in D.C., saw no issues with the current make up and argued that partisan politics should not sacrifice the federal judiciary.

Whether the Biden administration would actually take any action on these matters is not yet clear. Reforms were called for during the Obama administration but was unsuccessful due to the Republican-controlled Senate.

Just last week, the liberal members of the Court warned that overturning the long precedence of Roe v. Wade would greatly impact the reputation of the Court and make many Americans distrust the institution, especially given the change would be coming after the Court changed membership.

Either way, majority of Americans agree: the Supreme Court should have term limits.

After issuing a wind advisory for today, the area is seeing a cold front moving into the Washington, D.C. region. Temperatures on Tuesday are not expected to go much higher above 40 degrees. Wednesday, there is a high possibility of snow up to 1″ even before Denver this year.

Snow is expected to fall earlier in the day if it does and will likely cause some commute concerns. While it is not yet clear whether snow will actually stick to the ground, slick spots are still possible, especially towards the north and west. Best chance for snow is between 8 and 11 AM.

Areas above Fairfax, Rockville, and Manassas may see some accumulation, but it is not clear that there will actually be any accumulation. Snow will likely stop falling by the midday and later, so it might not hinder commute back home.

The House passed a bipartisan bill to fund the government into February of next year, but the Republicans in the Senate are currently revolting against Pres. Biden’s vaccine policies and threatening not to pass the stopgap budget bill.

The stopgap funding bill passed 221-212, as lawmakers attempt to prevent a shutdown which will surely occur at midnight Friday if it is not signed by the Senate and the President.

However, Senate Republicans are using Pres. Biden and the vaccine mandate as an excuse not to vote for the funding bill. Senate Republicans are attempting to bargain for defunding of vaccine and testing policies for federal funding. That being said, the actual leaders of both parties have not stated whether they would be willing to allow such amendment.

This could lead to a short-term shutdown this weekend, although both parties have claimed they do not want this; however, if House votes are anything to go by, which includes the fact that most members voted along party lines, it might be that the Republican party for the most part does not care if the government shuts down.

Biden has promised that a shutdown would not occur, but with a 24-hour deadline, it is unclear whether that would actually happen.

The bill itself is supported by both party members. However, Senate members like Ted Cruz seems highly invested in not letting it pass.

These political tactics at the cost of many American government workers is honestly quite annoying if not harmful. A government that does not work for its people seems to be what most Americans are okay with these days, and that’s sad to watch.