In other news

Local

With fall transitioning into winter, the Central Virginia region has been plagued with a lack of rain, leading to the largest fire season in years. According to Dean Mirshahi of Richmond’s ABC 8 News, “The state’sDepartment of Forestry has worked to control and extinguish 137 wildfires this fall fire season — which runs from Oct. 15 to Nov. 30 — that have burned 13,902 acres.”

The Matts Creek Fire was the biggest this year and according to WSLS, “The fire burned more than 11,000 acres in George Washington Jefferson National Forest. We’re told that makes it the fourth or fifth largest fire in Virginia’s history.”

The fire did not burn any homes or buildings. This fire was contained on Monday, Nov. 27.

Virginia typically sees around 700 fires per year that burn under 10,000 acres on average, according to ABC 8 News. With this year already having over 14,000 acres burned, Virginians will be looking for more rain to extinguish the flames. However, with the winter approaching, which is Virginia’s driest season of the year according to WRIC, it can be expected that the fires will continue.

National

A mystery respiratory infection has continued to affect dogs in over a dozen states, including Washington, California, Florida and more.

According to CNN, pathologists have continued trying to identify the virus, but testing so far has not revealed any viruses or pathogens of concern.

In Oregon, veterinarians have reported more than 200 cases, according to CNN. Symptoms of the infection to watch for include lethargic behavior, fever, nasal discharge or respiratory distress.

According to veterinarian Mike Hutchinson, dog owners should consider keeping their dogs at home, or at least away from public places such as dog kennels, dog parks and groomers.

“You get one dog that’s sick — it’s like the schoolyard cold — then the rest of them can get that cold,” Hutchinson told CBS news.

Owners should seek veterinary care immediately if their dog begins to show symptoms of the infection.

International

Fighting has resumed in the Israel-Hamas war, after the temporary truce concluded.

According to the New York Times, “Israel and Hamas agreed on (Nov. 24) to extend by two days a ceasefire that has brought a measure of calm to the Gaza Strip after seven weeks of intense warfare.”

By Friday, Dec. 1, the ceasefire ended, as the Israel Defense Forces said that it has struck targets in the Gaza Strip, including tunnel shafts, command centers and facilities for weapon storage.

The IDF told civilians Dec. 3 to evacuate many areas of the Gaza Strip, including several neighborhoods as the forces plan to resume military offenses there.

The U.N. estimates that up to 1.8 million people in Gaza, almost 80% of the population, have been displaced.

The United States has continued to pressure Israel to protect citizens in Gaza, with the U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin emphasizing that the protection of civilians in Gaza is necessary for Israel’s long-term success against Hamas.

Bessire is a news reporter for the Liberty Champion. Follow him on X