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What invasive species are there in Virginia?

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What invasive species are there in Virginia?


RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) – The Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) has created a list of invasive species in Virginia that people should be aware of.

The DCR has compiled a list of invasive species that can be found in Virginia. An invasive species is a plant, animal or pathogen that can harm the environment because they are non-native to the area. These species are not needed in our ecosystem in order for it to thrive, it’s more important to protect the native species of Virginia.

1. Feral swine

Nuisance animals in Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge (Getty Images)

Feral swine, also known as wild pigs, wild hogs or boars, originates from Europe. They were brought to the states by settlers and were used for food. Now, feral swine disrupt the ecosystem by damaging people’s crops, uprooting trees and wallowing in wetlands.

   2. Northern snakehead

An angler holds up an invasive Northern Snakehead caught in the tidal marshes of Southeast Virginia (Getty Images)

The northern snakehead is a type of fish that originates from Asia, more specifically, China, Russia and Korea. It’s predicted that they were introduced to America by fishermen for people who own exotic fish. This fish can lay up to 75,000 eggs a year and are fierce protectors of their nests.

   3. Spotted lanternfly

Close-up of Spotted Lanternfly (Getty Images)

The spotted lanternfly originates from China and Vietnam. They are an essential pollinator in Asia and wasps keep their population low. In the United States, they do not have any predators which makes their numbers grow. The spotted lanternfly is dangerous to our crops and native trees.

   4. Tree-of-heaven

The green leaves of the foul-smelling “Ailanthus altissima” tree (Getty Images)

The tree-of-heaven can grow up to 80 feet tall. The plant can grow quickly and release its seeds into the wind. It was brought to the United States as a decorative plant but the tree-of-heaven releases chemicals that can reduce the growth of plants around it.

   5. Wavyleaf grass

Oplismenus undulatifolius flowers. Poaceae perennial plants. Grows in clusters in the shade of trees in forests. The flowering period is from August to October (Getty Images).

Wavyleaf grass growth can become dense, this can cause seedlings on the forest ground to have restricted sunlight which disrupts their growth. This grass can spread by attaching itself to people or animals, so it is important to be aware if one has attached itself to you.

   6. Bradford pear tree

Bradford Pear tree (Getty Images)

Bradford pear trees, also known as Callery pear or ornamental pear, received this name because its shape perfectly resembles a pear. These trees are planted into people’s yards because of their gorgeous flowers and ability to grow quickly. However, the Bradford pear tree can spread its seeds effortlessly and they can restrict native trees by taking over areas.

   7. Two-horned trapa

Water chestnut or Trapa Bispinosa Roxb (Getty Images)

The two-horned trapa originates from Japan and East Asia. It has the ability to cover bodies of water which blocks the sunlight and harms the ecosystem. Water that is covered by two-horned trapa becomes unusable for recreational activities like boating and fishing.

   8. Imported fire ant

Close up of red imported fire ants (Solenopsis invicta) or simply RIFA (Getty Images)

The imported fire ant originates from South America it was accidentally introduced to the United States during the 1930s. It is harmful to crops and smaller animals by using its painful stinger.

  9. Emerald ash borer

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Oak splendour beetle, also known as the oak buprestid beetle (Agrilus) in its natural environment. A comon beetle (Getty Images).

The emerald ash borer is a beetle with a metallic-green look to it that harms the Virginia native ash tree. These trees do not have a natural defense, so it’s important to protect them from emerald ash borers and other species that can harm them. When buying firewood, it’s important to buy it close to where you’ll burn it. This helps prevent the spread of these invasive species.



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Crews put out house fire in Bristol, Virginia

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Crews put out house fire in Bristol, Virginia


Crews put out a house fire in Bristol, Virginia, on Wednesday morning, according to officials.

The Bristol, Virginia Fire Department was dispatched at 3:09 a.m. for the fire in the 900 block of Vermont Avenue. The house was unoccupied at the time fire crews arrived on the scene.

Firefighters encountered heavy smoke and flames in the front of the house. They were able to quickly extinguish the fire under challenging conditions. The fire scene remains active and an investigation is underway. No injuries have been reported.



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Virginia Lottery Mega Millions, Pick 3 Night results for June 2, 2026

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Virginia Lottery Mega Millions, Pick 3 Night results for June 2, 2026


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The Virginia Lottery offers multiple draw games for those aiming to win big.

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Here’s a look at June 2, 2026, results for each game:

Mega Millions

Mega Millions drawings take place every week on Tuesday and Friday at 11 p.m.

15-26-43-48-60, Mega Ball: 12

Check Mega Millions payouts and previous drawings here.

Pick 3

DAY drawing at 1:59 p.m. NIGHT drawing at 11 p.m. each day.

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Night: 4-5-7, FB: 9

Day: 8-7-6, FB: 5

Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.

Pick 4

DAY drawing at 1:59 p.m. NIGHT drawing at 11 p.m. each day.

Night: 7-0-6-5, FB: 8

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Day: 1-1-9-0, FB: 1

Check Pick 4 payouts and previous drawings here.

Pick 5

DAY drawing at 1:59 p.m. NIGHT drawing at 11 p.m. each day.

Night: 2-9-1-0-4, FB: 0

Day: 5-9-4-1-7, FB: 0

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Check Pick 5 payouts and previous drawings here.

Cash Pop

Drawing times: Coffee Break 9 a.m.; Lunch Break 12 p.m.; Rush Hour 5 p.m.; Prime Time 9 p.m.; After Hours 11:59 p.m.

Coffee Break: 10

After Hours: 14

Prime Time: 04

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Rush Hour: 13

Lunch Break: 06

Check Cash Pop payouts and previous drawings here.

Millionaire for Life

Drawing everyday at 11:15 p.m.

16-33-41-50-52, Bonus: 01

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Check Millionaire for Life payouts and previous drawings here.

Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results

This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Center for Community Journalism (CCJ) editor. You can send feedback using this form.



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First boat to Bermuda wins — Virginia man prepares for 753-mile voyage from Annapolis – WTOP News

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First boat to Bermuda wins — Virginia man prepares for 753-mile voyage from Annapolis – WTOP News


Kevin Sherwood’s boat is one of 21 in this year’s Annapolis to Bermuda Oceans Race, or A2B, which dates back to 1979.

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DC-area man hopes to race from Annapolis to Bermuda by boat

The boat that Kevin Sherwood of Springfield, Virginia, bought is still in dry dock as he makes final repairs and preparations ahead of the whole reason he bought the “Bay Retriever” in the first place.

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If all goes as planned, he’ll get it in the water Wednesday, and starting at noon on Friday, he’ll be heading south down the Chesapeake Bay on a 753-mile voyage to Bermuda.

Sherwood’s boat is one of 21 in this year’s Annapolis to Bermuda Oceans Race, or A2B, which dates back to 1979. He’ll be joined by a crew of four others in a race he said is among the most challenging on the East Coast.

“I bought this boat in 2022 specifically for the Bermuda race,” Sherwood said. “Since I bought this, everything we’ve done has been prepping for it.

“Plenty of sailors never leave the Chesapeake. It’s very different when we’re dealing with ocean waves, ocean weather, all kinds of different conditions. So, the boat really needs to be set up for it.”

The bay, being both relatively shallow and surrounded by land, can make for ideal sailing; if something still goes wrong, help isn’t far away.

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Heading out in the blue waters of the Atlantic Ocean to an island more than 600 miles off the coast can present more difficult circumstances. Yet, if you go on the race’s website, you’ll see a long list of people hoping to get picked up by a boat to help take part.

“We’re out of rescue range for a portion of the trip. They’ll ask a passing freighter to come help you if you have a problem,” Sherwood said. “We are on our own out there.”

Some boats will have full galleys available to help cook meals for the crew. But Sherwood’s vessel, being smaller, has been stocking up on food and water from the grocery store.

He and the crew will take turns sailing and resting in the cabin down below. A “leak loss” — imagine a hammock, more or less — will catch anyone if the boat leans one way while they’re sleeping, lest they fall to the floor.

Of course, that assumes they’ll have strong winds and waves. Sherwood, who has done this race twice before, said that’s not always the case.

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“My first Bermuda race, we had plenty of nothing going on,” he said. For two days, the winds were so calm Sherwood’s team was “barely making two knots.”

Two years ago, he saw more clouds than stars and sun, and waves were running 12-15 feet high.

“The last couple of races we haven’t seen many sunsets because of clouds, fog, rain, that sort of thing,” Sherwood said. “But when you are out there all alone and just the stars, it’s incredibly detached. There’s really nowhere left in the country to get this isolated.”

Of course, having access to Starlink means there is some connection out on the water — though, if you’re on duty, you’re too focused to care. If you’re not, you’re probably resting.

“There’s definitely parts I’m going to hate,” he said. “There’s parts I’m going to be asking myself, ‘Why am I doing this? Why am I here?’ But it’s just such an awesome team sport. When I go off watch, I’m trusting the other guys to keep sailing, keep racing, to keep us safe, to keep the boat moving fast. We get to detach from the world.”

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Starting at noon on Friday, Kevin Sherwood will be sailing down the Chesapeake Bay on a 753-mile voyage to Bermuda.
(WTOP/John Domen)

WTOP/John Domen

a man in blue polo smiles at the camera from viewer's left of a sailboat.
Fairfax County resident Kevin Sherwood’s boat is one of 21 in this year’s Annapolis to Bermuda Oceans Race, or A2B.
(WTOP/John Domen)

WTOP/John Domen

a man in a blue polo stands beneath a large sailboat
a man in blue polo smiles at the camera from viewer's left of a sailboat.

For how long is anyone’s guess. Weather and winds will determine the time it takes to get there.

“If conditions are amazing, we’ll get in on Tuesday,” he said. “If conditions are great, Wednesday. If they’re average, Thursday, and if they’re terrible, Friday.”

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Those following from home can track Sherwood and everyone else in the race online. Whenever he arrives, he said workers on the docks will have a “Dark n’ Stormy” — one of Bermuda’s national drinks — waiting for them.

He’ll also be hoping to be handed a trophy he can sail back with, but that’s not the most important thing right now.

“There’s a point of pride just for completing this; 753 miles of ocean sailing is a big deal,” he said.

“So, yeah, I mean, I want to do well, but my first goal is just to make it back here safely in two and a half weeks. My next goal is to make it to Bermuda safely. Then my third goal is to finish well and get a podium finish again.”

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