The Washington, D.C., region is home to about 400,000 federal employees, plus members of the military and government contractors. In a government shutdown, they face no pay and lots of uncertainty.

Virginia Democrats vie for seats in primary elections that have proven expensive and competitive.

American suburbs mandated single-family homes generations ago, often to segregate areas by race and class. New laws allow more-affordable options like townhomes but construction so far has been slow.

Ahead of Tuesday's much-watched and very tight gubernatorial election in Virginia, we hear from voters about what issues are resonating with them — whether local, national or both.

"People work in the White House, and those people also shop at my grocery store and are out about town," said one resident. On Monday, there was an 81% increase in tests compared to a week ago.