An earthquake hit the Virginia region about 1:51 pm. and was felt throughout North Carolina -- and as far south as Savannah, GA.

The earthquake was centered in Virginia about 34 miles northwest from Richmond and was a 5.9 magnitude. (Original reports put it at 5.8 strength)

The Pentagon was evacuated at just afterward and the US Capitol was also being cleared.

By Kristen Hampton - bio l email

HUNTERSVILLE, NC (WBTV) - Rob Gilson thought his find might be significant. The biology student found a rare mouse inside at trap at Cowan's Ford Wildlife Refuge.

The mouse hasn't been seen in Mecklenburg County since 1968. Mecklenburg County Natural Resources coordinator Lenny Lampel mentors Ron.

"Although it does live in a field, it's different from a field mouse," said Lampel, "because a field mouse is just a name people call any old mouse running around in a field."

The species discovered by Gilson is called an oldfield mouse. The little guys usually don't go so far north. They're native to the more southern areas of the Southeast.

By Jeff Atkinson - bio l email

CHARLOTTE, NC (WBTV) - Controversial Mecklenburg County Commissioner Bill James wants to break the law to catch lawbreakers.

The immigration debate taking center stage at the Government Center.

If you're born in this country, you're an American citizen. Period.  First sentence - Section One -14th Amendment of the Constitution.

"All persons born or naturalized in the United States Are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside."

And you're guaranteed certain benefits - food, medicine, and welfare, if you need it.

But Republican Commissioner Bill James has a plan that would take those benefits away from the children of illegal immigrants who were born here.