Bomb threats prompt school lockdowns, evacuations across Virginia

Altavista Combined School in Campbell County, Virginia, was evacuated Wednesday after an automated bomb threat, while schools in nearby districts also received threats and imposed lockdowns or other safety measures. Authorities searched the campus with assistance from bomb-detection dogs and neighboring law enforcement agencies, found no explosives, and confirmed that students and staff were safe; the FBI is helping investigate the threats. Students were sent home, and some families and students described fear and uncertainty, with parents criticizing how quickly schools communicated during the emergency. A report also said similar hoax threats affected more than 20 schools across seven states.