Good morning, Washington. If you’re reading this, we’re guessing that you’re stuck in an otherwise desolate office, playing on the internet and counting the hours until you can start making merry. Personally, we’re counting the hours until we begin our Christmas shopping. DCist wishes all of you a safe and happy holiday weekend.

McDonnell Declared Va. Attorney General: A remarkably close electoral battle is over, and Robert McDonnell is the victor. The Washington Times reports that the Republican candidate’s victory over R. Creigh Reeds was made official yesterday by the Richmond Circuit Court. The final margin was 360 votes — a mere 0.0166% gap.

Warner Pardons Men Cleared By DNA Evidence: We’ve written before about Phillip Thurman and Willie N. Davidson, the two Virginia inmates whose innocence was recently proven by a better-late-than-never examination of genetic evidence. Yesterday their exoneration was made official: Governor Warner pardoned both men, who had served twenty and eleven years in prison, respectively. Three other men were also cleared by the evidence review. Governor Warner has ordered an expanded examination of old DNA evidence as a result.

Teacher Charged With Bizarre Threats: Forty year old Michelle Dohm has been accused of stalking students and making bomb threats at Thurmont, Md.’s middle school. The former sixth grade teacher has been fired. The charges she’s facing carry a maximum penalty of 100 years in prison.

Briefly Noted: Man robbed in Towson Center Mall bathroom… Carry-on ban on scissors and similar items officially over… Soybeans are now Va.’s top crop… Post recounts amazing story of woman’s lost and found thesis… Pitbull owner convicted of involuntary manslaughter…