server stopped resolving dns for domain

I have a server that now refuses to resolve dns for the local domain (say xxx.local) Tcpdump shows no outgoing queries on port 53 for that domain. Nscd is not being used. Any other domain works just fine. So for example, I have a host called xxxdc1.xxx.local. Resolve.conf contains: search keech.local nameserver 192.168.0.235 "ping xxxdc1" does all the correct things (dns traffic visible, icmp responses). "ping xxxdc1.xxx.local" or "ping xxxdc1.xxx.local." does nothing. No dns traffic, just an eventual unknown host message. I can reboot the server tonight but I'm a bit suspicious that something else is going on. Any suggestions? Thanks James