Thursday, April 17, 2025

Good Morning! On this day in 1861, delegates at the Secession Convention voted 88–55 to approve a measure that would withdraw the Commonwealth from the United States. Secession was approved by a statewide referendum on May 23.

A Dale City man won’t face a gun charge, but he is expected to face deportation this week. We have details in Around Virginia, as well as the reason you aren’t likely to dine at a Michelin-starred restaurant in Virginia.

Big Announcement: The Flyover Podcast is launching on April 28th, and we need your help! Before we make episodes available to the public, we’re inviting our readers to join our focus group. You’ll get an exclusive first look (and listen) at episodes on YouTube starting this Monday, April 21st, and you’ll have the chance to help shape the podcast by giving feedback to our hosts, Ayla and Amy, regarding content, format, delivery, and new ideas.

Your voice will be essential in helping shape the future of The Flyover Podcast. To help, just click HERE and click the subscribe button on the Flyover YouTube page (bottom left-hand corner). We’ll email you a private episode link starting Monday, the 21st. Thanks for your help!

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Day of Remembrance

Virginia Tech marked a somber anniversary on Wednesday, remembering the 32 people killed on campus by a student in 2007. The attacker also wounded 17 others in what remains the deadliest school shooting in U.S. history.

Ceremonies included the lighting of a memorial candle at midnight, a wreath-laying with a moment of silence at 9:43 a.m., and a 32-minute vigil by members of the Corps of Cadets.

The victims of the attack “ranged in age from 18 to 76 and represented a variety of academic areas and faith and ethnic groups,” the university noted on its We Remember website.

American and state flags throughout the Commonwealth were flown at half-staff in respect for the 18th anniversary of the shooting.

Gun Violence Erupts Across Hampton Roads

Six people were shot in less than 24 hours in Virginia Beach this week. Police Chief Paul Neudigate said two of the shootings may be connected and said he believes all the shooters are now in custody.

The chief added that a rash of car break-ins may be contributing to the violence. “About 10 percent of all cars that are broken into in the city of Virginia Beach produce a gun that ends up being possessed or utilized by someone who should not have access to it,” he said.

Three shootings also happened in Hampton last week, with two people killed. Police Chief Jimmie Wideman told reporters at a Tuesday news conference that his officers have stepped up patrols to cut down on gun violence.

Just a few hours later, another man was shot in Hampton, suffering a life-threatening wound just outside a senior living facility.

Legislators Push to Protect Medicaid

Elected officials spoke out this week against potential cuts to the federal government’s Medicaid program. The program provides health coverage to low-income families and is administered jointly with the states.

Republican Rep. Rob Wittman of Virginia’s First District said he hopes to strengthen the program rather than cut it. “Medicaid is an indispensable lifeline for our nation’s most vulnerable, including people with disabilities, seniors, and expectant mothers,” he said.

Wittman and his colleague Rep. Jen Kiggans of the Second District were among 12 House Republicans who signed a letter to Speaker Mike Johnson that warned, “We cannot and will not support a final reconciliation bill that includes any reduction in Medicaid coverage for vulnerable populations.”

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➤ Alexandria: As requested by prosecutors, a judge dismissed the only charge the federal government had filed against Henrry Villatoro Santos, a 24-year-old alleged MS-13 gang leader who was the subject of a high-profile arrest last month. He is expected to be turned over to ICE for deportation on Friday. (Details)

➤ Prince William County: Authorities say charges are pending after an Amtrak train smashed into a pickup truck at an unmarked crossing near Manassas. The driver of the truck is recovering, and nobody on the train was injured. (More)

➤ Southwest Virginia: Tax day for most Virginians passed on Tuesday, but residents in 30 counties have an extension until May 1 because of Hurricane Helene. (The List)

➤ Roanoke: A pastor and former city council candidate was indicted on four felony counts of election fraud. Jamaal Jackson was released on a $1,500 bond and is scheduled for an April 24 hearing. (More)

➤ Fairfax: Immigration officials have revoked the student visas of 15 people at George Mason University. The school’s administration said it is trying to find ways to help the students. (Details)

➤ Statewide: The Commonwealth will not be featured in Michelin’s upcoming southern restaurant guide because the state tourism office chose not to pay a $360,000 fee to participate. Only a single restaurant in Virginia, the Inn at Little Washington, has a Michelin star. (Details)

➤ In the Mountaineer Invitational men’s golf tournament, James Madison placed 8th, George Mason 9th, Virginia Tech 13th, and William & Mary 15th. The ACC men’s golf championship begins on April 24. (Leaderboard)

➤ The Washington Capitals wrap up the regular season with a visit to Pittsburgh tonight. The team will be the top seed in the east in the NHL playoffs. (Preview)

➤ Virginia Tech softball, ranked No. 11 and riding a 17-game winning streak, begins a three-game series at Pitt today. (Schedule)

➤ Keyshawn Davis, the World Boxing Organization lightweight champion, will make his first title defense at home in Norfolk’s Scope Arena on June 7. (Details)

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➤ The Port of Virginia installed four new electric cranes, allowing it to handle three large container vessels simultaneously. (Details)

➤ Ford’s Garage restaurant chain signed a franchising agreement that could lead to three more locations in Virginia. It is reportedly considering Alexandria, Fairfax, and Woodbridge in addition to its existing restaurant in Richmond. (More)

➤ The Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation plans to spend $7 billion on freight and passenger rail projects in the next six years. (Details)

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➤ The Virginia Aquarium will host a sustainable oyster event on May 18, serving up fresh oysters farmed from local waterways and then collecting and recycling all the shells. (Sign Up)

➤ Virginia’s senators pushed back against an attempt by lawmakers from Texas to move a retired space shuttle from Chantilly to Houston. “Virginia has made significant contributions to aerospace development, and moving the Discovery to another location would be a significant waste of taxpayer resources,” Sen. Tim Kaine said. (Details)

➤ The Richmond Mural Project has been attracting street artists to the state capital since 2012. (Meet the Earliest Artists)

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