Dems Lead in Latest VCU Poll

Democratic gubernatorial candidate Abigail Spanberger leads Republican Winsome Earle-Sears 49% to 40% in the latest Virginia Commonwealth University statewide poll of registered voters.

The survey, conducted Aug. 18 to 28, indicates that the governor’s race has tightened slightly since July, when Spanberger held a 12-point edge over the sitting lieutenant governor.

Down the ticket, the VCU poll found Democratic State Sen. Ghazala Hashmi leading Republican John Reid 45% to 41% in the lieutenant governor’s race, and Democrat Jay Jones ahead of incumbent Republican Jason Miyares 47% to 41% in the attorney general contest. Republicans made slight gains in those races as well.

The deadline to register to vote is Oct. 10, and early voting begins on Sept. 19.

Navy Brings Murder Charge 

Seaman Jermiah T. Copeland has been charged by the Navy with murdering a fellow sailor on May 29. That is the day that Culinary Specialist Seaman Angelina Resendiz disappeared from her barracks.

Resendiz is not named in the charge document, but the victim in the case is represented in the document by the initials A. R. Her body was found on June 10.

According to the document, Copeland is accused of committing the murder while on active duty near Norfolk.

Copeland remains in pretrial confinement ahead of a Sept. 18 court date.

$50 Million Disaster Fund Unveiled

The Virginia Disaster Assistance Fund will provide up to $50 million to help homeowners and businesses in Southwest Virginia recover from a series of destructive events, including Hurricane Helene last year and winter storms in February.

The money will be distributed through local governments and planning district commissions.

“The Virginia Disaster Assistance Fund will make sure we deliver help where it’s needed most and ensure we are even better prepared for the future,” Gov. Glenn Youngkin said as he announced that aid would be available.

The financial help was approved by the General Assembly in April.

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➤ Fairfax: Democrat James Walkinshaw was victorious in a special election to fill the congressional seat vacated by the death of Rep. Gerry Connolly in May. Walkinshaw had served as Connolly’s chief of staff before being elected to the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors. (Results)

➤ Fishersville: Augusta Medical Group said it will close three clinics in the Shenandoah Valley as a result of funding changes in the recently passed One Big Beautiful Bill Act. (More)

➤ Stafford County: Sheriff’s deputies charged four men from Norfolk with credit card fraud after they purchased numerous gift cards at several area convenience stores. (Details)

➤ Bowling Green: The Virginia National Guard reactivated the 29th Division Artillery, citing “evolving operational requirements.” The military will recruit about 200 soldiers to staff the unit. (More)

➤ Richmond: The Virginia War Memorial will hold its annual Patriot Day ceremony tomorrow to honor the memory of those killed on September 11, 2001. (Details)

➤ Statewide: Flags across the Commonwealth were flown at half-staff yesterday in memory of John Alfred Cox, a member of the Virginia House of Delegates from 2010 to 2014. (More)

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➤ UVA’s Cam Ross was named ACC Specialist of the Week for the second consecutive week on the strength of his punt returns. He’s currently averaging 182 all-purpose yards per game, third in the nation. (Details)

➤ The College Football Playoff hired former Virginia Tech football coach Justin Fuente as a senior advisor. (More)

➤ Strasburg High School’s athletic department was selected by T-Mobile to receive $5,000 in funding for the second straight year. (Details)

Yesterday’s Results: MLB | Soccer | WNBA

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➤ The Virginia Tourism Corporation announced that Loudoun County was the largest source of visitor revenue in the state last year. Spending by tourists hit $4.9 billion in the county—which includes Dulles Airport—in 2024, up 9% year-over-year. (Details)

➤ Condair Group, a company that manufactures industrial air conditioning systems, said it will launch a new production site in Richmond next year. (More)

➤ Swift Current Energy secured project financing for a battery storage system facility in Rockingham County that it said would be the biggest energy storage project in the region. (Details)

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➤ The Virginia Repertory Theatre in Richmond is taking steps to sell a building it owns as part of what its director called a “shrink-to-grow” philosophy. (Details)

➤ The sea creature known as a blue button—usually found only in tropical waters—was recently spotted on the shore near Sandbridge. Experts said the animals may have been pushed north by winds from recent storms. (More)

➤ Melissa Riddick owes $12,205 to Norfolk Public Utilities for the water bill at a rental home she hasn’t occupied since 2021. She said she tried to remove her name from the account back when she moved out, but the utility said it has no record of that. (Details)

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Have you attended a stage play or musical in the last year?

1. Yes
2. No

Tuesday’s Results:

Have you ever eaten at a Zaxbys? 

1. Yes: 38%
2. No: 42%
3. Tried, but it was closed: 20%

Who was the first Army officer to fly in a plane?

Show me the answer