Toll Revenue Could Fund Virginia Transit

Virginia is moving to reinvest express lane toll revenue into public transit rather than road projects, with the commonwealth expecting roughly $46.5 million in express lane revenue.

The Commuter Choice Program, a 10-year partnership between Virginia and the Northern Virginia Transportation Commission, already directs toll proceeds toward transit and other transportation improvements along corridors served by Northern Virginia’s express lanes.

The Office of the Virginia Secretary of Transportation says rising operating and labor costs threaten transit funding, calling expanded transit one path to “affordable transportation choices“ under Gov. Abigail Spanberger.

VDOT says 55% of users pay no toll on I-66 inside the Beltway and during morning hours on portions of the I-95 express lanes in Fairfax County because of HOV and transit exemptions. The agency is also adding cameras and automated enforcement to detect Flex Pass misuse as the debate continues.

Bipartisan Opioid Bills Signed in Abingdon

Gov. Abigail Spanberger traveled to Abingdon last Thursday to sign two bipartisan bills aimed at expanding addiction recovery and treatment access in Southwest Virginia, sponsored by Sen. Todd Pillion.

Senate Bill 608 creates a pathway for people in long-term recovery to serve as peer recovery specialists, while Senate Bill 641 ensures patients in treatment for opioid addiction can access medication-assisted treatment without additional barriers.

Pillion, who has worked on substance use legislation for more than a decade, called the measures “another important step“ toward helping families affected by the crisis.

Spanberger also attended the opening of an expanded Appalachian Highlands Community Dental Center facility, part of the administration’s stated focus on expanding healthcare access in Southwest Virginia.

Virginia Tech Board Votes on Athletics

Virginia Tech’s Board of Visitors votes June 1 on creating Hokie Ventures, LLC—an athletics-related company designed to support Virginia Tech’s evolving player compensation and revenue-generating operations.

Athletics CFO Brandon Hall, who was at Clemson when it launched a similar structure, is presenting the plan. The LLC includes an option to convert to for-profit to attract private capital.

That vote lands as Virginia Tech simultaneously searches for a new athletic director, president, and Hokie Club director—giving this structural overhaul added stakes for the program’s future.

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➤ Northern Virginia: Parts of Northern Virginia recorded a 5% increase in homelessness in the 2026 Point-in-Time Count, according to regional officials, with advocates citing rising housing costs and the expiration of pandemic-era federal aid. (More)

➤ Gloucester County: A tractor-trailer crash Monday afternoon damaged eight boats and caused several minor injuries after the truck ran a red light, according to Virginia State Police. The crash remains under investigation. (More)

➤ Statewide: Families using Section 8 housing vouchers could be affected by proposed Trump administration cuts to U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development assistance programs, according to Virginia housing advocates. (More)

➤ Norfolk: A suspect was shot and killed by a Norfolk police officer after police say the person tried to drag the officer with a vehicle during a traffic stop on East Little Creek Road. Virginia State Police are investigating. (More)

➤ Roanoke Valley: The historic Cave Spring community was named one of the Roanoke Valley’s most endangered places for 2026, as preservationists warn development is threatening the area’s historic character. (More)

➤ Roanoke Valley: VDOT projects across the region are expected to cause periodic traffic delays this summer as road improvement work continues on Interstate 81 and other major routes. (More)

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➤ Four Virginia schools made the 64-team NCAA baseball tournament field: Virginia, Virginia Tech, Liberty, and VCU. Regionals begin Friday. (See Schedule)

➤ The Washington Wizards are expected to explore a trade for Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo this offseason. Washington owns the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft and could build a package around young players and future draft capital. (More)

➤ Virginia Tech football landed four-star offensive lineman Kaden Buchanan out of Tennessee, adding another piece to the Hokies’ 2027 recruiting class. Buchanan chose Virginia Tech over Kentucky, NC State, and Missouri. (More)

➤ The Nationals hit six home runs in a 10-2 win over the Guardians on Monday, putting them above .500 for the first time this late in a season since 2021. (More)

➤ Yesterday’s Results: NBA | NHL | MLB | Soccer

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➤ LX Pantos Americas signed partnership agreements with the Port of Virginia and Virginia economic officials, strengthening ties between the South Korean logistics company and the state’s port and logistics network. (More)

➤ Ballston-based defense tech firm Innovative Defense Technologies will invest $19 million and add 210 jobs at its Arlington headquarters, doubling its Virginia workforce as it expands support work on U.S. military software systems. (More)

➤ Anheuser-Busch will invest $5.8 million to expand its Williamsburg brewery and build a new technical skills training center at the Virginia facility, which has operated since 1972. (More)

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➤ The Coastal Edge Steel Pier Classic wrapped up in Virginia Beach on Memorial Day weekend, with Tony Silvagni and Malia Ilagan winning the men’s and women’s titles at the World Surf League North America regional longboard event. (More)

➤ The 48th annual Richmond Greek Festival returns Thursday through Sunday at Saints Constantine & Helen Greek Orthodox Cathedral, featuring Greek food, music, and cultural events while benefiting Central Virginia charities. (Details)

➤ Two sihek chicks, a bird species considered extinct in the wild, hatched at the Smithsonian National Zoo’s conservation campus in Front Royal, boosting the global Guam kingfisher population to about 125 birds. (Details)

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Which Virginia college baseball team has the best shot at the College World Series?

1. UVA Cavaliers
2. Virginia Tech Hokies
3. VCU Rams
4. Liberty Flames

Yesterday’s Results:

With hurricane season starting June 1, do you have a hurricane plan in place?

1. No: 43%
2. Yes: 31%
3. Not yet, but I should: 26%

Before it was renamed Roanoke in 1882, what was the name of the small Virginia town where the city now stands?

Show me the answer