Thursday, May 28, 2026

Good Morning! On this day in 1754, Lt. Col. George Washington led a Virginia militia to victory in the first engagement of the French and Indian War in southwestern Pennsylvania. They launched a surprise attack against a French reconnaissance party, killing 10 soldiers, including their commander.

Virginia’s population has climbed nearly 3% since 2020—but one Old Dominion city is booming far faster than the rest, posting a stunning 10.88% growth rate. Check out today’s Top Stories to see which Virginia city is leading the state’s population surge.

Could a one-time treatment replace a lifetime of daily cholesterol pills? Researchers have uncovered a treatment with results so promising that cardiologists are calling it a potential game-changer for heart health. On The Flyover Podcast, Ayla Brown unpacks the findings and reveals which big pharma giant is already behind it. Tune in here!

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Take The Flyover with you. Busy day? Listen to our daily 15-minute podcast while commuting, cooking, or walking the dog—your Flyover fix, anywhere.

Spanberger Stands by Her Veto Pen

Gov. Abigail Spanberger is pushing back on criticism of her 31 bill vetoes, saying in a new interview: “Does that mean that I’m supposed to just accept and sign any bill?”

Her veto pen has surprised Virginia’s Democrat-controlled General Assembly, tabling bills on ICE enforcement in courthouses, class action suits, cannabis retail, paid sick leave, and collective bargaining.

The vetoes leave Virginia one of only two states without a class action statute, tabling several Democrats’ priorities heading into a key election year.

Virginia Beach to Open 5/31 Memorial Sunday

Seven years after the deadliest workplace shooting in Virginia’s history, the 5/31 Memorial will open for a ceremony Sunday at the Virginia Beach Municipal Center, even with construction still unfinished.

The park honors the 12 city employees killed when a gunman opened fire at the Municipal Center on May 31, 2019. The $12 million memorial will be walkable for Sunday’s 4 p.m. ceremony, city officials confirmed.

The program will include a moment of silence, a reading of all 12 victims’ names, and time for reflection. Survivors, first responders, and families have waited seven years for a place to gather.

Fairfax City Tops Virginia Growth Rate

Fairfax City posted the fastest population growth among Virginia cities of at least 20,000 residents between 2020 and 2025, according to new Census Bureau estimates, ranking 108th nationally.

The city added 2,626 people over the five-year span, growing from 24,146 to 26,772, a 10.88% increase that narrowly edged out Suffolk by 0.002 percentage points. The largest single-year gain came between 2023 and 2024, when the city added 968 residents.

Fairfax County, a separate jurisdiction from the independent Fairfax City, has been losing population since 2020 even as the city surged ahead.

Statewide, Virginia’s population has grown 2.9% since the 2020 census, with roughly two-thirds of those gains driven by migration rather than births, a reversal of a decades-long trend.

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➤ Lynchburg: City schools will offer free summer meals for children at more than 25 sites through the USDA Summer Food Service Program, with breakfasts, lunches, and snacks available June through August. (More)=

➤ Roanoke County: The county approved its $693 million fiscal year 2026-2027 budget and a 10-year Capital Improvement Plan covering schools, libraries, and road safety projects countywide. (More)

➤ Woodbridge: Sentara Northern Virginia Medical Center is bringing back its Long Family Farmers Market for a second season, offering fresh produce and local vendors to Prince William County residents on the hospital campus. (More)

➤ Leesburg: A new list ranked Leesburg as Virginia’s second-best place to live for 2026-27 after evaluating more than 850 cities on quality of life, affordability, desirability, and job opportunities. (More)

➤ Suffolk: Residents will no longer separate recycling at the curb under a new regional trash-sorting system that uses AI and robots to pull recyclable materials from household waste. (More)

➤ Arlington: Parents are pushing for limits on school-issued devices as concerns grow over screen addiction, online distractions, and the decline of paper-based learning in classrooms. (More)

➤ UVA promoted associate head coach Kevin Cassese to lead its men’s lacrosse program after he helped direct one of the nation’s top offenses during the past three seasons. (More)

➤ Liberty softball placed a program-record five players on the CSC Academic All-District Team, led by 4.0 GPA standouts Paige Doerr and Camden Anders. (More)

➤ Former Virginia defensive back Donovan Johnson Sr. died after a nine-month battle with leukemia, prompting tributes from coaches and teammates who remembered his leadership, resilience, and trademark smile. (More)

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

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➤ Virginia’s casino market drew fresh investor attention this week after Jefferies analysts toured Bristol, Danville, and Richmond venues, calling the state’s gaming industry “dynamic and complex.” The visit signals growing Wall Street interest as Virginia’s relatively young gambling sector matures. (More)

➤ LX Pantos Americas signed memorandums of understanding with the Virginia Economic Development Partnership and the Port of Virginia, expanding the Korean logistics firm’s U.S. footprint. The deals aim to strengthen supply chain ties and accelerate logistics innovation statewide.. (More)

➤ The Original Pancake House closed its West Falls Church restaurant after 15 years, ending a run known for signature pancakes and longtime support of local charities and community events. (More)

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➤ Chesapeake libraries turned colorful swamp mascots Dizzy and Daizy into a wildly popular trading card program that encourages kids to read, attend events, and explore library services. (More)

➤ Freedom 250 unveiled the first entertainment lineup for the Great American State Fair on the National Mall, featuring free concerts from Flo Rida, Martina McBride, Vanilla Ice, and others. (More)

➤ Virginia Beach will host the fourth annual Jackalope Festival this weekend, bringing more than 300 athletes and 60,000 spectators for free action sports events at Neptune Park. (More)

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