Thursday, June 18, 2026

Good Morning! On this day in 1963, College and Pro Football Hall of Famer Bruce Smith was born in Norfolk. A dominant pass rusher at Virginia Tech, Smith won the Outland Trophy and became the first overall pick in 1985. He recorded an NFL record 200 career sacks over 19 seasons, primarily with the Buffalo Bills.

Today, we’re covering several new laws taking effect in Virginia, including one that authorizes AI-powered cameras to enforce stop sign and crosswalk violations. Learn more in Top Stories, and let us know what you think of them by answering today’s Poll.

Why are there suddenly dogs everywhere? The grocery cart, the coffee line, the seat next to you on the plane. You’ve noticed, and you’ve probably got your own disaster story of an animal run-in in public. But what most people don’t realize is how wide the gap has gotten between what the rules allow and what people actually do. Tune in to today’s Flyover Podcast as Ayla breaks down why pets are showing up everywhere, and what the law really says. Tune in here!

Later today, watch for a special message from our partner, Fisher Investments, featuring a free guide on retirement investing and the mistakes that can derail a $1 million-plus portfolio.

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Spanberger Signs New Gun Laws

Gov. Abigail Spanberger signed a sweeping package of gun safety legislation into law on Tuesday, surrounded by families impacted by gun violence, lawmakers, law enforcement, and advocates. The measures aim to prevent gun violence through targeted reforms.

Key bills close the “Boyfriend Loophole” for domestic abusers, expand red flag protections, crack down on ghost guns, require safe storage, prohibit unsecured handguns in vehicles, and ban future sales and public carry of assault-style weapons. Additional provisions hold firearm manufacturers accountable and establish violence prevention programs.

“Today, we are signing legislation on straightforward, commonsense issues that will keep our families, communities, and law enforcement safe,” Spanberger said.

The laws take effect on varying dates, with the assault weapons provisions beginning July 1.

Marijuana Sales to Begin in July 2027

Gov. Abigail Spanberger and Democratic lawmakers announced a compromise Tuesday to launch Virginia’s regulated retail cannabis market on July 1, 2027.

The agreement, folded into the state budget ahead of the June 30 deadline, follows Spanberger’s May veto of earlier legislation that sought a January 2027 start.

The deal caps retail licenses at 350 statewide, with the Cannabis Control Authority accepting applications beginning Feb. 1, 2027.

It raises the legal possession limit from one to two ounces, imposes a 6% state cannabis tax (rising to 8% in 2029) plus local options, and includes strict safety rules, advertising restrictions, and equity measures to support small and impact businesses.

Revenue will fund education, behavioral health, and equity programs.

VA Deploys AI Cameras at Stop Signs

A new law that authorizes AI-powered cameras to enforce stop sign and crosswalk violations across Virginia targets flagrant non-compliance, especially in school and work zones. The commonwealth is one of the first states to implement such automated enforcement.

The cameras, developed by Obvio, use on-device AI to detect violations without constant recording or cloud uploads, and blur the faces of non-violators for privacy. Localities must run public awareness campaigns, and the program is violator-funded, with excess revenue dedicated to traffic safety.

Despite a warning period preceding citations, bill sponsor Sen. Angelia Williams Graves, D-Norfolk, said, “People are just not even stopping.”

Studies show two-thirds of drivers fail to stop fully. Officials hope the technology will reduce pedestrian deaths and improve safety without relying on officer encounters.

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➤ Statewide: Virginia centralized its state internship programs by creating a new State Internship Coordinator position to expand paid opportunities and strengthen workforce development for students. (More)

➤ Potomac River: The body of 20-year-old Towson University student Nazir Bell was recovered in the river near Great Falls, Maryland, after he went missing while swimming. The search included land, boat, and air crews from multiple agencies, including the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department. (More)

➤ Norfolk: Virginia State Police issued a critically missing adult alert for 22-year-old Isaac Benjamin Morris, last seen on Naval Station Norfolk. State police say his disappearance poses a credible threat to his health and safety. (More)

➤ Natural Bridge: Natural Bridge Zoo owners were set to appear in court on Wednesday in a major development in the long-running animal cruelty case, after two giraffe calves missing since 2025 were found and placed in specialized professional care. (More)

➤ Southeastern VA: Virginia Beach and Chesapeake are offering free Father’s Day weekend activities, including fitness classes, ship tours, history walks, movies, and family events. (See Details)

➤ Virginia Tech: The university is launching an 18-credit artificial intelligence minor open to all undergraduates to prepare graduates for an AI-driven workforce. Applications open in August. (More)

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➤ Virginia Tech forward Tobi Lawal is generating buzz as a potential second-round pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, with his athleticism and improving skills drawing increasing attention from NBA scouts. (More)

➤ UVA Athletics announced a $5 million commitment from Dr. Scott Wagner and Kristin Norman to boost football and men’s basketball operations, plus scholarship support across women’s sports programs. (More)

➤ Liberty University men’s golf standout Ike Joy was named to the College Sports Communicators Academic All-District Team. He was also named to the Conference USA Men’s Golf All-Academic team in 2025 and 2026. (More)

➤ Yesterday’s Results: World Cup | MLB | College World Series | WNBA

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➤ Amazon plans to build a one-million-square-foot distribution center in New Kent County, promising significant economic growth and new jobs in the region. Construction is expected to begin this month, with a tentative completion date in late 2027. (More)

➤ Chesapeake City Council unanimously approved a conditional use permit for a new Costco at Greenbrier Mall, including a fuel station and auto service center to replace the former Sears store closed in 2018. (More)

➤ Henrico-based Lingerfelt sold three recently built industrial buildings in Chesterfield’s Ashton parks for over $118 million to Toronto-linked buyers, including Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan and Manulife Investment Management. (More)

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➤ Hundreds gathered Friday evening at The Prizery for the South Boston Tea Party, an immersive Revolutionary War event featuring Patrick Henry reenactments, Washington vignettes, music, dance, and Colonial Virginia history. (More)

➤ North America’s largest salamanders, the hellbenders, face serious threats, but Virginia Tech researchers are working to help the species survive and recover by removing eggs from damaged streams, keeping them alive once they hatch, and returning them to their native waters. (See Photos)

➤ The Virginia Zoo in Norfolk is celebrating 125 years with new summer additions, including seven axolotls, four meerkats, and painted dogs, plus a new education campus opening later this year. (More)

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The following stories are featured exclusively on The Flyover Podcast—a daily show that gives you the most important headlines in under 15 minutes. Clicking the links will take you directly to these stories:

➤ Who decided dogs belong in the grocery aisles, and why won’t anyone say no? (Listen Now)

➤ Peter Thiel’s secretive Dialog society has been exposed in a data leak naming its powerful members and revealing details they were promised would stay private. (Hear Details)

➤ A Chicago petition to rename the street beneath Trump Tower after Barack Obama has gathered more than 22,000 signatures. (Hear Story)