Gun Law Blocked Days Before Taking Effect

A Lancaster County judge granted a preliminary injunction Thursday barring Virginia State Police from enforcing a new law that would have banned the future sale, purchase, manufacture, and transfer of certain semi-automatic firearms and magazines holding more than 15 rounds, less than a week before it was set to take effect July 1.

Judge John Martin ruled the commonwealth was unlikely to succeed in defending the law against a state constitutional challenge, siding with Gun Owners of America and the Virginia Citizens Defense League. The injunction runs through December 31, and the state immediately vowed to appeal.

Current owners keep what they have. The law targeted only new sales and transfers.

Private Gun Sale Background Checks Resume July 1

A Lynchburg Circuit Court judge dissolved a longstanding injunction Wednesday that had blocked background checks on private firearm sales in Virginia on and off since October, clearing the way for checks to resume July 1.

The ruling closes what had been dubbed the “Lynchburg Loophole,” a legal gap created when a judge found the state’s 2020 universal background check law unconstitutional as applied to 18- to 20-year-olds. The loophole was effectively sealed when the General Assembly passed HB 1525 in April, raising the minimum age to purchase handguns and certain firearms to 21, aligning state law with federal standards.

Attorney General Jay Jones called the ruling a step toward protecting communities, while the Virginia Citizens Defense League, a plaintiff in the case, called it “unexpected” and said the fight is not over.

Man Who Set Danville Councilman on Fire Sentenced

➤ Bedford County: Virginia cattle farmers are stretching their hay supplies through the summer and turning to federal disaster assistance programs as the historic drought leaves pastures bare and forces some producers to sell off livestock they had hoped to keep. (More)

➤ Woodbridge: A 43-year-old man is facing charges of peeping into a dwelling and public intoxication after police said he was found intoxicated and looking through the window of a Bayside Avenue residence late Thursday night. (More)

➤ Statewide: Virginia’s Board of Education is weighing a two-year delay in raising reading and math benchmarks, drawing pushback from board members and parent groups who say the postponement would mislead families. (More)

➤ Lynchburg: Centra Health, which plans to close Virginia Baptist Hospital in 2028, is weighing three possible futures for the century-old building: a senior living and health hub, an events and support center, or housing. (More)

➤ Roanoke: Mayor Joe Cobb called the misplacement of 30 Flock gunshot detectors across the city “a preventable City process failure,” after data entry errors including a misspelled street name led to devices being installed at the wrong locations, none of which are currently active as removal gets underway. (More)

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➤ Virginia Tech baseball will compete in the inaugural 2027 Nashville College Baseball Series from March 5-7, where they’ll play against Vanderbilt, Cincinnati, and Ohio State at First Horizon Park. (More)

➤ UVA swimming star Gretchen Walsh is among several Cavaliers competing at the Settecolli Trophy in Rome this weekend, one of the sport’s most prestigious international meets. Walsh currently holds the world record for the 100-meter butterfly. (More) 

➤ Former Virginia baseball standout Ernie Clement led all American League players in fan voting and will start at second base in the MLB All-Star Game. The Blue Jays infielder is hitting .292 with a league-best 20 doubles. (More) 

➤ The NHL Draft continues today with Rounds 2-7 from Buffalo, where the Washington Capitals hold three picks. (More)

➤ Yesterday’s Results: World Cup | MLB | WNBA | Golf

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Big Money Gets In Pre-IPO in AI

AI stocks now make up about 45% of the S&P 500. But the biggest breakout gains often happen because investors got in before companies went public.

In AI, big money increasingly moves sooner. In 2025, 67% of private-stage investments were in AI companies, up from 9% in 2022. But those opportunities are almost always reserved for the 1%.

Restaurant robotics pioneer Miso Robotics isn’t, and 44K+ everyday folks like you have already joined big money players like Ecolab as investors.

Miso’s Flippy Fry Station AI restaurant kitchen robot has logged 200K+ hours in kitchens across the $1T fast-food industry. Its tech is used by big-name customers like White Castle, Jersey Mike’s, Cinnabon, and more. And Miso just acquired 300+ patents from a food robotics early-mover that raised $450 million.

Flippy alone represents a $4B/year revenue opportunity in the US. Invest before Miso hits its $2.5M raise target for June. Hurry for bonus shares.

➤ NBA Hall of Famer Ben Wallace, who played college ball at Virginia Union University, has listed his 22,000-square-foot Goochland County estate on 35 acres in Manakin-Sabot for $6.9 million, complete with six bedrooms, 13 bathrooms, an infinity-edge pool, and garage space for at least 13 cars. (More)

➤ Hampton Roads Transit carried nearly 51,000 riders on Juneteenth, a 58% jump from the year before, as free fares and a convergence of festivals including Sail250 and Harborfest sent light rail ridership up 336% and ferry ridership up 945% for the day. (More)

➤ Arlington: An upscale American-French bistro called The Angie opened its doors Friday in Virginia Square, offering 162 seats, outdoor dining, a full-service bar, and a menu featuring dishes like ricotta ravioli and lobster frites at 3901 Fairfax Drive. (More)

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

➤ A new study found one specific diet could lower dementia risk by up to 30%, even for those with early Alzheimer’s markers. Learn which foods are the most helpful. (Hear More)

➤ A new note sent to TMZ claims to have video of a suspect with Savannah Guthrie’s missing mother, Nancy, on what the sender called “probably her last” day alive. (Tune in here)

➤  The prosecutor in the Charlie Kirk murder case was found in contempt for violating a judge’s gag order. (Podcast Available)

Have you ever purchased a concert T-shirt?

1. Yes
2. No
3. Can’t remember
4. I don’t go to concerts

Yesterday’s Results:

Do you still shop at malls?

1. No: 43%
2. Yes: 35%
3. I would if they were still around: 22%

How did Gaines’ Mill make Civil War aeronautical history?

Show me the answer