The Virginia Flyover

Saturday, July 11, 2026

Good Morning! On this day in 1861, Union forces under Gen. George B. McClellan won the Battle of Rich Mountain in Western Virginia. A flanking attack led by Gen. William Rosecrans routed Confederates under Col. John Pegram. The victory helped secure the region for the Union, paving the way for West Virginia’s eventual statehood.

Virginia moved up to No. 3 in CNBC’s Top States for Business rankings, and UVA Health is bringing a first-of-its-kind melanoma treatment to patients closer to home. All this and more in Top Stories.

Slowing how fast you age sounds like it should take a punishing diet or a shelf of supplements. New research out of Japan says otherwise. Scientists found that one small daily habit, paired with another, slowed the body’s biological aging about as much as cutting your calorie intake by a quarter. In today’s Flyover Podcast, Amy shares exactly what the study found, why it surprised the researchers, and what those two simple habits are. Tune in here to learn more.

Car insurance has quietly become one of those monthly bills that keeps creeping higher. Today’s sponsor, Insurify, makes it easy to see if you’re paying more than you need to. In just a few minutes, you can compare quotes from multiple insurers in one place and potentially save money without changing your coverage.

Virginia Rises to No. 3 for Business

Virginia climbed from fourth to third in CNBC’s annual Top States for Business rankings, with the network citing the Commonwealth’s strong economy, infrastructure, workforce, and business climate.

Gov. Abigail Spanberger credited new laws aimed at improving housing affordability, healthcare, and energy costs, along with continued investments in infrastructure and workforce development, as helping make Virginia more attractive to employers and workers. The state also ranked second nationally for infrastructure.

Virginia has consistently ranked among the nation’s top states for business, and state leaders say they hope to reclaim the No. 1 spot by building on recent investments in economic development, job creation, and workforce training.

Vance Family Adds Virginia Home

Vice President JD Vance and his family will lease a home in Middleburg, adding a Virginia countryside residence while continuing to live at the official vice presidential residence at the Naval Observatory in Washington.

The rental property, about 40 miles from the nation’s capital, has prompted additional Secret Service security measures. Known for its horse farms and rolling countryside, Middleburg has long been a retreat for presidents and other national leaders.

The Vance family, who are expecting their fourth child this summer, will use the Loudoun County property as a supplemental residence rather than replacing their official Washington home.

UVA Leads in Melanoma Care

UVA Health has become the first hospital system in Virginia to offer a specialized treatment for melanoma that has spread to the liver, giving eligible patients access to advanced cancer care without leaving the state.

The therapy delivers chemotherapy directly to the liver, allowing doctors to target tumors while reducing exposure to healthy tissue. Physicians say the approach can help extend survival and improve quality of life for patients whose cancer cannot be cured.

Until now, Virginians seeking the treatment had to travel out of state. UVA Health officials say offering it in Charlottesville expands access to specialized care closer to home.

Why Are So Many Drivers Suddenly Paying More for Car Insurance?

If your insurance bill has gone up recently, you’re not alone.

Across the country, drivers are opening renewal notices only to find their premiums have climbed again, even though nothing about their driving has changed. No accidents. No tickets. Same vehicle. Higher bill.

That’s because insurance rates have risen sharply over the last few years, and many drivers haven’t taken just 5 minutes to check their options.

That’s where Insurify comes in.

Instead of spending hours visiting different insurance websites, Insurify lets you compare quotes from multiple insurers side-by-side after answering just a few simple questions. It’s a fast, easy way to see whether another company may offer similar coverage for less.

Compare your options with Insurify today.

➤ Virginia Beach: Police were involved in a shooting near the Delta Hotel on Shore Drive Friday afternoon, prompting the hotel’s evacuation. (More)

➤ Charlottesville: A resident has filed a lawsuit asking the Virginia Supreme Court to compel the city to enforce trespassing laws at the Free Bridge encampment, where officials say safety concerns have grown. (More)

➤ Southwest Virginia: Wildlife officials say black bears with mange are being spotted more frequently, including Roanoke, Franklin, and Montgomery counties, as the skin disease spreads through the region. (More)

➤ Northern Piedmont: Health officials are urging residents to avoid wild animals after rabid cats, bats, raccoons, and skunks were confirmed in Culpeper, Fauquier, Madison, and Orange counties during the first quarter of 2026. (More)

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➤ The Commanders will retire Hall of Famer John Riggins’ No. 44 during a halftime ceremony at their Nov. 8 home game against the Rams. Riggins, the franchise’s all-time leading rusher with 7,472 yards, scored the go-ahead touchdown on a famous 43-yard run in Super Bowl XVII. (More)

➤ The MLB Draft begins today in Philadelphia, with the Nationals picking 11th overall. Sports Illustrated’s final mock has Washington taking Mississippi State third baseman Ace Reese, who blasted 45 home runs over the past two seasons. (More)

➤ Virginia men’s basketball will face Vanderbilt in a first-of-its-kind outdoor exhibition doubleheader at Credit One Stadium in Charleston on Sept. 27. (More)

➤ Wizards No. 1 pick AJ Dybantsa dropped 27 points in his Summer League debut, tying Blake Griffin’s record for a No. 1 pick and leading Washington to a 92-88 win over the Jazz. (More)

Flying together with our sponsor

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Flying together with our sponsor

A Few Minutes Could Save You Hundreds This Year

Insurance companies don’t all price risk the same way, which means two drivers with nearly identical profiles can receive very different quotes.

Whether you have multiple vehicles, a teen driver, a long commute, or you’ve simply been renewing the same policy year after year, it’s worth seeing what’s available before your next payment.

With household costs continuing to rise, comparing rates is one of the easiest ways to potentially lower your monthly expenses.

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➤ The Virginia Theatre Festival’s production of Disney’s Newsies is now playing in Charlottesville through July 19, featuring Broadway performers alongside local talent in the festival’s largest cast ever. (More)

➤ Virginia Beach and Williamsburg enjoyed one of their strongest tourism weekends in years over the Fourth of July, with both cities reaching 92% hotel occupancy as holiday celebrations drew visitors statewide. (More)

➤ Norfolk’s Waterside District is serving up tacos, margaritas, mariachi music, and more as the Taco Festival returns for its eighth annual celebration. (Watch Video)

Flying together with our sponsor

➤ Coffee vs Hot Cacao vs Green Tea: Which of these hot drinks was proven in a study boost stem cells by 220% in 30 days? Billionaires drop 6 figures on stem cell therapy, but this hot drink costs 50 cents a day and boosts anti-aging stem cells improving heart health, blood pressure, and longevity.

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:

➤ Researchers found that these daily habits can slow the body’s aging rate about as much as cutting your calorie intake by a quarter. (Hear More)

➤ Tyler Robinson declined to take the stand at the preliminary hearing in the Charlie Kirk murder case, and the next move rests with the judge. (Listen Now)

➤ China has announced plans for a space-and-ground network to spot dangerous asteroids before they reach Earth. (Podcast Available)