Virginia Leads Nation in Job Losses

Virginia lost 52,200 jobs between May 2025 and May 2026, more than any other state, according to Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data. 

A separate BLS-based tally cited by Cardinal News puts the loss at 51,400 and breaks it down by sector, with federal cuts accounting for about 39% of the losses, and professional, scientific, and technical positions—many of them federal contractors—for even more, at 44%.

Virginia also shed manufacturing jobs faster than any state, with Goodyear cutting 815 workers in Danville, and the Yokohama plant in Salem closing.

The state ranked 48th in job growth over that year, even as it climbed to third in CNBC’s annual “top states for business” ranking.

UVA economists and Secretary of Finance Mark Sickles had warned of the decline for months. Health care was among the few sectors still adding jobs.

Judge Dismisses Abortion Amendment Challenge

A Campbell County judge on Tuesday dismissed a lawsuit that sought to keep Virginia’s proposed abortion-rights amendment off the November ballot.

The measure, which voters decide on Nov. 3, would protect access to abortion, contraception, and fertility treatment. It is one of three proposed amendments, alongside ones on same-sex marriage and restoring felons’ civil rights.

Bedford County supervisor Charla Bansley had argued the state skipped a required step by not sending amendment language to circuit court clerks to post at courthouses. Lawmakers repealed that requirement in February, effective July 1.

Judge John Cook cited the repeal, called the old rule directory rather than mandatory, and found that Bansley lacked standing.

Her attorney, Daniel Schmid of Liberty Counsel, said he will appeal to the Supreme Court of Virginia, which this year voided a voter-approved redistricting amendment.

Hunting, Fishing Fees Could Rise

The Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources has proposed raising hunting, fishing, and trapping license fees for the first time since 2012. A resident freshwater fishing license would climb to $27 and most hunting licenses by about $5, while out-of-state anglers would pay $71.

Officials say fees have been flat since 2011, while costs for hatcheries, fish feed, and stocking trucks have risen. Without more revenue, the agency warns, trout stocking could be cut back.

Proposed rules would also add a $10 camping fee on department lands, require life jackets for children under 13, and adjust catch limits on waters shared with Tennessee.

The online public comment form runs through Aug. 5, and the Board of Wildlife Resources is set to vote on the fee increases Aug. 20.

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➤ Statewide: State leaders, including former Virginia Military Institute Superintendent Cedric Wins and Secretary of the Commonwealth Candi Mundon King, are pushing to depoliticize public college boards through skills-based appointments and governance training. (More)

➤ Southwest Virginia: Gov. Abigail Spanberger announced $7.3 million in federal funds to repair Hurricane Helene damage, with Giles and Washington counties each getting $3.5 million and the town of Fries in Grayson County receiving $322,712 for a water-plant generator. (More)

➤ Virginia Beach: Police arrested five people in a two-day human trafficking and vice operation by the Special Investigations Bureau, charging two with sex trafficking and others with solicitation of prostitution and child pornography offenses. (More)

➤ Lexington: A reported armed individual at Virginia Military Institute on Tuesday night turned out to be a false alarm. VMI said an object made a noise outside a barracks that sounded like gunfire, and neighboring Washington and Lee lifted its shelter-in-place. (More)

➤ Fairfax County: Fairfax County soccer coach Ahmed Mohamed, 31, was charged with 13 counts each of embezzlement and computer fraud after allegedly scamming 13 families out of nearly $60,000 for a nonexistent Italy soccer camp. (More)

➤ Carroll County: Michael Puckett, charged with murdering Deputy Logan Utt during a May 29 wellness check on Fancy Gap Highway, was denied bond Tuesday. Puckett appealed to Circuit Court, with a hearing set for July 22. (More)

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➤ New Virginia Tech Athletic Director Brian White added to his staff Tuesday by naming Brad Bell, a five-year Georgia fundraiser, as the executive associate athletic director of advancement and head of the Hokie Club. (More)

➤ Youth softball teams from across the East Coast are competing July 15-19 at the USA Softball Girls Fast Pitch Eastern Nationals in Loudoun County, featuring live games across multiple age divisions at local parks. (See Schedule)

➤ UVA released its 2026 cross country schedule, opening at home with the Virginia Invitational on Sept. 11. The men’s team enters after winning the 2025 ACC title. (See Schedule)

➤ Yesterday’s Results: World Cup | WNBA

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➤ State Corporation Commission regulators are weighing whether data centers should pay for high-voltage transmission lines built solely to serve them ahead of an Aug. 1 decision deadline. (More)

➤ Developer Helen Dragas defended her bid to buy the city-owned Virginia Beach National Golf Club for $17.9 million, denying an unfair edge after residents questioned 2024 talks that preceded the city’s formal process. (More)

➤ Virginia’s ban on polystyrene foam food containers has expanded to cover all food vendors, including restaurants, grocery stores, and food trucks, after first applying to the largest chains with 20 or more locations. (See Details)

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This Metal’s Price Went Up 170%

No, not gold. Lithium. Prices more than doubled from last June to this one, spurring a modern-day “white gold” rush driven by AI, energy, and more. 

With demand growing 5X by 2040, a major opportunity’s emerging. No wonder 50,000+ people have  invested in EnergyX.

Their patented tech can recover up to 3X more lithium than traditional methods, in days instead of months. That combination of technological prowess and market demand earned an investment from General Motors.

In the past 24 months, EnergyX has raised ~$100M from retail investors, formed a first-of-its-kind lithium agreement with the U.S. Army, and oil supermajor Eni just signed an agreement to invest up to $225M.

Now they’re preparing to unlock ~15M+ tons of lithium. Invest in EnergyX before midnight PT. 

➤ Students at The Goddard School in Midlothian helped raise $1,000 for Connor’s Heroes, a childhood-cancer charity, by making and selling bracelets, bookmarks, and bird feeders at their fourth annual Junior Maker’s Market. (More)

➤ Centenarian Laura Rice, born in Alton in 1920, celebrated her 106th birthday surrounded by four generations of family at her senior community. Rice, who has visited 10 countries, climbed part of the Great Wall of China at age 89. (More)

➤ Virginia residents spent an average of $9,123 per person on health care in 2024, ranking 33rd nationally and below the U.S. average of $9,717. (See Map)

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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:

➤ Potentially groundbreaking Alzheimer’s research focused on a new protein in the brain, and the results are turning heads. (Hear Details)

➤ Smoke from wildfires in Canada and Minnesota is engulfing the Midwest and Northeast, exposing millions to hazardous air. (Hear Episode)

➤ California’s high-speed rail project is seeking hundreds of millions in fresh federal funding after Washington clawed back $4 billion. (Listen Now)

What’s your favorite Police song?

1. Roxanne
2. Every Breath You Take
3. Every Little Thing She Does is Magic
4. Don’t Stand So Close to Me
5. Message in a Bottle
6. Other (reply to tell us)
7. Not a fan

Yesterday’s Results:

Would you ride Massanutten’s new Mountain Mayhem alpine coaster? 

1. I’ll watch from the lodge: 38%
2. Full speed ahead: 33%
3. Might consider it: 29%

What’s the biggest fish species caught in Virginia?

Show me the answer