Commanders Expand Girls Flag Football in VA

The Washington Commanders are expanding support for girls flag football at high schools across Virginia as the Virginia High School League considers granting the sport official championship status.

This year, the Commanders will support an additional 51 Virginia teams playing for the first time this fall, bringing the total to 102 in the commonwealth and 178 regionally. Programs receive funding, 25 custom Nike uniforms, NFL Flag kits, footballs, and instructional materials, plus opportunities for clinics and events.

Every Virginia high school girls flag player will also get GameBreaker AURA protective headbands, which are rated 5 stars by the Virginia Tech Helmet Lab.

“We’re proud to deepen our investment by expanding team support, enhancing player safety, and continuing our work to help make girls flag football a permanent part of the high school sports landscape in Virginia and beyond,” said Dan Levy, the Commanders director of youth football.

Lawmakers Weigh New Online Rules for Kids

Virginia lawmakers are reviewing new digital protections for children as parents push for stronger safeguards against harmful online content.

On Wednesday, the Joint Commission on Technology and Science considered options requiring app stores to audit age ratings, simplify parental controls, and create consent dashboards, but issued no formal recommendations. A prior App Store Accountability Act by Sen. Chris Head remains under study.

The state effort comes as the U.S. Senate recently advanced the Kids Online Safety Act, which would mandate default protective settings for minors, algorithm opt-outs, parental account controls, and reporting tools for harmful content. The bipartisan measure has passed the Senate before but faces House differences and privacy concerns.

Advocates like Roanoke parent Emily Harrison urge Virginia to lead while federal negotiations continue, with lawmakers set to draft bills ahead of the January session.

Affidavit Sheds Light on Missing Giraffes

A British news site has published a sealed federal affidavit describing how two out-of-state figures allegedly plotted to spirit away two baby giraffes born at the Natural Bridge Zoo.

The Independent posted a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service agent’s affidavit, laying out texts about a “plan of action” to move the calves once they were born. Cardinal News couldn’t verify the details and did not name the individuals, who haven’t been charged.

The case traces to a December 2023 raid on the Rockbridge County zoo. Inspectors returned in April 2025 to find two pregnant giraffes suddenly not pregnant and the calves gone.

Manager Gretchen Mogensen was sentenced to 100 days in jail after refusing to reveal their whereabouts and was released after serving 90. Attorney General Jay Jones announced in June that the calves had been recovered safely. They later turned up at a Georgia safari park.

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➤ Statewide: A General Assembly panel studying whether to shift Virginia’s odd-year state elections to even years scrapped the effort, unable to agree on a recommendation. (More)

➤ Also Statewide: VDOT seeks public input through an online survey available until Aug. 23 on road safety concerns to update Virginia’s Strategic Highway Safety Plan, guiding efforts against issues like speeding and impaired driving. The revised plan is due in early 2027. (More)

➤ Central/Northern VA: Unemployment rose in Richmond, Hampton Roads, and Northern Virginia over the fiscal year ending in June. Economists tie part of the Northern Virginia increase to federal workers who lost jobs early in the second Trump administration and are only now looking for work. (More)

➤ Richmond: An alumni foundation has begun an exterior cleanup of Thomas Jefferson High School, a 1930s Art Deco landmark, with supporter Tim Bunch calling the building a quality example of the style. (See Photos)

➤ Bedford County: The Virginia Court of Appeals ordered Attorney General Jay Jones to respond to Jens Soering’s petition for writ of actual innocence in the 1985 Haysom murders, advancing his possible exoneration. Soering’s claim hinges on newly tested DNA evidence. (More)

➤ Roanoke: Professional climber Chad Heddleston scaled the Mill Mountain Star on July 30 for a film project, prompting the city to remind residents not to attempt the climb themselves. (See Photo)

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➤ Virginia Tech freshman receiver Davion Brown, one of nearly a dozen recruits who followed James Franklin from Penn State to Blacksburg, made ESPN’s list of top ACC newcomers for 2026. JMU’s Xavier McDonald also made the list. (More)

➤ Commanders left tackle Laremy Tunsil had surgery on his torn triceps yesterday and is expected to miss most of the 2026 season. Brandon Coleman, who started 12 games at left tackle as a rookie in 2024, will step in to protect Jayden Daniels. (More)

➤ Four UVA swimmers will compete at the European Aquatics Championships in Paris this week, headlined by sophomore Sara Curtis, who will race five individual events for Italy. (More)

➤ Yesterday’s Results: MLB | WNBA | Tennis

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➤ Lt. Gov. Ghazala Hashmi launched an “Energy Costs Listening Tour” over the proposed NextEra takeover of Dominion Energy, raising concerns about the merger’s size and its effect on utility bills. Stops are planned in Richmond, Loudoun, Hampton Roads, Charlottesville, and Roanoke. (More)

➤ Construction has started on apartments at Caldwell Park, a long-planned mixed-use development along Chamberlayne Road in Hanover County that will include a Publix-anchored shopping center. (See Details)

➤ River City Whiskey, a “non-distilling” whiskey maker that buys and bottles excess barrels from other distilleries, is moving its barrels from Kentucky to Richmond. Co-founder Da’Mon Brown likened the barrel-picking process to a wild goose chase. (More)

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➤ Ben Jones, who played mechanic Cooter Davenport on The Dukes of Hazzard and later served two terms in Congress from Georgia, died Sunday at 84. Jones was raised in Portsmouth in a railroad section house near the docks. (More)

➤ Active-duty service members from all military branches participated in NFL Combine-style drills at Commanders Park on Friday as part of USAA’s Salute to Service, with a Marine team winning free game tickets. (Watch Video)

➤ A new ranking lists Virginia No. 13 among the best states to live in with a 55.98 score, placing the Commonwealth 15th in affordability, 29th in economy, ninth in education and health, 23rd in quality of life, and 23rd in safety. (See Rankings)

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➤ 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. Clicking the links will take you directly to these stories:

➤ Scientists warn that the timing of your meals could disrupt your blood sugar and heart health. (Full Story)

➤ Stranded in Alaska waters, a small boat needed help, and the closest vessel was Mark Zuckerberg’s superyacht, which stayed silent. (Listen Now)

➤ Michigan’s famed Interlochen arts school has released the findings of an investigation into decades-old abuse allegations. (Hear Details)

Have you ever watched “The Dukes of Hazzard”?

1. Never missed an episode
2. Once or twice
3. Not yet but plan to
4. Never and don’t plan to

Yesterday’s Results:

Have you gotten money back from Virginia’s unclaimed property program? 

1. Never checked: 37%
2. Searched, no luck: 25%
3. Yes, real cash: 19%
4. Checking right now: 19%

Which future U.S. president bought Natural Bridge and 157 surrounding acres from King George III in 1774?

Show me the answer