ICE Operation Nets 1,328 Arrests

Federal immigration officers arrested 1,328 illegal immigrants across Virginia and Maryland during the first two weeks of August, the Department of Homeland Security announced Monday.

“Operation Safe Community—Washington, D.C.” ran from Aug. 1-14 and concentrated on the D.C. suburbs. DHS said nearly 400 of those arrested had criminal convictions or pending charges, and that officers detained members of MS-13, the 18th Street Gang, and Tren de Aragua.

DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin said officers made the arrests “despite the sanctuary policies” of many Virginia and Maryland counties. Among those named was a Salvadoran national wanted on a murder warrant in Richmond.

Sanctuary jurisdictions limit how much local authorities cooperate with federal immigration officers, and DHS counted 33 of them in Virginia in 2025, including Arlington, Fairfax, and Prince William counties.

Students Post Standardized Testing Gains

Students in the District of Columbia and Virginia showed continued improvement on standardized tests last year, edging closer to pre-pandemic performance in reading and math.

In D.C., proficiency rose 2% in English language arts to 39.6%—the highest since 2015 and above pre-pandemic levels—and 2.1% in math to 28.5%, though math remains below earlier benchmarks. Officials credited tutoring and targeted supports for the steady climb since 2022.

Virginia students gained 0.4% in both reading and math proficiency, reaching 72% reading and 69% math pass rates in grades 3-8. Over five years, reading rose 5% and math 19%, with history scores also up. 

Leaders noted progress while preparing for tougher future benchmarks. Access the test results here.

Mold Keeps Barack Obama Elementary Closed

Barack Obama Elementary in Richmond remains closed after mold reappeared on laptops and instruments a day before classes were to resume. School officials hope to reopen the school by Aug. 31.

The mold first surfaced after an HVAC outage left the Northside school with elevated levels in the basement and on furniture, and crews also found rodents they treated last week. More than 300 laptops were affected.

After Sunday tests came back clear for most of the building, teachers returned Monday and found more mold on laptops, instruments, and supplies. Superintendent Jason Kamras decided against temporarily moving students to Clark Springs Elementary.

Kamras promised to replace ruined supplies, retest every room, and continue monthly monitoring. Richmond Public Schools will reach out to the YMCA to find out about child care options while the school remains closed this week. 

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➤ Fairfax County Public Schools began enforcing Virginia’s bell-to-bell cellphone ban for high school students this year, extending to teenagers the same phone-free rules already in place in the division’s elementary and middle schools. (More)

➤ Roanoke: The Excel Center, an adult high school in Melrose Plaza, is beginning its second year of classes, offering older students a path to finish a high school diploma. The school is currently looking for a business teacher. (More)

➤ Caroline County: Eighteen people were arrested or charged with cocaine distribution following a sheriff’s office undercover investigation that began in late 2025 and involved hundreds of narcotics buys, surveillance, and search warrants. A grand jury returned indictments in July. (More)

➤ Sussex County: The Virginia Department of Corrections intercepted a drone dropping about $324,000 in contraband at Sussex I State Prison in Waverly early Monday, including 1 pound of suspected methamphetamine, 17 cellphones, tattoo ink, and perfume. (More)

➤ Norfolk: The U.S. Marshals Service is offering a $5,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of Skyler Brock, wanted in the Aug. 12 killing of Tony Camarillo in Norfolk. (More)

➤ Richmond: Amtrak trains running north from Richmond will stop in Alexandria for nine days in late October while crews replace track near Union Station in Washington. Service between Alexandria and Union Station is suspended from Oct. 16-26, with buses bridging the gap. (More)

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➤ UVA football opens the season Saturday against NC State with the most experienced roster in college football. The Cavaliers lead the country in combined starts and total snaps heading into 2026. (More)

➤ Virginia Tech sold out James Franklin’s home debut against VMI on Sept. 5, the second announced sellout of the Hokies’ 2026 home slate. (More)

➤ Five Virginia state senators each received $100,000 from the Sports Betting Alliance after voting to support an online casino bill earlier this year. The donations were the largest single contributions in each senator’s career. (More)

➤ Washington Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin racked up 33 traffic fines totaling about $1,000 while driving his luxury Russian-made minivan in Russia this summer. The 40-year-old has already paid all but one of the tickets. (More)

➤ Yesterday’s Results: MLB | WNBA | Tennis | Little League World Series

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➤ Could One Everyday Food Be Affecting Your Blood Pressure? Elevated blood pressure can involve constricted blood vessels and excess fluid in the bloodstream, forcing blood through tighter spaces. Surprisingly, one common food may contribute to both problems—and it’s not salt. Cottage cheese, peanut butter, eggs, and deli meats are among the foods worth examining. Discover which food may be affecting your blood pressure >>

➤ Virginia cattle farmers are opposing President Trump’s plan to temporarily lift tariffs on up to 300,000 metric tons of imported ground beef for 90 days. Producers warn that below-market imports would undercut domestic ranchers. (More)

➤ Virginia’s count of community pharmacies fell from 1,545 in 2019 to 1,402 last year, with pharmacists blaming low reimbursements from pharmacy benefit managers, which sometimes force them to fill prescriptions at a loss. A new state oversight law takes effect in mid-2027. (More)

➤ Virginia Tech says the Hotel Roanoke & Conference Center, now being marketed for sale after transfer to its foundation, is best positioned as a historic luxury hotel supporting tourism and economic development, dismissing casino speculation. (More)

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Final Days to Invest in The Company Unlocking $2.1T in Energy Potential

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➤ The mysterious streak Virginians spotted before dawn Tuesday was a SpaceX Falcon 9 that lifted off from Cape Canaveral at 5:33 a.m. carrying 29 Starlink satellites, its northeasterly path putting the exhaust plume in view along the Chesapeake Bay. (See Photos)

➤ Virginia ranks 30th overall among U.S. states for teen drivers in a new analysis, with a solid safety ranking of 16th but the nation’s worst economic environment, driven by the highest insurance premium hikes for adding teen drivers. (More)

➤ UVA is giving away free football tickets to Charlottesville City Schools families and staff for the Cavaliers’ season opener against N.C. State, which kicks off at 3:30 p.m. on Saturday. (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. 

➤ Ten of America’s most trusted breakfasts, ranked worst to best for your long-term health. (See List)

➤ Ghislaine Maxwell pointed to newly released Epstein files in her push for freedom, but a federal judge rejected every claim. (Hear Episode)

➤ United Airlines is planning what it calls its largest expansion ever, adding flights to eight cities that no other US carrier serves nonstop. (See Cities)

What’s your favorite Dolly Parton hit song?

1. Jolene
2. I Will Always Love You
3. 9 to 5
4. Coat of Many Colors
5. Islands in the Stream
6. Here You Come Again
7. Other (reply to let us know)

Yesterday’s Results:

Have you ever tried surfing? 

1. I’ll stay on the sand: 61%
2. Once or twice: 23%
3. Not yet, but I’d try it: 11%
4. Yes, I surf regularly: 5%

Which railroad company closed the Hotel Roanoke in 1989, then later donated it to the Virginia Tech Real Estate Foundation?

Show me the answer