Trump Pardons Virginia Beach Navy Veteran

President Trump granted a full pardon to Virginia Beach Navy veteran Patrick Tate Adamiak, who served roughly four years of a 20-year federal sentence.

A jury convicted Adamiak in 2022 of possessing and selling unregistered machine guns and possessing unregistered destructive devices. He was sentenced in June 2023.

Prosecutors maintained the items were regulated weapons. Adamiak said they were nonfunctional, demilitarized, or replicas and described the pardon as a correction of judicial error.

$132 Million for School Construction

The Virginia Board of Education approved more than $132 million for 34 school construction projects across 22 divisions, including 16 schools in Southwest and Southside Virginia.

The competitive grants support construction, expansion, modernization, and renovation, generally covering 10%, 20%, or 30% of eligible costs based partly on local fiscal capacity.

Buena Vista will receive $5.19 million toward a $17 million Parry McCluer renovation, while Lynchburg will receive about $9 million for three projects.

Richmond Joins Dominion-NextEra Review

Richmond City Council voted 5-0 Thursday to formally intervene in the State Corporation Commission’s review of the proposed $67 billion Dominion Energy-NextEra Energy merger.

An earlier attempt failed Tuesday amid absences and abstentions. Four members were absent Thursday, but the measure advanced before Friday’s deadline for outside parties to intervene.

The commission will accept written public comments through Nov. 9, with public testimony scheduled Nov. 5, 9, and 10 and an evidentiary hearing beginning Nov. 17.

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➤ Henrico County: The school division’s operations chief outlined five steps to address HVAC problems as 18 schools reported outages, while staffing and supply shortages delayed repairs. (More)

➤ Lynchburg: The city began temporarily supplying water to Campbell County’s Wards Road and Timberlake Road areas because of lower-than-normal flows in the Big Otter River. (More)

➤ Tangier Island: Gov. Abigail Spanberger met with residents, lawmakers, and local leaders Thursday, pledging support for the island and highlighting Chesapeake Bay conservation efforts. (More)

➤ Hampton Roads: Diesel prices nearing $6 a gallon are raising freight costs and could eventually increase taxpayer costs for public transit if prices remain elevated. (More)

➤ Richmond: Sauer Brands announced it will sell its spice business and West Broad Street manufacturing facility while retaining Duke’s mayonnaise and focusing on condiments. (More)

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➤ Virginia Tech hosts Old Dominion at noon in Blacksburg, as Liberty welcomes Gardner-Webb to Lynchburg, while James Madison hosts Wagner in Harrisonburg. (See Schedule)

➤ Virginia lacrosse great Chris Rotelli, the program’s first Tewaaraton Award winner and a 2003 NCAA champion, will become the 15th Cavalier enshrined in the National Lacrosse Hall of Fame. (More)

➤ Washington Commanders punter Tress Way, the franchise’s longest-tenured player and a three-time Pro Bowl selection, said he likely will retire after this season. (More)

➤ Yesterday’s Results: US Open | MLB | NCAAF | Soccer

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Up, Up, and A-Way to Get in On This Boom

Flying car company stocks are soaring on Wall Street. Archer went public at $1.7 billion.  EHang IPO’d at $662 million. And Joby raised a whopping $1.6 billion when they went public.

Luckily, 15k+ investors have found an early-stage opportunity to capture this boom: a private-stage company named Doroni. 

They’re pioneering the $100B personal aircraft segment with their H1-X, the aircraft FOX Business called “the ‘flying car’ set to revolutionize personal air travel.” 

And with Morgan Stanley projecting that the flying car industry will reach $9 trillion by 2050, the timing couldn’t be better.

Now, with 600+ preorders, they’re targeting commercial deliveries for 2028. And earlier this year, they reserved the Nasdaq ticker $DRNI. Invest in Doroni today and get up to 20% bonus shares.

➤ The Chesterfield Outdoor Fest will bring ranger-guided hikes, a cave simulator, skimboarding, live music, and a beer garden to Pocahontas State Park Sept. 26. (See Details)

➤ The International Space Station will cross the Eastern Shore sky several times this month, including a six-minute appearance today beginning at 7:45 p.m. (See Times)

➤ KidStrong franchisees plan to open their third Richmond-area location near the Publix on Hull Street Road. The children’s training center will offer classes focused on building physical, mental, and social skills. (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, straight from the heart of the country. 

➤ Physical therapists say six simple moves may protect the strength and balance that age quietly erodes. (See Exercises)

➤ One surrogate’s refusal to end a pregnancy has escalated into a custody fight now before the U.S. Supreme Court. (Hear Story)

➤ Popular weight loss drugs have been linked to a rare brain disorder that can turn deadly without quick treatment. (Podcast Available)

Have you ever attended a Farm Aid event?

1. Yes
2. No

Yesterday’s Results:

It’s Week 1 of the 2026 NFL season. Will you watch a game or two this weekend?

1. Not watching any: 53%
2. I’ll watch more than one: 34%
3. Just my team: 13%

What Virginia-based band has performed at Farm Aid multiple times?

Show me the answer