Virginia Rolls Out More Secure SNAP EBT Cards

Virginia has begun rolling out chip-and-tap EBT cards to protect SNAP recipients from skimming and benefit theft, replacing magnetic-stripe cards with more secure technology.

SNAP recipients in 20 pilot localities will receive cards by Oct. 1, while all other Virginia SNAP customers will receive them between October and December.

Recipients do not need to apply, but should confirm their address, phone number, and email. Benefit amounts and issuance schedules will remain unchanged.

Third Arrest in VSU Shooting

Chesterfield County police arrested a third person Thursday in connection with the August shooting outside Virginia State University dormitories that wounded five people.

Ronnell Parham Jr., 21, of Petersburg is charged with firing a gun from a moving car during the incident. He was himself shot that night and taken to a hospital in critical condition.

The shooting happened about 1:30 a.m. Aug. 15 in the 3300 block of Boisseau Street in Ettrick. Officers found five people shot outside the dorms.

Camron Harris, 19, of Henrico was arrested that afternoon hiding in a campus closet and faces eight felony counts. Ja’niah Johnson, 19, a VSU student, was charged in August as an accessory.

Parham is held without bond and is not a VSU student. The investigation continues.

‘Come From Away’ Plays the Wells

Virginia Stage Company is staging Come From Away, the musical about the Newfoundland town that took in thousands of stranded airline passengers after 9/11, at Norfolk’s Wells Theatre.

On Sept. 11, 2001, 38 planes diverted from closed U.S. airspace landed at Gander, carrying nearly 7,000 passengers. Residents opened their homes and kitchens to strangers for days.

The run continues through Sept. 20, with a talkback after today’s 2 p.m. matinee and a pay-what-you-choose performance tonight.

Storms flooded the theater twice in late August, damaging equipment and pieces of the set. Cast members traded rehearsals for a bucket brigade to bail it out.

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➤ Norfolk: The city’s Department of Utilities issued a Condition II drought notification Thursday, asking residents and businesses to cut nonessential water use as reservoir levels drop. Hampton Roads has received about 7 inches less rain than normal this year. (More)

➤ Henry County: Twain Lumber Company will spend $7.4 million to buy and reopen the former Teal Jones sawmill, idle since 2024, creating 74 jobs. The Oklahoma company plans to buy $51.2 million in Virginia-grown timber over three years. (More)

➤ Prince William County: The Lyft driver accused of refusing to let two women out of his car during a Sept. 6 fare dispute has surrendered. Adar Bulut, 25, of Falls Church turned himself in Thursday and faces two counts of abduction and one of reckless driving. (See Details)

➤ Spotsylvania County: Kalahari Resorts will open its 1.5-million-square-foot resort off Interstate 95 in November, bringing 1,400 jobs, 13 restaurants, and what will be Virginia’s largest indoor water park. (More)

➤ Essex County: Public schools closed early Friday and canceled after-school activities after threats. The division said local and state authorities advised it to err on the side of caution. (More)

➤ Statewide: Attorney General Jay Jones joined attorneys general from across the country pushing for stronger “Know Your Customer” rules to make it harder for scammers to get consumers’ phone numbers and place illegal calls. (More)

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➤ Virginia Tech scored on each of its first five possessions and beat Old Dominion 44-21 on Saturday in Blacksburg, reaching 2-0 for the first time since 2021. (More)

➤ No. 25 UVA football dominated Norfolk State 59-3 on Friday night for the Cavaliers’ largest margin of victory since 1990. UVA head coach Tony Elliott praised the team’s effort, intensity, and focus following the game. (More)

➤ Washington Commanders key players Odafe Oweh, Jacory Croskey-Merritt, and K’Lavon Chaisson, who were previously listed as questionable, have all been cleared to play today against the Philadelphia Eagles at 4:25. (More)

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

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Explore the History Behind Revelation

From Patmos to the ancient churches of Asia Minor, Times of Fire offers a fascinating look at the people, places, and events behind one of the Bible’s most discussed books.

If biblical history, archaeology, or the Book of Revelation interests you, this is worth a watch. RevelationMedia is offering the documentary for free at the link below.

Watch the Free Documentary →

➤ Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion filled downtown Bristol this weekend for its 25th year, with a Friday lineup that included a hard-rocking country picker and his duo partner from Eastern Kentucky. (Read Story)

➤ Henrico officials broke ground Sept. 9 on Tuckahoe Park with a $13.8 million overhaul of the Tuckahoe Little League home, adding an accessible playground, two restrooms, trails, and a pedestrian bridge. The county has owned the park since 2007. (More)

➤ Micah Ministries is showcasing a prototype house in Fredericksburg for the Jeremiah Community, a planned village of small homes for people leaving homelessness. (See Photos)

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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. 

➤ America’s colleges receive a brutal free speech report card. (Hear More)

➤ While other retailers chase AI, one legendary retailer chooses models, cameras, and catalogs over tech shortcuts. (Listen Now)

➤  This tiny workout creates a surprisingly mighty molecular response. (Podcast Available)

Time to start planning your fall leaf-peeping trips!

When do fall leaves peak in your neck of the woods?

1. Early October
2. Mid to late October
3. Early November
4. Mid to late November
5. Not sure

Yesterday’s Results:

Have you ever attended a Farm Aid event?

1. No: 97%
2. Yes: 3%

What’s the name of the highest peak in Shenandoah National Park?

Show me the answer