Most Virginia Felons Regain Voting Rights

Most Virginians who have finished their prison sentences can now register to vote, after new state guidance narrowed the disqualifying crimes to murder and voluntary or involuntary manslaughter.

The change follows a federal court ruling this year narrowing how Virginia applies a felony voting ban rooted in the 1870 Virginia Readmission Act, a Reconstruction-era law. The ACLU of Virginia estimates that of roughly 250,000 residents once barred, only about 10% will stay ineligible.

After the January ruling, Attorney General Jay Jones’ office and the court sparred over which modern crimes matched the common-law felonies of 1870.

Jones’ office argued for 284 disqualifying crimes, but U.S. District Court Judge John Gibney said only 11 applied—and in that same August ruling, he said Virginia had lagged “egregiously so” in complying.

In the Nov. 3 election, voters will also weigh an amendment to make restoration automatic after a prison term.

Spanberger Ends Transgender Sports Rulemaking

Gov. Abigail Spanberger has ended a Youngkin-era rulemaking effort that would have barred students born as biological males from playing on female sports teams and using certain female locker rooms and bathrooms in Virginia schools.

The rules grew out of a 2025 directive from former Gov. Glenn Youngkin, who asked the State Board of Health to “protect and preserve … the public health of women and girls.” The proposal drew 321 public comments.

Spanberger’s administration, after consulting Attorney General Jay Jones, concluded the board lacked legal authority to impose the rule, and the board withdrew it on July 30.

At Virginia Pridefest on Saturday, Spanberger said she was moved by a child’s story and wanted the LGBTQ community to know she values them. Backers of the rule had cited an International Olympic Committee finding that biological males hold a performance advantage in female sports.

I-81 Gains Third Lanes in Roanoke County

Drivers on I-81 in Roanoke County and Salem now have three lanes each way between exits 137 and 141. The Virginia Department of Transportation opened the new lanes this week on the roughly 5- to 6-mile stretch, the first major widening project in the state’s $4 billion I-81 Corridor Improvement Program.

The $179 million design-build effort, which began in early 2022, also added new bridges, better acceleration and deceleration lanes, interchange lighting, and about 2.6 miles of sound barriers. 

Combined with earlier work, motorists now enjoy three lanes from exits 137 to 143.

Some finishing work on landscaping, signs, and slopes continues, so occasional lane closures remain. Officials thanked drivers for their patience and urged caution in work zones as improvements along the corridor proceed. 

Your AC Quits. Now You’re Facing a $6,000 Bill.

It always seems to happen at the worst possible time. Your AC quits during the hottest week of the year. Your refrigerator suddenly stops cooling—with a week’s worth of groceries inside.

Then comes the repair or replacement bill.

Replacing a central AC system now costs homeowners around $6,000 on average—and depending on the home and system, it can climb above $12,000. Even replacing a refrigerator costs around $1,500 on average.

Homeowners insurance typically isn’t designed to cover appliances and systems that fail from normal wear and tear. That’s where Choice Home Warranty can help. Depending on your plan, coverage may include major systems and appliances such as air conditioning, heating, refrigerators, dishwashers, washers, and dryers.

Choice has covered more than 2.9 million homes and serviced more than 9.8 million claims.

See what a Choice Home Warranty plan could cover in your home.

➤ Statewide: The Virginia Opioid Abatement Authority awarded more than $12.3 million in opioid-settlement funds to 39 projects, backing naloxone distribution, treatment, youth prevention, and campus recovery programs across the commonwealth. (More)

➤ Henrico County confirmed its 10th rabies case of 2026, as the CDC warns of rising rabies exposures nationwide. Health officials urged residents to vaccinate pets and steer clear of wild or stray animals. (More)

➤ Fairfax County: Shawn Gremminger, 44, the former CEO of a national health care coalition, was charged with 30 counts of possession of child pornography and related crimes after police say he secretly recorded two women and a 16-year-old girl at Tysons stores. (More)

➤ Newport News: A city-commissioned study found that a wind fence around Newport News’ coal piers could cut the amount of coal dust drifting into surrounding neighborhoods. (More)

➤ Virginia Beach: A new Armed Services YMCA child development center opening in October will offer childcare exclusively to military families, with room for 216 children. The 40,000-square-foot center is the third built through a partnership with the Department of War since 2024. (More)

➤ Chesapeake: Federal agents arrested three people during what U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement described as a targeted enforcement operation. (More)

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➤ The Washington Capitals signed 21-year-old forward Ryan Leonard to an eight-year, $84 million extension. He scored 20 goals as a rookie, the first Capital to reach that mark since Alex Ovechkin in 2005-06. (More)

➤ Liberty running back Jaylin Belford was named to the Allstate Good Works Team for his community service. The Lynchburg native has logged over 200 hours of volunteer work, including leading a reading program at local schools. (More)

➤ JMU wide receiver Michael Scott was named Sun Belt Special Teams Player of the Week after returning two punts for touchdowns and racking up 303 all-purpose yards in the Dukes’ 87-3 win over Wagner. (More)

➤ Yesterday’s Results: MLB | Soccer

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➤ Appalachian Power estimates $264 million for Botetourt grid upgrades serving Google’s 300-megawatt data center. Other customers won’t pay as new revenue covers costs under the Ratepayer Protection Pledge. (More)

➤ Main Street Homes is seeking Goochland County approval for Tuckahoe West, a 38-home subdivision on 2-acre-minimum lots along Manakin Road, next to its completed Tuckahoe Bridge community. Plans include open space and a pond. (More)

➤ Thompson Restaurants will open its first Makers Union Pub outside D.C. in Richmond’s Diamond District Gateway Retail Building, joining a sports bar as the development’s second restaurant near CarMax Park. (More)

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Could You Absorb a $6,000 Home Repair?

That’s approximately what a central AC replacement costs on average today. Depending on your system, the final bill could climb above $12,000. A new refrigerator averages around $1,500—and that’s before replacing the food that spoiled when it stopped cooling.

A home warranty can help you prepare before something breaks. Depending on the plan, Choice Home Warranty may cover major appliances and home systems that fail from normal wear and tear.

Don’t wait until the AC stops blowing cold air to think about the cost.

Check your available plans and see what coverage could cost.

➤ The Virginia Film Festival announced its lineup for 2026. The festival runs Oct. 21-25 and will be highlighted by the world premiere of 1-15-41: Tragedy to Triumph, a documentary about the UVA football team. (More)

➤ MLB great Darryl Strawberry shared a message of hope at a Henrico wellness center Tuesday during an event marking National Recovery Month. (More)

➤ PawPawFest returns to the New River Valley Saturday at Rising Silo Brewery in Blacksburg to celebrate North America’s largest native fruit with local food, regional artisans, and live music from singer-songwriter Lillian Hackett. (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. 

➤ Can you catch up on sleep, and how many hours does it take? (Listen Now)

➤ Democrats refuse to advance a sweeping crypto bill until new limits are placed on presidential profits from digital assets. (Hear Episode)

➤ House lawmakers held billionaire Leon Black in contempt of Congress, escalating their investigation into Jeffrey Epstein’s network. (Hear Details)

Have you ever tasted a pawpaw?

1. Yes, love them 
2. Once or twice 
3. Never had one
4. What’s a pawpaw?

Yesterday’s Results:

How do you feel about speed cameras? 

1. They’re necessary: 45%
2. They’re a nuisance: 38%
3. I don’t speed: 17%

What unusual routing for I-81 did Virginia officials initially propose?

Show me the answer