EPA Sends $90M to Chesapeake Bay

The EPA announced more than $90 million for 83 Chesapeake Bay restoration projects, 28 of them in Virginia, at an event Friday in Smithfield.

EPA Deputy Administrator David Fotouhi and Rep. Jen Kiggans, R-Va., unveiled the grants, which target nutrient and sediment pollution, stormwater runoff, and habitat restoration across the Bay watershed. Projects range from oyster reef restoration on the Rappahannock River to reconnecting trout habitat in Pennsylvania.

The EPA is providing $37 million through its Small Watershed Grants and Innovative Nutrient and Sediment Reduction programs, both administered by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation. Grantees are expected to add about $53 million in matching funds.

The announcement follows President Trump’s Sept. 16 executive order revoking a 2009 order that had guided federal Bay cleanup, and directing agencies to prioritize on-the-ground projects with measurable water-quality gains.

Virginia Tightens Nursing Home Oversight

The Spanberger administration announced two new policies Thursday to strengthen oversight of Virginia’s 291 nursing homes, which house roughly 29,000 seniors.

The Virginia Department of Health issued guidance creating a consistent framework for sanctions based on the severity of violations, harm to residents, and a facility’s compliance history. Separately, the Department of Medical Assistance Services raised the staffing benchmarks nursing homes must hit to earn higher Medicaid quality-incentive payments.

The moves come as families and workers press for an enforceable staffing minimum, which Virginia does not have. Health Secretary Marvin Figueroa said a mandate is “something we’re exploring.”

The Virginia Health Care Association, which represents most of the state’s nursing homes, says staffing is the industry’s top challenge, but that low staffing does not always mean poor care.

Salt Knocks Out Hampton Roads Power

More than 22,000 Dominion Energy customers across Hampton Roads lost power Saturday after salt left by last week’s nor’easter shorted out electrical equipment.

Strong winds from the late-September nor’easter carried salt spray inland, coating power lines and transformers. Saturday’s light rain then reactivated the salt, which conducts electricity and damages equipment.

Norfolk took the brunt, with outages also hitting Portsmouth, Chesapeake, Virginia Beach, Hampton, and Newport News, and briefly affecting Norfolk International Airport. Some residents reported pole fires and transformers popping.

Dominion said crews were replacing damaged equipment with salt-resistant fiberglass cross arms. Outages fell to about 3,200 by Saturday night and roughly 3,000 by Sunday midday. View the latest outage data here.

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➤ Statewide: A group of physicians held a news conference at the State Capitol in Richmond on Friday urging a ‘no’ vote on Question 1, the reproductive freedom amendment on the Nov. 3 ballot, arguing it would weaken medical oversight and parental-consent rules. (More)

➤ Richmond is relaunching its real-estate tax-sale program to recover more than $24 million in overdue taxes, with the city attorney’s offices reviewing 85 properties for potential auction. Officials say the first sale likely won’t happen until mid-2027. (More)

➤ Virginia Beach finished its $18.5 million Winston Salem Avenue project, adding wider sidewalks, buried utility lines, and better drainage to link the Oceanfront’s Resort Area with the Marina District after decades of advocacy. (More)

➤ Chesterfield County police intelligence investigator, Rebekkah Robinson, was arrested on charges that she misused the Flock license-plate camera system. A civilian employee, Robinson faces two counts of computer invasion of privacy and two of improper use of a license plate reader system by law enforcement. (More)

➤ Henrico County: Heights Church says it will provide Christmas gifts to 1,000 children across the Greater Richmond area through its fourth annual Christmas Miracle Mall on Dec. 11, where parents shop for presents. Family registration opens Nov. 2. (More)

➤ Norfolk: The aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower is returning to Naval Station Norfolk for an inspection after an arresting-gear failure during an E/A-18G Growler’s Sept. 28 landing. Both aviators ejected and were rescued, and eight sailors were evaluated by medical staff. (More) 

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➤ Washington Commanders quarterback Marcus Mariota suffered a knee injury in the first quarter of yesterday’s 30-13 loss to the Indianapolis Colts. Seventh-round rookie Athan Kaliakmanis replaced him and threw a 47-yard touchdown to Treylon Burks in the third for his first NFL score. (See Highlight)

➤ An ACC spokesperson declined to comment on the controversial missed field goal at the end of Virginia Tech’s 35-33 loss to Pitt despite claims from fans that the kick was good. (More)

➤ Washington Wizards forward Anthony Davis told reporters that “people forgot” who he is, but he plans to remind them with a big season this year, with Washington granting him a “big opportunity.” (More)

➤ Yesterday’s Results: NFL | MLB | NHL | WNBA | NBA | Soccer | Golf | NASCAR | F1

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➤ Ten American traditions are quietly disappearing, and you’ve probably let a few of them go without ever noticing. (Tune in here)

In the latest episode of Flyover Focus, we run through 10 American traditions on their way out and just how far gone they are. From the midnight movie premieres people used to line up for to the paper that showed up on your porch every morning. And you can still bring back the one in our No. 1 spot.

In case you missed it, last week on Flyover Focus, we broke down the 10 things to buy before you retire, so tune in here.

➤ Virginia has the nation’s second-highest share of workers in jobs highly exposed to AI at 4.6%, behind only Washington state, according to a new analysis built on federal data and research from Virginia’s own economic analytics division. (See Map)

➤ Seven Virginia hemp businesses moved Thursday to withdraw their federal lawsuit challenging the state’s new 2-milligram cap on THC per package, filing to dismiss without prejudice so they can refile later. A judge had declined to pause the rules, which took effect Aug. 15. (More)

➤ Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden stopped paying its share of health benefits for striking workers as of Oct. 1, saying the law doesn’t require benefits for employees who aren’t working. The union, on strike since Sept. 2 over wages, called it retaliation. (More)

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➤ Dozens of dachshunds raced, strutted in costumes, and met fans at the fifth annual Dachtoberfest on Saturday at Richmond Raceway. The Dachshund Enlightenment Foundation event raised money for the nonprofit and collected pet food for area shelters. (See Photos)

➤ Virginia ranks 12th nationwide for highest student loan debt, placing it in a new ranking’s “very high” category alongside Michigan and Oklahoma, while Mississippi leads the nation. (More and See Rankings)

➤ Prince George County animal-control officers captured a runaway emu on Oct. 1 after what they called a “high-speed game of ‘catch me if you can.’” If an owner doesn’t claim the emu, it may be put up for adoption. (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. 

➤ Canada’s prime minister admitted his government has war-gamed an American invasion, and the military’s own model says how long the country would last. (Hear Plan)

➤ Some college freshmen are packing up and heading home just weeks into their first semester, and they say they still want the degree. (Hear Why)

➤ An Iowa substitute teacher offered her students extra credit for donating to her personal GoFundMe. (Listen Now)

Do you have a family member who currently lives or once lived in a nursing home?

1. Yes
2. No
3. Not sure

Yesterday’s Results:

Would you ride in a hot air balloon? 

1. Absolutely: 33%
2. Maybe: 26%
3. No way: 25%
4. I already have: 16%

Who sponsored and christened the aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower?

Show me the answer