VDOT Eyes 2-Way I-95 Express Lanes

The Virginia Department of Transportation is studying whether to run the I-95 Express Lanes in both directions around the clock. Today, the lanes carry traffic in only one direction at a time: north toward Washington in the morning and south in the evening.

A two-way setup would let drivers use them in either direction at any hour.

The study, run with lanes operator Transurban, covers roughly 45 miles from the Springfield Interchange in Fairfax County south to Spotsylvania County.

Fairfax officials have called the reversible design one of the state’s biggest highway mistakes and are hopeful the plan can fix it. VDOT has stressed the project is in its early stages, with no construction timeline set.

Tougher Driver License Rules on the Way

Starting Jan. 1, 2027, first-time Virginia drivers ages 18 to 20 must hold a learner’s permit for 90 days and complete a driver’s education course before they can get licensed.

The change closes a gap in current law. Adults 18 and older can currently get a license by either holding a permit for 60 days or finishing a driver’s ed course, not both.

Drivers 21 and older will keep that lighter standard. The new requirement applies only to the 18-to-20 group the state considers most inexperienced.

The rules grew out of legislation passed in the 2026 General Assembly session, pushed in part by a Hampton Roads mother whose son was killed in a crash involving an unlicensed driver.

Oyster Salmonella Outbreak Expands

A salmonella outbreak traced to raw oysters from Virginia’s Little Wicomico River has now sickened at least 28 people across 13 states, federal health officials say.

The oysters were harvested between Sept. 18 and Oct. 8 by the Little Wicomico Oyster Company in Northumberland County, on the Northern Neck, and recalled Oct. 9. Five people have been hospitalized, with no deaths reported.

The Virginia Department of Health closed the river to shellfish harvesting and, with samples still testing positive, extended the shutdown past its original Nov. 7 end date.

Officials stress that only oysters from the Little Wicomico are affected and that oysters from other Virginia waters are safe. Even so, growers statewide say the recall has dented demand heading into the fall season.

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➤ Spotsylvania Republican Sen. Bryce Reeves filed a resolution seeking a Senate investigation and possible expulsion of Sen. Louise Lucas, D-Portsmouth, who was indicted last month on federal charges tied to a cannabis business she co-owns. The resolution notes Lucas is presumed innocent. (More)

➤ Accomack and Lancaster counties narrowly backed Democrat U.S. Sen. Mark Warner in the Nov. 3 election, according to unofficial results. That breaks a seven-election Republican streak at the top of their ballots, based on a Virginia Public Access Project comparison dating to 2016. (More)

➤ Hampton Roads: HRT, aka Hampton Roads Transit, is keeping its $2 OnDemand ride-sharing vans running in Chesapeake and Hampton through Jan. 2, extending a microtransit pilot it launched in both cities early this year. Riders book the shared van trips by app or phone within set zones. (More)

➤ Loudoun County Public Schools and HealthWorks for Northern Virginia have rolled out mobile clinics that park at campuses to offer students and staff medical, dental, and behavioral health care, regardless of insurance status. They’ll start in Sterling Park. (More)

➤ Henrico County will receive more than $1.7 million from the Virginia Opioid Abatement Authority to expand addiction prevention and treatment programs, part of the state’s ongoing distribution of national opioid-settlement money to localities. (More)

➤ Virginia Beach: A driver who shifted into drive instead of reverse at The Rustic Spoon on Pleasure House Road jumped the curb, flattened a bike rack and railing, and pinned a woman under his car on Nov. 4. The woman reportedly had no broken bones. (See Video)

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➤ Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels tallied nearly 300 yards of total offense yesterday, but his efforts weren’t enough as the team fell 20-13 to the Los Angeles Rams. (More)

➤ No. 9 UVA men’s basketball looked dominant in a 91-72 win over No. 12 Arkansas yesterday in the Skyscanner Capital Showcase at Capital One Arena. (More)

➤ Washington Capitals forward Pierre Luc Dubois tallied two points against the Florida Panthers on Saturday, including the team’s fourth goal, which ended up being the difference in the 4-3 win. (See Goal)

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➤ What’s the best dog breed in America? We ranked the top 10, and the winner is hard to argue with. (Tune In Here)

In the latest episode of Flyover Focus, we count down the 10 dog breeds that make the best pets. So what separates a great dog from the rest? Is it how smart they are, loyalty, size, or how much hair ends up on your couch?

Everybody thinks their dog’s breed belongs at the top, so where does your four-legged friend actually land on our list? Find out here!

In case you missed it, last week’s Flyover Focus dug into the strange but important history of Daylight Saving Time. (Watch Here)

➤ Naborforce, a Richmond-born startup that connects seniors with helpers for errands and companionship, has closed its Scott’s Addition headquarters and gone all-virtual after hiring Texas-based CEO Amy Kaszak, who took over this year from founder Paige Wilson. (More)

➤ Paul Wesley Real Estate, a Northern Virginia brokerage launched this year by former Long & Foster president Larry “Boomer” Foster, is opening a Midlothian office led by longtime Richmond broker Joan Dorsey. About 25 agents, many of them Long & Foster alumni, have signed on. (More)

➤ Advanced Corrective Chiropractic in Ashburn was named Loudoun County’s Small Business of the Year at the Loudoun Chamber’s 32nd annual awards gala, held Friday night at The National Conference Center in Lansdowne. (More)

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➤ Coffee lovers and business owners gathered Saturday morning at the Chesterfield County Fairgrounds for Chesterfield Coffee Con, a showcase of local coffee, sweets, and more from the team behind the Richmond Coffee Festival. (See Photos)

➤ FloydFest, an annual music festival near Check, unveiled the opening lineup for its 2027 edition, “FloydFest 27~Echoes.” Ziggy Marley, the Marcus King Band, and Jesse Welles top the bill. FloydFest 27 runs July 22-25 at FestivalPark, and early-bird tickets are on sale now. (More and See Lineup)

➤ Jeep owners from across the East Coast rolled onto the Oceanfront sand Nov. 6-8 for VA Beach Jeep Fest, which organizers expected to draw more than 1,000 vehicles from at least 15 states for beach cruises and a sand obstacle course. (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. 

➤ An impaired driver plowed into a pack of weekend cyclists outside Raleigh, and the man now facing 18 charges is 76 years old. (Hear More)

➤ Melania Trump showed up at the LSU-Alabama game with a $7.2 million gift, and it had nothing to do with football. (Listen Now)

➤ Two-thirds of kids have had an imaginary friend by age 7, and researchers say the invisible milk cartons and ballerinas are doing more than keeping them company. (Hear Details)

What’s your off-road vehicle of choice?

1. Jeep
2. Bronco
3. 4Runner
4. Land Rover
5. Other (reply to tell us)
6. Not an off-road driver

Yesterday’s Results:

What do you miss most about your teen years? 

1. Having a metabolism: 38%
2. Knees that don’t creak: 26%
3. Other: 13%
4. Free rent, free food: 13%
5. Sleeping until noon: 10%

Where was the original FloydFest held?

Show me the answer

If you’re a fan of our Trivia section, you’ll love our new book, The Flyover Book of Trivia 2027, an illustrated collection of 100 of our favorite questions and answers. (Buy It Now)