Friday, July 11, 2025

Good Morning! On this day in 1861, Union troops under Gen. George McClellan defeated a Confederate force at the Battle of Rich Mountain. The victory eventually led to the creation of West Virginia.

The state offers a sales tax holiday for back-to-school shoppers each year. Will you take advantage of the savings? Take our Poll and let us know. Check Et Cetera for details on the tax break.

Today, we’re sponsored by Convoy of Hope, which is providing aid to flood survivors in Texas. Right now, The Flyover is matching the first $2,000 in donations to support their efforts.

Don’t feel like reading the national edition of The Flyover? Tune in to The Flyover Podcast! New episodes drop daily—watch on YouTube or listen on Spotify and Apple Podcasts, all in under 15 minutes.

Baby Box Opens in Roanoke

Virginia’s first Safe Haven Baby Box, a place for a struggling parent to anonymously give up an infant, opened at Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital.

The box, which contains a temperature-controlled bassinet, was installed in a parking garage. When a baby is placed inside, the box locks and notifies hospital staff, who come to get the child immediately.

Virginia’s Safe Haven Law allows a parent to give up a newborn without fear of prosecution until the child is 30 days old if there’s no evidence of abuse.

Any infants left in the box will be given a full medical examination and then turned over to the Virginia Department of Social Services.

Walmart Issues Online Warning

When shoppers search for certain products on Walmart’s website, a pop-up window appears. The pop-up warns that they must give their consent for data collection to search for pregnancy tests, birth control items, or the baby registry.

The warning is the result of a new Virginia law that bans companies from compiling or selling personally identifiable reproductive or sexual health data unless the consumer allows it. The law took effect on July 1.

The pop-up warns consumers that if they don’t want their information collected, they should “avoid viewing, searching for, using or purchasing these products, services, or features.”

Other online retailers are expected to start posting similar warnings.

Weekend Events Across Virginia

Carnival lovers have options at opposite ends of Virginia this weekend. The Salem Fair in the western part of the Commonwealth is the largest in the state, while the Chincoteague Volunteer Fireman’s Carnival continues every weekend through the end of the month on the island.

The city of Alexandria turns 276 years old on Saturday and is throwing itself a birthday party with food, music, and fireworks.

Mexican food lovers can catch the traveling Taco Festival, which stops in Norfolk all weekend.

Cosplay World in Richmond is happening at the Convention Center on Saturday and Sunday, and the Greater Virginia Bridal Show is set for Sunday in Chantilly if you’re ready to say yes to a different dress.

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Hope for Texas flood survivors

You’ve seen the reports about the devastating death toll and massive destruction caused by floods in Texas. At least 120 people lost their lives, and more than 170 are still missing. Now, you can help the survivors.

Convoy of Hope is on the ground in central Texas, delivering vital relief supplies to families in crisis. We’re ensuring those who’ve lost everything don’t also lose hope.

The Flyover is matching the first $2,000 donated—please help now!

Torrential rains caused the Guadalupe River to rise 26 feet in just 45 minutes—the worst flooding the U.S. has seen in decades. Survivors are overwhelmed with shock, grief, and tremendous loss. Urgent needs include food, water, cleaning supplies, hygiene kits, and other essentials.

Since 1994, Convoy of Hope has served more than 300 million people facing disaster, hunger, and crisis. They are ranked by Forbes as one of America’s 40 Top Charities, so you can give with confidence.

The Flyover will match every dollar of the first $2,000 donated. Your immediate gift will let flood survivors know they’re not alone. Help them feed their families, recover, and begin to rebuild with dignity and hope.

➤ Loudoun County: The family of a boy who was investigated for alleged Title IX violations at Stone Bridge High School is moving out of the state after his mother expressed fears about his safety. The student complained about a female student entering the boys’ locker room. (Details)

➤ Roanoke: Appalachian Power Company applied with state regulators to securitize some company assets as a way to potentially reduce customer bills. (More)

➤ Richmond: The city police department said it blocked federal agencies from accessing its license plate reader program after a federal analyst made queries related to immigration enforcement. (Details)

➤ Newport News: Sheriff Gabe Morgan said seven inmates were charged with felonies after they escaped their cells last week and damaged the jail. (More)

➤ Hampton Roads: Virginia leads the nation in coastal flooding events, according to a report by Lending Tree. However, only 3% of Virginians have flood insurance, less than the national average. (Details)

➤ Statewide: State police reported that 11 people were killed in crashes over the Independence Day holiday weekend. That’s an increase from 10 fatalities last July 4. (More)

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➤ The Washington Wizards traded Kelly Olynyk to the San Antonio Spurs for Malaki Branham, Blake Wesley, and a 2026 second-round pick. (Details)

➤ Twelve James Madison football players were placed on the Athlon Sports Preseason All-Sun Belt Team. (The List)

➤ UVA swimmer Gretchen Walsh was named the ACC’s Female Athlete of the Year for the second year in a row. (More)

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➤ The Commonwealth dropped to fourth on CNBC’s list ranking the top states for business after finishing first last year. Federal job cuts were a driving factor in the decline. (Details)

➤ The Virginia Department of Energy indicated that the state wants to build a nuclear reactor in Wise County to provide energy in Southwest Virginia. (More)

➤ Virginia’s sales tax holiday weekend will be Aug. 1-3 this year. Zero sales tax will be added to eligible hurricane preparedness items, clothing, and school supplies. (Details)

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Flood survivors in Texas need your help. Torrential rains and flash floods have devastated communities across Central Texas—homes destroyed, families displaced, lives upended. At least 120 people lost their lives, and more than 170 are still missing.

Convoy of Hope is on the ground now, working with local churches and responders to deliver food, clean water, hygiene kits, and essential relief. Please support these efforts with your gift today!

The Flyover will match the first $2,000 donated for double impact.

Your compassionate gift will bring hope and help to families who have lost everything.

Please act now.

➤ SHINE, an adult education initiative that offers GED study and workforce development, is one of the programs halted in Virginia this month after the federal Department of Education froze all adult education funding. (Details)

➤ The Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles launched the Blue Envelope Program to help officers communicate with autistic individuals. (More)

➤ The Chrysler Museum of Art in Norfolk is making plans to protect its treasures in case of flooding. (Details)

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➤ Imagine Your Doctor’s Surprise at Your Next Bone Scan. Five common “bone-dissolving” foods in your kitchen right now are secretly undermining your bone health despite your calcium supplements. While you diligently take calcium and vitamin D, these everyday foods – many considered “healthy” – are silently leaching minerals from your skeletal system. Discover how to eliminate these bone-destroying foods and add this game-changing nutrient before your next appointment. (Learn More)