Vanguard Cancer Study Is Underway

The Virginia Cancer Screening Research Network launched a statewide research initiative to study a new type of blood test that could identify cancer in its earliest stages.

The Vanguard Study is a joint project of VCU Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center, the Inova Schar Cancer Institute, and Sentara Health.

This study will recruit adults aged 45 to 75 who have not been diagnosed with cancer in the last five years. Participants will give two blood samples, 12 months apart, and complete regular cancer screenings as recommended by their doctor.

Researchers hope to enroll 2,000 Virginians in the next two years.

Dems Lead In Statewide Poll

Democrat Abigail Spanberger leads Republican Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears by 12 points in the race for governor, according to a new poll from Virginia Commonwealth University. Spanberger has raised $27 million while Earle-Sears has raised $11.6 million.

The Commonwealth Poll was conducted from June 19–July 3 and found that Democrats have opened leads in all three statewide races.

Down the ballot, Democrat Ghazala Hashmi leads Republican John Reid 46% to 36% in the lieutenant governor race, and former Democratic Del. Jay Jones leads incumbent Attorney General Jason Miyares 47% to 38%.

The poll also found that 49% approve of the job that current Gov. Glenn Youngkin is doing, while 40% approve of the job that President Trump is doing.

Why It Won’t Stop Raining

Forecasters blame upper-level winds for Virginia’s hot and wet weather cycle.

The jet stream is blowing weakly and far to the north, basically parallel to the Canadian border. That allows fronts to stall over the Commonwealth, delivering heavy rains in some places and only a few drops in others.

The saturated air and ground are also creating a feedback effect that drives humidity and dew points to uncomfortable levels. Under these circumstances, “it doesn’t take much heat to get showers and storms developing,” a meteorologist said.

With more rain in the forecast for much of the state, the Hampton Roads region is under a Level 2 (out of 4) risk for flash flooding today and tomorrow.

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➤ Portsmouth: State lawmakers announced a deal to erase $36 million previously owed by local drivers who used the Elizabeth River Crossings without paying the toll between 2014 and 2023. (Details)

➤ Arlington: Drivers should expect congestion on the Theodore Roosevelt Bridge across the Potomac River for the rest of the year. The District of Columbia’s Department of Transportation said it will be conducting “ongoing maintenance and safety improvements.” (More)

➤ Bristol: The owner of the former Virginia Intermont College paid more than $600,000 in back taxes just one day after the city filed a lawsuit that would have allowed it to take control of the property under a new state law. (Details)

➤ Prince George County: A 23-mile high-speed chase ended with a spectacular crash when the fleeing vehicle jumped a curb, smashed into two parked cars, and flipped over. The three people in the vehicle were treated for minor injuries, and no one else was hurt. (Watch Video)

➤ Virginia Beach: Rep. Jen Kiggans wants the Navy to base F-35 jets at its East Coast Master Jet Base Oceana for the first time. She notes that wherever the jets are based, “the infrastructure, the housing, the healthcare, the childcare facilities, those types of things will follow.” (Details)

➤ Danville: Volunteers with God’s Pit Crew delivered two truckloads of essential items—including water, food, and hygiene products—to flood victims in Kerr County, Texas. (More)

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➤ Virginia Tech’s Enter Sandman football entrance song by Metallica was ranked as one of the most electric crowd hype songs in all of college sports. (More)

➤ The Virginia Commonwealth Games are bringing thousands of amateur athletes to Liberty’s campus this weekend to compete in events including track, basketball, and softball. (Details)

➤ All-Pro edge rusher Von Miller posted a picture of himself in a Commanders uniform on social media to announce he’s joining the team for the upcoming NFL season. (More)

Yesterday’s Results: Soccer | British Open | Tour de France

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➤ Google signed a deal to build a $1 billion data center in Botetourt County, but leaders warned the region doesn’t have enough electricity and water available to host many of the facilities. (Details)

➤ The Virginia Tech-based Alliance to Advance Climate-Smart Agriculture selected CIBO Technologies as its technology partner for the $80 million USDA program to measure the impact of particular farming practices on the environment. (More)

➤ A survey by the Northern Virginia Chamber of Commerce found that 68% of participants have an optimistic outlook for their company’s future over the next six months, up from 54% in April’s survey. (Details)

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“Big Plastic” Hates Them

Whether it’s water bottles or shrink wrap, traditional plastic suppliers should be worried.

That’s because Timeplast invented a new type of plastic that can dissolve in water, completely eliminating plastic waste. Even more impressively, their plastic can be programmed to dissolve at a precise time, whether it’s in 60 seconds or 60 years.

In a global plastic market worth over $1.3 trillion, Timeplast’s breakthrough is a game changer.

Even better? You can own a stake in the company as it expands globally. Learn more about the opportunity to invest in Timeplast stock here.

➤ Sea turtle nesting season is underway along the Virginia coast, and experts say more of the endangered animals are coming ashore in the Commonwealth. (More)

➤ The Fairfax County Park Authority wants to hire resident curators who will live rent-free in two centuries-old houses. The curators will be required to perform routine maintenance and upkeep. (More)

➤ Norfolk is preparing to celebrate the nation’s 250th birthday next year by hosting Sail250 Virginia from June 13-23, 2026. The event will bring together more than 60 ships from 20 countries. (Details)

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Would you take part in the Vanguard cancer study?

1. Yes
2. No
3. I’m not eligible

Thursday’s Results:

Will you enroll in any of Google’s free AI training? 

1. No: 52%
2. Yes: 25%
3. What’s AI?: 23%

Who is the only president to take the oath of office in two different cities?

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