Monday, April 13, 2026

Good Morning! On this day in 1743, Thomas Jefferson was born in Albemarle County. He went on to write the Declaration of Independence, serve as governor of Virginia, and be elected the third president of the U.S. Jefferson also founded the University of Virginia, which is why today is Founder’s Day at UVA.

Gov. Abigail Spanberger used her veto power last week to block two gaming-related bills.

She nixed a measure that would have legalized as many as 25,000 skill game machines, which are frequently found in convenience stores. They look like slot machines and require payment to play. The governor also slapped down a bill that would have allowed Fairfax County to take steps toward building a casino.

If you’re a Flyover Podcast listener who wrote in to say you missed Ayla Brown last week, be sure to tune in today. She’s back after a lovely family vacation in the Caribbean and sounds refreshed.

Mother’s Day is coming up fast, so we pulled together our 2026 Mother’s Day Gift Guide to help you find something she’ll actually love. From thoughtful to practical to a little indulgent, there’s something for every kind of mom. And yes, a few picks are perfect for treating yourself, too. Don’t wait until the last minute; take a look now, and get ahead of it.

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Take The Flyover with you. Busy day? Listen to our daily 15-minute podcast while commuting, cooking, or walking the dog—your Flyover fix, anywhere.

Stepfather Arrested in Cold Case

Authorities arrested James Branton of Spotsylvania County on eight sex offense charges. The counts include some related to his stepdaughter, Katelin Akens, who disappeared more than a decade ago at the age of 19.

Branton was the last person to see Katelin Akens alive in 2015, when he said he dropped her off at Springfield Town Center so she could take the Metro to the airport. She did not board the plane, and her luggage was later found along a rural road in Spotsylvania County.

The sex abuse charges date to June 2006, after Branton had married Akens’ mother and moved in with her and her two daughters. Investigators searched his property last week, looking for “anything that could be associated with a crime.”

Virginia Beach Shootings

Eight people were hospitalized after a shooting incident near the Virginia Beach Oceanfront shortly before 10 p.m. on Saturday. All are expected to recover.

One suspect, 18-year-old Jamaya Williams from Henrico, was detained. Police are also seeking 18-year-old Isaiah Charity from Richmond and a possible third shooter in connection with the violence.

Police said two unrelated groups of young people exchanged gunfire after a disagreement between the groups escalated.

Last month, Virginia Beach imposed a curfew for unaccompanied minors from 7 p.m. to 5 a.m. every weekend. That came after six people were wounded in a shooting incident on Atlantic Avenue.

Trump Criticizes Spanberger, Virginia

President Trump flew to Charlottesville on Air Force One to host a fundraiser before he flew back to visit his golf club in Loudoun County over the weekend. Along the way, he weighed in on social media about the havoc he claimed Gov. Abigail Spanberger is causing in Virginia.

“She is adding so many Taxes, a Food and Beverage Tax, Digital Services Tax, Utilities Tax, and more,” Trump wrote. About the state, he added, “It has lost its Energy, Vitality, and Strength.”

The governor responded by pointing out that she hasn’t signed any tax increases: “If they don’t flood the zone with fake news about fake taxes, people might hear about the bills I am signing to lower energy costs, strengthen our schools, make housing more affordable, and bring billions of dollars of business investment to Virginia.”

Elsewhere, Democrats and Republicans spoke about the April 21 constitutional redistricting referendum. More than 810,000 people had voted as of last week.

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➤ Fairfax County: Israel Flores Ortiz, an 18-year-old Fairfax High School student in the country illegally, was found guilty of nine counts of misdemeanor assault after he groped female classmates. He will be sentenced on April 21. (Details)

➤ Onancock: Authorities concluded Operation Melt Down, a sting operation conducted at an Accomack County ice cream shop, by arresting two people and seizing methamphetamines and 12 bundles that are thought to be heroin or fentanyl. (More)

➤ Fredericksburg: Child Protective Services took custody of four children who had been listed as missing after their maternal grandmother refused to cooperate with authorities. The woman, 52-year-old Shirley Williamson of West Virginia, was charged with four counts of violation of a court custody order. (Details)

➤ Blacksburg: The Virginia Tech Board of Visitors may vote to eliminate Living-Learning Communities, which allow students with similar backgrounds to live together on campus. (More)

➤ Fairfax County: The school board voted to change the educational calendar by holding classes on Veterans Day and reducing the number of early release days at elementary schools. The board voted to retain Indigenous Peoples’ Day as a holiday. (Details)

➤ Bedford County: The Professional Disc Golf Association hosted its Champions Cup this weekend, giving local amateurs a chance to compete alongside pros. (Results)

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➤ George Mason baseball toppled Richmond 7-5 in an A-10 matchup to move to 9-6 in conference. The Spiders are 8-7. (Stats)

➤ The Washington Capitals swept a home-and-home series from Pittsburgh, keeping the team’s slim playoff hopes alive with one game left to play. (More)

➤ Virginia Tech softball took two of three games in a weekend Commonwealth Clash series in Charlottesville with a 5-0 win yesterday. Both the Hokies and the Cavaliers came in ranked in the Top 25. (Stats)

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➤ The USDA issued a health alert for some products sold in Virginia at Lotte Plaza Market between Dec. 1 and April 6. The raw beef and pork items may contain an undeclared sesame allergen. (Details)

➤ The Federal Reserve Board approved the merger of Alexandria-based Burke & Herbert Financial Services Corp. with LINKBANCORP of Pennsylvania. (More)

➤ The State Corporation Commission approved above-ground construction of the Golden-Mars high-voltage transmission line in Loudoun County. The project is intended to deliver reliable electricity to data centers. (Details)

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➤ April is Native Plant Month in Virginia. This year, the Garden Club of Virginia named blue false indigo, also called blue wild indigo, as its most valuable native plant. (Details)

➤ The Tide light rail will not operate today between the Fort Norfolk and Norfolk State stations to allow for construction work. (More)

➤ The Norfolk & Western Class J No. 611 steam engine will be back on the tracks this summer, pulling excursion trips for the Virginia Scenic Railway. The engine is the Official Steam Locomotive of the Commonwealth. (Details)

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