The Virginia Flyover

MONDAY, AUGUST 24, 2026

Good Morning! On this day in 1850, the Apalachicola Storm, a hurricane that struck Florida the previous day, tracked into northern Chesapeake Bay. High southeast gales made it Virginia’s worst storm in 30 years, tearing the wheelhouse from the ship Osceola, and leveling crops and small buildings across the region.

A Franklin County deputy stepped in when a blood courier got a flat tire, personally carrying the urgent delivery the rest of the way to Roanoke. What’s the best act of kindness you’ve seen lately? Hit reply and tell us.

Today’s sponsor, Doroni, is giving investors an opportunity to get in early as the company advances its vision of personal flying cars, backed by hundreds of reservations, a growing urban air mobility market, and plans to trade under the Nasdaq ticker $DRNI.

Data Center Tax Break under Review

Virginia lawmakers have begun reviewing the state’s data center tax exemption, which totaled more than $1.9 billion in fiscal 2025, according to a legislative staff report.

The review follows a months-long budget dispute over the incentive. The final budget kept the exemption in place while directing lawmakers to study its economic, environmental, and community impacts.

Supporters say the incentive helps keep Virginia competitive for data center investment, while critics want the industry to contribute more state revenue. The subcommittee must make recommendations by Dec. 15.

Flash Flooding Hits Hampton Roads

Heavy rain triggered flash flooding across Hampton Roads Saturday night, with Norfolk, Portsmouth, and Chesapeake among the hardest-hit areas.

More than 4 inches of rain fell in some locations, flooding streets, highways, and underpasses and prompting flash flood warnings across the region.

In Norfolk, at least 15 streets flooded, including portions of Monticello Avenue and Princess Anne Road. Stranded vehicles were also reported in Portsmouth.

The severe-weather forecast also prompted organizers to move the Waterfront Jazz Festival indoors earlier in the week. About 7,000 people attended Saturday night as flooding continued outside Scope Arena.

Facebook Scam Targets Wythe County

The Wythe County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a fraudulent Facebook post that authorities say used a fabricated story to persuade people to make financial contributions.

Investigators executed search warrants involving several social media accounts and identified multiple people believed to be responsible for creating and promoting the alleged scam.

Multiple victims have been identified, and authorities expect criminal charges as the investigation continues.

Anyone who contributed money or other assistance in response to the post is asked to contact the sheriff’s office at 276-223-6000.

Flying together with our sponsor

One Investor Bought $2M of THIS Private Stock

One investor spent years waiting for the right opportunity. He just found it, writing flying car company Doroni a $2m check.

He joins over 12,000 investors who believe Doroni’s personal aircraft, the H1-X, is positioned to take over the $4b urban air mobility market. Now you can join them too.

After nearly a decade of R&D, the company unveiled a full-scale showroom prototype in March. It was so impressive, FOX Business called it “the ‘flying car’ set to revolutionize personal air travel.” Now, with 600+ pre-orders representing $240m+ in potential revenue, Doroni’s targeting commercial deliveries by 2028.

Earlier this year, they reserved the Nasdaq ticker $DRNI. And they’re projecting $1.4b in annual revenue by 2032. This is your chance to join their journey. Become an early-stage Doroni investor at $3.30/share today.

➤ Ashland: An 89-year-old woman died and two others were injured after an SUV crashed into Hanover Manor assisted living Friday. The driver was charged with reckless driving. (More)

➤ Salem: City Councilman John Saunders died Saturday at 66. He served on the council from 2018 to 2022 and returned for another term in 2025. (More)

➤ Woodbridge: A Manassas man was charged with impersonating a police officer and trespassing after allegedly trying to enter a secured area of a Prince William County police station. (More)

➤ Richmond: A driver was strangled during a fight with a group of bicyclists near VCU after an argument over blocked traffic. One cyclist has been charged, and police said there is no public threat. (More)

➤ Roanoke: Crashes dropped about 40% along a 2-mile stretch of Williamson Road after the city reduced lanes, added a center turn lane, and coordinated traffic signals. (More)

➤ Also Roanoke: A kindergartener was mistakenly placed on a school bus and dropped off at an apartment complex Thursday, leaving his parents searching for him for about two hours. (More)

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➤ Kyle Kirkwood took the lead from Alex Palou early and held off a late charge from Christian Lundgaard yesterday to take home the win at the inaugural IndyCar Freedom 250 in Washington, D.C., a street race around the National Mall. (More)

➤ Virginia Tech has announced its six captains for the upcoming football season, including tight end Benji Gosnell and kicker John Love, who were each also captains last season. (More)

➤ No. 11 UVA men’s soccer will host No. 16 High Point tonight at 6 p.m. in a crucial early-season ranked match. The Cavaliers enter the game coming off a 2-1 loss to UCLA—and another defeat would mark their first 0-2 start to a season since 2008. (More)

➤ The Washington Nationals have claimed former San Diego Padres pitcher Matt Waldron—MLB’s only active knuckleball pitcher—off waivers from the Toronto Blue Jays, making them his third team this season. (More)

➤ Meanwhile, Nationals center fielder Jacob Young pulled off one of the best home run robberies of the season, scaling the wall in left-center field of LoanDepot Park. (Watch Video)

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➤ A former Melfa insurance agent pleaded guilty to wire fraud after prosecutors said he diverted about $164,000 in client premium payments for personal expenses. He faces up to 20 years in prison. (More)

➤ Virginia received no state-level red flags in a new Reason Foundation financial study, though Fairfax County and several major school systems received flags. The analysis relies largely on fiscal 2023 data. (More)

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Flying together with our sponsor

“The Future of Flight is Coming”

This statement from the U.S. transportation secretary after his historic flight in an eVTOL this June has captured Wall Street’s attention.

Just last month, the FAA’s MOSAIC rule took full effect, expanding the certification pathway for personal aircrafts like Doroni’s H1-X. And Florida’s leading the charge, selected as one of eight regions to lead the FAA’s flying car pilot program.

That’s flying car company Doroni’s home turf. Luckily, they’ve spent nearly a decade building toward this moment. Backed by 12,000+ investors & customers alike, they’ve already received 600+ preorders for their H1-X, good for $240M+ in revenue.

Next, Doroni’s targeting commercial deliveries by 2028 and projecting $1.4B in annual revenue by 2032.

Invest in Doroni today at $3.30/share.

This is a paid advertisement for Doroni’s Regulation A offering. Please read the offering circular at invest.doroni.io

➤ Tazewell County Airport welcomed families for a free open house featuring $50 airplane rides, flight simulators, food trucks, live music, and a paper airplane competition. (More)

➤ Roanoke teens practiced defensive driving at the Berglund Center through B.R.A.K.E.S., a nonprofit program that uses real-world scenarios to teach young drivers safer habits. (More)

➤ A Franklin County deputy delivered urgent blood to Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital after its courier was sidelined by a flat tire Friday evening. (More)

➤ Alexandria will deploy 35 to 40 goats at All Veterans Park starting Sept. 8 to graze on invasive plants including kudzu, garlic mustard, and multiflora rose. (More)

Flying together with our sponsor

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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. Clicking the links will take you directly to these stories:

➤ Nearly two weeks after deadly storms hit Indiana, thousands are still in the dark, and residents want to know why. (Hear Story)

➤ Imagine a winter without a single sunset before 5 p.m. Congress could make it happen, but there’s a catch. (Hear Trade-Off)

➤ How to wake up without an alarm clock, according to sleep researchers. It only takes about a week to retrain your body. (Listen How)