Monday, May 18, 2026

Good Morning! On this day in 1968, the Poor People’s Campaign, which Martin Luther King Jr. had launched prior to his assassination, marched through Richmond on its way to Washington, D.C. Around 2,000 people participated, crossing the Robert E. Lee Memorial Bridge and finishing in the Northside neighborhood.

Summer-style heat flared up in April, and forecasters say it will return this week, potentially setting May records. Find details in our Top Stories below.

Our Sunday Poll asked whether you are prepared for hot temperatures. One regular correspondent noted that last summer was surprisingly hot and humid in the Virginia mountains. “The surprise this year is the vast increase in the tick population.”

Today’s sponsor, Fisher Investments, is helping you plan your ideal retirement with a free guide designed to align your goals, timeline, and investment strategy for lasting financial confidence.

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.

Summer-Style Heat Returns

Record-setting heat is forecast across much of Virginia this week.

The drastic change comes just days after parts of the state set record-tying lows, including 37 degrees in Lynchburg on May 15. That matched a mark first set there in 1910.

Central Virginia is set to remain in the 90s until Wednesday, when a cold front is expected to push through. That’s 10 degrees higher than normal for this time of year.

The ongoing temperature increase is being caused by high pressure moving from west to east, which is delivering a dome of very warm air. The Commonwealth is also expected to remain dry, with no precipitation likely until at least Wednesday.

Davis Brothers Sweep Norfolk Bouts

Norfolk’s boxing Davis brothers all stepped back into the ring over the weekend, and each of the three added another victory at Scope Arena.

Headliner Keyshawn Davis, a silver medalist at the Tokyo Olympics, increased his professional record to 15-0 with a 12-round, unanimous decision over Nahir Albright.

Keyshawn, who has struggled to make weight at 140 pounds, indicated he may move up to welterweight (147 pounds). This was the first time one of his pro fights went all 12 rounds.

On the undercard, youngest brother Keon “The Juiceman” Davis improved to 5-0 in the welterweight division with a unanimous decision against Edwine Humaine Jr., while eldest brother Kelvin Davis prevailed in a split decision over Peter Dobson.

Train Destroys Truck in Chesapeake

The driver of a septic truck was hospitalized in stable condition after his rig was crushed by an oncoming train last week. He had earlier been said to have suffered life-threatening injuries.

Chesapeake police said the driver appeared to have run a stop sign seconds before the dramatic collision, which was captured on video by witnesses.

Authorities said the truck’s spilled waste and fuel pose no danger to the public. Norfolk Southern reported that no crew members on the train were injured.

Flying together with our sponsor

Is Your Retirement Plan Built to Last?

Planning for retirement means preparing for the unexpected: increased cash flow needs, heightened health care costs or a longer life than you might think. One key risk many retirees face is underestimating how long their savings need to last. Another is inflation, which can quietly reduce your purchasing power over time.

The 15-Minute Retirement Plan can help you navigate these challenges. With this guide, you can learn ways to account for a longer time horizon and manage the effects of inflation. If you have $1,000,000 or more saved, download your free guide to start building a more resilient financial future.

➤ Spotsylvania County: The Commonwealth’s Attorney sent a letter to the county sheriff indicating he intends to ignore the state’s recently enacted gun laws, which he asserts is unconstitutional. (Details)

➤ Petersburg: Gov. Abigail Spanberger did the “Flex” dance while she participated in graduation ceremonies at Virginia State University. Around 850 students graduated. (Watch Video)

➤ Norfolk: Old Dominion University posthumously awarded an Honorary Doctor of Public Service degree to Lt. Col. Brandon Shah, who was killed in the March 12 shooting inside Constant Hall. (More)

➤ Virginia Beach: The Dome, an entertainment venue, opened one year ago and has since hosted 56 shows, with 125,000 people in attendance. (More)

➤ Roanoke: The final segment of the Roanoke Valley’s regional greenway system opened, creating a continuous pedestrian link along the Roanoke River corridor. (Details)

➤ Arlington: County voters will receive a ranked-choice ballot with the option to rank as many as 10 candidates in the 2027 elections for County Board, instead of marking only choices one through three. (Details)

Like The Virginia Flyover? Share it with a friend! ✈️

➤ UVA men’s tennis toppled Texas to capture the team’s seventh national championship. (More)

➤ The Washington Nationals took two of three from Baltimore, finishing the series with a 7-3 loss to move to 23-24 on the season. (More)

➤ Virginia Tech and UVA softball were eliminated from the NCAA tournament after losing yesterday. (Bracket)

➤ Two Old Dominion Athletic Conference members—Lynchburg and Randolph-Macon—advanced to the DIII baseball Super Regionals. (Bracket)

Flying together with our sponsor

➤ If you spend long hours standing, walking, or dealing with sore feet, Akusoli magnetic acupressure insoles are designed to provide all-day comfort and support with every step. These trim-to-fit inserts combine acupressure nodes, arch support, and magnetic cushioning to help reduce foot fatigue, improve comfort, and ease pressure on heels, knees, and lower back during daily wear.

➤ Amazon unveiled a 3.2-million-square-foot fulfillment center in Virginia Beach, with room for more than 1,000 employees. (Details)

➤ The city of Roanoke is lagging in its building permit process because its planning department is short by about a third of its staff. There are currently 20 unfilled positions. (More)

➤ T5 Data Centers proposed building a data center in Fairfax County that would be powered by fuel cells, which would be a first for the county. (Details)

Flying together with our sponsor

➤ ‘I Just Flew Over Elon Musk’s Next Big Venture’ A former consultant to the Pentagon was able to enter the airspace near one of the most secure sites in the world. Hidden there, he says, is a potential $10 trillion tech breakthrough that could define the next decade of Elon Musk’s career. Click here to learn about the stocks tied to Elon Musk’s next big venture.

Flying together with our sponsor

The 15-Minute Retirement Plan

A comfortable retirement requires a plan that accounts for all your cash flow needs, as well as inflation’s quiet erosion of your savings. Our guide offers insights to help you prepare. If you have $1 million or more, get your guide to help build a portfolio that lasts.

➤ The Virginia Fresh Match program doubles Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits for fruits and vegetables. More than 800,000 Virginians use SNAP. (Details)

➤ Smith Mountain Lake marinas struggled to launch boats as the water level dropped 5 feet below normal this month. (More)

➤ The 2026 Spring Aging Gracefully Expo is scheduled for this Wednesday at Potomac Mills Mall. (Details)

Flying together with our sponsor

➤ Overpacked carry-ons and cramped bags can make travel miserable, but the Avio Apex Travel Backpack is designed to keep everything organized with spacious compartments, sleek storage, and airline-friendly sizing. Whether you’re flying for business or a weekend getaway, this versatile backpack helps travelers pack smarter, stay organized, and move comfortably through airports and daily adventures. (LEARN MORE)