Monday, November 17, 2025

Good Morning! On this day in 1777, Congress submitted the Articles of Confederation to the states to be ratified. The process was delayed because of a border dispute between Virginia and Maryland. Maryland became the final state to approve the Articles in March 1781.

The DMV unveiled Virginia Mobile ID last week, its digital version of an identification card. Some readers of The Virginia Flyover were not impressed.

“The App does not work. It will not scan my new Real ID license!” one wrote. “It won’t scan as it’s supposed to,” another said. If you tried using the app, let us know if you were able to make it work. We’re asking the DMV about the complaints, and we’ll let you know what we learn.

If you’ve tried everything to lose weight, this discovery from today’s sponsor might surprise you. Sleep Lean reveals how a simple nighttime ritual can trigger deep, restorative sleep that unlocks your body’s natural fat-burning power.

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.

Competing Versions of Ryan’s Resignation

Former University of Virginia President Jim Ryan said he was pressured to resign by the Rector of the Board of Visitors, Rachel Sheridan.

In a letter to the faculty senate, Ryan wrote that Sheridan told him in June that the U.S. Department of Justice planned to “rain hell” on the university unless he resigned right away, but that the DOJ would provide “blanket immunity” if he would depart.

Ryan announced that he was stepping down on June 27, but expressed concern that his decision meant he was “letting the federal government decide who gets to be president of the University of Virginia.“

Sheridan’s version, also published in a letter to the Faculty Senate, differed. She wrote that Ryan himself had suggested resigning at the end of the year, and that neither she nor the board had demanded his resignation.

After receiving both letters, the Faculty Senate voted to demand the immediate resignation of Sheridan and Vice Rector Porter Wilkinson, and to ask the Board of Visitors to pause its search for UVA’s next president.

Hate Crime Sentencing Issued

Douglas Wayne Cornett was sentenced to life in prison in connection with federal hate crime and firearms charges.

The 59-year-old Spotsylvania County resident admitted that in 2024, he entered a gas station off I-95 and asked a man how long his companion had been in the United States. After the man said less than two years, Cornett opened fire, wounding both men.

“No one in this country should be hunted down and shot at because of who they are or where they come from,” Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon said after the sentencing.

Cornett was already serving a life sentence in Rappahannock for state hate crime and gun charges related to the incident.

Richmond Marathon a Success

More than 20,000 runners pounded their way around Richmond in cool, dry weather on Saturday morning. The city hosted three simultaneous races: a marathon, a half marathon, and an 8K.

Runners arrived from all 50 U.S. states and 24 countries. The marathon’s popularity stems, in part, from its long downhill finish, which helps runners improve their times and qualify for the prestigious Boston Marathon.

Philip Gibrall, 76, joined the race, making him the only man to have competed in all 48 versions of the Richmond Marathon.

Sam Montclair of Cary, North Carolina, won the men’s marathon, while Casey Mulroy of Richmond was the first woman across the finish line.

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➤ Statewide: The Virginia Board of Education approved a plan to require higher scores on future Standards of Learning exams. The new marks will be phased in over the next four years. (Details)

➤ Lynchburg: High winds and dry conditions triggered a Red Flag warning yesterday across Southwest Virginia. Authorities asked people to avoid burning anything outdoors due to the high fire danger. (More)

➤ Alexandria: Immigration judges ordered the release of three immigrants who had been held at a Virginia detention center. All had been in custody since August. (Details)

➤ Richmond: The Virginia Museum of History and Culture hosted Living History Weekend, with reenactors portraying historical figures throughout the facility. (More)

➤ Accomack County: High school cheerleading coach Deangela Renee Morton was granted a $20,000 secured bond after she was arrested on several felony drug and firearm offenses. The 38-year-old has coached in the school system for about four years. (Details)

➤ Fairfax County Public Schools will use weapon detectors at all football playoff games this year. “Our hope is that these new measures will enhance safety for everyone who attends our games,” the school system announced. (More)

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➤ The Washington Commanders dropped their sixth straight game, losing 16-13 in overtime to the Miami Dolphins in Madrid, Spain. (Details)

➤ UVA men’s soccer, ranked No. 4, was toppled by SMU 1-0 in the ACC championship game. (Score)

➤ James Madison increased its chances of making the College Football Playoff by crushing Appalachian State 58-10. The Dukes still need to win their final two games and the Sun Belt Championship to have a shot at making the field. (More)

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➤ Google filed site plans for a massive data center facility in Chesterfield County that it calls Project Peanut. It is part of the company’s vow to invest $9 billion in the Commonwealth by the end of next year. (Details)

➤ Elbit Systems of America announced plans for a $30 million expansion of its night-vision manufacturing facility in Roanoke County. The company plans to hire an additional 288 people. (More)

➤ The Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond launched the Center for Rural Economies to study economic opportunity and resilience in rural areas. (Details)

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➤ 11 things smart Americans are wasting money on. You’re smart about saving money, like shopping clearance racks, limiting eating out, and choosing affordable streaming services. However, there are still some cost-cutting tips you might not know yet. Once you discover these, you could quickly find extra cash in your pocket. (LEARN MORE)

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What if fat loss had nothing to do with diet or exercise, but was actually about what happens while you sleep? A 46-year-old mom from Kansas discovered a simple bedtime ritual that helped her lose 63 pounds of stubborn fat—without dieting or workouts. This routine resets your fat-burning hormones by restoring deep sleep. Click here to learn about this unusual overnight trick.

➤ Virginia Cider Week runs through Sunday. A key feature will be the Alexandria Cider Festival on Saturday. (Details)

➤ Lynchburg Public Library staffers are packing up books and furniture ahead of a renovation program that’s expected to begin next month. (More)

➤ The Winterfest on the Wisconsin holiday light display this year will compete in the Great Christmas Light Fight TV show next month. (Details)

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