Virginia Rescuers Head to Venezuela

MS-13 Member Convicted in 2022 Killing

A Silver Spring man was convicted of first-degree murder on June 18 for his role in the execution-style shooting of 20-year-old Edvin Agustin Leon in a Montgomery County park, in a retrial after his first trial ended in a hung jury.

Sender Emanuel Godoy-Lemus, 22, was found guilty after a three-week trial and nearly three days of jury deliberation, and now faces multiple life sentences; a sentencing date hasn’t been set. A co-defendant was sentenced to two consecutive life sentences the day before the verdict.

Investigators determined the attack was directed by higher-ranking MS-13 members who provided weapons to lower-ranking members and ordered the killings; a second victim survived by playing dead and crawling nearly a quarter-mile through the park before flagging help.

Budget Clock Ticking as Spanberger Sends Amendments

Gov. Abigail Spanberger sent Virginia’s newly passed $205 billion biennial budget back to lawmakers Friday with 14 proposed amendments, setting up a race against the July 1 deadline that, if missed, would trigger the state’s first-ever government shutdown.

The budget, passed June 22 after months of gridlock over how to tax the state’s booming data center industry, includes raises for teachers and public employees, new housing investments, and a temporary electricity consumption tax on data centers projected to generate $1.2 billion over the two-year cycle. Spanberger’s amendments include technical clarifications and additions such as cancer screenings for firefighters and higher pay for home care workers.

Lawmakers must reconvene to consider and adopt the amendments before July 1; the governor’s office said many of the proposed changes were requested by legislators themselves

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➤ Hampton Roads: MacArthur Center, Norfolk’s once-bustling 1.1-million-square-foot downtown mall that opened in 1999, closed its doors for good Saturday, with the city-owned property set for demolition later this year and redevelopment into a mixed-use residential and commercial district. (More)

➤ Southside Virginia: Shotsie Buck-Hayes was sentenced to 40 years in prison Thursday for setting Danville City Councilman Lee Vogler on fire at his workplace in July 2025, leaving Vogler with burns to 60% of his body. (More)

➤ Williamsburg: A former U.S. intelligence official was sentenced to 25 years in prison after being convicted of sexually abusing two women at an intelligence conference in Williamsburg. (More)

➤ Gretna: Amthor International, the nation’s largest tanker truck manufacturer, is expanding in Gretna, bringing dozens of new jobs to Pittsylvania County. (More)

➤ Shenandoah Valley: The Shenandoah County Board of Supervisors voted to adopt a data center ordinance, rejecting calls from some residents for a temporary moratorium on future projects in the county. (More)

➤ Central Virginia: Henrico County police and the FBI are offering a $10,000 reward for tips in the 2024 double homicide of two men found shot at a residence on East Nine Mile Road in Richmond. (More)

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➤ Former UVA baseball star Ernie Clement has earned an automatic starting spot in the 2026 MLB All-Star Game on July 14 after receiving more votes than any other player in the American League in Phase 1 of MLB All-Star voting. (More)

➤ Washington Capitals first-round pick Oliver Suvanto, who was the first Finnish-born player selected by the team in two decades, told reporters in a recent interview that he is “trying to be the first one to really establish our country out there.” (More)

➤ Former UVA men’s basketball guard Jacari White has agreed to a summer league contract with the Los Angeles Lakers, allowing him a chance to make the team for the regular season. (More)

➤ Yesterday’s Results: World Cup | MLB | WNBA | Golf

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A Healthier Future Starts With One Decision

Losing weight isn’t just about the number on the scale. It can mean more energy, greater confidence, and better long-term health.

DirectMeds makes it easy to explore whether a GLP-1 treatment plan is right for you through a convenient online process and ongoing medical support. This Independence Day, take the first step toward a healthier future and discover whether you qualify for treatment.

➤ Richmond’s Africanne on Main, a West African restaurant that has served the community for 38 years, closed Saturday as owner and chef Ida Mamusu retired; Mamusu plans to make appearances at local festivals through year’s end. (More)

➤ The Tony Award-winning musical 1776 takes its final bow at Thomas Jefferson’s Poplar Forest this summer, closing out more than a decade of performances on the grounds of Jefferson’s retreat. (More)

➤ The Greater Lynchburg Community Foundation awarded a $100,000 grant to the agricultural program at Appomattox County High School. (More)

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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, straight from the heart of the country. Clicking the link will take you directly to these stories:

➤ A cutting-edge cancer procedure promises less scarring and a quicker recovery. (Hear More)

➤ A scorching European heat wave prompted an unusual ban in Paris. (Listen Now)

➤  Your green bananas may have been healthier than you realized. (Podcast Available)

Have you been to the National Archives Museum to see the U.S. Constitution?

1. Yes
2. No
3. Not sure

Yesterday’s Results:

Have you ever purchased a concert T-shirt?

1. Yes: 38%
2. No: 34%
3. I don’t go to concerts:  14%
4. Can’t remember: 13%

Why was James Madison’s family home named Montpelier?

Show me the answer