SUNDAY, JUNE 7, 2026

Good Morning! On this day in 1776, Richard Henry Lee of Virginia introduced the Lee Resolution to the Continental Congress in Philadelphia, calling for the colonies’ independence from Britain. John Adams seconded it. Congress delayed the vote but appointed a committee, which included Thomas Jefferson, to draft the Declaration of Independence.

Virginia gun stores are packed wall-to-wall as buyers race to beat the July 1 assault firearms ban—and meanwhile, new video is contradicting the Navy’s claim that a fire aboard Norfolk’s USS Gerald R. Ford was no big deal. All this and more in Top Stories.

In case you missed it, this week on The Flyover Podcast, Ayla broke down a Social Security shift that quietly took effect this year, one that could permanently shrink your monthly check if you claim at the wrong time. Retirement experts say knowing your exact number before you file could mean the difference of hundreds of dollars a month for the rest of your life. Listen here.

Today’s sponsor, United States Tungsten, is highlighting a rare opportunity to invest in a critical mineral essential to industries from aerospace to electronics as the company works to revive domestic tungsten production at a historic North Carolina site.

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.

13 Virginia Rural Hospitals at Risk

A new Virginia Joint Commission on Health Care report finds 13 of the Commonwealth’s 36 rural hospitals are at risk of closing.

The commission divides the 13 into two tiers. Eight carry an “at risk” label—negative operating margins or low net assets. Five face an even starker “immediate risk” designation, meaning both conditions apply. The affected hospitals are concentrated in Southwest, Central, and Western Virginia.

The drivers are familiar but compounding: workforce shortages, inflation, lagging reimbursements, and a declining rural population. Carilion Clinic CFO Don Halliwill said the financial stress isn’t unique to Virginia—it’s a national concern playing out in rural communities everywhere.

Much depends on Washington. Congress is weighing H.R. 1, a federal budget bill with Medicaid implications that rural hospitals are watching closely. Halliwill called strengthening Medicaid “vital” to protecting healthcare access and sustaining hospitals that anchor rural economies.

Ford Fire Far Worse Than Reported

New video obtained by CNN reveals the March fire aboard the USS Gerald R. Ford—Norfolk’s home-ported aircraft carrier—caused far greater damage than the Navy publicly disclosed.

When the blaze broke out in the ship’s laundry spaces during a Red Sea deployment, the service declared the carrier “fully operational” after reporting only two non-life-threatening injuries. The footage tells a different story: burned-out sleeping quarters, twisted metal bunks, and soot-covered compartments.

According to CNN and a senior U.S. official, the carrier’s fire-suppression system failed to function as designed, forcing crew to fight the blaze by hand. One sailor described it as a “fight or die” moment, believing the ship faced catastrophic loss.

The Ford is now out of service for months, with hundreds of sailors displaced from their living quarters. The Navy’s initial account is drawing scrutiny from military observers across the Commonwealth.

Virginia Gun Sales Surge Before Ban

Virginia gun sales are surging as buyers rush to purchase before a July 1 assault firearms ban takes effect.

State police logged 72,956 background checks for firearm transactions in May—more than double the 35,571 recorded in May 2025—as firearms retailers report packed showrooms statewide. The Commonwealth is on track to surpass its entire 2025 total before summer ends.

The new law, signed by Gov. Abigail Spanberger, makes it a misdemeanor to buy, sell, or transfer semi-automatic firearms capable of accepting magazines of more than 15 rounds, with penalties of up to a year in jail and a $2,500 fine.

Compliance is far from certain. Sheriffs in Hanover and Louisa counties and at least 10 commonwealth’s attorneys have vowed not to enforce the ban, calling it unconstitutional. Attorney General Jay Jones said prosecutors are expected to uphold the law when July 1 arrives.

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North Carolina’s Moment in the $10 Billion Tungsten Boom

The global tungsten market is surging toward $10 billion by 2030, and a historic site in North Carolina is drawing attention as domestic minerals become a national priority.

Modern industry has no substitute for tungsten. From the precision drills that build cities to the high-heat engines that power flight, it’s the indispensable backbone of global manufacturing:

Automotive: $3T+ market
Electronics: $500B+ market
Aerospace: $800B+ market

With global prices surging 557%, the demand for a domestic source has reached a boiling point.

That’s exactly where United States Tungsten comes in. The company is working toward reopening a domestic recovery and processing facility at the Tungsten Queen, which holds approximately 1 million tons of tungsten-bearing minerals.

The opportunity is here. Lock in up to 23% bonus shares as an early-stage United States Tungsten investor before June 12.

➤ Statewide: Virginia ranks among the nation’s 15 strongest state economies, according to a new study citing the Commonwealth’s diverse industry base, high employment, and concentration of federal contracting and technology sectors. (More)

➤ Richmond: Budget talks stalled again as Virginia Senate Democrats and Gov. Spanberger clashed with House Democrats over data center tax breaks. Lawmakers are now considering a “skinny budget” to keep government running past the June 30 deadline. (More)

➤ Virginia Beach: The father of Rolin Hill—who died in Sheriff’s custody two years ago—filed a $25 million wrongful death lawsuit against the city, with attorney Ben Crump representing the family. Three former deputies face murder charges. (More)

➤ Norfolk: Lane shifts on I-64 near I-564 begin as early as Monday as part of the Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel expansion. Drivers should plan for delays during peak commute hours through the construction zone. (More)

➤ Richmond: The city quietly stopped publishing its financial transaction data after a FOIA request drew scrutiny, the Virginia Mercury reports. Both city government and Richmond Public Schools now face transparency questions. (More)

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➤ Washington Nationals first baseman Luis Garcia slugged two home runs — including his first career grand slam — in a 14-1 rout of the Arizona Diamondbacks on Friday night, helping Washington even its season record at 32-32. (See Grand Slam)

➤ UVA has agreed to terms on a contract extension for softball head coach Joanna Hardin that will keep her with the program through the 2029 season, the team announced on Friday. (More)

➤ Fredericksburg Nationals shortstop and MLB No. 4 overall prospect Eli Willits hit his sixth home run of the season on Friday night. (See Home Run)

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This Metal Has Already Jumped 557%

Tungsten powers everything from aerospace to EVs. That’s why it’s projected to be a $10 billion industry by 2030, and one company is positioning itself to transform the domestic tungsten supply chain.

United States Tungsten is working to reopen a domestic recovery and processing facility through the Tungsten Queen, which holds approximately 1 million tons of tungsten. Demand is expected to surge as the U.S. rebuilds its domestic mineral supply. With critical mineral legislation accelerating and defense budgets rising, domestic suppliers have a unique opportunity to lead the market. United States Tungsten is already in talks with the government about supply contracts.

You can now invest in United States Tungsten and lock in up to 23% bonus shares before June 12.

This is a paid advertisement for United States Tungsten Corp. Regulation CF offering. Please read the offering circular at https://invest.unitedstatestungsten.com/

➤ SailFest kicks off June 12 along the James River, bringing tall ships including the OOSTERSCHELDE, Pride of Baltimore II, and schooner VIRGINIA to the capital as part of Virginia’s America 250th celebration. (More)

➤ Free Fishing Days wrap up today—no license required at any Commonwealth waterway or state park through the end of Sunday. A free fishing event runs 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Carvins Cove Reservoir in Roanoke. (More)

➤ Northern Virginia Magazine rounded up the best spots to watch FIFA World Cup matches across NoVA and DC, from Fairfax to Alexandria—complete with watch party vibes, food, and drink specials as the tournament heats up. (More)

➤ The National Army Museum unveiled a new Revolutionary War exhibit with rare global artifacts, augmented reality displays, and lifelike historical figures—a timely addition as the nation counts down to its 250th anniversary. (More)

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➤ Looking to lose weight with the help of a GLP-1 medication? Direct Meds is offering a limited-time $150 discount on eligible weight-loss treatments, making it easier and more affordable to get started. See if you qualify online and take the first step toward your health goals today. (LEARN MORE)

New to the South? Watch what you say to your new Southern friends!

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Have you read any V.C. Andrews novels?

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Yes: 25%
Can’t remember: 19%

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10408 Courthouse Rd
Unit #508
Spotsylvania, VA 22553

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BOXABL’s Growth Story Is Drawing Investor Attention

This company has raised more than $235M from investors as it works toward its goal of transforming the housing industry with factory-built homes.

The company’s foldable housing system is designed to reduce shipping costs and speed up installation. Its flagship Casita unfolds on-site in less than one hour.

The company has announced a proposed merger with FG Merger II Corp. (NASDAQ: FGMC), which could result in BOXABL trading publicly on Nasdaq under the ticker $BXBL.

Shareholder meetings related to the proposed transaction are expected on June 9, 2026.

FGMC on Yahoo Finance: https://finance.yahoo.com/quote/FGMC/

Find important information related to the proposed merger here.

BOXABL and FGMC have extended their merger deadline to June 30, 2026, pending shareholder approvals, see SEC Exhibit 99 for further details https://www.sec.gov/edgar/browse/?CIK=1816937

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The Virginia Flyover

10408 Courthouse Rd
Unit #508
Spotsylvania, VA 22553

Sunday, June 7, 2026

SUNDAY, JUNE 7, 2026

13 Virginia Rural Hospitals at Risk

Ford Fire Far Worse Than Reported

Virginia Gun Sales Surge Before Ban

Virginia Measles Outbreak Hits 77 Cases

Driver Charged with DUI in Fatal I-95 Crash

VT Researchers ID Heart Recovery Protein

Want afternoon national news updates via text message? Sign up for Flyover Updates, coming in June!

Sunday, June 7, 2026

SUNDAY, JUNE 7, 2026

13 Virginia Rural Hospitals at Risk

Ford Fire Far Worse Than Reported

Virginia Gun Sales Surge Before Ban

Virginia Measles Outbreak Hits 77 Cases

Driver Charged with DUI in Fatal I-95 Crash

VT Researchers ID Heart Recovery Protein

One Email. All The Virginia News.

Get Informed About The Lovers State In 5 Minutes.

Want afternoon national news updates via text message? Sign up for Flyover Updates, coming in June!

One Email. All The Virginia News.

Get Informed About The Lovers State In 5 Minutes.