The Virginia Flyover

Sunday, October 11, 2026

Good morning! On this day in 1781, Gen. George Washington ordered troops to dig a second siege trench 400 yards nearer the British at Yorktown. Because British Redoubts 9 and 10 blocked its extension to the York River and could still be reinforced, they required capture by force.

Ever wanted to hug a Highland cow? At one Mount Sidney farm, you can do just that, then meet a flock of rare Swiss sheep with famously adorable black faces. Find out more in Et Cetera!

Speaking of farm animals, we want to hear from you: If you could keep any animal on a farm, what would it be? Hit reply and let us know.

Have you signed up for Flyover Finance yet? It’s the same no-spin approach you count on from The Flyover, now applied to your money. In about five minutes, we’ll tell you what moved in the markets, why it moved, and what it means for your portfolio, your mortgage, and your retirement—with the context you need and none of the jargon. It’s completely free, signing up takes ten seconds, and the first edition lands Monday. Join Flyover Finance →

In case you missed it on The Flyover Podcast, Amy broke down why that stubborn throat tickle might have nothing to do with the cold going around. Doctors point to a surprising culprit behind all the coughing and throat-clearing, and the remedy most people reach for first could actually be making things worse. One popular nasal spray should never be used for more than three days, and that lump-in-your-throat feeling might not even be real. Amy covered the culprit, the fixes that work, and the habits to drop. Tune in here!

Today’s sponsor, Dr. Steven Gundry MD, is sharing a 3,000-year-old Mediterranean “elixir” he recommends for supporting healthy aging, heart health, energy, and a healthy weight.

Fire Departments Get Statewide Risk Map

The Virginia Department of Fire Programs has launched the state’s first statewide dashboard for mapping community risks, giving fire officials one place to see where prevention is needed most.

The online map combines risk indicators, community demographics, and fire department data so departments can prioritize local risks and decide where to invest resources. Sarah Kenny, who became the agency’s community risk reduction coordinator in February, said building the tool has been a top priority for her.

The dashboard is publicly accessible, though it was designed for fire departments and their partners to prevent emergencies before they happen. Users can search a town, county, or individual property to view past incidents and national risk ratings, and the tool currently works only on desktop computers.

The agency will hold four training workshops in Vienna on Oct. 20, Abingdon on Nov. 17, Glen Allen on Dec. 2, and Suffolk on Jan. 26.

Salmonella Link Closes Northern Neck River

Virginia health officials closed the Little Wicomico River in Northumberland County to oyster and clam harvesting Friday after shellfish from its waters were tied to a salmonella outbreak in Pennsylvania.

The Virginia Department of Health said it acted out of an abundance of caution and on FDA recommendations, and it is testing shellfish from the area. The temporary emergency closure runs through Nov. 7.

The ban covers only bivalves such as oysters and clams, not crabs or finfish. VDH said the closure has no effect on drinking water, and maps of affected areas are posted on its shellfish safety page.

Separately, VDH closed part of Lower Machodoc Creek in Westmoreland County on Friday after a sewage release, and shellfish from that stretch are unsafe to eat through Oct. 29.

Spanberger Cheers Henrico Accreditation Sweep

Gov. Abigail Spanberger visited Glen Lea Elementary on Friday, days after every Henrico County public school earned full state accreditation.

Glen Lea posted the sixth-largest score gain of any elementary school in the state, climbing more than 15 points and moving from conditional to full accreditation. Countywide, the number of schools earning the state’s top rating, “distinguished,” nearly tripled from 10 to 28, the school division said.

Spanberger also fielded questions about ongoing HVAC problems in Henrico schools, including Glen Lea, which dealt with mold at the start of the school year. She said, “The short answer is absolutely, kids should not be in schools where we’re seeing temperatures rise to significantly high levels.”

She said her administration stands ready to provide support and resources, and her office noted that the budget she signed this year adds $2 billion in new education funding, the largest investment in public education in state history.

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Doctor uncovers secret to youthful energy inside 3,000-year-old elixir

For over 3,000 years, civilizations across the Mediterranean treated one golden substance like it held the secret to a longer, more vibrant life.

Turns out, they were right.

According to a leading heart surgeon, just 1 spoonful of this golden “elixir” can not only help support healthy aging and a healthier heart.

It may also help shed unwanted belly fat and flood your body with feel-young-again-energy.

Which is why he recommends ALL Americans to take 1 spoonful of this daily >>

➤ Statewide: Remnants of Hurricane Isaias are expected to keep soaking Virginia through midday today, with 1 to 3 inches of rain forecast for most of the state and 4 inches or more possible along the Blue Ridge. The rain should help drought-stricken areas east of the Blue Ridge and in Southside, though heavy bands could cause localized flooding. (More)

➤ Also Statewide: A proposed federal Head Start overhaul would end the rule letting centers reserve slots for homeless and foster children, about 3% of spaces, and would bar families from self-reporting homelessness. Virginia has about 11,000 funded Head Start and Early Head Start slots, and the public comment period closed Oct. 6 with more than 40,000 submissions nationwide. (More)

➤ Statewide, Again: A state commission recommended that lawmakers take another look at AI chatbot regulations in 2027, including requiring chatbots to disclose that they aren’t human and giving parents more control over their children’s use. Similar bills died in this year’s session amid concerns about federal pushback on state AI laws. (More)

➤ Albemarle County: Three current and former school administrators were arrested on misdemeanor charges of failing to report suspected child abuse, including former Hollymead Elementary Principal Joe McCauley, Deputy Chief Human Resources Officer Brodie Downs, and Title IX Coordinator Erin Stone. The same grand jury indicted former Hollymead staffer Michael Swiney on nine more sexual battery charges, bringing his total to 20 involving seven victims. (More)

➤ Arlington County: The County Board sued the Trump administration in federal court Thursday to halt the proposed 250-foot triumphal arch at Memorial Circle, becoming the first government body to challenge the project. The suit accuses the National Park Service of rushing toward construction without a full environmental review. (More)

➤ Loudoun County: MS-13 member Marlyn Samuel Medrano Ortiz, 20, was sentenced Thursday to 30 years in prison for the August 2024 shooting deaths of Diego Woollett and Mijal Conejero, both 22, outside a Sterling apartment complex. He claimed self-defense, but prosecutors said the killings weren’t justified, and he was convicted of two counts of second-degree murder. (More)

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➤ Virginia Tech suffered its second straight one-score loss, falling 25-20 at Cal after Ashten Emory capped a 75-yard drive with a 2-yard touchdown run with 18 seconds left. (More)

➤ Old Dominion beat Appalachian State 10-3 on the road Saturday, overcoming a 3-0 deficit with a safety and Maurki James’ 2-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter. (More)

➤ Washington Commanders star quarterback Jayden Daniels returns today against the New York Giants as Washington looks to gain ground in a wide-open NFC East. (More)

➤ The Washington Capitals improved their third metropolitan division victory in the team’s first four games on Friday, taking down the New York Rangers 3-1. (More)

➤ Virginia rallied from a 17-7 halftime deficit to beat Syracuse 28-25 in Charlottesville, scoring 21 unanswered points in the second half. (More)

➤ Yesterday’s Results: NCAAF | MLB | NHL | NBA | Soccer | Golf

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Why this doctor takes a SHOT each morning

Could taking a SHOT every day help you burn stubborn fat?

Dr. Steven Gundry takes a shot of this mysterious liquid every day…

He’s talking about olive oil.

All olive oil is NOT created equal.

Dr. Gundry filmed a video where he reveals EXACTLY what to look for when buying olive oil.

Watch this video before your next grocery run:

Why this doctor takes a SHOT each morning (not what you think)

➤ Valais Blacknose sheep, a rare Swiss breed that first reached the U.S. in 2017, now graze at Little Fort Farm in Mount Sidney. Visitors can hug its gentle Highland cows, take a hay ride, and roam a hand-planted pumpkin patch for free on Fridays and Saturdays through October. (Meet Sheep)

➤ Norfolk’s Ocean View has a winning design for its proposed license plate: a mermaid, the old amusement park’s roller coaster, and a 1910 warship takeoff. Museum director Larry Estes topped more than 150 entries in Del. Phil Hernandez’s contest, and the plate needs 450 prepaid applications before it can go into production. (See Design)

➤ The Wayne Theatre’s first 100 years are now on display at the Waynesboro Heritage Museum, from its 1926 vaudeville debut to a 1980 fire, a 1999 closing, and a 2016 restoration. The free exhibit runs through June 5, 2027. (See Exhibit)

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➤ 1 Cup of This Morning Drink Floods Your Body with Stem Cells. Harvard Researchers found that people who drank this hot morning drink had a 47% improvement in blood vessel function, a sharp drop in blood pressure, and a 220% increase in stem cells. See which drink here.

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.

➤ An ancient volcanic eruption sculpted Arizona’s towering spires, and Congress voted to give their home a national park designation. (Hear More)

➤ A $16.5 million Pikachu card made headlines, but the counterfeit surge gave collectors another reason to inspect their stacks. (Listen Now)

➤ Warner Bros. Discovery’s merger came with a billion-dollar payday for five executives. Who collected the biggest checks? (Podcast Available)