CarMax Park Opens

The Richmond Flying Squirrels kicked off the first series at their new $130 million facility, CarMax Park, with a 3-2 win over the Altoona Curve. The new stadium offers fans a variety of seating options, from $30 behind the plate to $10 standing-room-only tickets.

The park is the cornerstone of Richmond’s $2.4 billion, 67-acre Diamond District development. The team’s former stadium next door, which opened in 1985, will be demolished.

Fans gave the stadium mostly positive reviews, but noted that the “food lines were long and the self-service ones kept running out of food, causing significant delays.”

That could present an opportunity for nearby restaurants, which expect a boost from the crowds. “This has definitely been one of the things we have been thinking about when we opened our location in 2024,” one owner said.

Virginia Rejoining Greenhouse Gas Initiative

The Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) plans to rejoin a multi-state carbon reduction program later this year. “Our intention is that we will formally be participating in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) effective July 1 of this year,” DEQ Deputy Director Jonathan Rak said.

To meet that goal, the state must complete regulatory action by May 21.

RGGI requires utilities to purchase carbon emission credits. Virginia joined in 2021, but then-Gov. Glenn Youngkin pulled out two years later. Rejoining RGGI would increase customers’ electric bills.

This follows Gov. Abigail Spanberger signing a bill aimed at lowering expenses for utility users. “I hear from a lot of people who are just sick and tired of paying the higher electric bill than they used to, and costs continue to increase,” Sen. Creigh Deeds, a Democrat who sponsored that bill, said.

Cavs Hire New Women’s Hoops Coach

The University of Virginia named Aaron Roussell as the program’s seventh women’s basketball coach. Roussell spent the last seven seasons coaching the Richmond Spiders, posting a 148-72 record and leading the team to three straight NCAA tournament appearances.

“Aaron is a proven winner who embodies the University’s values of integrity, leadership, academic excellence, and student-athlete development,” Director of Athletics Carla Williams said.

The hire came just days after the Cavaliers fired Amaka Agugua-Hamilton, who had led the team on a surprising run to the Sweet 16 last month as a No. 10 seed.

“Coach Mox,” as she’s known, had been investigated by the university for reportedly presiding over a “toxic” program. She frequently fired assistant coaches, and several high-profile players had reportedly said they were unhappy.

Flying together with our sponsor

➤ Alexandria: Officers detained Gregory Newton, 57, in a D.C. Metro station after he led authorities on a long chase. Newton fled state police after he crashed his car on the Beltway, hopped a fare gate, and boarded a train. A trooper was injured when hit by a car while pursuing Newton on foot. (Details)

➤ Virginia Beach: Police arrested 24-year-old Savionugh Clinkscales and seized $305,000 in cash, 28 pounds of marijuana, and nearly four pounds of mushrooms. (More)

➤ Statewide: Former Gov. Glenn Youngkin said his successor is running a “bait and switch” because she supports the constitutional referendum that would allow congressional redistricting this year. As a member of Congress in 2019, Abigail Spanberger wrote that “gerrymandering is detrimental to our democracy and it weakens the individual voices that form our electorates.” (Details)

➤ Henry County: A sheriff’s deputy shot and killed a fugitive after the man allegedly pulled a gun and threatened deputies. (More)

➤ Hampton: City officials decried a “teen takeover” at the beach last weekend. “They were talking about doing water gun fights,” Mayor Jimmy Gray said. “It ended up being fist fights, and that’s not what we want to happen at the beach.” (Details)

➤ Richmond: The Department of Public Utilities began refilling the west tank of the Byrd Park Reservoir, which has been closed for repairs since 2023. (More)

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

➤ Virginia Tech men’s tennis hosts No. 3 UVA in a Commonwealth Clash matchup this afternoon. (Preview)

➤ UVA football coach Tony Elliott inked a deal to remain with the team through the 2030 season. The Cavaliers ranked No. 16 last year and won the Gator Bowl. (Details)

➤ VMI baseball opens a three-game Southern Conference series at Samford tomorrow. The Keydets are 24-8. (Schedule)

Yesterday’s Results: NBA | MLB | NHL | NCAAB | NCAASB | Soccer | Tennis

Flying together with our sponsor

➤ Take your game to the next level with FlightPath Golf Tees—engineered to reduce spin and help you drive longer, straighter shots with ease. Right now, score their limited-time buy 2 packs, get 1 free deal and upgrade your swing with tees designed for serious performance.

➤ Many business leaders in Northern Virginia think the economy will stall or contract during the rest of this year, according to a new survey. A third of respondents expect it to remain about the same, 29 percent expect it to decline slowly, and 3 percent expect it to decline significantly. (Details)

➤ Sugar Rush Candy Shop at River Ridge Mall in Lynchburg will close down later this month. The sweet shop has been in business since 2019. (More)

➤ Palatine Capital Partners purchased Rio Hill Apartments in Charlottesville. The affordable housing community contains 139 units. (Details)

Flying together with our sponsor

➤ A U.S. “birthright” worth trillions — activated quietly. A small government task force just completed a 20-year mission. With almost no coverage, they confirmed a massive U.S. resource “claim”—estimated at $500 trillion. Under sovereign law, this isn’t just national wealth. It’s an American birthright. Meaning citizens can legally stake a “claim” But almost no one knows. I’ve laid out how to position yourself in a new, time-sensitive briefing. See how to “claim” your share—before the window closes.

Flying together with our sponsor

➤ The Virginia Breast Cancer Foundation will host its first Make Moves Against Breast Cancer 5K Walk and Run on April 25. (More)

➤ Richmond’s Cool the City initiative aims to reduce temperatures in the region by planting trees. The project is backed by a $6 million grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. (More)

➤ The Alexandria Health Department launched a campaign to teach people how to identify and remove ticks. (Details)

Flying together with our sponsor

➤ Looking for extra financial help? BeneFinds is a free platform that connects you to personalized benefits, grants, and assistance programs tailored to your situation—covering everything from housing and insurance to debt relief and job opportunities, all in one easy-to-use place.  (LEARN MORE)

Have you ever been to a minor league baseball game in Virginia?

1. Yes
2. No
3. Not yet

Wednesday’s Results:

Have you been to the Birthplace of Country Music Museum in Bristol? 

1. No: 52%
2. Not yet: 25%
3. Yes: 23%

What year did UVA’s women’s basketball team make it to the national championship game?

Show me the answer