Virginia Passes Bipartisan Budget

Virginia lawmakers approved a major state budget Monday, with both the House and Senate advancing the spending plan in a bipartisan vote. The measure now heads to Gov. Abigail Spanberger’s desk for final consideration.

The budget prioritizes education and healthcare, according to supporters. It introduces a monthly electricity consumption tax on data centers of $0.011 per kilowatt-hour, capped at $600 million annually and expected to generate $1.2 billion over the two-year budget cycle.

It also includes provisions for recreational marijuana sales and a new Cannabis Control Authority fund.

Lawmakers may return June 29 to address any gubernatorial amendments, with a June 30 deadline looming. The state expects about $16.1 million in net profits during Fiscal Year 2028.

Localities Raise Millions for Aging Schools

Virginia localities have raised $119 million over five years through a targeted 1% sales tax for school construction and maintenance. Only nine jurisdictions currently hold the authority to levy the tax, with Danville generating the most at $30 million.

A 2021 state survey revealed that more than half of Virginia’s schools are over 50 years old, with billions needed for replacements amid capacity strains and deferred maintenance.

Lawmakers advanced budget language this year to expand the local option statewide, subject to voter referendums. Supporters, including House Education Committee Chair Sam Rasoul and Sen. Jeremy McPike, say the tool helps localities address issues such as leaky roofs and outdated facilities without solely relying on property taxes.

The proposal aims to give more communities a democratic funding mechanism as the state faces a multi-billion-dollar school infrastructure backlog.

Dulles Measles Exposure Sparks VA Health Alert

Virginia health officials are warning that a confirmed measles case passed through Washington Dulles International Airport on June 17, potentially exposing travelers in Concourse C, on transportation to the International Arrivals Building, and in the baggage claim area between 6 and 11 a.m.

The infected individual is an out-of-state resident who traveled internationally. Additional exposure sites have been identified at locations in Washington, D.C., and Maryland. The Virginia Department of Health is contacting passengers on specific affected flights and urges anyone who was in those areas during that window to monitor for symptoms.

The Dulles alert arrives as Virginia is already managing its largest measles surge in years—129 confirmed cases statewide in 2026, with 106 tied to an active outbreak in Buckingham County.

Nationally, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has reported 2,104 confirmed measles cases across 41 jurisdictions as of June 18, 2026.

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➤ Statewide: Gov. Abigail Spanberger urged Virginians to voluntarily reduce water use as drought conditions intensify across the Commonwealth, with more than a dozen localities under water-supply advisories and stream and reservoir levels continuing to fall. (More)

➤ Southwest VA: Carvins Cove Reservoir—the primary water source for the Roanoke Valley—has dropped 13 feet below full pond level, raising new questions about a planned Google data center in Botetourt County that is expected to draw from the same reservoir. (More)

➤ Fairfax County: Four pedestrians were killed on local roads in just two days last week, pushing the county’s 2026 pedestrian death toll to 10, nearly six months into the year. Police held a press conference to address the pattern and are investigating all four incidents. (More)

➤ Mechanicsville: A Chickahominy Middle School teacher completed a 1,500-mile bicycle journey from Richmond to Key West, Florida, turning a personal challenge into a testament of endurance, faith, and perseverance. (More)

➤ Arlington: Native Sarah Awad endured weeks in Panama’s jungle on Netflix’s Outlast: The Jungle, overcoming brutal conditions, team drama, and injuries to emerge as a fan-favorite breakout star. (More)

➤ Norfolk: Sail250 transformed history education into engaging hands-on experiences at the Discovery Deck, where visitors explored maritime heritage, Juneteenth, and interactive learning tied to tall ships and America’s 250th anniversary. (More)

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➤ The Washington Wizards hold the No. 1 overall pick in tonight’s NBA Draft, with BYU forward AJ Dybantsa and Kansas guard Darryn Peterson considered by most to be prospects they’re picking between. (How to Watch)

➤ Meanwhile, the Wizards are re-signing point guard Trae Young to a four-year, $212 million extension, days after he opted out of a $49 million player option. Young played just 15 games last season due to knee, back, and quad injuries. (More)

➤ San Francisco 49ers receiver Brandon Aiyuk posted an Instagram video saying “go Commanders” multiple times, fueling speculation that he’ll join his former Arizona State teammate Jayden Daniels in Washington as soon as he’s released. (More)

➤ Virginia Tech quarterback Ethan Grunkemeyer was ranked No. 37 on ESPN’s top 100 newcomers list for the 2026 college football season. The former Penn State starter followed coach James Franklin to Blacksburg after going 4-3 in seven starts for the Nittany Lions last year. (More)

➤ Yesterday’s Results: World Cup | MLB | College World Series | WNBA | Men’s Tennis

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➤ BOEM launched a rare 2026 review process for potential offshore mineral leases off Virginia, targeting critical heavy mineral sands like titanium and zirconium following an unsolicited application from Odyssey Marine Exploration. (More)

➤ Richmond wine-investing startup Vint is winding down operations after five years, citing ongoing losses, and has begun selling its remaining wine and spirits assets to distribute proceeds to investors. (More)

➤ A local investor purchased the dormant Saint Paul’s Baptist Church in Richmond’s Church Hill for $690,000 and plans a tax-credit renovation to create six apartments downstairs and commercial space, possibly a restaurant, in the historic sanctuary. (More)

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➤ Appalachian communities are transitioning from a coal-based economy to an active role in the space age, with students launching satellites, pioneering drone deliveries, and embracing Starlink connectivity. (More)

➤ Gretna’s Amber Short, a singer-songwriter and volunteer firefighter, is representing Southwest Virginia after winning the local round of WDBJ7’s Star-Spangled Sing-Off. The winner earns an all-expenses-paid trip to Nashville to film a nationally aired performance. (More and Vote Here)

➤ The 101st Chincoteague Pony Swim is set for July 29, when Saltwater Cowboys herd between 100 and 150 wild ponies from Assateague Island across the channel to Chincoteague. Pony Week begins July 25 and includes a foal auction on July 30. (See Details)

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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. Clicking the links will take you directly to these stories:

➤ Everyone’s suddenly fighting about tipping, and the rest of the world thinks Americans are the confused ones. (Listen now)

➤ Nearly 50 years after little Etan Patz vanished on his way to the school bus, the Supreme Court just had the final say. (Listen here)

➤ A new book traces a question the Catholic Church keeps reopening but never answers: Were women once ordained as deacons? (Listen here)

Have you been to Assateague Island?

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Yesterday’s Results:

Is a neighborhood watch connecting residents with police via Facebook a good idea? 

1. Maybe: 42%
2. Absolutely: 35%
3. No way: 23%

Which railroads targeted in the Wilson-Kautz raid still exist?

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