Medicaid Fraud Unit Recovers More Than $21 Million

Virginia’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit recovered $21 million in court-ordered restitution, fines, penalties, and civil settlements during the fiscal year that ended June 30.

The unit employs more than 100 investigators, auditors, prosecutors, and support staff. It secured 53 convictions and 10 settlements during the year, raising its cumulative recoveries since 1982 above $4.1 billion.

A separate federal report highlighted the unit’s work with federal partners in the McKinsey & Co. investigation. The firm agreed to a $650 million criminal and civil resolution in 2024 over its advice to Purdue Pharma on OxyContin sales.

The case accounted for 52% of MFCU criminal recoveries nationwide in federal fiscal 2025. Virginians can report suspected fraud by calling 1-800-371-0824.

Starbucks Closes Four Virginia Stores

Starbucks closed four Virginia stores Saturday as part of approximately 250 North American closures. The affected locations were in Richmond, Charlottesville, and Harrisonburg.

The Richmond stores were at 400 N. Robinson St. in the Fan and 11735 W. Broad St. near Short Pump Town Center. The Fan location operated for 20 years before closing Sept. 26.

Starbucks said the closures represent approximately 1% of its more than 18,000 North American coffeehouses. The company selected locations that could not consistently deliver its intended experience or lacked a path to acceptable financial performance.

Property owner Charlie Diradour said he is fielding interest in the 4,100-square-foot Fan building. He has shelved a three-story mixed-use project planned for the adjoining parking lot.

42% of Virginia Households Food Insecure

Virginia’s first statewide hunger survey found that 42% of households experienced food insecurity between May 2025 and May 2026, meaning someone lacked consistent access to enough food.

Households with children were hit harder, with 51% experiencing food insecurity statewide. Regional rates ranged from 32% in Northern Virginia to 55% in Southwest Virginia.

More than 5,600 Virginians participated in the study, conducted by NORC at the University of Chicago with Virginia Tech support. The survey followed the USDA’s 2025 decision to end its annual food-security reports.

A Note from Cole, CEO of The Flyover

Dear Reader,

Buried in the official editorial guidelines of one of the world’s largest news organizations—on the books for decades, published for anyone to read—is a remarkable sentence. It says the word terrorist “can be a barrier rather than an aid to understanding.”

The written policy is that the plainest true word for an act of terror gets in the way of understanding it.

That’s not one outlet’s quirk. It’s mainstream media doctrine. And last month, you got to see where doctrine like that leads. Ahead of the 25th anniversary of September 11, reporters at another major news organization, a national public broadcaster, received a memo from the standards office: “Do not refer to the Sept. 11 attacks as terrorist attacks.”

The approved language for the deadliest terrorist attack in American history, in which nearly 3,000 people were murdered, was “hijackings that led to plane crashes.”

The memo leaked. Two days of daylight later, the broadcaster backed down. Sort of. They carved out an exception for 9/11, and only 9/11. The rule stands.

And their defense was telling. They didn’t argue that the rule is right. They argued that it’s the industry standard and that newsrooms everywhere follow the same practice.

The worst part is, they’re right. It is the standard. That’s the problem.

You know why we exist. The truth isn’t a barrier to understanding. It’s the only road there. The facts arrive the way we found them, in plain words, and you decide what they mean. That’s your job, and we’d never dream of doing it for you.

We call things what they are.

We keep the spin out and trust you with the facts.

And The Flyover stays free.

A terrorist attack is a terrorist attack. We’d print that sentence any day of the week. No memo required.

So today I’m asking: if news that calls things what they are is something you want to see thrive, will you stand behind it?

Support the news in plain words. Free, every morning.

Make a generous donation to support The Flyover.

Give $25
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Our promise: we answer to you.

Help us keep it.

— Cole
 CEO, The Flyover

Flying together with our sponsor

➤ Statewide: Virginia DMV wait times averaged 8.3 minutes in 2026, down nearly 80% from 37 minutes in 2019, following expanded appointments and redesigned service-center operations. (See Changes)

➤ Richmond: A man fired a gun multiple times near a VCU residential facility at West Broad and North Belvidere streets early Monday. VCU police arrested him within minutes. No one was injured, and police said he was not affiliated with the university. (See Arrest)

➤ Maryland: Enhanced enforcement against residents with improperly registered out-of-state vehicles, including those carrying Virginia tags, begins Oct. 1. Drivers still out of compliance 60 days later face fines of $7 per day, capped at $420 per vehicle. (Check Rules)

➤ Chesterfield County: Virginia and Chesterfield officials are preparing a request for proposals to build and operate a leachate pretreatment facility at the inactive Shoosmith landfill. Crews now haul 20,000 to 100,000 gallons of the contaminated wastewater off-site for treatment each day. (See Plans)

➤ Hampton Roads: Moore Comfort Home Care will pay $60,000 to settle an EEOC lawsuit alleging one owner subjected at least three women to sexual comments and unwelcome touching. A three-year consent decree also requires a third-party monitor, employee training, and policy changes. (See Settlement)

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➤ UVA running back Jekail Middlebrook will join coach Tony Elliott for Coach’s Corner from 7–8 p.m. Tuesday at Charlottesville’s Dairy Market. Fans can attend in person or listen on the Virginia Sports Radio Network. Middlebrook leads the Cavaliers with 177 rushing yards through four games. (See Details)

➤ Virginia Tech running back Jeffrey Overton Jr. earned ACC Running Back of the Week after rushing for a career-high 209 yards in Saturday’s 21-14 win over Boston College. His 76-yard fourth-quarter touchdown sealed the victory. (See Honor)

➤ UVA’s Homecomings game against Syracuse will kick off at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 10 at Scott Stadium and air on the ACC Network. The matchup will also serve as Virginia’s Breast Cancer Awareness game. (See Kickoff)

➤ Yesterday’s Results: NFL | Soccer

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➤ Luna Innovations was acquired by an affiliate of New York-based TJC LP for $1.39 per share in cash, effective Sept. 18. The Blacksburg fiber-optic technology firm traded near $8 in early 2024 before accounting errors led to missed SEC filings and its Nasdaq delisting. (See Sale)

➤ Danville’s Caesars agreement would remain unchanged if Fertitta Entertainment completes its proposed $17.6 billion acquisition, City Manager Ken Larking said. The city is guaranteed at least $5 million annually, plus gaming taxes. Caesars shareholders approved the merger last week, but federal review continues. (See Agreement)

➤ Flying Biscuit Café signed a franchise agreement to bring its first Virginia location to the Richmond area. The Atlanta-based breakfast and brunch chain is searching for a site, with the address and opening date to be announced after a lease is signed. The franchise partners eventually hope to open three to five cafés. (See Plans)

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➤ Forty pancakes vanished in 10 minutes Saturday at Williamsburg’s Merchants Square, setting a world record. Joey Chestnut beat the previous mark of 35 and won $2,500 at the second annual World Pancake Eating Championship. (See Record)

➤ Six local beekeepers participated Saturday in Buchanan’s fifth annual Honey Festival. The event highlighted local honey and the important role honeybees play in farming. (Meet Beekeepers)

➤ Chincoteague’s Oyster Festival returns for its 53rd year Oct. 10 at Tom’s Cove Park. The $65 ticket includes all-you-can-eat seafood, including oysters on the half shell, oyster fritters, and clam chowder. Organizers say tickets are selling quickly. (See Menu)

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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. 

➤ Scientists ranked the seven pets linked to longer lives, and No. 1 isn’t a golden retriever. (Hear List)

➤ Every household in a Pennsylvania town was offered $10,000 by a data center developer, but residents are pushing back. (Hear Details)

➤ Experts say Spirit Halloween’s real estate strategy quietly signals something about the shopping centers it moves into. (Listen Now)

How many pancakes do you think you could eat in 10 minutes?

1. 1–2
2. 3–5
3. 6–10
4. More than 10
5. I’d rather watch

Monday’s Results:

What’s your favorite pumpkin-patch activity?

1. Picking pumpkins
2. Taking a hayride
3. Tackling corn mazes
4. Eating fall treats
5. Visiting farm animals

What is the question?

Show me the answer