Virginia Primary Sets Stage for Midterms

Retired Army Maj. Gen. Bert Mizusawa won Virginia’s Republican U.S. Senate primary Tuesday, positioning him to challenge Democrat Sen. Mark Warner in November. Mizusawa secured a majority of the vote over David Williams and Kim Farington in the delayed contest.

The primary, postponed from June after a failed redistricting effort, also settled key House races. Former Rep. Elaine Luria easily won the Democratic nomination in the 2nd District, setting up a rematch with Republican Jen Kiggans. In the 1st District, Shannon Taylor prevailed for Democrats against Rob Wittman.

Incumbent Democrat Don Beyer defeated challengers in the 8th District. Republicans nominated Doug Ollivant to face Eugene Vindman in the 7th District and Dave Beckwith against Suhas Subramanyam in the 10th District.

These results finalize the November ballot as control of Congress hangs in the balance. Turnout remained low amid the unusual summer timing.

RFK Jr. Pitches AI in Danville

Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. told reporters in Danville on Monday that artificial intelligence will transform rural healthcare.

Kennedy toured two Southside sites—a substance-use rehab facility in Chatham and Virginia Tech’s controlled-environment agriculture center in Danville—guided by Rep. John McGuire, the Republican who represents the 5th District.

Kennedy tied the visit to the federal Rural Health Transformation Program, which will send $50 billion to states over five years to offset Medicaid cuts.

About 81% of physicians already report using AI, according to a 2026 American Medical Association survey, but also have concerns about data security and patient privacy.

Kennedy, who grew up in McLean and attended UVA’s law school, said AI nurses “can take your blood pressure, your vital signs, and give you advice to keep you from having to go to the emergency room.”

New Law Requires ‘SAT School Day’

Virginia public schools must now offer the SAT to juniors and seniors on-site during the school day under a new law taking effect this year.

The requirement, dubbed “SAT School Day,” comes from House Bill 410, which Gov. Abigail Spanberger signed April 8. It took effect July 1, ahead of the 2026-27 school year.

Students can sit for the exam during fall or spring testing windows, according to the College Board. Supporters say bringing the test into the classroom removes cost and travel barriers that keep some students from taking it.

“We are improving access for Virginia’s public school students to move to the next level of their careers,” said JMU education professor John Almarode. He noted the tradeoff of lost instructional time but called it “a step in the right direction.”

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➤ Statewide: A joint General Assembly subcommittee unexpectedly declined to recommend shifting Virginia’s odd-year state elections to even years despite a majority vote in favor, due to procedural rules. (See Details)

➤ Eastern Virginia: State Sens. Russet Perry, D-Loudoun, and Richard Stuart, R-King George, asked Gov. Abigail Spanberger to call a special session after a state report warned the coastal aquifers east of I-95 can’t support major new water withdrawals. (More)

➤ Buchanan County: Officials have recovered about $3.3 million of the $4.6 million stolen from the school system in a construction-related scam, according to the county treasurer. (More)

➤ Goochland County: State regulators ordered a safety overhaul at Hallmark Youthcare and began moving children out of the psychiatric residential treatment facility after a CBS 6 investigation, removing leadership and bringing in temporary outside management. (More)

➤ Fairfax County: Students at Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology launched Civic Cycle, a free tool that uses AI to summarize local school board meetings, pulling agendas from the district’s BoardDocs system. (More)

➤ Hampton Roads: Spending on cardiovascular care has tripled over two decades, yet heart-disease death rates are climbing in the region’s major cities, a new national study found. (More)

➤ Rockbridge County: The first of three trials related to Natural Bridge Zoo regarding multiple counts of animal abuse and related charges will begin in February 2027, with the other two set for March 2027. (More)

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➤ The Washington Nationals traded All-Star left-hander Foster Griffin to the Guardians just before Monday’s deadline, receiving four minor leaguers in return. Griffin, a 31-year-old rookie who signed a $5.5 million deal this offseason after three seasons in Japan, went 12-3 with a 3.06 ERA this year. (More)

➤ Washington Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin admitted that returning for a 22nd NHL season was not an automatic decision after Washington missed the playoffs. Ovechkin, who holds the all-time regular-season goals record with 929, said the team’s offseason additions ultimately made the choice easier. (More)

➤ The Commanders’ interest in 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk has reportedly cooled after a series of social media posts that drew concern from the organization, according to ESPN. Aiyuk remains on San Francisco’s reserve list and has made clear he wants to play in Washington, but no deal appears imminent. (More)

➤ Yesterday’s Results: MLB | Soccer | WNBA | Tennis | Little League Softball World Series

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➤ State regulators opened public comment on the proposed $67 billion merger of Richmond-based Dominion Energy and Florida’s NextEra Energy, a deal that would create a utility with roughly 10 million customer accounts. (More)

➤ A group of Virginia CBD businesses filed for an injunction to block new state limits on hemp products, arguing the rules amount to taking their property without paying for it. (More)

➤ As Amazon detailed plans for new data centers in Ashburn, some Loudoun County residents pushed back, calling the expanding development a “concrete jungle.” (More)

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➤ Pulaski will unveil a new downtown mural this Saturday, Aug. 8, paid for by a grant, while nearby Galax has shelved its mural from the same program amid a local dispute. (See Murals)

➤ Richmond ranked among the 25 U.S. metro areas hardest hit by wildfire smoke in mid-July 2026, as fine particle pollution averaged nearly four times normal levels and briefly reached unhealthy concentrations. (See Map)

➤ Busch Gardens Williamsburg will debut “Return to Corkscrew Hill” in 2027, a new motion simulator ride reviving the beloved Irish-themed attraction with immersive storytelling, advanced technology, and enhanced special effects. (More)

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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:

➤ One of the world’s richest investors swears by a rule critics call dangerously aggressive for retirees. (Hear Details)

➤ Rising costs are forcing a record number of young professionals back into their parents’ homes. (Hear Episode)

➤ The death of a young woman at a New York med spa is exposing a booming and largely unregulated industry. (Listen Now)

Would you let an “AI nurse” check your vitals?

1. Sure, if it does an accurate job
2. Only for the basics
3. I’ll take a human, thanks

Yesterday’s Results:

How do you take your coffee? 

1. Black: 25%
2. Cream and sugar/sweetener: 21%
3. Cream only: 20%
4. I don’t drink coffee: 20%
5. Sugar/sweetener only: 14%

In April 1865, after the fall of Richmond, Jefferson Davis and his cabinet set up the Confederacy’s final seat of government—for one week—in which Southside city?

Show me the answer