Wednesday, June 18, 2025

Good Morning! On this day, the War of 1812 began when President James Madison signed a declaration of war against Britain. The fighting lasted nearly three years and ended with both sides agreeing to return to prewar borders.

The Virginia Flyover is relieved to report in our Top Stories that gators are not welcome at hotels in the Commonwealth. That wasn’t always the case. Check out our Trivia if you think you know what hotel used to be crawling with them.

We’re sponsored today by Heal-N-Soothe, offering health and nutrition advice.

Don’t feel like reading the national edition of The Flyover? Tune in to The Flyover Podcast! New episodes drop daily—watch on YouTube or listen on Spotify and Apple Podcasts, all in under 15 minutes.

Primary Election Results

Virginians voted in yesterday’s primaries to select the statewide and local candidates who will now face off against each other in November.

On the Democratic side, former Rep. Abigail Spanberger had already been named the gubernatorial nominee. Ghazala Hashmi appeared to score a narrow victory in winning the nomination to run for lieutenant governor. With 97% of votes counted, she’d earned 27% of the vote in a six-candidate field.

Jay Jones topped Shannon Taylor for the right to be the Democratic nominee for attorney general in the general election.

Republicans had already selected their statewide slate, with Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears seeking the top job, former radio host John Reid running for lieutenant governor, and Attorney General Jason Miyares looking for reelection.

Juneteenth Activities

Juneteenth started in Texas and became a state holiday in Virginia five years ago. It marks June 19, 1865, when Union Gen. Gordon Granger announced that the enslaved people of Galveston had been freed.

Events planned for tomorrow and through the weekend across the Commonwealth include many at the beach and in Williamsburg.

In Northern Virginia, Alexandria and Mount Vernon both plan to host events, which will include a concert and educational readings.

Education will also be at the top of the agenda in many of the activities planned for Fairfax and Prince William Counties tomorrow.

Gator Checks Out of Motel

People staying at a hotel in Alexandria were surprised to learn one of their fellow guests was an alligator.

The six-foot-long reptile was being transported to a zoo in North Carolina when it escaped from its pen in the hotel parking lot and went for a stroll.

“There is actually an alligator outside the hotel,” one Fairfax County officer said when he encountered it.

Under Commonwealth law, exotic animals are not allowed to roam free. Police escorted the gator and its owner out of the county.

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➤ Norfolk: Tyli Scott was charged with second-degree murder after allegedly shooting 28-year-old Alexus Foreman on Monday. Her 4-year-old son Kai was found safe after authorities issued an AMBER Alert. (Details)

➤ Richmond: The Division of Capitol Police is looking at ways to boost security for state lawmakers after this weekend’s assassination in Minnesota. “We’ve absolutely been in contact with leadership, but for security reasons, we can’t disclose any specifics,” a spokesperson said. (More)

➤ Manassas: Claudia Alvarenga Espana was in federal court yesterday to challenge her deportation. She came to the U.S. as a 17-year-old in 2010 and was raising a family of four when she went to an ICE office for a required check-in this month and was sent to Guatemala. (Details)

➤ Norfolk: The sailor who is being detained in connection with the death of Seaman Angelina Resendiz has not yet been charged with a crime. Her mother told the court her death was “a betrayal of trust, of duty, and of basic human decency.” (More)

➤ Danville: The Virginia Board of Historic Resources approved a plan to place a historical marker that will explain the importance of the Danville Canal and the Roanoke Navigation Company. The language will be approved in September. (More)

➤ Henrico County: The American Water Works Association presented the county with its Best of the Best Water Taste Test award. Henrico’s sample tasted better than water from 25 other municipalities across North America. (Details)

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➤ As Washington Commanders Coach Dan Quinn prepares for his second season at the helm, the rest of the NFL is paying attention to the culture change he has brought to the team. (Details)

➤ James Madison University graduates Liam Fornadel and Sam Kidd helped the DC Defenders capture the 2025 United Football League championship last weekend. (More)

➤ Virginia Tech soccer forward Anna Weir will join 41 other invitees at the first U.S. Soccer Women’s College Talent ID Camp in Atlanta this week. (Details)

Yesterday’s results: MLB | NHL | WNBA | NCAAB | Soccer

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➤ The average annual cost of daycare in Virginia is $30,680 for two children, an advocacy group reported. Cost increases are running ahead of inflation. (Details)

➤ The Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center tapped Karolyn Walker to be its new chief operating officer. She has been working at the aquarium for almost 17 years. (More)

➤ Virginia ranks 17th among states for labor policies such as worker mobility and economic opportunity, according to a report from the free-market advocacy group ALEC. (Details)

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➤ The Commonwealth will ban the use of expanded polystyrene—Styrofoam—in large chain restaurants beginning next month. The packaging is set to be eliminated from all food service providers next year. (Details)

➤ The Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Authority handed out more than $60,000 in grants aimed at preventing high-risk drinking and other alcohol abuse. (The Grantees)

➤ The Southwest Virginia Wildlife Center rescued a one-week-old beaver kit over the weekend. The animal has pneumonia but is expected to recover. (See Photos)

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