DMV Launches ‘Open Your Eyes’ Campaign

The Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles has launched a statewide campaign called “Open Your Eyes” that compares glancing at your phone behind the wheel to driving with your eyes shut.

The centerpiece television ad shows two distracted drivers covering their faces with their hands, then freezes time an instant before they collide. It began rolling out this month across broadcast, streaming, and digital services.

So far in 2026, Virginia State Police data show 11,953 crashes, 93 deaths, and 816 serious injuries involving a distracted driver. About 10% of those drivers were distracted by cellphone use or texting.

The campaign was developed to “shift the mindset of those who see no harm in taking their eyes off the road,” said DMV Commissioner Saundra Jack, the Governor’s Highway Safety Representative.

Lawmakers Weigh Tougher Plate-Reader Rules

A Virginia State Crime Commission report found seven police agencies reported keeping license-plate reader data longer than the state’s 21-day limit, including one that held mobile-camera data for 90 days. That’s down from 33 in the commission’s January report.

Of the 351 agencies that responded to the survey, 191 said they use the cameras. Most reported complying, though six lacked a required policy and a few improperly shared data with federal or out-of-state agencies. 

Twenty agencies reported unauthorized use by employees, and seven criminal charges had been filed in two Virginia general district courts as of October, all still pending. 

Hampton Commonwealth’s Attorney Anton Bell, a commission member, said the cameras have clear benefits but need “checks and balances.” Richmond and Henrico have already moved to end their camera contracts. The commission met yesterday to weigh stiffer penalties.

FBI Merges Norfolk into Richmond Office

The FBI has officially consolidated its Norfolk Field Office with the Richmond Field Office. The agency said the move unites the resources, expertise, and capabilities of both offices into one team.

Officials emphasized that the FBI will remain “firmly present” in the Hampton Roads area. Agents, analysts, and specialized staff will continue working daily in the region alongside local partners, while gaining access to a larger integrated team.

The consolidation aims to increase investigative capacity against violent crime, cyber threats, counterintelligence, terrorism, and other national security risks. 

Officials noted recent partnership successes and said the change strengthens rather than reduces the commitment to making Hampton Roads safer.

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➤ Chesapeake: Sheriff’s Office deputy Jonathan Horton, 41, was arrested on a simple assault charge after court documents alleged he struck his brother with a car. (More)

➤ Arlington: Police arrested Eric Schaefer, 39, after finding evidence of gunfire at four North Arlington locations overnight Nov. 6-7. He faces three counts each of reckless handling and discharging a firearm in public. No one was hurt. (More)

➤ Salem: Roanoke College plans to demolish a 19th-century home believed to have been built by J.C. Deyerle. The city council voted 3-2 to delay a rezoning vote until December after residents pleaded to save it. (More)

➤ Virginia Tech: An internal audit found gaps in how the university reports campus crime, including missed drug and alcohol referrals from 2024 and inadequate training for staff responsible for the reports. The university plans to fix the problems by September 2027. (More)

➤ Newport News: Construction has begun on HomePort Hampton Roads 2, two 17-story towers that will house up to 1,500 sailors and replace the aging Huntington Hall barracks. The $450 million project is one of the largest public-private partnerships in city history. (More)

➤ Norfolk: Former Rep. G. William “Bill” Whitehurst, a Norfolk native and World War II Navy veteran who represented Hampton Roads in Congress from 1969 to 1987, died Saturday at age 101. The longtime ODU history professor had been the nation’s oldest living former congressman since June. (See Photos)

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➤ Virginia Tech men’s basketball outlasted Iowa 93-88 in overtime Tuesday night, improving to 3-0 while the Hawkeyes fell to 2-1 in a hard-fought early-season nonconference matchup. (More)

➤ No. 6 UVA men’s basketball (3-0) hosted Bucknell (0-2) last night at John Paul Jones Arena. The Cavaliers, fresh off a big win, were heavy favorites to dominate the outmatched Bison and rest key players. Tipoff was at 9 p.m. (More and See Who Won)

➤ CUSA-leading Liberty men’s basketball (20-3, 12-0) visits New Mexico State (11-12, 4-9) tonight at 9 p.m. ET, seeking to extend its 14-game win streak and perfect conference road mark. (More)

➤ Yesterday’s Results: NCAAF | NBA | NCAAM | NCAAW | NHL

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➤ Richmond BizSense’s RVA 25 ranking of the region’s fastest-growing companies expanded this year to add a category for the 10 fastest-growing local nonprofits, honoring 35 organizations in all. The top company posted nearly 6,000% growth. (See List)

➤ Outdoor Ventures, operator of Owl Creek Landing at the Virginia Aquarium, is suing Virginia Beach and the aquarium’s foundation for $20 million after the city relocated its holiday lights show next to competing Lumi SkyWalk. (More)

➤ The settlement in the defamation lawsuit between Richmond Flying Squirrels owner Lou DiBella and Diamond District developer Jason Guillot has been finalized, with the parties issuing a joint statement clarifying that DiBella made no physical threats. (More)

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➤ Virginia now ranks second nationally in Bee Cities, trailing only North Carolina, after Lynchburg helped spark a statewide push that has grown the total to 21 certified communities supporting native pollinators. (More)

➤ Coal’s Human Cost premiered Tuesday on PBS Frontline and is now streaming, chronicling historically high rates of black lung disease and regulatory failures across central Appalachia, including Southwest Virginia’s coalfields. (More)

➤ Communities across Virginia are marking Veterans Day today with ceremonies and special events. Many government offices and services are closed for the federal holiday. (See Central Virginia, Bedford, Richmond, and Virginia Beach events)

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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. 

➤ There are five car-care habits that are important, and five that just bleed your time and bank account. (Hear List)

➤ A free and easy way to cut dementia risk by 17% only takes 42 minutes a day.  (Listen Now)

➤ The U.S. is set to become the first country ever to refuse a U.N. human rights review, a process all 193 member states face. (Hear Why)

Have you been to the National D-Day Memorial in Bedford?

1. Yes
2. No
3. Not yet

Yesterday’s Results:

Which Virginia airport do you fly out of most? 

1. Dulles: 25%
2. Richmond: 23%
3. I don’t fly: 14%
4. Norfolk: 14%
5. Roanoke-Blacksburg: 10%
6. Reagan National: 9%
7. Other: 5%

Which U.S. Army regiment keeps watch over the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery?

Show me the answer

If you’re a fan of our Trivia section, you’ll love our new book, The Flyover Book of Trivia 2027, an illustrated collection of 100 of our favorite questions and answers. (Buy It Now)