Wednesday, September 17, 2025

Good Morning! On this day in 2004, Hurricane Ivan swept across Virginia from west to east, spawning 40 tornadoes—a record number for a single day.

Defense spending usually brings lawmakers together across the aisle. This year, though, Rep. Eugene Vindman was the only House Democrat from Virginia to vote for the defense spending bill, along with every Republican.

Find out more in our Top Stories below. Is this defense spending bill too large? Take our Poll and let us know.

Eastern Kentucky reports a mysterious wave of goblin-like creature appearances following the 2022 floods. The Flyover Podcast host Ayla Brown has the lowdown. Watch today’s episode on YouTube now.

If you’ve noticed pressure or pain in your lower abdomen when you pee, today’s sponsor, Prostadine, may be the natural solution to help reduce prostate inflammation and protect your long-term health.

Take The Flyover with you. Busy day? Listen to our daily 15-minute podcast while commuting, cooking, or walking the dog—your Flyover fix, anywhere.

Defense Spending Bill Moves Ahead

Lawmakers in the House of Representatives passed a defense spending bill last week for the 65th straight year, but by a smaller margin than usual.

Many Virginia Democrats said they voted no on the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) because they oppose amendments to the bill that address social issues. Those changes may be removed before the bill passes the Senate.

Republican Rep. Jen Kiggans voted for the bill and said, “This year’s NDAA delivers for Hampton Roads.” Democratic Sen. Tim Kaine signaled support, adding, “I feel that the shipbuilding and ship repair part of this bill is strong.”

The bill would provide a 3.8% pay raise for service members, $27 million to upgrade two facilities in Hampton Roads, and $380 million to build housing in Norfolk.

The House version of the bill would cost $848 billion, and it must be reconciled with a measure in the Senate, which would spend $32 billion more. The Senate hasn’t voted on a final version yet, but both of Virginia’s Democratic senators supported a motion to proceed to consideration.

Pharmaceutical Plant Coming to Goochland

Eli Lilly and Company announced plans to build a $5 billion manufacturing facility in Goochland County. The project is anticipated to bring 1,800 construction jobs and about 650 jobs at the plant itself.

It’s the first of four plants the company plans to build in the U.S. and is expected to open within five years.

Eli Lilly CEO Dave Ricks said the site was selected “because of the location, logistics, the workforce, and frankly, just a site that’s ready to go.“

The plant will be the company’s first to produce antibody-drug conjugates, a targeted class of cancer treatments.

Constitution Day Commemorations

Today is Constitution Day and Citizenship Day, the anniversary of the signing of the U.S. Constitution on Sept. 17, 1787.

To mark the day, all educational institutions that take federal funding must hold a program for students each year. UVA invited Paul Carrese, a professor at Arizona State University, to discuss how to study the Constitution in the modern era.

In Lexington, VMI will host author Andrew O’Shaughnessy to discuss his book Republic and Empire: Crisis, Revolution, and America’s Early Independence.

Virginia Tech has planned activities through Nov. 12, beginning today with the launch of a series titled The Rights of Inventors, which explains the Constitution’s clause laying the foundation for intellectual property rights.

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Scientists discovered that men with a severely inflamed prostate have this ONE thing in common…

The tests done on 1,688 American men revealed that they all feel this in the lower abdomen when they pee…

A sure sign that their prostate has already doubled in size and they’re at risk of chronic infections.

Find out all about it here: Do you feel this when you pee? You are at risk of prostate failure.

➤ Richmond: Virginia may have to pay a $270 million penalty if officials can’t reduce the state’s 11.5% error rate in its Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). The maximum allowed error rate is 6%. (Details)

➤ Leesburg: Rep. Suhas Subramanyam, a Democrat representing Virginia’s 10th Congressional District, said he implemented security measures after a constituent threatened to bring a gun to his district office last month. (More)

➤ Norfolk: The city closed its downtown flood gates ahead of yesterday’s evening high tide. An additional 2-3 inches of rain was forecast on top of 2.1 inches that fell early Tuesday. (Details)

➤ Charlottesville: Interim University of Virginia President Paul Mahoney told a meeting of the Board of Visitors that the school “is a sturdy ship that can handle rough weather.” UVA is searching for a new permanent leader. (More)

➤ Richmond: The Virginia Treasury’s Unclaimed Property Division paid out more than $118 million in its last fiscal year, and has as much as $3.7 billion to return to the public. (Details)

➤ Fairfax County: The public library system unveiled a plan to remain on budget by shifting $850,000 from personnel spending to the operating budget. (More)

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➤ The Washington Nationals nominated pitcher Trevor Williams for the 2025 Roberto Clemente Award, given to the player who “best represents the game” through character on and off the field. Williams runs a nonprofit venture to support people who suffer spinal cord injuries. (Details)

➤ This week’s high school football Top 25 showed no changes at the top, with Nos. 1-5 holding steady. Formerly unranked Dinwiddie entered the poll at No. 22. (Rankings)

➤ Virginia Tech cornerback Dante Lovett said he will redshirt the rest of the year and enter the transfer portal. (Details)

Yesterday’s Results: MLB | Soccer | WNBA

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➤ Virginia Career Works will host a Professional Careers Expo today from 2 to 5 p.m. at Northern Virginia Community College in Alexandria. (Details)

➤ Tidewater Community College’s Skilled Trades Academy in Portsmouth is teaching welding to the next generation of shipbuilders. (More)

➤ Skanska, a Swedish construction company, signed an additional $116 million contract for work on the Paul and Diane Manning Institute of Biotechnology at the University of Virginia. (Details)

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Scientists have discovered that men with prostate concerns often share one surprising experience.

In a study of 1,688 men, every participant reported a distinct sensation in the lower abdomen while urinating—an early sign that the prostate may already be enlarged.

This signal could mean a higher risk for ongoing urinary problems and long-term complications if left unchecked.

Learn the full story here: Do you notice this when you pee? It could be a warning sign for your prostate.

➤ Special Olympics Virginia hosted its annual Plane Pull fundraiser at Dulles Airport, with 80 teams competing to pull an 82-ton cargo plane 12 feet. (Details)

➤ The Virginia War Memorial will host the Commonwealth’s National POW/MIA Recognition Day Ceremony on Friday at 10 a.m. (More)

➤ The Virginia Department of Forestry invites you to go nuts and collect acorns to seed future forests. Donations can be dropped off until mid-October. (Details)

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