New High School Graduation Rules Take Effect

Virginia high schoolers can now use courses like Advanced Placement African American Studies and International Baccalaureate Economics to satisfy graduation requirements, under updated standards the state Board of Education approved for this school year.

The revised course list, adopted Aug. 27, changes how students earn a standard or advanced studies diploma in math, science, history, economics, and personal finance. Students transferring in after 10th grade can substitute IB courses for some history and government requirements.

Students can also use African American History or AP African American Studies toward a World History or World Geography requirement if they pass an approved assessment.

Board member Amber Northern, a former Gov. Glenn Youngkin appointee, pressed staff for guidance on the state’s seat-time flexibility option, which lets students earn credits by mastering material rather than logging hours. Required courses, she said, eat up 22 of 24 credits.

Judge Blocks Virginia ICE Law

A federal judge on Monday temporarily blocked a new Virginia law that bars local and state police from helping ICE unless agents produce a judicial warrant, subpoena, or detainer.

Senior U.S. District Judge Robert Payne granted the injunction, writing that the U.S. Department of Justice is likely to win its challenge because the state law appears to override federal authority. The law also blocked agencies from entering or renewing federal immigration agreements unless certain conditions were met.

In June, Payne blocked a separate law limiting when ICE agents may wear masks.

Gov. Abigail Spanberger, a Democrat, had already ordered state agencies to end their agreements with ICE. The Legal Aid Justice Center, which supports the law, criticized the ruling, while the DOJ has called Virginia’s restrictions an unconstitutional attempt to control federal agents.

Norfolk Naval Base Tightens Security

Naval Station Norfolk closed some gates and cut others to reduced lanes under heightened security measures announced Monday night, without saying what prompted them. Normal operations returned Tuesday morning.

The base said access to the installation has been adjusted and told personnel to anticipate delays and allow extra travel time. It framed the steps as a precaution to protect sailors, civilians, families, and the installation.

A public affairs officer said the base continues to closely monitor the situation with law enforcement and security partners, and will adjust security as appropriate. Officials did not name a specific threat.

Norfolk anchors Hampton Roads, the heart of the U.S. Navy and home to more than 300 tenant commands. The base tightened access earlier this year, suspending its Trusted Traveler visitor program and closing gates in March.

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➤ Statewide: Virginia opened a $2 million Solar Interconnection Grant Program to help local governments and school divisions cover the grid-connection costs that have stalled public solar projects. Applications opened Monday through the Virginia Department of Energy. (More)

➤ Manassas: The FAA granted Washington Manassas Airport its Part 139 operating certificate, the last federal sign-off needed to host scheduled passenger airlines and the first for a Virginia airport in 53 years. No carrier has signed on yet, and flights aren’t expected until late 2027. (More)

➤ Cumberland County: The county’s planning commission advanced Dominion Energy’s proposed 3-gigawatt natural gas plant, the largest in the state and driven largely by data-center demand, clearing a step toward the conditional use permit it needs. (More)

➤ Richmond: Bellevue Elementary in Church Hill is closed through Sept. 8 for mold remediation. It’s the second Richmond school to close this year, following the discovery of mold in Barack Obama Elementary. Students are being hosted at a community center through Labor Day. (More)

➤ Lynchburg: More than 100 women picked up hammers for Greater Lynchburg Habitat for Humanity’s Women Build, raising walls on a home at 2202 Hanover St. for a local family. Organizers are working toward a $50,000 goal for construction materials. (More)

➤ Nelson County: The Virginia Department of Health is asking for help identifying eight victims of 1969’s Hurricane Camille, whose remains were pulled from the Rockfish River in Nelson County. Investigators are using autopsy and dental records to verify identity. (More)

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➤ Virginia Tech first-year coach James Franklin named Penn State transfer Ethan Grunkemeyer his starting quarterback over North Carolina transfer Bryce Baker. Grunkemeyer took over at Penn State last fall after Drew Allar’s injury, throwing for 1,339 yards and eight touchdowns. (More)

➤ UVA claimed four of the ACC’s Week 0 player-of-the-week awards after the league’s media panel voted on a thin four-game slate. Quarterback Beau Pribula took the top offensive nod, joined by lineman Monroe Mills, defensive back Brandyn Hillman, and kicker Will Bettridge. (See List)

➤ William & Mary junior kicker Max Lipinski was named Stats Perform FCS National Special Teams Player of the Week after making a school-record five field goals, including a game-winning 45-yarder, in a 35-32 comeback victory at No. 8 Villanova. (More)

➤ Yesterday’s Results: US Open | MLB | Soccer

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➤ Fourteen Democrat lawmakers asked Gov. Abigail Spanberger to call a special session to extend the State Corporation Commission’s 180-day clock for reviewing Dominion Energy’s proposed $67 billion merger with Florida-based NextEra. (More)

➤ Crothall Healthcare is ending its contract with VCU Health in Richmond, permanently closing operations and laying off affected workers on Oct. 31, though most are expected to continue under a new contractor. (More)

➤ Vertical-farming company AeroFarms has added new microgreens to its product line at its indoor growing facility in Ringgold, which is in Pittsylvania County near Danville. The company was recently acquired. (More)

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➤ A bronze sculpture honoring Virginia’s first documented African family was unveiled at Fort Monroe in Hampton, near where the first recorded Africans in English North America landed in 1619. It’s the first of three planned works at the African Landing Memorial. (Watch Report)

➤ Domestic violence survivor Teresa Steele is staging the D2V Fashion Show in Richmond on Oct. 10, featuring 47 models and 15 designers, many with their own ties to abuse. The event aims to rebuild survivors’ confidence and raise awareness. (More)

➤ Richmond ranks as Virginia’s top city for retirees at No. 20 overall on a new 2026 Best Places to Retire list, scoring well in health care and activities among the 182 U.S. cities evaluated. (See Rankings)

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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. 

➤ Buying these seven things before you retire could save you thousands, but the clock is ticking. (See List)

➤ Federal officials say a monthlong immigration sweep across New York netted thousands of arrests, including a number of violent criminals. (Hear Details)

➤ A Lake Tahoe swimmer needed nearly 40 stitches after an otter pulled her underwater and wouldn’t let go. (Hear Story)

If you retired in Virginia tomorrow, where would you plant your flag?

1. The Hampton Roads coast
2. The Blue Ridge Mountains or Shenandoah Valley
3. A college town like Blacksburg or Charlottesville
4. Right where I am

Yesterday’s Results:

Should colleges and universities offer automatic admission? 

1. If the student meets certain criteria: 46%
2. Not under any circumstances: 38%
3. Haven’t made up my mind: 16%

What political party took control of Virginia’s government in 1881 and increased funding for the public school system?

Show me the answer