Wednesday, October 23, 2024

Good morning! On this day in 1878, a hurricane caused 84 mph winds at Cape Henry. Cobb and Smith Islands, on the Eastern Shore, were entirely submerged by the storm, which also wrecked the A.S. Davis near Virginia Beach, killing 18 people.

Welcome to The Virginia Flyover, where we cover the state from the mountains to the tidewater. Read on to find out whether your area was judged one of the top communities in our Commonwealth.

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Statewide Election Preview

Election Day is less than two weeks away, and there are three items that will be on every Virginian's ballot.

The presidential race is at the top, and voters will choose between Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris and Republican Former President Donald Trump. Virginia has 13 electoral college votes.

In the race for the U.S. Senate, two-term incumbent Democrat Sen. Tim Kaine takes on Republican Hung Cao, a retired Navy captain who is making his second bid for congress. Kaine has enjoyed the lead in every poll so far.

Voters will also decide the fate of a constitutional amendment: "Should the Constitution of Virginia be amended so that the tax exemption that is currently available to the surviving spouses of soldiers killed in action is also available to the surviving spouses of soldiers who died in the line of duty?"

As of Monday more than 1.1 million Virginians had voted, slightly lagging the same point in the 2020 election. Early voting ends Nov. 2.

'Ceasefire Virginia' Is Paying Off

Attorney General Jason Miyares is crediting "Ceasefire Virginia" for delivering a steep drop in crime. He launched the program through a partnership among federal, state, and local law enforcement authorities.

Violent crime in the Commonwealth is down 11% this year compared with 2023, and murders are down 30%.

Ceasefire Virginia is being utilized in 13 cities, including Roanoke, Lynchburg, and Petersburg. It mainly targets gang activity and concentrates on repeat offenders because "just 5% of criminal offenders in any given city commit over 50% of that city's violent crime," Miyares said.

Virtually everyone charged under Ceasefire Virginia has been convicted, and the 68 people sentenced under it face a combined 470 years in prison. The state intends to expand the program to more cities.

AARP's 'Livability Index' Ranks Our Cities

AARP ranked the top 25 cities in the Commonwealth that it says best support residents of all ages as part of its updated 2024 AARP Livability Index.

The leading areas are all in Northern Virginia, with Falls Church, Arlington, Vienna, and Alexandria at the top of the list. Those cities tended to earn higher marks for a healthier lifestyle (more exercise, less smoking) but scored less well on overall affordability.

The Index also gave weight to public transportation and handicapped accessibility.

Charlottesville was the top city from the rest of the Commonwealth, coming in at No. 5. Albemarle County and Staunton made the list as well.

Check out the complete list here, see where your city finished, and let us know whether AARP got the rankings right!

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➤ Chesapeake: The city council approved a conditional use permit that could allow a manufacturing tower more than 600 feet high. If the plans move forward, the building would be the tallest in Virginia. (Details)

➤ Haymarket: Fire crews were able to rescue a dog from the rubble of a home that exploded last week following a gas leak. The animal is said to be in "good shape." (More)

➤ Statewide: The Commonwealth's epidemiologist predicts that this year's flu season will be similar in severity to last year's, which was "moderately severe." (Watch)

➤ Richmond: Lawmakers announced plans to introduce a "momnibus" bill in each legislative chamber next year in an attempt to improve health outcomes for mothers and babies. (Details)

➤ Pittsylvania County: The Virginia Port Authority told manufacturer Morgan Olson that the company "has failed to maintain at least 25 new, permanent full-time positions" at a facility and that the company will have to return a $500,000 economic development grant. (Details)

➤ Norfolk: Two residents filed a federal lawsuit that claims the city's traffic cameras violate their constitutional rights. (Details)

➤ Washington Commanders coach Dan Quinn is hopeful rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels will play next week, but his status remains week-to-week. (Details)

➤ Brennan Johnson, a three-star linebacker and 2023 Virginia Class 6 Defensive Player of the Year, has committed to Virginia Tech. (More)

➤ The Washington Wizards signed forward Corey Kispert to a four-year $54 million contract extension. (More)

➤ Yesterday's Results: NHL | NBA | NCAAF

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➤ Richmond is seeking proposals to restore or renovate the city-owned Intermediate Terminal Warehouse along the James River. The century-old building will not be demolished. (Details)

➤ Leidos, a Reston-based contractor, earned a $331 million contract to modernize the U.S. Army's communications network. (More)

➤ Atlantic Union Bank will purchase Maryland's Sandy Spring Bancorp for $1.6 billion, creating a merged, Virginia-based bank with $39 billion in assets. (Details)

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➤ The Wohlfahrt Haus Dinner Theatre in Wythe County will honor all 2024 ticketholders, but its future is in doubt as the building goes on the auction block next month. (Details)

➤ Norfolk (No. 24) and Richmond (No. 37) earned the dubious honor of appearing among the "Top 50 Rattiest Cities" in the U.S. The District of Columbia ranked No. 5. (More)

➤ Virginia is second in the nation for total defense spending at $68.5 billion annually, trailing only Texas. The Commonwealth is the top state when ranked by percent of state GDP (9.7%). (Read the List)

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