Friday, October 25, 2024

Good morning! On this day in 1888, Navy aviator and explorer Richard E. Byrd was born in Winchester.

Byrd was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor after successfully flying over the North Pole. He later flew solo across the Atlantic and explored Antarctica.

Welcome to The Virginia Flyover, where we explore what's happening in the Commonwealth every day. Please hit reply and let us know how we are doing.

Stay cozy this Fall with energy-efficient windows from today's sponsor, Renewal by Andersen.

Protecting Civil War Sites

Virginia will spend almost $4 million to preserve and enhance sites at 10 Civil War battlefields, protecting 621 acres of public lands.

"By investing in these historic lands and making them accessible to the public, we are making sure the opportunity to experience Virginia's rich history is available for generations to come," Gov. Glenn Youngkin announced.

In Henrico County, the Commonwealth will make funding available to purchase land at two places where Civil War skirmishes were contested.

Other projects include land purchases in the Shenandoah Valley, including funding to add to a pair of sites where battles were fought in 1862.

The Department of Historic Resources will provide the funds to various nonprofit organizations, which will purchase and enhance the sites.

Virginia Working to Clear Medicaid Waitlist

The Commonwealth increased spending this year to help those eligible for the Medicaid Home and Community-Based Developmental Disability Waiver.

The goal is to provide services by the end of the year to everyone now on the Priority One waiting list, which includes individuals who are expected to need help within the next 12 months.

A representative from the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services recently told lawmakers that the state is a bit behind but that it is making progress. According to Heather Norton, acting deputy commissioner for community services, “we’ll be back on track for our quarterly allocation” by the end of December.

Over the summer, Gov. Youngkin signed 18 bipartisan laws to provide more support to Virginians with developmental disabilities. Click here to check eligibility or to apply.

Fall Fun in the Forecast

The weather for this weekend looks great across the state, so it is a perfect time to get outdoors and look at foliage, pick apples, or grab a pumpkin.

This week marked the peak for fall colors in Western Virginia, and the glory of nature is moving east across the Commonwealth.

State parks offer an easy place to view the changing leaves, and they range from higher elevations to closer to sea level. The colors may remain bright right into mid-November because of dry conditions this summer and fall.

For those looking to pick up fruits or gourds, there are many apple-picking options across the Commonwealth. If you still need a pumpkin to carve, you can find spots to pick one up.

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Flying together with our sponsor

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➤ Alexandria: Virginia has removed some 1,600 voters from the rolls since August, according to records provided to a federal judge. (Details)

➤ Damascus: Gov. Glenn Youngkin will donate his fourth-quarter salary to two organizations in Southwest Virginia that are helping with flood relief from Hurricane Helene. (More)

➤ Bristol: FEMA announced that more than 1,200 Virginians have applied for disaster assistance so far, and more than $5 million has been approved. People have until Dec. 2 to apply. (Details)

➤ Statewide: Virginia State Police Superintendent Colonel Gary T. Settle will retire in February after four decades in law enforcement. He has been in his current job since 2018. (More)

➤ Ashland: A private contractor removed the Ashland Mill Dam, a step that wildlife experts hope will give fish access to hundreds of miles of spawning grounds. (Details)

➤ Richmond: The city and nearby communities are working to identify and replace lead water pipes. The EPA estimates that as many as 187,883 Virginians still get their water through lead pipes. (Details)

➤ Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels missed practice on Wednesday and Thursday due to a rib injury. Daniels will try to practice today to help make a decision on his availability for Sunday. (More)

➤ The Washington Capitals go into Tampa Bay tomorrow with a five-game winning streak after sweeping a home-and-home with the Flyers. (Highlights)

➤ Liberty's undefeated season ended in a loss to previously winless Kennesaw State, effectively ending any College Football Playoff hopes. (More)

➤ Virginia Tech and UVA are both home this weekend, with the Hokies hosting Georgia Tech and the Hoos welcoming North Carolina. Both games start tomorrow at noon. (Previews)

➤ Yesterday's Results: NFL | NHL | NBA | NCAAF | PGA | LPGA

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➤ The Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond reported that manufacturing activity in the Commonwealth and its region remained slow in October but did improve over September's numbers. (Details)

➤ Airports in the Commonwealth will get some $57 million in federal funding for improvements. That includes $40 million for Dulles, $14 million for Norfolk, and $2.2 million for Richmond. (More)

➤ Appalachian Power won approval from state regulators to move ahead with a $57.3 million battery project that would create two energy storage sites, one in Grayson County and one in Smyth County. (Details)

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➤ Clarice Jett Williams turned 100 and celebrated by sharing stories with four generations of family members, including a tale about the time she rode an elephant. (Watch)

➤ It's National Teen Driver Safety Week, and a new law passed in the general assembly requires parents and guardians to take a class about the dangers of distracted driving. (More)

➤ The Virginia Zoo in Norfolk has a new mermaid statue to greet guests. (More)

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