Tuesday, October 22, 2024

Good morning! On this day in 1824, the Marquis de La Fayette traveled from Jamestown to Norfolk as part of his farewell tour of the United States. History buffs can relive the moment this afternoon with a ceremony alongside the James River.

Welcome to The Virginia Flyover, your source for information from across the Commonwealth. If you enjoy our work, please share it with your fellow Virginians.

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Youngkin Defends Roll Clean-up

Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin defended his administration's efforts to ensure that only legal citizens can vote in the Commonwealth. "How can we as a nation, and how can I, as a governor, allow noncitizens to be on the voter roll?" Youngkin asked on Fox News Sunday.

The Justice Department filed a suit on Oct. 11 saying Virginia is violating a federal law that bans systematic efforts to remove voters within 90 days of an election.

The governor pointed out that the state law he is enforcing has been on the books since 2006 and has been used by Democratic and Republican governors for years, with no federal objections.

"Virginia’s election will be secure and fair, and I will not stand idly by as this politically motivated action tries to interfere in our elections," Youngkin announced when the suit was filed.

Meanwhile, Youngkin is creating an Artificial Intelligence Task Force to guide the state's future use of AI, and he signed an executive order that will make it easier for Virginians to obtain permits and licenses.

Virginia Childcare Facilities Pass Test

Almost 98% of registered childcare facilities in the Commonwealth are meeting new state standards, according to initial results from the “Unified Virginia Quality Birth to Five System.”

Each childcare facility in the state will now be graded to comply with a 2020 state law. The goal is to ensure that every 5-year-old is ready for kindergarten.

The program, dubbed “VQB5,” provides measurements of the number of “quality interactions” in each facility, along with measurements of the quality of the curriculum the facility uses.

VQB5 is starting as the need for quality childcare soars. The Department of Education said 10,000 children, primarily in the south and central regions of Virginia, need access to early childhood care and education services.

Halloween Across Virginia

The weather is still warm, but Halloween will be here next week. Around the Commonwealth, many are already decking out their homes to shock and amuse visitors.

One household in Dumfries dubs itself "The Spooky House on Cahill Lane" and puts on an annual display that includes oversized skeletons, video, music, and a light show.

In Lake Ridge, an entire home is transformed into a gothic mansion each year. It draws thousands yearly to see its mock cemetery, mannequins, and glowing windows.

Lynchburg offers so many decorated homes that you need a car to see them all. Check out this list if you dare.

Finally, swing through Sterling for a ghostly, pirate-themed take on Halloween fun. Do you have a favorite home in your area? Send us your photos and try to frighten us before Oct. 31.

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➤ Richmond: A gubernatorial task force met to discuss ways to preserve the Virginia Military Survivors and Dependents Education Program. Lawmakers changed the program this year, then repealed those changes when many complained. (Details)

➤ Hampton Roads: A boring machine nicknamed “Mary” is back at work, carving out a new passage that will be part of the expanded Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel. (Watch)

➤ Mount Vernon: Parts of George Washington’s home will be closed to the public starting next month as the mansion undergoes renovations. It isn’t expected to fully reopen until 2026. (More)

➤ Wytheville: Professional hockey has a home in Southwest Virginia after a number of upgrades to the rink used by the FPHL's Blue Ridge Bobcats were made. (Details)

➤ Triangle: The National Museum of the Marine Corps completed an expansion and opened two new galleries in plenty of time for the Corps' birthday on Nov. 10. (More)

➤ Richmond: A former UVA and NFL player is facing federal fraud charges related to a pair of real estate deals. If convicted, Christopher A. Harrison could be sentenced to more than 30 years in prison. (Details)

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➤ The Commanders retired Hall of Fame cornerback Darrell Green's No. 28 jersey during halftime of Sunday's win against the Carolina Panthers, 22 years after his final season. (See Ceremony)

➤ Tim O'Neal shot a 65 in the final round of the Dominion Energy Charity Classic to earn his first professional victory on the PGA's Champions Tour. (More)

➤ VCU cruised past UVA 71-49 in a secret scrimmage last week, according to reporting from college basketball guru Jon Rothstein. The game was held the day after Cavs coach Tony Bennett retired. (Details)

➤ Yesterday's Results: NFL | NHL

➤ Norfolk International Airport expects to handle nearly 5 million passengers this year, which would be the third straight year that the facility saw record traffic. (More)

➤ The Central Virginia Poultry Cooperative is helping chicken farmers stay in business after Tyson Foods shut down a processing plant. (Details)

➤ The founder of True Information Assurance, LLC in Manassas will pay $1 million to settle allegations that he falsified records to obtain Paycheck Protection Program loans during COVID. (More)

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➤ A father and son are training side-by-side in the current basic training class held by the Virginia Beach Sheriff's Office. They would be sworn in early next year if they both qualify as deputies. (Details)

➤ The Black History Museum of Virginia is one of the first 22 places worldwide cited on UNESCO’s Network of Places of History and Memory linked to Enslavement and the Slave Trade. (More)

➤ The Virginia Department of Forestry says areas in the West and Southwest of the state are seeing peak fall foliage this week. (Details)

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