Friday, January 31, 2025

On this day in 1862, President Abraham Lincoln issued Special War Order No. 1, demanding "an expedition for the immediate object of seizing and occupying a point upon the railroad southwestward of what is known as Manassas Junction" in Virginia. He ordered Gen. George McClellan to have troops moving before Feb. 22.

It is a somber Friday as Americans mourn the victims of Wednesday night's tragic accident over the Potomac. The Virginia Flyover has the latest in our Top Stories.

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Aircraft Disaster Investigation Underway

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) promised to determine what caused Wednesday's collision between an American Airlines flight and an Army Black Hawk helicopter near Reagan National Airport in Arlington.

All 64 people on the jet and all three on the helicopter were killed in the tragedy. The civilian victims included many associated with the nearby Fairfax and Loudoun County school districts.

Dozens of bodies have been recovered from the Potomac River so far, including all three military service members. "Both pilots had flown this specific route before, at night," Jonathan Koziol, the chief of staff for Army aviation, said. "This wasn't something new to either one of them."

Gov. Glenn Youngkin visited the airport Thursday and promised to work with federal officials to get to the bottom of the tragedy. "I extend my deepest sympathies to the families of those who lost loved ones," he said.

This is the deadliest air disaster in the U.S. since 2001.

An Average Report Card for State Students

Virginia's students failed to improve their marks last year on the standardized tests known as the Nation's Report Card. According to the exams, scores in the state remained around the national average.

The reading scores of Commonwealth fourth graders haven't changed in two years, while their math scores have increased only four points on a 500-point scale. Eighth graders lost ground over the two years in both areas.

Experts blamed some of the problems on the fact that classrooms were empty during the pandemic. "We're seeing that persistent gap in that learning loss," according to the Superintendent of Public Instructions for the Virginia Department of Education.

Gov. Glenn Youngkin said he was not surprised by the scores and added that he expects improvement in other areas, such as this year's Standard of Learning exams. "What we are doing is working, and we need to keep doing it with the same intensity that we're seeing right now," he said.

Wades Gap Fire Is Mostly Contained

Franklin County officials reported that they are making progress fighting the Wades Gap fire, burning since Wednesday.

Firefighters are cutting new fire lines to make it easier to stop the flames. The western portion of the blaze was completely contained, and the eastern portion was 70% contained.

An evacuation order for residents has been lifted.

At its peak, the fire covered more than 550 acres and destroyed one home. Two firefighters have been injured fighting the blaze.

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➤ Suffolk: Police and animal control officers found six dead horses and 22 more suffering from neglect when they searched a family's properties this week. The ailing horses will be impounded, treated, and sent to new homes, while the deceased will be examined to determine the cause of death. (Details)

➤ Washington, D.C.: Democratic members of Congress warned federal employees in Virginia not to take an offer that was emailed by the Trump administration this week. The offer said that if employees resigned by Feb. 6, they would be paid through September. "This buyout program was never authorized by Congress," Rep. Eugene Vindman said. "It's not real, and nobody should take the buyout." (More)

➤ Roanoke: The non-profit group Huddle Up Moms launched Southwest Virginia's first diaper bank. Its Huddle Up Diaper Distribution & Lifeline Endeavor (Project H.U.D.D.L.E) will provide diapers and other baby supplies to needy families. (Details)

➤ Statewide: The American Lung Association gave the Commonwealth failing grades in four out of five categories relating to tobacco control. The organization's report is based on how much a state spends on particular anti-tobacco policies, along with other considerations. (More)

➤ Caroline County: The county announced a tentative plan to pump up to 9 million gallons daily from the Rappahannock River, raising concerns about how that might affect the Chesapeake Bay watershed. (Details)

➤ Fairfax County: SmartAsset ranked the U.S. counties with the most disposable income, and Fairfax leads the nation. A family of three earning the median household income can expect about $29,941 left over as disposable income each year. (Details)

➤ The Washington Commanders do not have to look for a new offensive coordinator. Kliff Kingsbury announced he will stay with the team instead of attempting to become a head coach elsewhere. (Details)

➤ Virginia Tech hired Sam Siefkes as defensive coordinator. Siefkes was the linebackers coach for the NFL’s Arizona Cardinals for the last two seasons. (More)

➤ Colonial Forge High School graduate Zyhir Hope was invited to Spring Training with the Los Angeles Dodgers. He’s been rated the top prospect in the team’s farm system. (Details)

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➤ The Roanoke Industrial Center is being cleared of abandoned cars, trash, chemical waste, and current tenants to be transformed into a new community called Riverdale. (Details)

➤ Hampton's Phoebus neighborhood expects to welcome eight or nine small businesses this year, according to the manager of the community's Main Street program. (More)

➤ The leases for nine of the 32 Big Lots locations in Virginia are for sale, indicating that those stores will be closed. (Store Locations)

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➤ Virginia Phillips Bell, known as Estelle or by the nickname "Queen of the Kitchen," turned 111 this week. She is the oldest registered voter in Mecklenburg County and will celebrate her birthday with family and friends. (More)

➤ The Smith Mountain Lake Marine Volunteer Fire and Rescue Department pulled off its first rescue of a dog who had broken through the ice on the lake. "It was a lot more difficult than it looked," Chief Todd Ohlerich admitted. (Details)

➤ Stratford Hall Historic Preserve in Stafford received an $835,000 grant to pay for restoration of the Great House, built in 1738. Funding will be provided by the Virginia 250 Preservation Fund Grant Program. (More)

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