Friday, January 24, 2025

Good morning! On this day in 1823, the General Assembly founded the Library of Virginia to preserve and expand the Commonwealth's collection of books and official records. Today, that collection includes more than 2 million items.

The Virginia Flyover is looking forward to some football this weekend. More on that in Top Stories, while our Around Virginia section name-checks some award-winning teachers!

Do you love Virginia? So do our 80,000 readers. Advertise in The Virginia Flyover and connect your business with passionate locals. Learn more.

If you're looking for your next investment opportunity, look no further than today's sponsor, BOXABL.

Housing Market Heats Up

Home sales in the Commonwealth jumped 14% last year—even as housing costs increased—according to a report from Virginia Realtors. The average house price in December was $413,490, up $30,000 from the end of 2023.

Housing inventories remain tight, but the number of homes available in Virginia increased in 2024. “This pattern is likely to continue into 2025 as pent-up demand from move-up buyers builds and the lock-in effect loosens over time,” the report stated.

Northern Virginia’s housing market is one of the most expensive in the nation. That is driving some to leave the area, according to a report from the Northern Virginia Regional Commission.

Virginia Realtors predicted that home prices will rise this year while mortgage rates are expected to decline slightly.

Bird Flu in Virginia

This month, a flock of broiler chickens on the Eastern Shore and a pair of cranes at the Metro Richmond Zoo tested positive for bird flu. All the infected birds and those in their flocks have been destroyed.

More than 16 million laying hens nationwide have been put down over concerns about the H5 virus, driving up egg prices.

The Virginia Department of Health said humans seldom contract bird flu unless they have prolonged contact with an infected animal.

“The current public health risk in the United States is low for H5 bird flu,” the state department of health wrote. “Currently, there are no reports of H5 bird flu infections in people or cattle in Virginia.”

Commanders Playoff Preview

The Washington Commanders will travel to Philadelphia on Sunday for the NFC Championship Game. This will be the first time the Washington franchise has advanced this far in the playoffs since 1992.

Rookie Jayden Daniels, the likely NFL Rookie of the Year, leads the team. The 24-year-old threw 25 touchdowns and ran for 891 yards this year, the most rushing yards by a rookie quarterback in NFL history.

Washington has faced the Eagles twice this year. Philadelphia won 26-18 in the first game, and the Commanders rallied for a last-minute touchdown to win 36-33 in the second game.

Kickoff is at 3 p.m. on Sunday, with the winner will advance to the Super Bowl.

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➤ Henrico: Erin Strotman, the former NICU nurse charged with causing multiple fractures in a five-month-old patient, will remain in custody while awaiting a mental health evaluation. Her bond hearing is set for Feb. 11. (Details)

➤ Statewide: Six teachers were awarded the Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching. The honorees include Emily Burrell of Reston, Geraldine Maskelony of Arlington, Marie Peaches of Alexandria, Raymond Cotter of Roanoke, Sarah Flippen of Ruther Glen, and Erich Sneller of Harrisonburg. (Details)

➤ Richmond: Police Chief Rick Edwards announced there were 967 violent crimes last year, fewer than the city’s 10-year average of 1,150. Additionally, the number of homicides dropped 18%. (More)

➤ Richmond: Lawmakers in the Assembly are considering legislation to prevent public school employees from accepting gifts or payments to recruit student-athletes. The bill narrowly passed the House Education Committee by an 11-10 vote. (Details)

➤ Lee County: Christopher Brown has been sentenced to 10 years in prison after being convicted of the distribution of fentanyl, possession of a firearm as a convicted felon, and possession of a firearm while in possession of a controlled substance. (More)

➤ Arlington: A Falls Church woman has become the first person exonerated by the county’s Conviction Integrity Unit. The woman was falsely implicated in a robbery by someone who had stolen her identity in 2023. (Details)

➤ The Virginia Gold Cup will be held at Great Meadow in The Plains on May 3. It will be the 100th running of the horse race. (More)

➤ Virginia Military Institute’s Rickey Bradley, Jr. was the Southern Conference Player of the Week, the first time since 2022 that a Keydet has won that honor in men’s basketball. VMI hosts UNC Greensboro tomorrow. (Details)

➤ Virginia Tech hosts Clemson, while UVA is also home against Notre Dame in ACC men’s basketball tomorrow. (See Schedule)

➤ The future of college sports is being shaped by name, image, and likeness policies. NIL Wire can keep you up to date. Sign up here with one click!

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➤ Business Day on the Hill, organized by a coalition of groups, including the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB), brought small business owners to the state capital this week to meet policymakers. (Details)

➤ A new interstate bus service named the Triad-Danville Connector will link Virginia to Winston-Salem, N.C. Buses are scheduled to run twice a day. (More)

➤ Sims Metal, based in Australia, spent $20 million to expand its recycling center in Chesapeake. Separately, VDOT approved a $750,000 grant for work to be done at the site. (Details)

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➤ Girl Scout Cookie season is underway in Southwest Virginia. Get 'em while they last, especially if you like the S’mores cookie, which will be discontinued after this year. (More)

➤ A fire at an exotic pet store in Chesterfield killed ten small birds. A customer said the store carries “lots of birds, lots of snakes, lots of lizards,” most of which survived the blaze. (Details)

➤ The Bayport Foundation’s scholarship program will provide $100,000 in tuition assistance to students across the Commonwealth this year. Applications can be submitted until March 31. (More)

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