Tuesday, January 28, 2025

Good morning! On this day in 1884, the term "Capitol Police" was used for the first time in an act of the Virginia General Assembly. The law authorized "the appointment of Capitol Police and certain other employees about the Public Buildings and Grounds" in Richmond. The Capitol Police remain in service today.

The Virginia Flyover keeps an eye on gas prices, and our Business section will tell you how much they've climbed. Also, check Around Virginia for more about the fastest-growing metro area in the state.

Did you know that the team that makes The Virginia Flyover also produces a national publication called The Flyover? Click here to subscribe and stay up to date with the latest national headlines—without the bias of legacy media outlets.

Today, we're sponsored by Laughland, a 100% safe and easy-to-use teeth whitening kit for home use.

Vance Visits Virginia

Vice President JD Vance visited Damascus to see the aftermath of Hurricane Helene in Southwest Virginia.

Vance, who swung through the area while running for office last October, had promised to return. "Now he's fulfilling his promise," a spokesperson said.

Governor Glenn Youngkin and local leaders were also present for a round-table discussion about the region's recovery and a tour of the area. Vance pledged to remove bureaucratic barriers that he said have slowed down the federal response to the storm.

"We're going to make sure the federal government does right by [the people of Damascus]," Vance told reporters. "I'm going to go back to Washington with that message and that directive from the people here on the ground."

Free Breakfast Proposals Move Ahead

Students in Virginia may soon be eligible for free breakfasts at school.

A pair of bills moving through the legislature would require the state to join the federal National School Lunch and School Breakfast programs and provide breakfast at no cost to any student who requests it.

"This bill is an investment in their education and would maximize all of the other education investments we are making," Democratic Del. Elizabeth Bennett-Parker said.

The proposal could make 400,000 additional children eligible for free food.

Best Virginia Books, Movies, Shows

A Virginia news and entertainment website recently highlighted some of the best books, movies, and TV shows set in Virginia. Even more great stories were filmed here.

The novels Wish You Were Here, Misty of Chincoteague, and Big Stone Gap belong on any list of the top novels set in Virginia, along with the Pulitzer Prize-winning The Confessions of Nat Turner.

Some of the top movies filmed here include The Silence of the Lambs, Forrest Gump, and The Coal Miner's Daughter.

Movies and television shows that are set in Virginia but not made here range from Remember the Titans to The Howards of Virginia on the big screen to Criminal Minds and Quantico on TV.

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➤ Virginia Beach: A body recovered from a pond on Monday matches the description of 12-year-old Juan Sebastian Mejia Acevedo, who had been missing since Friday. (More)

➤ Statewide: Democrats on the Senate Committee on Privileges and Elections rejected six of Gov. Glenn Youngkin's appointees: two to the VMI Board of Visitors, three to the George Mason University board, and one to the Board of Education. "Virginians are looking to the House to right this wrong," the governor said. (Details)

➤ Dulles: A proposal to rename Virginia's largest airport after President Donald Trump has been referred to the U.S. House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. Washington Dulles International Airport, named for John Foster Dulles, opened in 1962. (Details)

➤ Norfolk: The Commonwealth's attorney cleared police of any charges in the fatal shooting of a 45-year-old suspect last year. An investigation determined that Santonio Lee led officers on a high-speed chase and opened fire before they did. (Details)

➤ Henrico: The full Finance and Appropriations Committee will consider a bill written by Sen. Schuyler VanValkenburg that would slash the amount of money a gambling site's owner could keep unless area voters had explicitly approved the site. (Details)

➤ Winchester: The metro area, including Frederick County and the city, has experienced a 7.8% rise in population since 2020, according to research from the University of Virginia. The region was Virginia's fastest-growing metro area for the fourth straight year. (Details)

➤ The Washington Capitals visit Calgary tonight to wrap up the team's western swing. (Preview)

➤ Virginia Tech's women's tennis team eked out a 4-3 win against East Tennessee State University in its home opener. (Details)

➤ VCU visits Saint Louis tonight in men's basketball. The Rams are tied with George Mason for first in the Atlantic 10. (Preview)

➤ College sports are being driven by name, image, and likeness policies. Sign up for NIL Wire and stay ahead of the changes.

➤ Yesterday's results: NBA | NHL | NCAAM | NCAAW | Soccer

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➤ Gasoline prices in Virginia climbed 1.9 cents per gallon last week to an average of $3.09 per gallon. The price tracking site GasBuddy said prices are 21.4 cents per gallon higher than a month ago and 7.6 cents per gallon higher than at this time last year. (Details)

➤ Blackstone Energy Transition Partners has agreed to purchase Potomac Energy Center, a natural gas-fired electricity plant in Loudoun County, for almost $1 billion. (More)

➤ Restaurant Week in Virginia Beach was disrupted by winter weather last week and has been extended until Feb. 2. (Details)

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➤ Eleven Virginia Department of Corrections service dogs have been outfitted with bullet- and stab-protective vests thanks to a donation from a non-profit organization. Each vest is valued at $1,800. (Details)

➤ Richmond Parks and Recreation has launched a $2 million project to renovate the Texas Beach pedestrian bridge. The span must be finished by the end of next year. (More)

➤ A Shenandoah Valley Battlefields Foundation member has filed a lawsuit against the group, claiming it has "no legal authority" to reactivate a dormant rail line from Front Royal to Rockingham County. (Details)

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