Friday, March 28, 2025

Good Morning! On this day in 1775, Royal Governor John Murray issued a proclamation ordered by King George III to forbid the appointment of colonial delegates to the Second Continental Congress. Virginians had already selected representatives to attend.

The law enforcement collaboration of state and federal authorities has netted a high-value target. In our Top Stories today, we have the latest on an anti-gang operation and some ideas for your weekend entertainment.

We're sponsored today by Sam's Club, offering a special deal on new memberships for The Flyover readers.

MS-13 Leader Captured in Northern Virginia

The Justice Department stated that it had arrested one of the top three leaders of MS-13, the Salvadoran-based gang, during a raid in Prince William County.

Attorney General Pam Bondi declined to release the detainee's name but called the 24-year-old suspect the "worst of the worst." He was reportedly living about 35 miles from Washington, D.C.

The arrest was part of a joint operation involving the FBI, ICE, ATF, Virginia State Police, and Prince William County police.

Gov. Glenn Youngkin praised the state's cooperation with federal authorities. "Systematically, over the last four weeks, we have gone to work. Gone to work untangling, gone to work putting together the cases, and arresting these horrific criminals. These criminals who live in our neighborhood," he said.

Federal Cut Hits Department of Health

The Virginia Department of Health (VDH) is laying off workers and canceling contracts after the federal government stated that it would take back $11.4 billion in grant funding nationwide for several COVID-related programs.

"VDH is working to assess the exact impacts that these changes will have and will be communicating to affected staff and partner organizations," officials said. "The overall ongoing work of public health will continue as we navigate these changes in federal funding."

As much as $425 million of that funding supported public health projects in Virginia, including infectious disease testing and immunization programs, in addition to COVID research.

This Weekend in Virginia

The Washington Nationals will play baseball at home on Saturday and Sunday against the Philadelphia Phillies. In Charlottesville, UVA will attempt to get its men's baseball season back on track with a three-game series against No. 20 Stanford.

If a wedding is in your future, check out the Spring Bridal Expo, set to be held on Sunday at the Suffolk Conference Center.

Sci-fi and cosplay enthusiasts will come together at GalaxyCon Richmond for a chance to meet some stars, including Heather Graham and William Shatner, the original Captain James T. Kirk.

Collectors will have the opportunity to be wowed by the model trains at the Spring Train Show in Midlothian or view incredible creations at the BrickFair LEGO Fan Expo in Fredericksburg. Both events run Saturday and Sunday.

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➤ Fairfax: Faced with a $300 million budget deficit, the county is proposing property tax increases, $60 million in spending cuts, and a potential food tax. "This is a budget that nobody's going to like," County Executive Bryan Hill said. (Details)

➤ Norfolk: A spokesperson said a man climbed through a fence at Norfolk International Airport and was nabbed near a runway. Two flights were delayed, but nobody was hurt in the incident. (More)

➤ Quantico: Vice President JD Vance joined Marines for a live-fire exercise during his visit to the base. "We believe the real strength and the real diversity in the United States Marine Corps is that you all come from every walk of life, every corner of America, and you have got the strength and the purpose to win the nation's wars," Vance said. (Details)

➤ Roanoke: A 39-year-old suspect was arrested after allegedly slashing the face of a teenager who was jogging with his girlfriend. Police said the suspect has been charged with more than 20 crimes in recent years. (Details)

➤ Blacksburg: Virginia Tech's Board of Visitors approved a 2.9 percent tuition increase for next year. Virginians will pay an additional $576, while out-of-state students will shell out $1,200 more. (More)

➤ Statewide: Frito-Lay recalled 1,300 bags of Tostitos Cantina Traditional Yellow Corn Tortilla Chips, some of which may have been sold in Virginia. The bags have a "guaranteed fresh" date of May 20, 2025, and may contain undeclared dairy ingredients, posing a risk to those with dairy allergies. (More)

➤ The Washington Nationals opened their season with a 7-3 loss in extra innings to the Phillies. The three-game series resumes tomorrow. (Box Score)

➤ Virginia Tech softball, ranked No. 12, plays a three-game ACC series against No. 16 Stanford in Blacksburg this weekend. (Updates)

➤ UVA's men's lacrosse team, ranked No. 22, hosts No. 9 Syracuse in ACC play tomorrow. (More)

➤ VCU announced that Phil Martelli, Jr. will take over as men's basketball coach. He led Bryant to the 2025 NCAA tournament as a No. 15 seed. (Details)

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➤ The Charlottesville Regional Chamber of Commerce stated that retail sales tax collections jumped across much of the region last year but declined in the city itself. (Details)

➤ Residents blamed construction run-off from Dominion Energy's North Ridge solar installation for polluting Lake Shawnee in Powhatan County. (More)

➤ Lamp Light Farm in Suffolk said it will accept Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits as a way to make fresh food easier for area residents to obtain. (Details)

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➤ Smithsonian scientists said they are stumped about a fossil found in Fisherville. Discovered in a garden three years ago, the fossil may be of plant origin, according to experts. (Details)

➤ The Northern Virginia Housing Expo is scheduled for April 12 at Meridian High School in Falls Church. (More)

➤ Virginia Beach Schools Superintendent Donald Robertson apologized to Virginia House Speaker Don Scott after the politician was prevented from speaking to students this week. Scott said he was told he hadn't been "properly vetted" to appear. (Details)

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