Friday, May 2, 2025

Good Morning! On this day in 1863, Gen. Thomas "Stonewall" Jackson was accidentally shot by his own men during the Battle of Chancellorsville. Jackson was scouting beyond the lines as night fell, and his soldiers fired at him in the dark. He died eight days later.

Early voting for the primary season gets underway today. In Top Stories, The Virginia Flyover explains why the biggest controversy in the race isn't actually on the ballot.

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.

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87 Animals Rescued

Gloucester County Animal Control officers took custody of 87 animals that were living in "unsanitary and inhumane conditions" in Hayes last month.

Virginia State Police and local law enforcement agencies joined county officers in executing a search warrant following an official investigation into suspected animal neglect and cruelty. They found dogs, cats, horses, and other small animals on the property.

Criminal charges are pending against the owner of the animals, who was not identified.

The county has been granted permanent custody of the animals, and animal control officers will attempt to nurse the pets back to health.

Primary Voting Begins

Early voting for Virginia's June 17 primary elections begins today. Voters may cast a ballot in either the Democratic or Republican primary—but not both. Voters have until May 27 to register.

The most wide-open race is for the Democratic lieutenant governor nominee, with six candidates on the ballot.

On the Republican side, the statewide races are uncontested, though not uncontroversial. John Reid, the first openly gay candidate for either party, appeared alone at a rally in Henrico and insisted he will stay in the race for lieutenant governor, even after Gov. Glenn Youngkin urged him to drop out.

Winsome Earle-Sears, the candidate for governor, and Attorney General Jason Miyares, who is seeking reelection, had been scheduled to attend the rally but did not appear alongside Reid.

Things to do This Weekend

The Virginia Gold Cup, the oldest and largest steeplechase event in the country, turns 100 this weekend. The event will be held at Great Meadow in The Plains.

If you want to watch faster horses, the fact that Kentucky split off from Virginia to become a state in 1792 doesn't mean we can't enjoy a good Kentucky Derby party tomorrow and cheer for Virginia Derby champion American Promise.

In Richmond, the Friday Cheers concert series begins its 40th year tonight, with a performance by Chaparelle on Brown's Island. In honor of the upcoming Cinco de Mayo, this year's ¿Qué Pasa? Festival happens tomorrow.

With the growing season underway, weekend farmers markets are open across the state, including locations in Roanoke, Charlottesville, and Smithfield.

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➤ Northern Virginia: All five members of the Portorreal Frias family were safely accounted for yesterday after authorities launched a two-state search following reports they were not in contact with relatives in Chesapeake. (Details)

➤ Alexandria: Jeffrey Williams pleaded guilty to wire fraud for his role in a scheme to submit fake documents and divert up to $2.9 million in federal funding earmarked for veterans. He faces up to 20 years in prison. (More)

➤ Richmond: A new law aims to make it easier for state government agencies to share data, streamlining operations and reducing paperwork for citizens. (Details)

➤ Blacksburg: Virginia Tech was ranked No. 73 on a list of the best 100 universities in the world by the National Academy of Inventors. Among American universities, Tech ranked No. 45. (More)

➤ Statewide: The IRS extended the 2024 tax filing deadline to Nov. 3 for residents and businesses in 36 Southwest and Southside Virginia localities affected by February storms. (Details)

➤ Virginia Beach: Lifeguards for the Virginia Beach Lifesaving Service will return to seasonal patrols tomorrow morning. (Details)

➤ The Washington Nationals visit Cincinnati for a three-game weekend series starting tonight. (Details)

➤ UVA men's and women's tennis teams will host NCAA championship first-round play this weekend. The women face Fairleigh Dickinson today at 1 p.m., while the men take on Bucknell tomorrow. (Details)

➤ Virginia Tech softball, ranked No. 15, hosts Florida State this weekend in its final regular-season series before the ACC Tournament. (Schedule)

➤ Liberty track and field athletes are set to compete in three meets across three states this weekend. (Where They'll Be)

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➤ Virginia residents will see a 45% increase in flood insurance rates, with the average premium costing more than $1,000 annually, under the most recent National Flood Insurance Program risk ratings. (Details)

➤ Russell County may move forward with its first three commercial solar energy developments. The proposed projects would cover about 230 acres and generate up to 22 megawatts of power. (More)

➤ Virginia Beach City Public Schools will host a job fair tomorrow at Bayside High School, conducting interviews for bus drivers, custodians, school nurses, and other support staff. (Details)

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➤ The Kimmy Duong Foundation donated $20 million to fund scholarships at George Mason University. Duong fled Vietnam in 1975 with $30 and worked her way up to computer systems analyst after she obtained refuge in the U.S. (Details)

➤ Strawberry Fest returns to Virginia Beach this month for the first time since 2019, with a new home at the Oceanfront. The event begins on May 17. (More)

➤ Mills Godwin High School in Henrico County will stage three performances of the musical Matilda through the weekend. (Details)

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