Thursday, August 21, 2025

Good Morning! On this day in 1831, enslaved preacher Nat Turner launched the most deadly slave revolt in U.S. history. Turner and his allies killed 55 white men, women, and children in Southampton County.

The Virginia Flyover digs into the latest poll numbers for this fall's gubernatorial race in Top Stories. Also, should Virginia Tech spend more on sports? Take our Poll!

Later today, we will email you on behalf of our partner, Brad's Deals, with a free and personalized way to discover the best prices on top brands like Nike, Hoka, Amazon, and more, curated daily by real-life deal experts.

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Hokies AD Asks for a Big Investment

Virginia Tech Athletic Director Whit Babcock told the university's Board of Visitors that the Hokies will need to spend at least $200 million per year to remain competitive in the current college sports landscape. The athletic budget in 2024 was $122 million.

"If we don't radically leap forward now, we are likely sealing our own fate for years and generations to come," Babcock warned. The Hokies' athletics budget last year ranked 14th in the 18-member ACC.

Virginia Tech's athletics program reportedly draws more than $90 million into the local economy. Some suggestions for raising money include boosting student fees and building a multiuse athletic facility on campus.

"It costs money to win and it also costs money to lose," Babcock added.

Deadly Explosion in Albemarle County

One person was killed and another injured when a house exploded in Keswick. The owners were not home at the time.

Albemarle County Fire Rescue said the explosion damaged 12 nearby homes. Authorities confirmed there was no active gas leak at the site.

Residents several blocks away said they heard and felt the blast. One man said that he was about 2 miles away and "could feel it in my chest in my driveway."

The cause of the explosion is unknown.

Governor's Race Tightens in New Poll

The latest statewide poll numbers show that Democrat Abigail Spanberger continues to lead Republican Winsome Earle-Sears in the governor's race, but that lead is getting smaller.

The Roanoke College Poll of likely voters showed Spanberger—a former congresswoman—with a 46% to 39% edge over the sitting lieutenant governor. An additional 14% are undecided, while 1% said they would vote for someone else.

Back in May, the same survey put Spanberger's lead at 17%. A poll conducted last month by Virginia Commonwealth University put the Democratic candidate's lead at 12%.

Down the ballot, "the races for lieutenant governor and attorney general are both within the poll's margin of error, suggesting the election is far from over," the Roanoke College poll director noted.

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Scientists at University College Cork have validated a surprising 10-second method that's transforming how women fight signs of aging—without creams or invasive treatments.

In a study involving 674 women with deep wrinkles, sagging skin, and dark spots, researchers found that using this simple technique in front of the mirror each day led to dramatic improvements in appearance within just a few weeks.

What's more shocking? This unusual method has been shown to be up to 10 times more effective than retinol—without any of the harsh side effects like redness, irritation, or dryness.

It's fast, painless, and surprisingly easy to do at home. Thousands of women are already using it to look 10, 15, or even 20 years younger—and the results speak for themselves.

Watch the short video below to discover exactly how this method works—and why so many scientists and skincare experts are calling it the future of anti-aging.

10X More Effective Than Retinol – With Zero Side Effects!

➤ Northern Virginia: The U.S. Department of Education placed five school districts on "high-risk" status after they refused to comply with its interpretation of Title IX. The districts will now have to cover their expenses upfront and file for potential federal reimbursement. (Details)

➤ Virginia Beach: Heavy weather is expected through tomorrow as Hurricane Erin moves north but remains out in the Atlantic. Ahead of the storm, the city urged residents to move their cars to higher ground and make certain all storm drain grates were cleared. (More)

➤ Richmond: Gov. Glenn Youngkin announced that Virginia is succeeding in its project to crack down on chronic absenteeism in schools. The Commonwealth was recently spotlighted by the group Attendance Works for its efforts to ensure that students go to class. (Details)

➤ Naval Air Station Oceana: A Navy pilot was rescued by the Coast Guard and hospitalized after ejecting from an F/A-18E Super Hornet. The jet crashed into the ocean and was not immediately recovered. (More)

➤ Petersburg: The city's public school district received approval from the Virginia Department of Education to construct its first new school in more than five decades. The new building will replace the existing Walnut Hill Elementary School. (Details)

➤ Nelson County: The Board of Supervisors dissolved the Department of Social Services Board after accusations that it had failed to handle multiple child abuse and neglect cases. The Nelson County Administrator will handle those responsibilities for the time being. (More)

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➤ Louisa County High School's Savion Hiter is heading out of state. The No. 1-ranked running back in the 2026 recruiting class, Hiter committed to play for the Michigan Wolverines. (Details)

➤ UVA women's soccer, ranked No. 17, hosts Xavier this afternoon. (Stats)

➤ Virginia Tech women's soccer, ranked No. 15, plays a nonconference match at home against Clemson tonight. (Stats)

Yesterday's Results: MLB | Soccer | WNBA | LLWS

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➤ Richmond is among the five U.S. cities that have seen the largest jumps in spending related to business trips, according to a survey from credit card company American Express. (Details)

➤ Nexstar Media Group said it will acquire TEGNA Inc. for $6.2 billion in a deal that would close next year. The companies each own a TV station in the Hampton Roads area. (More)

➤ Andrea Copeland recently took over as head of the Charlottesville Regional Chamber of Commerce. In October, she will be presented with a 2025 Women in Leadership Award by Virginia Business magazine. (Details)

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This method has been vetted by scientists from the University College Cork.

Their studies, made on 674 women dealing with deep wrinkles, dark spots and saggy skin clearly showed how, by simply doing this for 10-seconds in the mirror, they dramatically improved their appearance in less than a few weeks.

This odd method is so effective that scientists have deemed it to be 10 times better than retinol.

Just watch the video below and see how easy it is to look 10, 15 or even 20 years younger:

10X Better Than Retinol (With None Of The Side Effects!)

➤ State troopers rounded up a runaway dog that was slowing rush hour traffic on I-395 in Alexandria. The wayward canine is healthy and safe. (Watch Video)

➤ Emmalyn Prior, an 8-year-old third grader, earned a certificate of commendation from the Alleghany Highlands School Board for taking quick action to get help for an elderly woman who had taken a tumble. (More)

➤ A coalition of religious groups donated more than 1,000 pairs of shoes so Richmond-area students can go back to school with new footwear. Any shoes left over from the event will be donated to local schools to be distributed during the year. (Details)

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