Monday, August 25, 2025

Good Morning! On this day in 1917, Pamunkey Chief George Major Cook signed a deposition noting that the Attorney General had confirmed that the tribe was officially a ward of the state.

The Trump administration said George Mason University violated civil rights law and gave the university days to respond. The Virginia Flyover has more in Top Stories.

Just a quick note regarding our ongoing capital raise: We've hit $1.1 million committed! We have a special video in today's Own The Flyover section below—don't miss it. Watch our CEO, Cole, and Founder, Guy, as they pull back the curtain on The Flyover and share our plans for the future. Click here to watch it.

Today's sponsor is LeanBliss. Check out their weight loss and nutrition tips in today's edition.

Take The Flyover with you. Busy day? Listen to our daily 15-minute podcast while commuting, cooking, or walking the dog—your Flyover fix, anywhere.

Click here to hear directly from Cole and Guy.

Politicians Condemn Racist Sign

Every candidate running for statewide office condemned the racist message on a sign held at a protest outside a school board meeting in Arlington, where Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears spoke against the county's gender policies.

"There is no place for this disgusting hatred in our Commonwealth," Republican gubernatorial candidate Earle-Sears said. "Anyone who doesn't condemn this sign is complicit in approving it."

Her Democratic opponent agreed. "No matter the intended purpose or tone and no matter how much one might find someone else's beliefs objectionable, to threaten a return of Jim Crow and segregation to a Black woman is unacceptable," Abigail Spanberger wrote.

Sitting Gov. Glenn Youngkin also condemned the message, as did the four candidates bidding to be lieutenant governor and attorney general.

Feds Accuse GMU of Discrimination

The federal Education Department said George Mason University violated Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibits discrimination because of race, color, or national origin.

The Trump administration accused the university of engaging in unlawful hiring and promotion practices and gave it 10 days to address the charges, which the department listed on its website.

"The Board is reviewing the specific resolution steps proposed by the Department of Education," George Mason responded. "We will continue to respond fully and cooperatively to all inquiries."

Despite the investigation, GMU's Board of Visitors recently voted unanimously to retain President Gregory Washington and approved a 1.5% salary bonus.

Alumni React to Virginia Wesleyan Name Change

Thousands of people signed an online petition calling on Virginia Wesleyan University to reconsider its plan to change its name to Batten University next year.

The university's board of trustees voted unanimously in February to change the name, but the university didn't unveil it until last week.

The new name was chosen to honor Frank and Jane Batten, longtime donors. "I promise that our over 60-year history and heritage is not being abandoned," Jane Batten said, adding that the name change was not her idea despite her position on the board.

The university was founded by the Methodist church in 1966 and currently has an enrollment of about 2,100 students in undergraduate and graduate programs.

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➤ Jarratt: The USDA said it will directly supervise inspections at the Boar's Head meat plant that is scheduled to reopen later this year. Before the plant closed last year due to a listeria outbreak, state officials were in charge of inspections. (Details)

➤ Roanoke: The Swift Water Rescue Team attached to the city's fire department pulled seven people from a vehicle that had become disabled by rapidly rising water in a flooded street last week. (More)

➤ Henrico: Police arrested 28-year-old Erik Moralles Garcia after he allegedly locked several employees in a room at the government center complex. The county workers used an alternate exit to escape unharmed. (Details)

➤ Hampton Roads: High waters pushed up by Hurricane Erin receded, but experts warned that the flooding may have carried pollution—including trash, waste, and pesticides—into the Elizabeth River. (More)

➤ Fredericksburg: Mary Washington Healthcare and the University of Mary Washington are discussing plans to launch a new medical school as soon as 2029. The project could cost around $200 million. (Details)

➤ Fairfax: George Mason University's College of Public Health became the first school in the Commonwealth to be fully accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health. The college educates 1,900 undergraduate and 1,300 graduate students. (More)

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➤ Liberty fell 0-2 to UVA, which is ranked No. 17 in women's soccer. (Details)

➤ Virginia Tech men's soccer toppled Canisius at home 2-0 before the Hokies women's soccer team, ranked No. 14, hosted Georgetown. (Score)

➤ James Madison men's soccer hosted the second game of its season-opening tournament, the Fairfield by Marriott Invitational, against Gardner-Webb. (Score)

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➤ The Piedmont Environmental Council, an advocacy group, launched Virginians for a Smarter Digital Future, a campaign to oppose the spread of data centers across the state. (Details)

➤ U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents at the Port of Virginia have seized $8 million worth of stolen cars so far in 2025. (See the Contraband)

➤ A survey conducted for the Commonwealth Housing Coalition showed that almost three-quarters of Virginians polled think the state lacks enough affordable housing. (Details)

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➤ The Commonwealth nabbed the fourth spot on a list of bee-friendly states assembled by the group BestMadHoney. (Details)

➤ 4-VA, a funding partnership among nine Virginia universities, distributed 13 seed grants to support projects at Virginia Tech. (More)

➤ The Shenandoah Valley Limited will offer scenic train trips through the George Washington and Jefferson National Forests this fall. (Details)

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