Tuesday, August 12, 2025

Good Morning! On this day in 2017, the Unite the Right rally brought white nationalists to Charlottesville to protest the planned removal of a statue of Robert E. Lee. James Alex Fields Jr. drove a car into a crowd of counterprotesters, killing Heather Heyer and injuring more than a dozen others. He was convicted of murder.

A meat plant may soon reopen after a deadly listeria outbreak. The Virginia Flyover has more in today's Top Stories. In Et Cetera, we explain why some Richmond-area high schoolers were singing with one of their parents' favorite bands.

Our reader-owned campaign is off to a strong start! We're now over $700,000 raised, and we've got a special message for you today from our Founder, Guy. Look for a note from him this afternoon.

Today's sponsor is BrainSync, presenting their mind-bending research in the field of brain health.

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Boar's Head Plant to Reopen

Boar's Head announced it plans to reopen its meat-packing plant in Jarratt. The facility was shut down last September after it was linked to a food poisoning outbreak that killed 10 people and sickened dozens more.

To prepare for reopening, the company reportedly posted job openings for two dozen positions, including a food safety quality analyst.

Boar's Head permanently stopped making liverwurst last year after the meat was found to have been contaminated with listeria. The company also recalled more than 7 million pounds of deli products.

Federal Agriculture Department officials said they "thoroughly reviewed" the plant before they lifted its suspension last month.

NAACP Lawsuit Lives On

The state's Court of Appeals allowed a lawsuit filed by the Virginia NAACP against Gov. Glenn Youngkin to move forward. A previous judicial ruling had sided with the governor, but the judges remanded the matter to the trial court to handle a narrow question about attorneys' fees.

The civil rights group had submitted a request for records under the Freedom of Information Act to investigate the governor's process for denying the restoration of voting rights to thousands of Virginians with prior felony convictions.

The case may become an issue in the campaign for attorney general.

Democratic challenger Jay Jones said the case may "shed light on what our government is doing behind closed doors." He faces Republican incumbent Jason Miyares in November.

Youngkin Visits South Carolina

Gov. Glenn Youngkin is term-limited and will leave office in January, but he may not be finished with politics.

Over the weekend, Youngkin visited South Carolina, which hosts a key early 2028 presidential primary, to give the keynote address at the Republican Party's annual Silver Elephant fundraiser.

Youngkin highlighted the importance of the 2026 midterm elections. "When you're on the winning side, Republicans can unleash prosperity and opportunity and lift up every South Carolinian, every Virginian, and every American," he said.

President Trump phoned in to speak to the attendees as well, using the opportunity to endorse Sen. Lindsey Graham, who will be up for reelection next year.

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This mind-bending research shook the medical world to its core!

It seems 97% of the people who get Alzheimer's and dementia...

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Alzheimer's Words in Conversation

➤ Statewide: Virginia's Department of Housing and Community Development proposed spending $613 million in federal funding to provide high-speed internet for 133,500 Virginia residences, businesses, and community buildings. (Details)

➤ Petersburg: "The Partnership for Petersburg," launched three years ago by a Republican governor and a Democratic city mayor, forged "a covenant between state, local, private, and nonprofit partners to work together to lift up the spirit of a beautiful Virginia city," Gov. Glenn Youngkin said. (More)

➤ Fauquier County: A 17-year-old from Warrenton died over the weekend when he rolled his car after being clocked traveling 96 mph in a 45 mph zone. Deputies say he was alone in the vehicle. (More)

➤ Lynchburg: Police arrested five people after a domestic situation and a standoff at an apartment complex. All five eventually surrendered without incident. (Details)

➤ Roanoke County: A former associate pastor is facing federal charges for allegedly attempting to sexually groom a 15-year-old Michigan girl. If convicted, Jacob Barnett, 34, would spend a minimum of 10 years in prison. (More)

➤ Dulles: The Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority said fire personnel successfully extinguished a blaze near a United plane. "There were no injuries or damage to other vehicles or aircraft," they announced. (See the Blaze)

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➤ The Washington Commanders made a number of roster changes in the wake of the team's first preseason game, including cutting Dominique Hampton, a 2024 fifth-round draft pick. (Details)

➤ UVA released its non-conference women's basketball schedule. The Cavs tip off on Nov. 4 against Morgan State. (Details)

➤ Virginia Tech rising sophomore Emily Santos earned a gold medal in the 100-meter breaststroke at the Junior Pan American Games in Paraguay. (More)

Yesterday's Results: MLB | Soccer | WNBA

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➤ The average price of a gallon of gas dropped 6.1 cents per gallon over the last week, according to the tracking site GasBuddy. The price averaged $3.02 yesterday, 1.3 cents more than last month and 31.3 cents less than last year. (Details)

➤ Some Richmond-area businesses posted signs reading "ICE is not welcome here" ("ICE no es bienvenido aquí" in Spanish) to protest the federal government's policies. (More)

➤ Electricity prices in Virginia could soar in the years ahead as more data centers come online, but it hasn't happened yet. The cost of electricity increased about 3% in the last year, less than the nationwide average increase of roughly 6.5%. (Details)

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Groundbreaking research has stunned the medical community.

A shocking 97% of people who go on to develop Alzheimer's or dementia…

Were found to use certain specific words in everyday conversations—up to three years before diagnosis.

One word in particular stands out as a powerful early warning sign…

Discover what it is and how to spot it:

Alzheimer's Warning Words in Conversation

➤ Members of the Glen Allen High School Choir joined the band Foreigner on stage to sing backup on the group's ballad, I Want To Know What Love Is. The rockers also donated $500 to support the school's music program. (Details)

➤ Virginia Stokes, one of the first women to graduate from UVA—where she earned a bachelor's degree in 1948—is still living in her house in Charlottesville at the age of 106. (More)

➤ Virginia State Parks encouraged teachers to bring their students outdoors to explore nature in partnership with park rangers across the Commonwealth. (Details)

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