Friday, August 22, 2025

Good Morning! On this day in 1862, the four-day battle of Rappahannock Station began. Confederate Gen. James Longstreet attacked Union forces along the river in Fauquier County.

The Virginia Flyover asked about your most memorable year in school. One reader noted that in eighth grade, "I was given opportunities to explore and expand on my God-given talent: musical performance." She's still performing in a bluegrass band!

Many of you expressed gratitude for the great teachers you had over the years. Thank you to everyone who wrote in. We love hearing from you!

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Lawmakers Discuss Gambling Expansion

State lawmakers met to hear testimony about the possibility of allowing iGaming in Virginia. The move could allow citizens to place wagers from their phones, including on games such as slot machines, poker, and roulette.

Earlier this year, lawmakers failed to advance a bill that would have authorized online gambling and set a 15% tax on revenue, while also setting aside money to support people with gambling problems.

The failed proposal set the tone for this week's hearing of the Joint Subcommittee to Study the Feasibility of Establishing the Virginia Gaming Commission.

Delegate Marcus Simon said his goal is to reduce illegal wagering. Republican state Sen. Bryce Reeves added that any attempt to allow iGaming would require first forming a state gaming commission.

Report Predicts Slower Growth

The Weldon Cooper Center at the University of Virginia issued a moderate economic forecast for next year, predicting that the Commonwealth could see very little job growth.

The report blamed federal job cuts, which are being felt mainly in the areas around Washington, D.C. Northern Virginia counties provide 42% of the state's general fund revenue.

"Virginia's GDP will remain in positive territory, but growth will slow" later this year, the experts predicted, with slow growth likely through 2027. However, they expect inflation to remain manageable in the months ahead.

U.S. Attorney Resigns Abruptly

Todd Gilbert resigned as U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Virginia just five weeks after taking the job, which he previously called "the opportunity of a lifetime."

Gilbert did not immediately explain his resignation, but posted a meme with an image of movie character Ron Burgundy and the words, "Boy, that escalated quickly."

Before taking the federal job, Gilbert served as a Republican in the House of Delegates for nearly 20 years, including a stint as the 57th Speaker from 2022 to 2024.

The role will now be filled by Robert N. Tracci, the current First Assistant United States Attorney.

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WARNING: AI Threats That Could Shatter Your Dreams of Successful Retirement

The media is calling artificial intelligence a "revolution," but for many Americans, its real impact might result in a significant loss, not a gain. In fact, new reports reveal that AI is already driving three major threats to the global economy and your retirement.

Here are the three major AI threats you should be aware of:

Skyrocketing market risk due to overvalued tech stocks.
Tens of thousands of job losses in just the first half of 2025.
Banking security and privacy under siege.

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Don't wait until Artificial Intelligence potentially robs you of your financial future.

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➤ Virginia Beach: Hurricane Erin was more than 280 miles off the coast yesterday, moving northeast after threatening tidal flooding and knocking out power to hundreds in Hampton Roads. (Details)

➤ Statewide: Federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents have detained more than 4,000 people in Virginia since January 20. That is a 500% jump in arrests year-over-year. (More)

➤ Middle Peninsula: A study from William & Mary and the Virginia Institute of Marine Science found that tidal marshes generate almost $90 million each year in economic value across the Commonwealth. (Details)

➤ Bristol: The city demanded that US Magis—the China-based owner of the former Virginia Intermont campus—secure the property and tend the grounds within two weeks. If not, the city is threatening to sue. (More)

➤ Statewide: The average Virginia taxpayer will see a federal tax reduction next year of $3,554 under the spending bill Congress passed last month, according to an analysis by the Tax Foundation. The bill also reduces social spending and Medicaid, but those cuts have not kicked in yet. (More)

➤ Covington: State troopers are investigating the death of Kevin Lee Joyce, an inmate at the Alleghany Regional Jail. He passed away suddenly while awaiting sentencing on five counts of propositioning a minor under the age of 15. (Details)

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➤ UVA men's basketball scheduled a neutral-court, non-conference game against the A-10's Dayton Flyers for December 6. The game will be played at an NBA arena in Charlotte. (Details)

➤ The Bristol State Liners baseball team of the Appalachian League will remain on the Virginia side of the state line, with a new stadium that's expected to open in 2027. (More)

➤ The Washington Commanders host the Ravens in the team's preseason finale tomorrow. The team needs to trim its roster from 90 players to 53 by Tuesday. (Details)

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➤ Ten Commonwealth businesses competed in the Startup World Cup in Virginia Beach with a chance to eventually win $1 million. (Details)

➤ Five airports in western Virginia secured federal grants to build infrastructure and improve runways. (More)

➤ TowneBank, based in Hampton Roads, will merge with Raleigh-based Dogwood State Bank, expanding its profile in the Carolinas. (Details)

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AI Threats That Could Shatter Your Dreams

The impact of artificial intelligence isn't just hype anymore; it's happening right before our eyes. While it may be shaping the future, it could also unleash major damage to the U.S. economy, potentially putting millions of retirement savers at risk.

That's why more and more Americans are turning to time-tested strategies to help protect their life savings, and they're starting with a free copy of The Case for Silver ebook.

➤ Virginia Fresh Match, an exchange that works to make fresh fruits and vegetables affordable for customers paying with SNAP, received a $13,500 grant from the Wellspring Foundation of Southwest Virginia. (Details)

➤ Lt. Gen. Michael Linnington will take over as CEO of the Arlington-based USO, the nonprofit formerly known as United Service Organizations. (More)

➤ Huddle Up Moms will open Southwest Virginia's first diaper bank in Roanoke next month. (Details)

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