Friday, March 13, 2026

Good Morning! On this day in 1863, the Confederate Laboratory, located on Brown's Island in the James River, exploded. Ten people were killed outright, and the death toll would eventually reach 50. Most of the workers harmed in the explosion were women.

The 66th Annual Highland County Maple Festival will run for each of the next two weekends.

Last year, a reader reminded us what a sweet undertaking this is. "Highland County has quite a few producers, and 700-plus gallons of syrup per season is not unusual. It is really big business."

Be warned that the weather doesn't always cooperate. "It's not too unusual for one weekend to be blue sky and mild temperatures and the other to be a raging blizzard."

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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.

Terror-Related Shooting at Old Dominion

The FBI is investigating a shooting on campus at Old Dominion University yesterday as a terror-related attack.

The shooter, who was killed by students, was identified as 36-year-old Mohamed Bailor Jalloh, a former Army National Guardsman with a previous conviction for attempting to provide material support to ISIS. He was sentenced to 11 years in prison and released from federal custody in December 2024.

Jalloh allegedly walked into a room and asked if it was an ROTC group before killing one person and wounding two more. Authorities said that one ROTC student fatally stabbed the shooter, preventing further violence.

The U.S. Army Cadet Command confirmed that the shooting victims were in the university's ROTC program. ODU cancelled classes for the day and asked people to avoid the area around Constant Hall, the apparent site of the shooting.

Earlier Curfew and More Patrols at Virginia Beach

Virginia Beach Police Chief Paul Neudigate asked the city council to impose an earlier 7 p.m. weekend curfew on unaccompanied minors. At a special session on Thursday, council members unanimously agreed to empower police to impose that limit through April.

The proposal followed a shooting incident near the oceanfront last weekend in which six bystanders were hit by gunfire. On Wednesday, police arrested 22-year-old Jamari Horton and 19-year-old Andrew Anthony in connection with that incident.

A third suspect, 18-year-old Matheus Cavalcante, was already in custody. He was denied bond and will remain in jail to face 18 counts relating to the violence.

Sheriff Rocky Holcomb said his deputies will join Virginia Beach police to step up patrols throughout the spring.

Politicians Campaigning for Proposed Districts

Many Democrats are campaigning for congressional seats that do not yet—and may never—exist.

Virginians are voting in a referendum on whether to amend the constitution to allow congressional redistricting this year. Early voting has been underway for a week, and Election Day is April 21.

Dorothy McAuliffe, a former first lady of the state, announced she wants to run in the newly drawn Seventh Congressional District. The proposed map stretches the district, like a lobster, from blue counties such as Fairfax and Prince William to parts of Augusta County.

Other Democrats who have announced congressional runs for the proposed districts include Roanoke author Beth Macy, former U.S. Rep. Tom Perriello, Del. Dan Helmer, and J.P. Cooney of Arlington County. The new map would also put incumbent Republicans John McGuire, Rob Wittman, Ben Cline, and Morgan Griffith into new districts.

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➤ Richmond: Gov. Abigail Spanberger said she expects lawmakers to agree on a budget ahead of this weekend's deadline. A key sticking point remains the tax treatment of data centers. (Details)

➤ Central Virginia: The Virginia Department of Health reported that three rabid wild animals—a raccoon and two skunks—were found this week in Bedford and Campbell Counties. All three animals had contact with dogs, but not humans. (More)

➤ Virginia Beach: The state General Assembly agreed to allow the city to permanently implement a 10-district voting system under which voters in each district elect a single council member, while the mayor is elected at-large. (Details)

➤ Dumfries: The Youth Peace & Justice Foundation offered a $5,000 reward to support the investigation of the shooting death of Louis Anthony Boone this week. Authorities want to question 19-year-old J'Shaun Zomari Williams, but haven't been able to locate him. (More)

➤ Statewide: Lawmakers sent Gov. Spanberger bills that would create a Prescription Drug Affordability Board in Virginia. If signed, the measures would ensure that federal drug-pricing caps apply to state-regulated health insurance plans. (Details)

➤ New Kent: Colonial Downs Racetrack will host the 2026 Virginia Derby tomorrow. A field of 10 horses will compete in the race, which serves as a qualifier for May's Kentucky Derby. (More)

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➤ No. 10 Virginia men's basketball knocked NC State out of the ACC tournament yesterday in an 81-74 thriller. Big man Ugonna Onyenso finished with eight blocks off the bench. (More)

➤ Washington and Lee women's basketball, still undefeated, faces Bethel in a DIII Sweet 16 game today. (Details)

➤ VCU men's basketball tips off as the No. 2 seed in the Atlantic-10 tournament this afternoon. Ahead of the event, four Rams picked up end-of-season awards. (Details)

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➤ Virginia lawmakers passed a bill to explore grid utilization in an attempt to improve electrical transmission without adding new infrastructure. (Details)

➤ Fairfax County's Land Use Policy Committee weighed changes that would clarify how it defines the 35-foot height limit for single-family homes. (More)

➤ The Lynchburg Planning Commission approved a rezoning request that clears the way for a company to build more apartments downtown. (Details)

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The next recession is coming, and experts warn: "This Time, You're the Collateral." A recession isn't just likely... It's inevitable. The cracks in the system aren't just cracks anymore.

Debt levels are at historic highs.
Consumer savings are drained.
Wall Street is on edge.
Inflation is still bleeding your purchasing power.

One wrong move and the whole thing could snap. That's why thousands of Americans are turning to physical gold and silver. Your FREE Gold & Silver Kit from the top precious metals company, Goldco, reveals why gold is often a safe haven during recessions and the truth about inflation. Get your Free Guide today.

➤ Agecroft Hall & Gardens will celebrate 100 years in Virginia with a fundraising event on April 11. The 15th-century structure was dismantled in Lancashire, England, and reassembled in Richmond in 1926. (Details)

➤ St. Patrick's Day is Tuesday, but many events are happening across Central and Southside Virginia this weekend. (See List)

➤ The Virginia Capital Trail Foundation will host its first Cap2Cap Group Ride of 2026 tomorrow, a 20-mile out-and-back. (Details)

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