Friday, August 21, 2026

Good morning! On this day in 1864, Confederate forces under A.P. Hill attacked Union positions at Globe Tavern after rains halted fighting the prior day. The assaults failed against entrenched Federals, securing Union control of the Weldon Railroad in a key victory.

Washington Dulles International Airport has been approved for a modernization, but the buildout could take 15 years.

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Board Approves $19.9 Billion Dulles Overhaul

The Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority board approved a $19.9 billion plan Wednesday to modernize Washington Dulles International Airport, one of the largest airport renovations ever proposed.

Officials aim to transform the facility into a more efficient hub for the future while preserving its iconic main terminal.

The project includes a $6.2 billion reconstruction of the main terminal, set to begin in late 2027, along with $3.75 billion for new underground tunnels and an extended AeroTrain system to replace the airport’s aging mobile lounge “People Mover” vehicles. Additional upgrades feature new concourses and moving sidewalks.

Full buildout is expected to take about 15 years. Construction on a new Terminal E is already underway with earlier funding, while the bulk of the remaining costs will be covered by airport authority bonds paid by airlines and passenger facility charges.

Virginia’s Surplus Grows, but Caution Prevails

Virginia’s tax revenues are running well ahead of official projections, growing by $2.1 billion in fiscal year 2026. The cushion gives Gov. Abigail Spanberger and the General Assembly’s committees more room to maneuver heading into budget negotiations.

Rather than treating the surplus as a green light for new spending, Spanberger has framed it as a hedge against turbulence ahead, citing anticipated cuts to safety-net programs and workforce disruptions tied to a reduced federal footprint.

Lawmakers will now decide how much to bank versus spend, weighing reserves, education and health funding, and further federal-cut hedges against the temptation to make new commitments this budget cycle.

Repeal Threatens 400,000 VA Forest Acres

The U.S. Department of Agriculture is advancing a full repeal of the 2001 Roadless Area Conservation Rule, which could open nearly 400,000 acres of Virginia’s George Washington and Jefferson National Forests to roads, logging and development, primarily across the Shenandoah Valley.

Sen. Tim Kaine and environmental advocates warn the change risks clean drinking water for millions, outdoor recreation including stretches of the Appalachian Trail, biodiversity habitat, and local tourism economies.

Groups note that more roads often increase wildfire risks, contradicting administration claims of improved fire management amid Forest Service budget cuts.

Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins says the proposal restores authority to local managers for wildfire response and economic needs. Public comments close September 21.

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➤ Statewide: A federal judge blocked Virginia's law banning face coverings for law enforcement as applied to federal officers, ruling it violated the Supremacy Clause and the federal government’s authority over its own officers. (More)

➤ Goochland County: State regulators revoked the operating licenses of Hallmark Youthcare, a psychiatric facility, after inspectors turned up at least 27 violations, coming just a month after more than a dozen teens escaped from the facility. (More)

➤ Newport News: The Naval Criminal Investigative Service has charged Jayjrion Rodriguez with murder in the June shooting death of a fellow service member aboard the PCU John F. Kennedy, as the Navy’s investigation into the incident continues. (More)

➤ Henrico County: Dozens of schools across the county are wrestling with HVAC problems that could leave some classrooms without working air conditioning—a persistent issue for the school system in recent years. (More)

➤ Virginia Commonwealth University suspended its Phi Kappa Psi fraternity for four years after finding the group responsible for hazing and assault, including forcing new members to eat cat food and onions. (More)

➤ Richmond Public Schools says mold and rodents have turned up at Barack Obama Elementary School, adding the building to the list of facility concerns the division is confronting ahead of the school year. (More)

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➤ Washington Commanders defensive tackle Johnny Newton will miss significant time after undergoing surgery to repair a torn pectoral muscle. The 2024 second-round pick had five sacks last season. (More)

➤ Meanwhile, Commanders running back Rachaad White has missed the last two days of practice with a hamstring injury that some observers believe happened during the team’s viral Ice Bucket Challenge video. (More)

➤ Liberty football is the only program in the country with three running backs on the Doak Walker Award watch list, which honors the nation’s top college running back: transfers Kam Davis, Peyton Jones, and Kayne Udoh. (More)

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➤ The Western Virginia Water Authority has capped Google’s water use at 2 million gallons a day for its planned Botetourt County data center—well below the 8 million gallons the company’s contract allows — citing insufficient infrastructure to support higher demand. (More)

➤ Henrico-based Blue Ridge Bank has agreed to a $448 million merger with HomeTrust, adding about $2.3 billion in assets and expanding HomeTrust into Richmond-area markets. The deal is expected to close in early 2027. (More)

➤ Virginia landlord David Merryman, who is already serving a sentence for fraud, has been ordered to sell more than 60 rental properties and pay tenants $2.5 million in restitution. (More)

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➤ UVA Health has launched the state’s only dedicated robotic cardiac surgery program, giving surgeons a way to perform complex heart procedures without opening the chest. (More)

➤ Shaquille O’Neal will headline a free pregame concert for UVA students, spinning a DJ set after ESPN’s ACC Huddle ahead of the Cavaliers’ season-opening matchup with NC State on Aug. 29. The event is open to students who have game tickets. (More)

➤ Solar energy ranks as Virginia’s top renewable power source, according to a new analysis of U.S. Energy Information Administration data mapping leading renewables across all states and Canadian provinces. (See Map)

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The following stories are featured exclusively on The Flyover Podcast—a daily show that gives you the most important headlines in under 15 minutes. Clicking the links will take you directly to these stories:

➤ Two fishermen were found off the coast of Mexico after a shipwreck left them clinging to a large cooler for five days. (Hear Details)

➤ Is intermittent fasting overhyped, or does it really work? (Hear Episode)

➤ In sorority basements across the country, hidden teams are digging up dirt that can tank a recruit's chances. (Full Story)