Wednesday, October 1, 2025

Generals and Admirals Meet, Early Voting Numbers, and a "Philly Takeover"

Wednesday, October 1, 2025

Good Morning! On this day in 2008, the U.S. Postal Service officially recognized Henrico as a mailing address. County officials asked for the change when they reportedly realized that about $5 million in sales tax revenue was being sent to "Richmond" instead of "Henrico."

On Oct. 2, 2024, The Virginia Flyover touched down in inboxes for the first time. This week, we're proud to announce we've surpassed 100,000 subscribers. Thank you to everyone who's been along for all—or any part—of our flight over the past year.

Our team looks forward to expanding our audience by covering the Commonwealth with integrity and impartiality. Hit reply to let us know how we are doing or to feed us a scoop on a story we should be aware of.

Did you know that the team that makes The Virginia Flyover also produces a national publication called The Flyover? Click here to subscribe and stay up to date with the latest national headlines—without the bias of legacy media outlets.

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Trump Speaks to Military Leaders at Quantico

Hundreds of the nation's military leaders wearing full-dress uniforms sat respectfully during speeches by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and President Donald Trump. The unprecedented gathering—scheduled last Thursday—brought around 800 leaders with a one-star or higher ranking to Quantico yesterday.

Hegseth addressed DEI and military standards. He warned the officers that they must improve their physical conditioning. "It's unacceptable to see fat generals and admirals in the halls of the Pentagon, and leading all around the world," he said.

The president spoke for more than an hour, covering topics ranging from the deployment of nuclear weapons to naval ship design. He told the officers that they would soon be ordered to deploy troops in American cities.

"We should use some of these dangerous cities as training grounds for our military, National Guard, but our military, because we're going into Chicago very soon," Trump said. "This is going to be a big thing for the people in this room, because it's the enemy from within."

"If you don't like what I'm saying, you can leave the room," Trump said near the start of his speech. "Of course, there goes your rank and your future. You just feel nice and loose, okay, because we're all on the same team."

Looming Federal Shutdown

Lawmakers had not passed a budget before the federal fiscal year ended at midnight. As of press time, they had also failed to enact a temporary spending agreement, known as a Continuing Resolution, which would mean the federal government would shut down.

The impact of a shutdown would be felt heavily in Virginia, where 147,000 federal employees work and live, with many commuting to D.C.

Federal employees typically receive back pay when a shutdown ends. This time, however, President Trump said he will use the shutdown as an opportunity to permanently terminate many federal employees.

A shutdown wouldn't change entitlement payments. "People's Social Security checks will continue to come," Virginia Tech political science professor Karen Hult said. "So will Medicare payments. Medicaid payments will continue for a while as well."

Patrick County Man Shoots at Deputies

A man was detained in Patrick County after a shootout with sheriff's deputies.

Officers responded to a call on Monday that a man was assaulting his elderly father. When deputies arrived, the suspect threatened an elderly woman and then barricaded himself in the residence.

The father had left the home before the authorities arrived.

The suspect—who has not been identified publicly—opened fire, and deputies fired back after determining there wasn't anyone else in the home.

No deputies were wounded in the exchange. The Virginia State Police will investigate the incident.

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➤ Hampton Roads: A local news station explored potential reasons why no recorded Category 3 or higher storm has yet made landfall in Virginia Beach despite feeling the impact of storms that have come close. (Details)

➤ Wytheville: The Claytor Lake Regional Drug Task Force, a team of officers from three local forces and the Virginia and West Virginia State Police, made an arrest earlier this month and seized methamphetamines, fentanyl, firearms, and more than $15,000 in cash. Its investigation is ongoing. (More)

➤ Statewide: More than 140,000 people voted during the first week of early balloting, according to the Virginia Public Access Project. That's more than double the number of votes cast in the 2021 governor's election campaign. (More)

➤ Loudoun County: Authorities charged Patrick Daniel Murphy, 68, with threatening to kill state Del. Geary Higgins. Murphy allegedly texted, "I will shoot u @ yer next public rally. Then send you memes with the photos," to the Republican delegate in August. (Details)

➤ Williamsburg: The College of William & Mary Law School launched a Center for Energy Law & Policy to spotlight issues around electricity regulation, usage, and generation. (More)

➤ Blacksburg: The Virginia Tech Board of Visitors signed off on a new budget that includes an additional $229 million investment in athletics across the next four years. (Details)

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➤ James Madison linebacker Trent Hendrick was Sun Belt Conference Defensive Player of the Week after a three-sack performance against Georgia Southern. Teammate Curtis Harris-Lopez was named Special Teams Player of the Week following his kick return for a touchdown in the second quarter. (Details)

➤ Washington Commanders head coach Dan Quinn announced that edge rusher Javontae Jean-Baptiste suffered a pectoral injury that could keep him out for the remainder of the year. (More)

➤ George Mason women's basketball placed three players—Zahirah Walton, Kennedy Harris, and Hawa Komara—on the A-10 Conference first and second teams. (Details)

Yesterday's Results: WNBA | MLB | NHL | Soccer

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➤ The Virginia Permit Transparency system captured the 2025 Commonwealth Technology Award for Innovative Use of Technology. "When permits move quickly, businesses can grow and professionals can succeed," Gov. Glenn Youngkin said. (Details)

➤ The Virginia Institute of Marine Science's Marine Advisory Program is accepting applications for the Virginia Fishery Resource Grant Program, which helps commercial fishers improve and protect the Commonwealth's marine fisheries. (More)

➤ Area 2 Farms, an Arlington-based company, unveiled a proposal to convert empty office buildings into vertical farms. (Details)

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➤ As Philadelphia Phillies fans head to playoff games this month, they'll see ads inviting them to visit the Commonwealth. The Virginia Tourism Corp. is running ads all over the Pennsylvania city as part of its "Philly Takeover." (Details)

➤ Several bird species within Virginia—including the black rail, Wilson's plover, Bachman's sparrow, and saltmarsh sparrow—are at "perilously low populations" according to the 2025 State of the Birds Report for the United States. (More)

➤ Virginia Tech's Agricultural Technology program is preparing a new generation of students for jobs in agriculture and livestock production. (Details)

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Tuesday's Results:

Have you ever been lost in a corn maze?

No: 41%
Yes: 31%
I'm in one now!: 28%

When did Virginia State University open?

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Graduation Rates, Disaster Aid Update, and Blue Angels

Wednesday, October 1, 2025

Good Morning! On this day in 1924, Jimmy Carter was born in Plains. The former peanut farmer went on to become president and a Nobel Peace Prize winner.

October is here! See how Macon kicks off the spooky season like nowhere else in Et Cetera.

Did you know that the team that makes The Georgia Flyover also produces a national publication called The Flyover? Click here to subscribe and stay up to date with the latest national headlines—without the bias of legacy media outlets.

If you love saving money on big sales but hate hunting for bargains, today's sponsor, Brad's Deals, makes Amazon Prime Big Deal Days effortless with expert-curated picks delivered straight to you.

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.

Graduation Rates Rise

Georgia's high school graduation rate rose to a record 87.2% last year, the highest since the current method of tracking began in 2011, the state Department of Education said.

Across the state, 134 districts achieved a rate of 90% or higher.

In North Georgia, Forsyth, Cherokee, Atlanta Public Schools, and Marietta City were among those achieving rates above 90%.

Central Georgia schools also showed improvements, including Dublin City and Wilcox County. Bibb County's Southwest High climbed from 69% to 92.9% in five years.

Birth Gap Widens in Rural Areas

A report points to a worsening demographic challenge in rural Georgia, with nearly 100 of the state's 159 counties recording more deaths than births each year.

The trend spiked during the pandemic but remains on a negative path, author and researcher Charles Hayslett says in his report titled Analysis: The Hollowing Out of Rural Georgia—Part 1.

"In less than 20 years ... the number of Georgia counties reporting more deaths than births exploded from less than 20 to nearly 100 of the state's 159 counties," Hayslett said.

Others also note that areas outside of metro Atlanta are aging and shrinking, resulting in lost services such as labor and delivery units.

Seventh Dem Joins Governor's Race

A seventh Democrat joined the 2026 race for governor, with state Rep. Ruwa Romman launching a campaign to succeed Republican Gov. Brian Kemp.

The Democratic candidates—all with ties to Atlanta—seek to break the trend of Georgia not electing a Democratic governor since 1998.

The Republican field also continues to grow, with Gregg Kirkpatrick of Woodstock joining several current statewide GOP officeholders and others in the race.

Romman, 32, of Duluth, is the first Muslim woman elected to Georgia's state legislature and has drawn national attention for her advocacy on behalf of Palestinians.

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➤ Statewide: A year after Hurricane Helene, state and federal officials are working to finalize plans on how to distribute $531 million in federal disaster aid to Georgia's farmers. (More)

➤ Milledgeville: A self-described liberal professor at Georgia College explained why he serves as the faculty advisor to a Turning Point USA student chapter, citing the importance of free speech and civil debate. (More)

➤ Forsyth County: High school flag football powerhouses will compete in the second annual Corky Kell + Dave Hunter Classic on Monday, featuring eight teams and live TV coverage. (More)

➤ Atlanta: An arrest warrant was issued for Fast and Furious actor Tyrese Gibson after his four dogs allegedly fatally mauled a neighbor's dog. (More)

➤ Forest Park: Three people were shot outside a community center during a basketball tournament. Police say the incident was unrelated to the tournament. (More)

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➤ Grayson held onto the No. 1 spot in one analyst's latest Georgia High School football rankings, followed by Buford and Carrollton. Creekside, which started the season unranked and has outscored opponents 195-0 in its past three games, remained at No. 5. (More)

➤ Four Atlanta Braves were named finalists for the 2025 All-MLB Team: Ronald Acuña, Jr., Drake Baldwin, Matt Olson, and Chris Sale. The team will be determined by fan voting. (More)

➤ The Atlanta Hawks chose digital wallet company Paze as their on-jersey sponsorship patch for the 2025-2026 NBA season. (More)

➤ Yesterday's Results: WNBA | MLB | NHL | Soccer

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➤ UPS faces criticism for peak season surcharges amid flat demand. (More)

➤ Hostess Brands will invest $120 million to expand its Columbus facility, adding 48 jobs and new equipment. Construction will finish by early 2027. (More)

➤ Georgia Tech opened a 10,000-square-foot aerospace lab in Atlanta, where students will collaborate with NASA and state agencies to build electric aircraft. (More)

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(By clicking this link, you agree to receive emails from us and our affiliates. You can opt out at any time. Privacy Policy)

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➤ The annual family-friendly Witch Float in Macon will take place on Sunday on the Ocmulgee River, with hundreds of costumed paddlers kicking off the Halloween season. (More)

➤ The U.S. Navy Blue Angels will headline the 2025 Wings Over North Georgia Air Show on Oct. 17-19 in Rome, featuring aerobatics, vintage aircraft, and a drone show. (More)

➤ A pirate museum opened in Savannah's City Market, offering 6,500 square feet of immersive exhibits on sea warfare, treasure, and tavern-themed cocktails. (More)

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➤ Harvard scientists just uncovered shocking evidence: the same bacteria that eats holes in your teeth was found inside the brains of 97% of patients with total memory loss. If your gums are this unusual shade of red, you may be at serious risk of dementia. Could you be affected? Watch this short video now: If Your Gums Look Like This, You're at Risk of Memory Loss.