Senin, 21 September 2026

Boys Fall Behind, Shenandoah Park Automates, and Blue Ridge Tourism Booms

Monday, September 21, 2026

Good Morning! On this day in 1920, Richmond College was renamed the University of Richmond. This change followed an amendment to its charter and formally established the University of Richmond as a corporation that combined Richmond College for Men with Westhampton College for Women.

Virginia’s boys are trailing girls in almost every educational milestone. Learn more in Top Stories.

The cost of living is the quiet force behind almost every financial decision you make, and lately it's been an uphill battle. Why does your paycheck buy less than it used to? Why is home buying suddenly out of reach for you or your loved ones? And who exactly decides what the cost of living is in the first place? In the latest episode of Flyover Focus, we take a deeper look at the number everyone quotes and how it will continue to affect your budget. (Tune in here)

Today’s sponsor is LMNT. We’ve talked about LMNT before, usually by telling you how much our team likes it. But that might not be the most useful thing we could tell you. So today, we’re taking a different approach and publishing what may be the saltiest advertisement in Flyover history.

Panel Reports VA Boys Falling Behind

Virginia boys trail girls at nearly every educational milestone, according to a report released Thursday by the Virginia Boys and Men Advisory Commission.

Only 48% of boys met kindergarten readiness benchmarks versus 56% of girls, and fourth-grade boys scored 13.5 points below girls on 2024 reading tests—the widest such gap in the nation.

Boys drop out of high school at a 50% higher rate, comprise just 44% of undergraduates, and only 39% of men ages 25–34 hold bachelor’s degrees compared with 48% of women.

The commission cited school environments poorly matched to boys’ development and a shortage of male teachers. Recommendations include separate literacy tracking, earlier vocational dual enrollment, and male pathways into healthcare.

The 18-member panel voted unanimously to send the report to the General Assembly and Gov. Abigail Spanberger.

AG Challenges Federal Voter Records Search

Virginia Attorney General Jay Jones told the Department of Homeland Security on Thursday that its hunt for noncitizens on state voter rolls “potentially violates several Virginia laws,” demanding the effort stop and that related records be turned over.

In a letter to Secretary Markwayne Mullin, Jones cited three state statutes, arguing that registration data and voting history are protected and require a court order for federal access. He also asked DHS to confirm in writing whether staff was directed to look up Virginians’ records without permission and to preserve logs and materials.

The claims stem from an anonymous whistleblower report released Monday by Senate Democrats that alleges immigration staffers were reassigned in late August, given brief training, and told to check DHS lists against state voter tools. The account remains unverified.

Shenandoah Nat’l Park to Automate Entrances

Shenandoah National Park will begin installing automated entry stations at all four entrances this fall, paid for by donations to the park.

Visitors will be able to buy standard seven-day passes—for vehicles, motorcycles, bicycles, or on foot—with a credit or debit card.

Annual and lifetime passes will still be sold only at staffed booths, and anyone with an existing pass or receipt can scan the barcode to get through the gate when staff isn't there.

The park says the machines will also sharpen emergency response. Each includes a gate system that lets rangers close Skyline Drive remotely when road conditions turn dangerous. The National Park Service has posted details for visitors.

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➤ Statewide: Virginia ranks 35th of 50 states in the Heartland Institute’s new Medicaid Report Card, scoring 39 of 100—strongest on program integrity, weakest on its provider market, with certificate-of-need laws and 8.78% five-year spending growth counted against it. (More)

➤ Also Statewide: Hungarian Olympian Réka György, who missed an NCAA final spot after racing transgender swimmer Lia Thomas, faulted Gov. Abigail Spanberger for dropping a proposed rule barring biological males from female teams and changing spaces. Spanberger’s administration withdrew the action July 30. (More)

➤ Southwest Virginia: Visit Virginia’s Blue Ridge recorded a second straight year of record visitor spending in 2025, topping $970 million, and expects a third consecutive record next year amid strong regional tourism growth. (More)

➤ Richmond: Protesters lined up outside Richmond International Airport on Saturday morning to demand a stop to ICE flights at the airfield, which demonstrators called “un-American.” (More)

➤ Shenandoah Valley: Winchester’s Commonwealth attorney, serving as special prosecutor, found deputies’ use of deadly force justified in the June 23 killing of Claudia Muterspaugh, 49, in Stanley. Muterspaugh pointed a handgun at officers before they fired. (More)

➤ Charlottesville: University of Virginia student Ashley Ferguson joined cancer advocates in Washington this week, urging Congress to prioritize funding for research and prevention programs as a volunteer with the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network. (More)

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➤ The Washington Commanders fell to 0-2 yesterday after a 37-20 loss to the Dallas Cowboys. Following the game, concern shifted to Washington quarterback Jayden Daniels, who appeared to dislocate his left elbow for the second time in as many seasons. (More)

➤ Washington Nationals star outfielder James Wood was benched by manager Blake Butera over the weekend after he showed a lack of effort running out a ground ball. (More)

➤ UVA men’s soccer saw its early-season struggles continue on Saturday against Wake Forest, mounting an impressive two-goal comeback just to fall on a go-ahead goal with just 14 seconds remaining. (More)

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Flyover Focus takes a deeper look at the topics that matter. Click the link to watch this week’s full episode.

➤ Your grocery bill, your mortgage, and your retirement check all move with the cost of living. So what's actually behind that number? (Tune in here)

In the latest episode of Flyover Focus, we get into how the cost of living is measured, why the official figure doesn't always match what you see at the register, and whether the yearly raise to Social Security checks actually keeps anyone afloat. We also look at who's feeling the squeeze hardest, and whether there's any relief in sight. (Watch Now)

In case you missed it, last week on Flyover Focus, we broke down artificial intelligence, tune in here.

➤ Gov. Abigail Spanberger announced TECHnista will invest $15.1 million in Danville, leasing a 30,000-square-foot Cyber Park building and creating at least 22 jobs to expand K-12 workforce training for defense and advanced manufacturing. (More)

➤ Carilion Clinic drew a bigger-than-expected crowd Saturday for its first public screening for peripheral artery disease, with patients lining up outside its Crystal Spring Drive office in Roanoke nearly an hour before doors opened. (More)

➤ Two Richmond-area crafters, Vanessa Reyes and Amy Yates, opened Glue Craft Studio Saturday in a formerly abandoned Church Hill storefront, offering upcycling-focused classes, workshops and open studio time with mostly secondhand supplies. (More)

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➤ Crowds at the 2026 NAS Oceana Air Show in Virginia Beach celebrated America’s 250th anniversary and freedom with aerial demos by the Blue Angels and others, while honoring the service members who protect the nation. (Watch Video)

➤ Virginia Beach ranks 51st, Norfolk 68th, and Chesapeake 80th among America’s 100 largest cities for coffee lovers, with Virginia Beach also posting one of the lowest shares of adult coffee drinkers. (See Rankings)

➤ Virginia Film Office director Andy Edmunds wrote, directed, and helped bankroll The Cashier, which premieres Tuesday to kick off the Richmond International Film Festival. It was shot entirely in Richmond and stars Tim and Daphne Reid. (More)

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➤ Why Do Bruises Suddenly Show Up After 50? You don't remember bumping into anything—yet another bruise appears. While many people chalk it up to aging or medication, easy bruising may be a clue worth paying attention to. It's one of 7 commonly overlooked warning signs that can become more noticeable with age. See all 7 warning signs—and what they could be telling you.

The following stories are featured exclusively on The Flyover Podcast—a daily show that gives you the most important headlines in under 15 minutes.

➤ The drug-pricing deals the White House celebrated turned out to have terms nobody was supposed to see. (Hear Terms)

➤ President Trump says he is close to a decision on Iran and named the three paths on the table. (Hear Options)

➤ A homeschooled firefighter in Nebraska applied for a paid job and was told his diploma did not count. He has 30 days to sue. (Hear Story)

Have you ever met a movie star?

Monday's Results:

What’s your favorite Cracker Barrel meal?

Not a Cracker Barrel fan: 27%
Old Timer’s Breakfast: 26%
Country Fried Steak: 13%
Momma’s Pancake Breakfast: 11%
Other: 10%
Hashbrown Casserole: 8%
Fried Chicken: 5%

What Virginia city provided the 18th- and 19th-century streetscapes for several major productions about freedom fighters, presidents, and Revolutionary War spies?

Show me the answer

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The Virginia Flyover
10408 Courthouse Rd
Unit #508
Spotsylvania, VA 22553

NL East Champs, Filmmaker Moving, and Lovebugs

Monday, September 21, 2026

Good Morning! On this day in 1980, Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport opened its Midfield Terminal complex, then the world's largest.

The Atlanta Braves clinched the National League East title for the seventh time in nine years on Sunday. Reply and tell us your favorite moment of the regular season. Find more coverage in Sports.

Humphreys Hearing Set

The Georgia Supreme Court set oral arguments for Dec. 8 on whether double murderer Stacey Humphreys is entitled to a resentencing hearing that could spare him the death penalty.

Cobb County Superior Court Judge Tyler Browning stayed Humphreys' execution last week after defense attorneys argued the state's Survivor Justice Act applies in his case because of severe childhood abuse.

Prosecutors contend the law, passed by the state Legislature last year, applies only to defendants who acted against their abusers.

Humphreys, 53, was sentenced to death for the 2003 killings of real estate agents Cyndi Williams, 33, and Lori Brown, 21, in Powder Springs.

ICE Targets South Georgia

Federal immigration agents carried out multiple operations across South Georgia last week, with one suspect ramming his vehicle into a law enforcement vehicle, authorities said.

In Valdosta, agents arrested several people during the four- to five-hour operation on Wednesday. In Dougherty County, a man became lodged under an agent's patrol car while running from a traffic stop, authorities said.

Elsewhere, ICE agents reportedly picked up several people being held in Lowndes County Jail on detainers.

Perry Scaling Back, Moving

Atlanta filmmaker Tyler Perry said he will move to Puerto Rico early next year and significantly scale back his work.

Perry, who turned 57 this month, said he wants to slow down and spend more time with his 11-year-old son, Aman.

Perry declined to say how the move might affect his Georgia operations, including his studio and personal properties.

In 2024, Perry paused a planned $800 million expansion of the studio, citing advances in AI video generation.

Flying together with our sponsor

Fair Warning: Your First Sip May Surprise You

LMNT is salty. Each packet contains 1,000 mg of sodium, 200 mg of potassium, and 60 mg of magnesium, with zero sugar.

LMNT was created for people who want a meaningful amount of electrolytes without loading their water with sugar, artificial coloring, or a long list of unnecessary ingredients.

We reach for it before workouts, after sweating, while traveling, and on days when another glass of plain water just doesn’t sound appealing.

See why LMNT tastes different from the electrolyte drinks you grew up with. Order LMNT today and get a free sample pack with your purchase.

➤ Statewide: Voters will decide in November whether to amend the state constitution to make probate judge elections nonpartisan. (More)

➤ Lumpkin County: Student disruptions and disputes over assigned stops led several parents to board a school bus and remove children, authorities said. (More)

➤ Chatham County: Police arrested a shopper who allegedly used an AI-generated delivery order to try to walk out of a Walmart with electronics. (More)

➤ Columbus: A thunderstorm on Saturday downed numerous trees and caused power outages, with one tree striking a home and another breaking a gas line. (More)

➤ Augusta: Augusta-Richmond County approved lower property tax rates and extended the payment deadline to November. (More)

➤ Statewide: Lawmakers overseeing a 2028 switch to hand-marked paper ballots heard warnings from cybersecurity experts about equipment upkeep, voter secrecy, and foreign interference. (More)

➤ Cobb County: A sinkhole will keep part of Trickum Road closed through Oct. 20. (More)

Enjoy reading The Georgia Flyover? Click here to share with your friends and family.✈️

➤ The Atlanta Braves took down Houston 4-2 on Sunday, clinching the NL East and notching a three-game sweep of the Astros. (More)

➤ The Atlanta Falcons lost to Carolina 34-3 in their home opener on Sunday, turning the ball over five times and drawing boos from some fans. (More)

➤ Atlanta Dream star Angel Reese became the first player in WNBA history to reel in 500 rebounds in a single season. (More)

Flying together with our sponsor

Flyover Focus takes a deeper look at the topics that matter. Click the link to watch this week’s full episode.

In case you missed it, last week on Flyover Focus, we broke down artificial intelligence, tune in here.

➤ Five employers in Valdosta and Lowndes County are investing $26.2 million in upgrades and adding 77 jobs this year. (More)

➤ Georgia's share of a $694 million multistate settlement with subprime auto lender Credit Acceptance Corporation will provide $28 million in debt relief to about 4,900 Peach State customers. (More)

➤ A free job fair will take place from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sept. 29 in City Springs, featuring recruiters from a wide range of companies and industries. (More)

Flying together with our sponsor

➤ Home Safety Alert: It Kills While Families Sleep. Protect yours with Vital Carbon Detector. It tracks carbon monoxide, natural gas, and propane in a single device. Learn More

Flying together with our sponsor

We’ve Been Endorsing LMNT the Wrong Way

It has become one of those simple products we keep around because we regularly reach for it. Fair warning, though: once ordinary water starts tasting boring, don’t blame us.

Order LMNT today and get a free sample pack with your purchase. It’s an easy way to try more flavors and find your favorite.

➤ Lovebugs are swarming the Coastal Empire and Lowcountry after a hot, wet summer fueled a population surge. The harmless insects live for four to five days as adults, and experts say the outbreak should wind down by month's end. (More)

➤ The Atlanta Falcons and prosthetics maker Ottobock hosted their first Adaptive Sports Day in Norcross, giving dozens of amputees the chance to run football drills with specialized prosthetics such as running blades. (More)

➤ Hundreds of people turned out for the Liberty County Food Truck Festival in downtown Hinesville, where 27 trucks paired with live music and a kids' zone. (More)

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