Sunday, October 18, 2026

USS Homecoming, Ancestral Land, and JackFest Returns

Sunday, October 18, 2026

Good Morning! On this day in 1703, a hurricane struck the Mid-Atlantic, causing major damage in Virginia and Maryland, where vessels broke free from moorings and 10 tobacco houses overturned before the storm moved into the Northeast.

From superhero dashes to bounce houses and a petting zoo, JackFest is bringing a full afternoon of family fun to Foxfield today. Even better, the free festival supports Ronald McDonald House Charlottesville. Learn more in Et Cetera.

In case you missed it on The Flyover Podcast, Amy unpacked the IRS notices landing in millions of mailboxes about a new program that deposits up to $1,000 a year in federal matching money directly into retirement accounts, rather than just trimming your tax bill. But there’s a catch. Plenty of savers will get the full amount while others won’t see a dime, and the difference comes down to a few details on your tax return. Amy covered who qualifies, what disqualifies you, and how to actually claim the money. Tune in here!

Today’s sponsor, Surfshark, is helping you protect your online privacy with encrypted browsing, enhanced security, and a special limited-time offer that makes staying safe online more affordable than ever.

Google Eyes Roanoke County Data Center

Google is evaluating Wood Haven Technology Park in Roanoke County as a potential data center location, the Western Virginia Regional Industrial Facility Authority confirmed Friday. The site sits near the junction of interstates 81 and 581.

A Google spokesperson confirmed that Clearview Dynamics LLC, the company named in a pending agreement to purchase 94 acres, is a Google subsidiary. Due diligence is expected to continue through March 2027 and include engineering, environmental, and utility studies.

The agreement does not guarantee that the sale or data center will move forward. WVRIFA says the project could support jobs and increase tax revenue, while the proposal has drawn public pushback over the secrecy surrounding an earlier nondisclosure agreement.

USS San Antonio Returns From Second Deployment

USS San Antonio returned to Norfolk Friday, bringing hundreds of sailors home after nearly four months supporting U.S. Southern Command missions in the Caribbean and Eastern Pacific. The ship departed June 29, about two months after completing a nine-month deployment.

During its latest deployment, the amphibious transport dock delivered earthquake relief in Venezuela and supported maritime interdiction operations. It also became the first amphibious transport dock since 2018 to transit the Panama Canal and the first of its class to use the expanded Neo-Panamax locks.

Families welcomed sailors home at Naval Station Norfolk as the crew concluded its second deployment in a little more than 14 months. Capt. Matt Gleason thanked the crew’s families and friends for supporting the sailors through their demanding schedule.

Buffalo Mountain Gains New Conservation Area

Virginia acquired 2,211 acres beside the Buffalo Mountain Natural Area Preserve in Floyd and Carroll counties and designated the land as a state conservation area. The acquisition brings the state’s total landholdings at Buffalo Mountain to 4,332 acres.

The $9.5 million acquisition, funded through a federal grant, will protect the popular summit, mature forests, and nearly 14 miles of native trout streams. Officials said protecting the property from development will also benefit water quality at the headwaters of the New River.

The Department of Conservation and Recreation will develop a management plan for future use and expanded public access, although no timeline has been established. The existing preserve, which draws an estimated 15,000 visitors annually, will remain open throughout the process.

Flying together with our sponsor

Is your browsing really your business?

Picture this: you're at the airport, finally sitting down with a coffee, checking your bank balance on the "Free Airport Wi-Fi." You feel invisible in the crowd. You're not. To anyone nearby with a cheap device, your screen is an open book.

And it doesn't stop when you get home. In the US, your own internet provider can legally package your browsing habits and sell them to the highest bidder, no permission needed.

Surfshark turns that noise into silence. It masks your IP and encrypts your traffic, so your life online stays exactly where it belongs: with you.

This Black Friday, get Surfshark One for the price of the Starter plan, just $2.49/mo on the 2-year plan 88% off, plus 3 months extra.

[Take back your privacy -> Get the deal]

➤ Prince William County: Rep. Eugene Vindman’s district office was evacuated Friday after receiving a suspicious package similar to those sent to congressional offices nationwide. His staff was safe, and local and federal authorities responded. (More)

➤ Statewide: Gov. Abigail Spanberger directed the DMV to allow dyed diesel in on-road vehicles through Dec. 31, provided users first pay the state’s backup fuel tax. (More)

➤ Also Statewide: Amtrak reduced and rerouted Virginia service through Oct. 26 while crews replace aging tracks near Washington Union Station. Some trains will end in Alexandria, with buses connecting passengers to Washington. (More)

➤ Albemarle County: Farmers urged motorists to slow down and give tractors and other farm equipment more room after reporting repeated close calls with drivers during harvest season. (More)

➤ Eastern Shore: Accomack and Northampton counties face strong coastal winds, dangerous surf, and possible tidal flooding as an offshore nor’easter develops. A high surf advisory runs from 4 a.m. today through 7 a.m. Tuesday, while a coastal flood watch covers Monday afternoon through Tuesday morning. (More)

➤ Staunton: Mary Baldwin University named retired Marine Corps Maj. Gen. Julie Nethercot commandant of cadets for the Virginia Women’s Institute for Leadership. The 33-year veteran will begin Oct. 26, succeeding retired Air Force Brig. Gen. Terry Djuric, who has led the program since 2013. (More)

Like The Virginia Flyover? Share it with a friend! ✈️

➤ Virginia Tech snapped a two-game losing streak with a 34-24 win over Georgia Tech in Blacksburg. Ethan Grunkemeyer threw for 250 yards and three touchdowns. (More)

➤ Virginia fell 23-13 at No. 24 SMU, held under 300 yards for a third straight game. A roughing-the-passer penalty at the end of the first half set up an untimed-down field goal that put SMU ahead for good. (More)

➤ Washington Commanders starting running back Jacory Croskey-Merritt has yet to practice this week due to a groin injury, leaving him likely to miss tomorrow night’s game against the undefeated San Francisco 49ers. (More)

➤ Meanwhile, Washington Wizards No. 1 overall pick AJ Dybantsa was removed from Friday night’s preseason finale against the New Orleans Pelicans after suffering an ankle injury. Washington opens the season Wednesday against the Milwaukee Bucks. (More)

Flying together with our sponsor

➤ Peptides are the newest breakthrough in anti-aging, longevity, weight loss, and muscle growth. But not every peptide works the same way for every person. Your DNA never changes, so you only have to test it once. The Pep Report analyzes more than 710,000 genetic markers against published research to show which peptides your biology actually supports—before you spend a dollar guessing. Flyover readers get 10% off automatically, no code needed. See Which Peptides Match Your DNA

Flying together with our sponsor

Most scams don't look like scams anymore. A text about a missed delivery. An email about an unpaid toll. One click, a few details entered, and thousands of dollars can disappear in hours. Americans lost over $5.75 billion to online threats like this in 2025 alone.

Surfshark works quietly in the background to flag sketchy links and block dangerous sites before they load, so you're protected even when you're too busy or too tired to catch it yourself.

Get Surfshark One this Black Friday for just $2.49/mo on the 2-year plan, 88% off + 3 months extra.

[Stay a step ahead -> Get the deal]

➤ The Pamunkey Indian Tribe is planning a new life for Windsor Shades, a 1745 tavern built atop an ancestral village. The tribe purchased the 13-acre property in May and is considering a bed-and-breakfast, winery, wedding venue, or history-trail stop. (More)

➤ The sixth annual JackFest, benefiting Ronald McDonald House Charlottesville, comes to Foxfield today from noon to 4 p.m. with children’s races, bounce houses, games, and a petting zoo. Admission is free. (More)

➤ Norfolk’s inaugural NEON Nights turned the NEON District into an after-hours art walk Friday, filling shops, galleries, and public spaces with exhibitions, live performances, comedy, crafts, and a community mural. (More)

Flying together with our sponsor

➤ 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, straight from the heart of the country.

➤ A grandfather built a $2 million business by giving families a reason to get lost in a cornfield. (Hear More)

➤ The NBA has built an AI detective to sniff out suspicious bets. (Listen Now)

➤ Three studies suggest that the cold shoulder sometimes conceals a guilty conscience. (Podcast Available)

Check out seven popular waterfall hikes in Virginia.

Have you ever hiked to a waterfall?

Yesterday’s Results:

Have you ever been to a fall bonfire party?

Grew up with them: 41%
Does a campfire count? 26%
Not my scene: 20%
Not yet: 13%

What is Virginia’s highest waterfall?

Show me the answer

Unsubscribe

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

Deer Firearms Season Begins, Park Reopens, and Rare Nest Hatches

Sunday, October 18, 2026

Good morning! On this day in 1900, Lamar Trotti, a Hollywood screenwriter and producer who earned an Academy Award for his screenplay for the 1944 film Wilson, was born in Atlanta.

The Chick-fil-A Fayetteville Dwarf House will temporarily close next month. What’s your favorite menu item from Chick-fil-A? Let us know in today’s Poll.

In case you missed it on The Flyover Podcast, Amy unpacked the IRS notices landing in millions of mailboxes about a new program that deposits up to $1,000 a year in federal matching money directly into retirement accounts, rather than just trimming your tax bill. But there’s a catch. Plenty of savers will get the full amount while others won’t see a dime, and the difference comes down to a few details on your tax return. Amy covered who qualifies, what disqualifies you, and how to actually claim the money. Tune in here!

No Date Yet for New MARTA Trains

MARTA’s new CQ400 railcars still have no date to enter service, and likely won’t be carrying passengers in 2026.

CEO Jonathan Hunt told city officials that the trains were nearing readiness but still required safety certification.

“The trains will be ready when they’ll be ready. But that being said, we are extremely close,” Hunt said. "We won't be having this discussion 6, 8 months from now."

The new railcars will include open gangways that allow passengers to move between connected cars, improved accessibility, security cameras, phone-charging stations, space for luggage, and more.

The Stadler-built railcars were planned to debut in June, before World Cup crowds arrived, but were delayed due to safety and testing reasons. The current fleet will be replaced in phases over the next several years.

Chatham County Ordered to Refund $30M

Chatham County has been ordered to refund eligible property owners more than $30 million after the Georgia Supreme Court upheld a ruling that its fire protection fee was an illegal tax.

The justices ruled that the fee functioned as a property tax, which Georgia law requires to be based on a property’s value. The fee was based on flat rates and building square footage.

The county collected the mandatory fee from July 2022 through June 2024, but dropped it after creating its own fire department and shifted the cost onto property taxes.

“We had options of making it a fire tax or making it a fire fee,” said Chatham County Commission Chairman Chester Ellis. “We chose the fire fee, and now we are finding out that shouldn’t have been the way.”

Deer Firearms Season Begins

Georgia's firearms deer hunting season opened Saturday and runs through Jan. 10 for the majority of the state.

Last season, 200,000 hunters harvested about 250,000 deer, up from 220,000 during the 2024-25 season.

Hunters are allowed to harvest up to 10 antlerless deer and two antlered deer that meet antler requirements.

State wildlife officials are advising hunters to have deer harvested in Atkinson, Berrien, Lanier, and Lowndes counties tested for chronic wasting disease (CWD). More than 2,900 deer were tested across Georgia last season, with 14 testing positive for CWD.

Flying together with our sponsor

Is your browsing really your business?

And it doesn't stop when you get home. In the US, your own internet provider can legally package your browsing habits and sell them to the highest bidder, no permission needed.

Surfshark turns that noise into silence. It masks your IP and encrypts your traffic, so your life online stays exactly where it belongs: with you.

This Black Friday, get Surfshark One for the price of the Starter plan, just $2.49/mo on the 2-year plan 88% off, plus 3 months extra.

[Take back your privacy -> Get the deal]

➤ Statewide: Georgia’s 2026 graduating class earned an average ACT score of 20.9, surpassing the national average of 19.2 for the 10th consecutive year. (More)

➤ Fayetteville: Chick-fil-A’s Fayetteville Dwarf House on Banks Station will temporarily close Nov. 6 to prepare for changes planned for 2027. A reopening date has not been announced. (More)

➤ Savannah: Wesley Monumental United Methodist Church has completed a $2.3 million restoration of its sanctuary more than a year after a ceiling collapse. (More)

➤ Douglas: Wheeler Park reopened Friday after Hurricane Helene destroyed its tree canopy, playground, and shelter in 2024. (More)

➤ Macon: A man found with items belonging to the Georgia Sports Hall of Fame was arrested on trespassing and burglary charges after allegedly causing a disturbance at the Tubman Museum. (More)

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

➤ Top-ranked Georgia fell 27-24 to unranked Auburn in Athens after Gunner Stockton's late fumble set up Alex McPherson's 34-yard field goal as time expired. The loss snapped the Bulldogs' 53-game winning streak against unranked opponents. (More)

➤ Georgia Tech lost 34-24 to Virginia Tech despite a career-high 335 passing yards and two touchdowns from Alberto Mendoza. (More)

➤ The Atlanta Dream fell to the Golden State Valkyries, 68-64, in Game 1 of the WNBA Finals yesterday after allowing 17 fourth-quarter points. (More)

➤ The Atlanta Falcons host the Chicago Bears tomorrow, entering the game as three-point underdogs. Both teams had disappointing finishes in Week 5, but the Bears return star quarterback Caleb Williams, who will play his first game since Week 2. (More)

Flying together with our sponsor

Surfshark works quietly in the background to flag sketchy links and block dangerous sites before they load, so you're protected even when you're too busy or too tired to catch it yourself.

Get Surfshark One this Black Friday for just $2.49/mo on the 2-year plan, 88% off + 3 months extra.

[Stay a step ahead -> Get the deal]

➤ Atlanta ranked sixth among the best U.S. cities for families in a new study by Manhattan Mental Health Counseling. (More)

➤ Jekyll Island recorded its second successful green sea turtle nest in its history after a nest laid Aug. 16 hatched 66 eggs in October. (More)

➤ Fort Valley State University received a record-setting philanthropic donation, a $5.8 million estate gift from alumnus Eddie D. Smith Sr. and his wife, Martha, to support the university and its students. (More)

Flying together with our sponsor

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

➤ A grandfather built a $2 million business by giving families a reason to get lost in a cornfield. (Hear More)

➤ The NBA has built an AI detective to sniff out suspicious bets. (Listen Now)

➤ Three studies suggest that the cold shoulder sometimes conceals a guilty conscience. (Podcast Available)