Sunday, August 16, 2026

Severe Storms, Water Cybersecurity, Operation Homefront

SUNDAY, AUGUST 16, 2026

Good Morning! On this day in 1775, the Third Virginia Convention adopted a resolution drafted by Patrick Henry. It instructed officers to permit dissenting clergymen, including Baptists, to preach to soldiers who preferred not to attend Church of England chaplain services, advancing religious freedom during the Revolution.

As families gear up for a new school year, Operation Homefront helped about 400 Norfolk-area military children start theirs with backpacks full of supplies. It got us wondering: What’s one back-to-school tradition, memory, or must-have you still remember from your own school days? Hit reply and tell us!

In case you missed it, this week on The Flyover Podcast, Ayla shared what scientists said about when you should actually be eating dinner. Scientists say your dinnertime could be shaping your blood sugar, your cravings, and even your heart health, and the growing field of chrononutrition finds that eating at the wrong hour can throw off the body's internal clock. Poorer blood sugar control. Stronger cravings the next day. Even a higher risk of heart disease. Ayla explained what dinnertime is actually right for you, so before you plan tonight's meal, find out whether your schedule is working for you or against you. Tune in here!

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Five Shot at Virginia State University

Five people were shot outside residence halls at Virginia State University early Saturday, prompting a campus lockdown and large police response.

Officers found the victims near the Quad Annexes around 1:30 a.m. One remained in critical condition, while four suffered non-life-threatening injuries. One victim was confirmed to be a VSU student.

The university said the shooting involved multiple suspects, but authorities had not announced arrests or released suspect descriptions. Police said there was no immediate threat to campus.

The lockdown was lifted Saturday morning as the investigation continued. Gov. Abigail Spanberger and other Virginia leaders offered support for the victims and VSU community while thanking first responders.

Severe Storms Batter Central Virginia

Severe storms swept through Central Virginia Friday, knocking out power to more than 7,000 customers around Charlottesville as strong winds and heavy rain moved through.

Two tornado warnings were issued for Charlottesville and Albemarle County before expiring Friday evening. Officials did not report a confirmed tornado touchdown.The storms also brought large hail to parts of Fluvanna, Goochland, Powhatan, and surrounding areas, with some pieces nearly filling residents’ palms.

Severe weather also postponed Friday night’s NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race at Richmond Raceway, while Charlottesville canceled its Fridays After Five event.

More strong to severe storms are possible today from areas east of the Blue Ridge to Hampton Roads, with damaging winds, hail, heavy rain, and isolated tornadoes possible.

Newport News Bolsters Water Cybersecurity

Newport News is strengthening cybersecurity around its water system after cyberattacks disrupted utilities in at least seven states. The city allocated more than $6 million for IT infrastructure and has also added cybersecurity staff and leadership.

Newport News Waterworks serves about 410,000 customers across the Peninsula. Officials said its industrial controls are not internet-facing and default manufacturer credentials are replaced to reduce vulnerabilities.

The utility also monitors threats through WaterISAC, an information-sharing organization for water systems, while employees receive regular cybersecurity training and the city maintains analog safeguards.

The FBI said recent attacks have caused operational disruptions at some water utilities nationwide. Newport News officials said they are monitoring the threat environment but have not reported a successful attack on the city’s system.

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➤ Statewide: Immediate-jeopardy nursing home citations rose 77% after state oversight reforms, while 58% of inspections remained overdue and 25% of inspector positions were vacant in July. (More)

➤ Roanoke: Ringana expects site work and employee training to begin this fall for its U.S. headquarters, an $85 million project expected to create more than 400 jobs. (More)

➤ Norfolk: The Navy is revising policies after Angelina Resendiz’s murder, including a new “Absent-Unknown” status and tighter transfer rules for sailors investigated for sexual assault or stalking. (More)

➤ Henry County: The Sheriff’s Office will not renew its contract with Flock Safety and will suspend access to the cameras amid concerns over privacy, data access, and misuse. (More)

➤ Alton: Lynchburg native Blake Davis, 20, is among more than 120 motorcycle riders competing this weekend at Virginia International Raceway, where speeds can approach 200 mph. (More)

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➤ The Washington Nationals have announced they plan to move All-Star shortstop CJ Abrams to second base after Abrams’ defensive struggles. (More)

➤ Washington Commanders backup quarterback Marcus Mariota, who has appeared in 14 games over the last two seasons for Washington, was sent to the locker room early due to a knee injury at the start of the team’s 20-7 preseason victory over the Miami Dolphins. (More)

➤ Richmond Raceway hosted the Cookout 400 last night, the second NASCAR Cup Series race in Virginia this season. (See Results)

➤ JMU football players Amar Thomas and Zach Greenburg were both named as HERO Sports preseason Group of six All-Americans. (More)

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➤ Surfers Healing brought children and young adults with autism to the Virginia Beach Oceanfront for surfing sessions, with experienced surfers helping participants enjoy the waves. (More)

➤ The 18th annual Smith River Festival returns to Henry County next weekend with a petting zoo, climbing wall, water activities, and a 5K Mud Run. (More)

➤ Operation Homefront gave about 400 Norfolk-area military children backpacks filled with school supplies through its annual Back-to-School Brigade, helping families offset school-year costs. (More)

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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, straight from the heart of the country. Clicking the link will take you directly to these stories:

➤ College costs outpaced wages and left families scrambling to cover the bill. (Hear More)

➤ Teen trouble prompted one New Jersey town to tighten its summer rules. (Listen Now)

➤ A Supreme Court justice said conservatives faced an unexpected barrier on college campuses. (Podcast Available)

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Heat Impacts State Fair, Oak Tree Sculpture, and Battle of the Badge

Sunday, August 16, 2026

Good Morning! On this day in 1977, Elvis Presley passed away due to heart failure at Graceland in Memphis. He was 42 years old.

A patriotic woodworking artist carved a fallen oak tree into a stunning wood sculpture for the Wilson County-Tennessee State Fair as a tribute to Tennessee and America’s 250th Birthday. See the details in Et Cetera. Also, as Middle Tennessee remains under an extreme heat advisory, some Tennesseans are anticipating the return of pumpkin spice as major coffee chains announce their fall menus. Learn more in today’s Top Stories.

Extreme Heat Disrupts State Fair and Schools

Dangerous heat blanketed Tennessee this weekend, prompting the National Weather Service to issue Extreme Heat Warnings for multiple Middle Tennessee counties, disrupting the Wilson County-Tennessee State Fair and area schools.

Fair officials postponed the Special Needs Day event, Clogging Exhibition, and Bike Ride Across Wilson County until August 22, adding cooling stations, misting fans, and free water as heat indexes approach 110 degrees.

Officials also extended Saturday ride armbands until midnight instead of 5 p.m., letting fairgoers ride during cooler evening hours.

Meanwhile, some East Tennessee schools shifted schedules, with Polk County Schools dismissing at noon on Friday and again on Monday, Aug. 17, due to extreme heat. Separately, Ivy Skillern Elementary announced Monday would be a virtual learning day. Hamilton County Office of Emergency Management and Homeland Security urged residents to limit their time outdoors and take steps to prevent heat-related illness.

Gas Prices Climb Again, Up 33% from Last Year

Tennessee fuel prices rose for another week, with regular gasoline averaging $3.67 as of August 14, up seven cents (2%) from the prior week, based on AAA data.

The yearly trend is steeper: gas is up $0.92 (33.2%) from a year ago, while diesel, now $5.08, has climbed $1.65 (48.2%). Both remain below record highs set in June 2022.

Prices vary across the state. Jackson leads metros at $3.79, followed by Nashville at $3.74, while Clarksville-Hopkinsville is lowest at $3.54.

AAA data shows Tennessee still sits below the national average of $4.07, though the state's increases mirror nationwide upward pressure on fuel costs.

Pumpkin Spice: Chains Announce Fall Return

We are halfway through August and while it definitely still feels like summer, coffeehouses across Tennessee are gearing up for pumpkin spice season. Autumn flavors are arriving early, with Starbucks and Dunkin' launching fall menus in mid-to-late August.

Dunkin' revealed via Instagram that pumpkin returns August 19, while Starbucks announced its Pumpkin Spice Latte comes back August 25, giving Dunkin' a head start on its rival.

Starbucks' lineup includes returning favorites like Pumpkin Cream Cold Brew plus new drinks including the Iced Pumpkin Cream Shaken Espresso and Iced Pumpkin Cream Matcha. The chain is also adding pecan-flavored items, banana bread-inspired drinks, and the new Chaider, a cider-inspired chai, alongside new food offerings for the season.

While Dunkin’s fall menu has not been officially confirmed, some social media food accounts have reportedly leaked that the menu will include several tiramisu- and pumpkin-themed drinks among other flavors.

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➤ Clarksville: Officer Grayson Perry, a two-year veteran with the police department, talked a 17-year-old out of jumping from the Meriwether Road overpass. The teen was transported to a hospital for a mental health evaluation. (More)

➤ Red Bank: The high school’s Blue Lion Marching Band is preparing for its upcoming season while fundraising to help cover travel costs to perform in the 2027 Fiesta Bowl parade. (More)

➤ Cleveland: Cleveland Utilities is conducting water-meter maintenance expected to last several weeks, with crews warning residents that temporary service outages may occur during the work. (More)

➤ Blountville: A Sullivan County Commissioner suggested publicly hanging Flock Safety’s CEO during a dispute over the company’s license-plate surveillance technology, prompting criticism over the remarks. (More)

➤ Lauderdale County: The sheriff’s office is implementing the "Special Needs Occupant Sticker Program" throughout the county to help law enforcement and first responders interact with people with special needs during a traffic stop or emergency. (More)

➤ Lenoir City: Residents are petitioning officials to allow liquor stores within city limits as the city continues to grow and add businesses, potentially changing local alcohol sales rules if the effort gains sufficient support. (More)

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➤ The estate of late Memphis Grizzlies forward Brandon Clarke will receive his full $12.5 million salary tax-free through a life insurance policy purchased by the Grizzlies. (More)

➤ Tennessee Titans head coach Robert Saleh told reporters that second-year quarterback Cam Ward needs to demonstrate more confidence after posting a sub-50% completion percentage in the team’s 19-13 preseason victory on Thursday. (More)

➤ Tennessee football will be without starting safety Edrees Farooq for the entire 2026 season after he reportedly suffered a torn patellar tendon during practice. (More)

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➤ Woodworking artist Lucas Pennington turned a fallen oak tree into a sculpture that combines an eagle, the American flag, and a fiddle as a tribute to both America’s 250th birthday and Tennessee tradition. The sculpture is on display at the Wilson County-Tennessee State Fair. (See Sculpture)

➤ A Battle of the Badge tournament raised more than $9,000 for Greenbrier Police Officer Matthew Hillis, who is receiving treatment for an apple-sized brain tumor. (More)

➤ Habitat for Humanity broke ground on its 111th home in the Jackson-Madison County area, continuing its effort to provide affordable housing for local families. (More)

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