Thursday, October 9, 2025

Good Morning! On this day in 1781, George Washington fired the first American gun at the Battle of Yorktown after his forces finished setting up their artillery batteries. The Americans and French maintained bombardments until the British surrendered on Oct. 19.

Many readers of The Virginia Flyover didn't mince words about the so-called "skill games" in the Commonwealth. "This type of gambling preys on those least able to afford it and allows juveniles to gamble," one reader wrote. "Heartbreaking to see some individuals who play 'skill games' for hours on end, every day," another added. A third called the activity "a sad way of fleecing the poor, and/or the foolish."

The machines continue to be operated in many convenience stores, despite an attempt by state lawmakers to bar them.

If you've ever noticed your gums bleeding while brushing, new Harvard research shared by today's sponsor, SynaDentix, reveals it could be more than a dental issue. It may be an early warning sign of memory loss.

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.

Gubernatorial Debate Tonight

The only scheduled debate between Virginia's gubernatorial candidates is set for tonight on the campus of Norfolk State University. Lt. Governor Winsome Earle-Sears, the Republican, will face off with Democrat Abigail Spanberger beginning at 7 p.m.

The debate will be moderated by Deanna Allbrittin from a Richmond TV station and Tom Schaad from a Norfolk TV station. It will be aired on stations across the Commonwealth.

Early voting has been underway since Sept. 19, with Election Day set for Nov. 4. Through Tuesday, 421,795 Virginians had cast ballots.

Spanberger has held a double-digit lead in several statewide polls in the last two weeks. All those surveys were taken before the release of threatening text messages sent by Democratic attorney general candidate Jay Jones.

Questions Swirl around Jay Jones

Democrat Jay Jones and Republican incumbent Attorney General Jason Miyares are scheduled to meet for a debate next Thursday at the University of Richmond.

Jones is under pressure after the publication of text messages he sent in 2022 threatening the Republican then-House speaker. The Democrat reportedly canceled a fundraiser scheduled for tonight at novelist David Baldacci's home.

The Virginia Fraternal Order of Police called on Jones to pull out of the race, as did state and federal Republican leaders. However, state law does not give Jones that option.

"Ballots have already been printed and voting is underway, so any candidate who withdraws at this point will still have their name appear on the ballot," an election law expert at William & Mary Law School said.

Women's College Basketball Preview

The women's college basketball season begins next month. The University of Richmond was the best squad in the Atlantic 10 during the regular season last year, and the Spiders are picked to win the conference again, with George Mason predicted to come in second.

The University of Virginia is picked to finish sixth in the ACC this year and may have a chance to qualify for the NCAA tournament. Virginia Tech is rebuilding and has been picked to finish 11th in the ACC.

In the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference, Norfolk State captured the regular season and conference championships last season by going 30-5. The Spartans are predicted to finish second this year.

Liberty begins its first season under Coach Alexis Sherard after winning C-USA last season, while James Madison looks to repeat in the Sun Belt after going undefeated in the regular season last year.

Flying together with our sponsor

Harvard research reveals a specific pattern of gum bleeding that's now directly linked to memory loss.

Most people think a little bleeding when brushing is harmless.

However, this specific bleeding pattern is a red flag, a warning that something potentially dangerous is already spreading within your body.

You might not even realize it's happening until it's too late.

If your gums bleed like THIS, your brain could already be at risk.

A new video shows exactly what to look for, and what you need to do as soon as possible:

Memory Loss: Do Your Gums Bleed Like This?

➤ Richmond: Political organizations are trying to sway voters in Central Virginia by mailing publications that look like old-fashioned newspapers but are completely partisan. Examples include the left-wing The Virginia Independent and the right-leaning Richmond Leader and Henrico Times. (Details)

➤ Statewide: Two Virginia Congresspersons signed a letter to the Office of Management and Budget that said furloughed federal workers must get back pay when the government reopens. A White House memo released this week suggested that the government might deny back pay to employees affected by the shutdown. (More)

➤ Fairfax: The county will extend its deadline for car tax payments until Nov. 5 to ease the financial burden on federal workers who are not being paid because of the federal shutdown. (More)

➤ New York: The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) sued Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in a federal court, asking for the release of records that explain the agency's planned expansion of detention centers in Virginia. (More)

➤ Virginia Beach: Two police officers were indicted on charges that they obtained money under false pretenses while they were off-duty but working in an official capacity. (Details)

➤ Richmond: The Joint Commission to Oversee Transition of the Commonwealth into a Retail Cannabis Market met this week to consider proposals that would create a regulated marketplace for the sale of cannabis products. (Details)

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➤ The Fasenra Virginia Beach Cup gives the No. 1 female pickleball player—Anna Leigh Waters—a chance to defend her pickleball titles. Last year, she won the women's singles, women's doubles, and mixed doubles titles. (Details)

➤ Virginia Tech men's soccer crushed Longwood behind three goals from Dagur Traustason, the team's first hat trick since 2019. (More)

➤ Virginia Tech women's soccer team visits No. 3 Stanford today. (Preview)

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➤ Companies filed permits to build 54 new data centers in Virginia in the first nine months of this year, a 16% increase over last year's total. Amazon alone accounted for 28 planned facilities. (Details)

➤ Bread and Water Co. in Alexandria will be the official pretzel maker for Capital One Arena in D.C. this season. (More)

➤ Colonna's Shipyard in Norfolk will spend $79 million to build a new drydock. The project is expected to be finished in 2028. (Details)

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➤ Lower Your Home Insurance Bill in Minutes. Home insurance rates are rising. This easy tool can help homeowners save thousands of dollars a year in minutes, thanks to our partners at FinanceBuzz. (LEARN MORE)

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Harvard research reveals a surprising link: a specific gum bleeding pattern now tied to memory loss. While most people dismiss a little blood while brushing as harmless, this hidden sign can actually warn of something dangerous already spreading in the body. You may not notice until it's too late. If your gums bleed like THIS, your brain could be at risk.

Watch this video to learn what to do immediately.

➤ Gabriel, a new musical that tells the story of a slave revolt in Virginia in 1800, continues its run this weekend at Historic Hanover Tavern. (Tickets)

➤ Francine, a calico cat, is back at home at a Lowe's store in Richmond. The kitty had gone missing last month after she apparently accidentally hopped aboard a truck heading to a company distribution center in North Carolina. (More)

➤ Wytheville will host the biggest fire parade in Southwest Virginia on Saturday, beginning at 7 p.m. (Details)

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