Thursday, January 29, 2026

Good Morning! On this day in 1677, two Royal Commissioners arrived at Jamestown to investigate Bacon's Rebellion. After the review, Gov. William Berkeley was removed from office and returned to England.

Virginians who want an informal, affordable wedding can visit Manassas on Valentine's Day. The Prince William County Circuit Court Clerk will host charming civil wedding ceremonies at Mae Merchant Hall from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. Those wishing to renew their vows are welcome, too.

Do you have a romantic wedding tale? Hit reply to tell us about it, and we may use it in a future edition.

Today's sponsor is GoldCo. With silver surging and analysts eyeing a potential run toward $100 an ounce, now's the time to grab their free The Case For Silver eBook and see why this could be the biggest metal cycle in a generation.

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.

Judge Rules Redistricting Amendment Illegal

A Tazewell County judge ruled that a proposed constitutional amendment to allow state lawmakers to redraw congressional districts is invalid and void. The amendment could have been presented to voters as early as April.

The judge agreed with Republican arguments that the 2025 election was underway—because early voting had begun in September—before the constitutional amendment was passed by the General Assembly in October.

Circuit Court Judge Jack Hurley Jr. also ruled that lawmakers failed to follow the rules for adding the redistricting amendment and did not publish the amendment three months before the election, as required.

Democrats said they will appeal. "We're prepared for the next step, and voters—not politicians—will have the final say," Majority Caucus Chair Kathy Tran said.

Gun Bills Advance

Democrats in the Senate moved forward with several firearms measures that had passed in previous years but were vetoed by former Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin.

One proposal would ban the sale or transfer of "assault firearms" in Virginia. "The new governor in town has expressed interest in this bill," Sen. Jennifer Boysko said.

Weapons manufactured or owned before July 1 would remain legal under this proposal.

"We think that the assault weapon ban is unconstitutional," Philip Van Cleave, head of the Virginia Citizens Defense League, said. "The Supreme Court already said that any firearm in common use is protected by the Second Amendment."

The state Senate Courts of Justice Committee advanced half a dozen bills, which will now go to the full Senate for consideration.

Light Rail Expansion Considered

Del. Alex Askew, a Democrat, drafted a resolution to ask the state to conduct a study on the feasibility of expanding The Tide light rail line from Norfolk all the way to the Atlantic Ocean in Virginia Beach.

"I think it's a great time to look and study, and see if it really benefits the community to go all the way to the Oceanfront," Askew said.

Citizens in Virginia Beach voted against proposed expansions in referendums in 1999 and 2016.

The 2016 expansion was expected to cost $243 million, with Virginia Beach kicking in $88 million. It isn't clear how much an expansion would cost now.

Flying together with our sponsor

Silver to hit $100 an ounce?

Silver is no longer playing second fiddle to gold. After 2025's historic 150% surge, silver is taking the spotlight—and doesn't look to be slowing down anytime soon.

There's a massive global supply deficit.
Insatiable demand fueled by A.I. and green energy,
This has pushed the silver market to a breaking point.

With analysts forecasting an imminent move toward triple digits, the cost of waiting has never been higher. Help secure your position now, or watch from the sidelines as the most significant metal cycle in a generation potentially leaves you behind. The window is closing fast, so there's no time to wait.

Click here to get Goldco's The Case For Silver eBook immediately.

➤ Statewide: Virginia's net population growth from domestic migration more than doubled in 2025, with 6,268 more people moving in than moving out. Overall population growth slowed, however, because fewer foreign immigrants moved in. (Details)

➤ Statewide: Some parts of Virginia may see more snow from another winter storm this weekend. "Several factors for this potential winter storm remain uncertain, and forecast changes are anticipated as the system draws closer," the National Weather Service warned. (Forecast)

➤ Hampton Roads: Reps. Jen Kiggans and Rob Wittman, both Republicans, joined seven other members of Congress in signing a letter asking the Trump administration to explain why it temporarily halted construction of the Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind Project last month. Construction resumed after a federal judge intervened. (Details)

➤ Richmond: Former Gov. Glenn Youngkin granted an absolute pardon to an ex-Fairfax County police officer who killed Timothy McCree Johnson after he allegedly stole sunglasses. "The deadly force used by Sgt. Wesley Gonzalez Shifflett on February 22, 2023, was both lawful and consistent with the department's policy and training," Youngkin wrote on Jan. 15. (More)

➤ Bristol: Becky Nave will resign from her seat on the city council to accept a job with the Virginia Tourism Corporation. (More)

➤ Southwest Virginia: State lawmakers are considering a bill that would look for environmentally safer alternatives to spreading salt on roads during snow and ice storms. "That salt ends up basically in the groundwater," where it affects water supplies, an expert from Virginia Tech warned. (Details)

Flying together with our sponsor

➤ Stun any oncologist with a SINGLE WORD. Say it and watch what happens to their face. It's natural, safe, done from your own home and the reported cases stories are simply miraculous. So why's it being ignored? Get the exact word you must say, right here. Watch Now

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

➤ Christopher Newport men's basketball, ranked No. 14 in DIII and the winner of eight straight games, hosts UC Santa Cruz tonight. (Schedule)

➤ James Madison men's basketball visits Troy tonight, while the women host Louisiana. (Preview)

➤ UVA men's basketball rallied from a 19-point deficit to beat Notre Dame 100-97 in double-overtime on Tuesday night. (More)

Flying together with our sponsor

➤ The #1 BIGGEST DANGER in the American diet. What if I told you the culprit behind stubborn weight gain, constant bloating, and afternoon crashes for millions of Americans isn't carbs or sugar...Instead, it's coming from this 1 common vegetable you likely have in your kitchen right now. Yet This Vegetable Could Be The #1 Danger In Your Diet ⇒

➤ Amentum, headquartered in Chantilly, inked contracts to expand its role supporting nuclear power plants in the U.K. The agreements could be worth up to $730 million. (Details)

➤ An event called the 2026 State of Housing in the Richmond Region brought together leaders from several jurisdictions to discuss how they are dealing with shortages. (More)

➤ A. Duie Pyle purchased 43 acres in Suffolk and intends to build an integrated logistics campus. The Pennsylvania-based company provides freight transportation and supply chain services. (Details)

Flying together with our sponsor

➤ Protect the people who matter most with life insurance from New York Life. Get affordable coverage designed to provide financial security, peace of mind, and lasting protection for your family. See how easy it is to explore options, get a quote, and choose coverage that fits your life and budget today. (LEARN MORE)

Flying together with our sponsor

Silver is no longer playing second fiddle to gold. After 2025's historic 150% surge, silver is taking the spotlight—and doesn't look to be slowing down anytime soon. With analysts forecasting an imminent move toward triple digits, the cost of waiting has never been higher.

Get Goldco's The Case For Silver eBook and you could qualify for 10% in Free Silver or Gold*!

➤ Loudoun County's initial TEDx youth event gave 14 students from multiple grade levels an opportunity to share ideas about current events and future challenges. (Details)

➤ Lee Sturgis, a farmer in Accomack County, was the top Virginian in last year's National Wheat Yield Contest. (More)

➤ Virginia Army and Air National Guard troops welcomed their counterparts from Finland to the Commonwealth last month. They discussed the possibility of conducting joint exercises involving Virginians and Finnish forces. (Details)

Flying together with our sponsor

➤ Forget expensive veneers, painful crowns, and antibiotics that don't fix the REAL cause of bad breath. Discover a 15-second "black salt hack" from an elite Harvard dentist that whitens even the worst teeth and stops gum bleeding in days. It's easy—just place the salt on your tongue like this.