Tuesday, February 10, 2026

Good Morning! On this day in 1960, students from what was then the Hampton Institute—now Hampton University—began a sit-in at the local F.W. Woolworth's segregated lunch counter. Their protest triggered weeks of picketing, voter registration drives, and economic boycotts opposing segregation.

Virginia is for lovers, but if you love dining out, you'd better have a reservation this weekend.

Saturday is Valentine's Day, and most fine-dining restaurants are already fully booked. Of course, you don't have to eat out to have a romantic getaway. You can head to Virginia Beach and peer out at the ocean, among many other activities for lovers of all ages.

If you have a romantic tale, hit reply to tell us about it. We'll feature a few later this week.

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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.

Boar's Head Plant Reopens

The Boar's Head plant in Jarratt reopened last week, almost a year and a half after it was linked to a listeria outbreak that killed 10 people and sickened dozens.

The chief food safety officer for Boar's Head, Natalie Dyenson, said that the facility has "literally been rebuilt from the inside out." The overhaul replaced floors, installed new drains and air filtration systems, and separated raw meat from ready-to-eat food.

Boar's Head had operated a facility in the area for decades until the 2024 outbreak. The U.S. Department of Agriculture said it has federal inspectors on site to supervise the reopened plant.

Zoo Owners, Workers Charged with Cruelty

Five people, including the proprietors and employees of the Natural Bridge Zoo, were arrested on more than 50 criminal charges last week.

Former zoo owners Deborah Mogensen and Karl Mogensen each face 18 counts of cruelty to animals, while current owner Gretchen Mogensen was charged with 16 counts. She remains in jail after serving 100 days for contempt of court.

A zoo veterinarian and a former zoo employee were also charged with crimes relating to the mistreatment of animals at the facility.

The Attorney General's Animal Law Unit raided Natural Bridge Zoo in 2023 and seized almost 100 animals.

Sewage Pipe Fix Will Take Weeks

It will take four to six weeks to fully repair a broken sewer line in the District of Columbia, according to officials with DC Water. They stated that the pipe is blocked by rocks that will be difficult to remove.

More than 420 million gallons of untreated waste poured into the Potomac River last month, driving up bacteria levels. As nearby snow melts, "we can be dealing with these concerning levels of E. coli and other bacteria in the river for many weeks to come," warned Dean Naujoks of the Potomac Riverkeeper Network.

The sewage is moving downstream, and computer models suggest the spill could be affecting water quality 30 miles downriver near Quantico.

Since the Potomac empties into Chesapeake Bay, "the actual worst exposure scenario down the river and toward the bay is shellfish," George Washington University environmental expert Lynn Goldman said. It could take weeks for the shellfish to clear any microorganisms.

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➤ Lunenburg County: Authorities arrested Charles Stokes, a 44-year-old officer with Kenbridge Police. He is accused of shooting a woman several times over the weekend while he was not on duty, then fleeing the scene. The woman was hospitalized, and Stokes was captured later in the day. (Details)

➤ Chesterfield County: Food Lion recalled all the ground beef prepared at a store in Midlothian after reports of possible plastic contamination. No illnesses have been reported. (More)

➤ Tidewater: A group of businesses, sponsors, and donors will host a meeting next month to prepare for the influx of foreign student workers who are expected to arrive to work in the area this summer. (Details)

➤ Shenandoah Valley: A recently signed federal spending bill contains $17 million to widen Interstate 81 in the Commonwealth. (Details)

➤ Campbell County: Authorities are searching for a person who broke into several vehicles in the Rainbow Forest area. (More)

➤ Portsmouth: Roger Brown's Restaurant & Sports Bar hosted one final Super Bowl party before it closed its doors after 25 years. The bar was named for its former owner, an NFL star who played in six Pro Bowls. (More)

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➤ UVA men's golf, the top-ranked team in the nation, plays at the Puerto Rico Classic through tomorrow. (Leaderboard)

➤ The Richmond Spiders host George Mason tonight in an A-10 men's basketball matchup. (More)

➤ UVA men's basketball—ranked No. 15 in this week's AP Poll—visits Florida State tonight at 7 p.m. (Details)

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➤ Gas prices dropped 1.6 cents per gallon in Virginia over the past week, according to GasBuddy. The average price yesterday was $2.85 per gallon, up 14.9 cents from last month and down 19.3 cents year-over-year. (Details)

➤ InternshipsVA, a state government program, will help employers design internships for college students and find quality participants. It's expected to cost $14.5 million annually. (More)

➤ Arko Petroleum, based in Henrico, announced an initial public offering that could set a valuation for the company as high as $910 million. (Details)

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➤ A bill that would remove three Confederate monuments from the grounds of the state capital advanced out of a Senate committee last week. It would still need to pass the full Senate and cross over to the House. (Details)

➤ Historic Prince William, a preservation group, asked the county board of supervisors to restore the Bennett School building in Manassas instead of tearing it down. The building dates to 1909. (More)

➤ The Virginia Tech Southwest Center launched a job training program aimed at helping people find good-paying jobs that allow them to remain in the region. (Details)

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