Monday, March 2, 2026

Good Morning! On this day in 1865, Union troops under Gen. Philip Sheridan routed Gen. Jubal Early's forces at the Battle of Waynesboro. More than 1,500 Confederates surrendered, and the victory gave the Union control of the Shenandoah Valley.

Virginia lawmakers are split in their responses to the U.S. attack on Iran.

"We are stepping in to stop Iran from having a nuclear weapon, protecting American interests at home and abroad, and giving the Iranian people a chance for a regime change," Republican Rep. John McGuire wrote.

Democrat Sen. Mark Warner criticized the attack. "The administration must come forward with a clear legal justification, a defined end state, and a plan that avoids dragging the United States into yet another costly and unnecessary war." Both men are up for reelection in November.

Scroll down to Around Virginia for an update on military deployments from Hampton Roads.

Amazon Prime members: See what you could get, no strings attached, from special offers with today's sponsor, FinanceBuzz.

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 Blocks Social Media Law

A federal judge issued an injunction to block a part of the Virginia Consumer Data Protection Act that limits minors to no more than one hour a day on social media sites without parental consent.

Attorney General Jay Jones announced last month that the Commonwealth would act to enforce the limit.

The trade association NetChoice, which represents social media platforms Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube, sued, claiming the law violates the First Amendment. "This ruling reaffirms that the government cannot ration access to lawful speech—even if it has noble intentions," the group's Paul Taske said.

Lawmakers overwhelmingly passed and then-Gov. Glenn Youngkin signed the limits last year because of concerns about the impact of social media on the mental health of children.

Proposed Budget Includes Pay Raise

Lawmakers in both the Senate and the House of Delegates voted to give future lawmakers a big raise. Each version of the proposed budget includes an amendment to increase state senators' and delegates' salaries to $50,000 annually, at a cost of more than $2 million beginning in 2027.

The pay jump would take effect in 2028, after the next General Assembly is elected.

Both the House and Senate approved versions of a two-year state budget. Neither version included an income tax increase, while the Senate's bill would provide $100 in tax rebates to individual filers and $200 to joint filers while raising the standard deduction.

The bills must be reconciled before they can be sent to the governor for her approval.

Explosive Crash Near Manassas

A driver died after crashing into a tractor-trailer that was parked legally at a rest area off I-66 near Manassas over the weekend.

The Toyota Corolla erupted into flames after the accident, and the driver was pronounced dead at the scene.

The driver of the truck, who was napping in the cab at the time of the incident, was not injured.

State police are investigating.

Flying together with our sponsor

If you spend a good amount on Amazon, do not ignore this.

This card could put $100s back every year and gives you the chance to earn cash back on the purchases you already make. You could get approved extremely fast and unlock a massive welcome bonus instantly.

Amazon Prime members: See what you could get, no strings attached

➤ Tidewater: The Norfolk-based USS Gerald R. Ford is stationed in the Middle East to participate in Operation Epic Fury's attacks against Iran. The mission may involve many other military personnel from the Hampton Roads region. (Details)

➤ Washington, D.C.: The Department of the Navy began an organizational review that could lead to steep reductions in the number of civilians it employs. (More)

➤ Centreville: Fairfax County Fire and Rescue officials expect to allow all the families who evacuated last month after a gas leak caused a home explosion to return to their houses. "We've conducted multiple safety surveys, multiple leak surveys, so we're very confident in the safety of the system in this area," an official with Washington Gas said. (Details)

➤ Charlottesville: UVA Health hired Dr. Reid Adams as its first chief medical officer. He will oversee four hospitals and a statewide network of clinics. (More)

➤ Roanoke County: The federal government will provide $6.3 million to fund upgrades at the McAfee Knob Trailhead parking area. The site is a popular stop on the Appalachian Trail. (More)

➤ Delaplane: A total lunar eclipse will be visible—weather permitting—in most of the Commonwealth tomorrow morning. Sky Meadows State Park will be open for those who want to see the event, known as a Blood Moon. (Details)

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

➤ Roanoke College men's basketball, ranked No. 25 in Division III, stunned No. 1 Randolph-Macon by rallying from six points down in the final minute to win the ODAC conference tournament 59-58. On the women's side, Washington and Lee remained undefeated and took the crown by toppling Randolph-Macon, 67-56. (Stats)

➤ Virginia Tech edged UVA in the women's basketball regular-season finale for both teams. The Hokies captured the Commonwealth Clash matchup 83-82. (More)

➤ Virginia Tech softball, ranked No. 12, swept five games over the weekend at the Jane B. Moore Invitational. The Hokies toppled Auburn twice, USC Upstate twice, and Troy. (Details)

Flying together with our sponsor

➤ Stop Bad Dog Behaviors Fast. Tired of barking, jumping, or ignoring commands? This simple training method—created by a professional K9 trainer—is helping thousands of dog owners correct bad behaviors fast. Safe, gentle, and effective for all breeds and ages. No shock collars, no yelling—just real, lasting results. (LEARN MORE)

➤ The Lynchburg Regional Business Alliance said that eight industrial projects launched in the area last year, generating more than 400 new jobs. (Details)

➤ Kristi Black was named interim CEO of the Prince William Chamber of Commerce. (More)

➤ AOL announced it will lay off 108 workers in Reston. "All affected employees have been notified of their separation dates and that their separation from employment will be permanent," the company said. (Details)

Flying together with our sponsor

➤ Mortgage rates are easing, could it be time to refinance? With average rates dipping below 6%, even a small drop may lower your monthly payment, shorten your term, or unlock home equity. Refinancing isn't one-size-fits-all, but comparing offers shows what's possible. Review top-rated lenders and compare today's refinance rates.

Flying together with our sponsor

If you spend a good amount on Amazon, this card could easily put $100s back in your pocket every year.

Even better, you could get approved extremely fast — and if you are, you'll receive an insanely valuable welcome bonus deposited straight into your Amazon account for immediate use. No hoops or extra spending. Get approved, and the bonus is yours. If you shop at Amazon or Whole Foods, this card could help you earn meaningful cash back from purchases you're already making. This offer won't last forever, and for Prime members, it's basically a no-brainer.

Amazon Prime members: See what you could get, no strings attached

➤ Virginia Western Community College and Mountain Gateway Community College teamed up to provide commercial driver's license training. Enrollment is now available for classes that begin on March 12 at Virginia Western. (Details)

➤ Jacquelyn VandenPlas took the helm as director of development at Virginia Opera in Norfolk. (More)

➤ Virginia swore in a new governor this year, but the butler at the governor's mansion stayed on. Martin Townes reflected on his nearly four decades in Richmond, during which he has served 12 governors. (Details)

Flying together with our sponsor

➤ 1 Easy Trick To Remove Grease (No Scrubbing Needed). Just spray, wait, and wipe away years of baked-on tough stains in minutes! This one easy trick is helping thousands remove baked-on oven grease and kitchen grime — without scrubbing! Just spray it on, wipe it off, and watch years of grease disappear in seconds. No harsh chemicals. No elbow grease. Just fast, satisfying results. (LEARN MORE)