FRIDAY, JULY 31, 2026

Good morning! On this day in 1939, NFL quarterback Norm Snead was born in Halifax County. He played 16 seasons for the Washington Redskins, Philadelphia Eagles, Minnesota Vikings, New York Giants, and San Francisco 49ers. A four-time Pro Bowl selection, he threw for over 30,000 yards.

The Virginia Department of Education is preparing to create the next generation of Standards of Learning tests for public schools. Learn more in Top Stories.

Today's sponsor, PuriProduce, offers a simple, chemical-free way to help clean your fruits and vegetables, giving you added peace of mind with every meal.

Newport News Lands Historic Navy Contract

The U.S. Navy awarded $76.6 billion in contracts Wednesday for 14 new submarines, with Newport News Shipbuilding sharing the build with General Dynamics Electric Boat.

The package covers nine Block VI Virginia-class attack submarines and five Build II Columbia-class ballistic-missile submarines, with the remainder of the money allocated to shipyard expansion and hiring.

Under the yards’ longstanding teaming arrangement, Newport News will be the delivery yard for six of the nine Virginia boats and will build six module sections for each Columbia submarine.

The two shipyards have delivered 26 Virginia-class submarines to date. “We are committed to building the nuclear-powered submarines that protect our nation,” Newport News President Kari Wilkinson said.

The award followed a nearly three-year negotiating delay, and Navy officials cast it as a recapitalization of the sea-based leg of the nuclear triad.

Virginia’s Firearms Ban Stays on Hold

A Washington County judge has paused the main lawsuit over Virginia’s new firearms ban while the U.S. Supreme Court weighs similar cases, leaving a statewide injunction against the law in place. Signed by Gov. Abigail Spanberger in May, the law bars selling or transferring certain semi-automatic rifles and magazines holding more than 15 rounds.

Judge Jeffrey Campbell expanded his injunction statewide in a July 7 ruling effective July 21, then stayed the case, Santolla v. Katz, as the justices review bans from Illinois and Connecticut. The pause does not lift the injunction.

Plaintiffs, backed by the NRA and gun-rights groups, argue the limits violate the Virginia Constitution’s right to bear arms. The state defends the law and is expected to appeal.

A separate federal lawsuit from the U.S. Justice Department challenges the ban under the Second Amendment. One plaintiff’s attorney, state Sen. Bill Stanley, R-Franklin, expects six to eight more months of litigation.

VA Set to Overhaul Standards of Learning Tests

The Virginia Department of Education opened bidding Monday for a company to build the state's next generation of Standards of Learning tests, its first competitive search for an assessment vendor since 2005.

The request for proposals aims to replace a testing system that has drawn complaints over delayed results, technology access problems, and frequent changes. Officials estimate the new system will cost $30 million to $38 million a year, below the current contract’s roughly $46.5 million.

The overhaul promises faster, more detailed results for teachers and families, plus accommodations for English learners and students with disabilities. State Superintendent Jenna Conway called releasing the request a top priority after years of delay.

Vendors have until mid-September to bid, and the winning system must be running for the 2027–28 school year.

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➤ Statewide: Virginia’s nursing home watchdog panel is vowing tougher enforcement as a backlog of complaints has topped 1,000 this year and 58% of nursing homes remain overdue for inspection. The state pushed its deadline to clear the backlog to Dec. 31, 2027. (More)

➤ Also Statewide: Virginia reported 47 new cyclosporiasis cases from July 21-28, raising the total since May 1 to 126 amid a national surge, though Virginia’s cases are not linked to the lettuce outbreak. (More)

➤ Harrisonburg: The city council voted unanimously to end its contract with Flock Group and pull 33 license-plate-reading cameras from city streets, citing privacy, equity, and data-security concerns. Any new fixed-camera system will now need council approval first. (More)

➤ Loudoun County: A judge on Thursday granted a competency evaluation for Elijah Zion Bieniemy—son of Eric Bieniemy, the Kansas City Chiefs’ offensive coordinator and former Washington Commanders coach—charged in his mother’s July 26 shooting. His Aug. 31 preliminary hearing will be rescheduled. (More)

➤ Lynchburg: Police and the FBI raised the reward to $30,000 for information in the unsolved killing of 6-year-old Kingston Campbell, who was shot in his bed three years ago while playing video games. (More)

➤ Dulles: President Trump proposed a $22.5 billion overhaul of Washington Dulles International Airport, including more parking and the removal of its aging people-movers. (More)

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➤ Rising UVA junior Anna Moesch broke her own American record in the 100-meter freestyle at the U.S. National Championships, finishing in 51.88 seconds. She’s now the third-fastest performer in history in the event. (More)

➤ Richmond football’s Camden Byrd was named Patriot League Preseason Defensive Player of the Year after leading the conference in tackles for loss, sacks, and forced fumbles last season. The Ashland native also earned FCS Preseason All-America honors. (More)

➤ Virginia Tech extended contracts for men’s basketball coach Mike Young and five other head coaches this week. Young’s one-year extension at $3 million keeps him from entering the 2026-27 season as a lame duck after four straight years without an NCAA Tournament appearance. (More)

➤ Yesterday’s Results: MLB | WNBA | Golf

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➤ Commonwealth Fusion Systems raised another $1 billion, bringing its total to $4 billion, to advance the planned 400-megawatt Fall Line Fusion Power Station in Chesterfield County. It’s targeted to open in the early 2030s and already has power deals signed with Google and Eni. (More)

➤ The commission overseeing the historic Hotel Roanoke voted unanimously, after a closed session, to sell its adjacent conference center to a Virginia Tech Foundation subsidiary. The panel splits its six seats between the city of Roanoke and Virginia Tech. (More)

➤ Developers broke ground on Dōma, a six-story, 276-unit apartment building beside CarMax Park, the first of four buildings in the opening phase of Richmond’s Diamond District redevelopment. (More)

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➤ UVA Health researchers say focused ultrasound shows promise as a new way to treat brain tumors, offering a more precise path to deliver therapy to hard-to-reach growths. (More)

➤ The 101st Chincoteague Pony Swim sent the island’s wild ponies across the channel from Assateague on Wednesday, with spectators staking out the marsh line as early as 3 a.m. for a front-row view. (See Photos)

➤ World War II Navy veteran John Mozian turned 102, celebrating with his three children at Waynesboro Manor and reflecting on his service, wartime injuries, and life as an identical twin. (Watch Report)

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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. Clicking the links will take you directly to these stories:

➤ The father who gave his son the rifle used in Georgia's deadliest school shooting has been sentenced in a first-of-its-kind case. (Hear Details)

➤ Coordinated cyberattacks on dozens of Minnesota water plants are reportedly under investigation for possible ties to Iran. (Hear Episode)

➤ Belgian authorities say an intern inside NATO's top military command is suspected of spying for an unnamed foreign power. (Listen Now)