TUESDAY, JULY 21, 2026

Good morning! On this day in 1885, bestselling novelist, journalist, and memoirist Frances Parkinson Keyes was born in Charlottesville. A senator’s wife who later settled in New Orleans, she wrote over 50 books, including Dinner at Antoine’s (1948) and The River Road (1945).

From Virginia’s approval for inclusion in the federal Ed-Flex program to a national ranking of public school systems and a ranking of ACC schools’ college acceptance rates, we’ve got plenty of education news today. Learn more in Top Stories and Et Cetera.

For years, the diet soda felt like the smart choice. Skip the sugar, save the calories, and protect your health. But a first-of-its-kind study that followed nearly 13,000 adults over 8 years found that the low- and no-calorie sweeteners hiding in everyday products may be quietly speeding up how fast the brain ages. In today's episode of The Flyover Podcast, Ayla shares which sweeteners proved harmful, which one came out clean, and the everyday drinks and snacks they turn up in. So which of the sweeteners sitting in your own kitchen made the list? Tune in here to learn more!

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.

Car insurance rates have climbed for many drivers over the past few years. Later today, watch for a message from our partner, Insurify, about a simple way to compare quotes and see if you could save.

VA Schools Gain Federal Funding Flexibility

Virginia has been approved for the federal Ed-Flex program, allowing the state to clear certain Title I waivers for local school divisions without first asking Washington.

Under the U.S. Department of Education’s Education Flexibility Partnership Act, schools can now shift federal money for low-income students, teacher development, and technology with less paperwork.

Culpeper County Schools has already sought a waiver to carry more than 15% of its Title I funds into the coming year for reading and math help.

Supporters see room to tailor spending locally. Chris Jones of the Virginia Association for Teaching, Learning and Leading backs the change but says money for underserved students should stay protected.

Critics say it masks shrinking budgets. Ben Pearson-Nelson of the Virginia PTA said the change hits rural and under-resourced schools hardest, forcing districts to do more with less.

Taylor Hollow Fire Covers 108 Acres

The Taylor Hollow Fire in the George Washington and Jefferson National Forests remained at approximately 108 acres near Fairfield in Rockbridge County as of Monday. The fire was first spotted on July 5 and, as of Sunday, was 70% contained.

A total of 129 personnel were assigned to the incident, including three 20-person hand crews, 51 firefighters and support personnel, a five-person crew supporting a Type 1 helicopter, and 13 engine crew members staffing three Type 6 engines.

Crews continue strengthening containment lines by burning vegetation between the fire’s edge and the established lines. This activity has increased fire behavior, so residents and travelers—particularly in the Irish Creek community—may see and smell more smoke.

Difficult access in the steep, rocky terrain continues to challenge suppression efforts.

College Sports Bill Heads to Senate Floor

The bipartisan Protect College Sports Act cleared the U.S. Senate Commerce Committee on a 19-9 vote and is headed to the full Senate, with backing from the ACC—home to Virginia and Virginia Tech.

The bill would set the first national rules for college athletics: codifying NIL pay, guaranteeing athletes one transfer, capping agent fees at 5%, and requiring big programs to keep their women’s and Olympic teams. It would replace the current state-by-state patchwork.

ACC Commissioner Jim Phillips has pushed hard for it, telling committee leaders that “only Congress can provide solutions that truly stabilize” college sports. Sens. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, and Maria Cantwell, D-Wash., wrote the bill together.

The two richest conferences, the Big Ten and SEC, oppose it, warning it could invite more lawsuits than it prevents. The bill needs 60 votes to pass.

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➤ Statewide: SNAP enrollment in Virginia has dropped by roughly 100,000 people as federal benefit cuts take effect, and food banks across the Commonwealth say they’re straining to make up the difference. (More)

➤ Also Statewide: Sen. Mark Warner, D-Va., said he’ll vote against President Trump's nominee for director of national intelligence, Jay Clayton, citing what he called disappointing testimony at Clayton’s confirmation hearing. Warner added that Clayton is still likely to be confirmed. (More)

➤ Central Virginia: A proposed 115-mile transmission line from Campbell County to Culpeper County would carry power to Northern Virginia’s data centers, with customers in that region helping cover the $1 billion to $2 billion cost through higher bills. (More)

➤ Suffolk: A federal judge ordered the release of Victor Alfredo Perez Martin, the man whose arrest by ICE agents was captured in a video that circulated widely online. (More)

➤ Virginia Tech: A national search is underway for the university’s 17th president. A 23-member committee, aided by the firm Isaacson Miller, is seeking a successor to Tim Sands, who announced in April that he'll step down once a replacement is in place. (More)

➤ Botetourt County: A 12-year-old boy was rescued Saturday afternoon after falling from a cliff near Roaring Run Falls. Multiple fire departments and EMS crews used specialized equipment to reach him and carry him out for treatment. (More)

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➤ Virginia offensive tackle McKale Boley addressed the media at ACC Football Kickoff, discussing the Cavaliers’ 2026 outlook, offensive line improvements, and his personal growth as a senior leader. (See Details)

➤ Mark Lawrence Jr., a former Virginia Tech golfer, won his second State Open of Virginia, closing with a 66 to finish at 14-under in Midlothian, four shots clear of runner-up Drew Brockwell. He’s only the second player to win it as both an amateur and a pro. (More)

➤ Fred Johnson, a Maury High graduate and South Carolina linebacker, returned to Norfolk to host his first Fred Johnson Youth Football Camp, giving free instruction to kids ages 6 to 14 at Powhatan Field. Johnson helped Maury High win a state title in 2023. (More)

➤ Yesterday’s Results: MLB | WNBA

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➤ The Prince William Board of County Supervisors unanimously rejected two proposed routes for Dominion Energy’s Nokesville-to-Bristow transmission line, refusing the utility access to county easements and shielding spots like Broad Run Linear Park. (More)

➤ Using $15 million secured from the state, Richmond is preparing to seek bids to demolish the shuttered Richmond Coliseum, clearing the way for the City Center redevelopment. The work could go out to bid as early as September. (More)

➤ Merger talks between financially struggling Appalachian School of Law in Grundy and the University of Pikeville continue amid Buchanan County leadership turmoil, including disputes over local funding and control of the school. (More)

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➤ U.S. News 2026-27 rankings list UVA as having the ACC’s 7th-lowest acceptance rate at 17%, while Virginia Tech ranks 14th with a 55% acceptance rate. (See Details)

➤ Meanwhile, Virginia’s public school system ranks 6th nationally in a 2026 analysis, with a strong safety rank of 5th and quality rank of 9th. (See Rankings)

➤ James City County achieved Virginia’s first successful drone delivery of automated external defibrillators (AEDs) in test flights, potentially slashing cardiac arrest response times in rural areas as part of a national study. (More)

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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:

➤ New research found the low-calorie sweeteners hiding in everyday drinks may be quietly eroding your memory. (Hear Details)

➤ Health officials are working to trace the source of a deadly Legionnaires' outbreak on New York's Upper East Side. (Hear Episode)

➤ One of the most notorious figures in Mexico's drug trade was sentenced to life in prison and ordered to forfeit billions. (Listen Now)