THURSDAY, JULY 30, 2026

Good morning! On this day in 1676, during Bacon’s Rebellion in Virginia, Nathaniel Bacon issued his “Declaration in the Name of the People.” Signed as “Generall, by the consent of the People,” it accused Governor Berkeley and the elite of corruption, unjust taxes, and failing to protect colonists from Indian attacks.

The number of measles cases in Virginia continues to climb. Learn more in Top Stories, then reply to let us know if you’ve ever had the measles.

You may be eating these five foods every single day, and your heart is paying the price. A brand-new study out of Penn State just uncovered how the foods you reach for most often may affect a key marker for heart disease that most people have never even heard of. In today's episode of The Flyover Podcast, Christopher shares what the study found, plus five heart-healthy swaps you can start making at your very next meal. So which foods are they, and how many are in your kitchen right now? Tune in here!

Osteoarthritis affects more than 500 million people worldwide, yet treatment options remain limited. Later today, watch for a message from our partner, Cytonics, about its research and what's next.

Today’s sponsor, Dr. Gundry MD, shares a simple collagen reset technique designed to help your body naturally rebuild collagen and support strength, mobility, and healthy aging.

Postal Workers Protest USPS Privatization

Postal workers and supporters rallied in Hampton and Charlottesville on Tuesday, joining a national day of action against proposals to privatize the U.S. Postal Service.

Speakers warned that handing the mail to private operators would raise prices and thin service in rural areas and for seniors who rely on delivery of medications and Social Security checks.

In Charlottesville, Tom Perriello, a Democrat running for Virginia's 5th Congressional District, cast the fight as bipartisan. “This is really an issue that brings together right, left and center,” he said.

The rallies come as President Trump pushes to overhaul the USPS and has nominated a slate of Republicans to its governing board. Supporters of the changes argue the self-funded agency, which has warned it could run short of cash as soon as this fall, must operate more like a business.

Navy Tightens Transfer Rules

The Navy, which has 10 bases in Virginia, has revised its policy for temporarily transferring sailors under investigation for sexual assault or stalking, restricting such moves to shore commands and requiring coordination with law enforcement.

The change follows the killing of Petty Officer 3rd Class Angelina Resendiz, a 21-year-old sailor assigned to the destroyer USS James E. Williams who disappeared from Naval Station Norfolk in May 2025.

Petty Officer 3rd Class Jermiah Copeland pleaded guilty in June to unpremeditated murder and other charges, including strangling a second victim, and was sentenced to 44 years in prison and busted down to seaman apprentice.

A spokesman for the Chief of Naval Personnel said the revision stemmed from Navy reviews after Resendiz’s death. Her family has spent the past year pressing the military for stronger protections for women in the ranks.

Virginia Among Top Measles States

Virginia ranks among the top states for measles cases in 2026, with at least 177 confirmed infections—nearly 35 times the five cases reported last year.

The figure places the commonwealth fourth nationally behind Texas, South Carolina, and Utah as U.S. totals hit a 35-year high. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention counted 2,318 cases nationally through July 23, the most in any year since 1991.

The outbreak, centered in Buckingham and Cumberland counties west of Richmond, began in May after a non-travel-related case. Nearly all patients are unvaccinated, and most are children. Health officials expanded the outbreak area in late June.

The Virginia Department of Health urges residents and visitors in the affected counties to verify immunity and consider additional vaccination. Unvaccinated people should avoid large gatherings in the outbreak zone until transmission subsides.

Dear Reader,

A month ago, the Minnesota Star Tribune won a Pulitzer Prize. Last week, it announced it's cutting 15% of its staff.

That's been the shape of the whole year. In February, the Washington Post eliminated more than 300 newsroom jobs and closed its sports and books desks outright. The BBC is shedding up to 2,000 roles. BuzzFeed and HuffPost cut about a third of their people. In Pittsburgh, the Post-Gazette shuttered its entire opinion section and published its last editorial.

Here’s what none of those outlets will say out loud: this is what happens when you spend years telling your audience what to think instead of what happened. Readers can tell when the news is tilted, and they've been walking away by the millions.

The numbers back it up. Gallup now finds just 28% of Americans trust the media to report the news fully, accurately, and fairly. That's the lowest it has ever measured.

The legacy media created this problem. The Virginia Flyover was built to be the solution, and the difference is simple. They editorialize in their reporting. We don’t. They tell you what to think about the news; we just show you what happened, clearly and fairly, and trust you to make up your own mind.

And it’s working: while they shrink, we’re about to cross six million readers. Six million Americans who start their morning with the facts and decide for themselves. They're fleeing the spin, and they’re finding us.

The Virginia Flyover will always be free. Producing it isn’t.

So as The Flyover family of readers closes in on six million, let me ask you two questions:

Do you rely on us for news without the spin? Is fact-first journalism worth fighting for?

If your answer is yes, will you chip in and help us hit this milestone at full speed?

I'll be honest with you: I read the same headlines you do, and there are mornings this industry looks like it’s coming apart. But then I look at what this team builds every single day, and at six million of you choosing the facts over the spin, and I've never been more sure we’re on the right side.

Will you support Flyover North Carolina today? I’d appreciate it very much.

[Give $10][Give $25][Give $50][Give $100]

— Cole, CEO

Flying together with our sponsor

California Surgeon: “Muscle Loss in Seniors is Real, But It Doesn't Have to Be”

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Not only does it play a role in holding the teeth in your mouth, keeping your heart walls intact, and reinforcing your gut lining...

It's also what allows you to enjoy your favorite outdoor activities without getting tired.

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➤ Statewide: Virginia is launching a $150 million Health Insurance Affordability Fund to cut Marketplace premiums for an estimated 200,000 residents after average premiums jumped about 75% this year. The subsidies take effect for 2027 coverage. (More)

➤ Chesterfield County: A former public school administrator fired over a Facebook post about Charlie Kirk’s death is suing the district, alleging it violated her First Amendment rights. The school system declined to comment on the pending suit. (More)

➤ Louisa County: More than 100 from Louisa County and neighboring communities packed a public meeting Tuesday to organize against the proposed Valley Link transmission line as state regulators prepare to review it. Developer Valley Link says the 115-mile line is needed for Virginia's growing power demand. (More)

➤ Roanoke/Salem: Virginia has shed more than 43,000 payroll jobs over the past year, ranking 49th nationally for job growth, but Roanoke-area hiring is bucking the trend with 3.7% unemployment. Neighboring city Salem is at 3.2% unemployment. (More)

➤ Hampton Roads: An independent review by law firm Cooley LLP identified gaps in emergency response and urged safety improvements at Old Dominion University after the March 12 shooting that killed ROTC instructor Lt. Col. Brandon Shah and wounded two cadets. (More)

➤ Portsmouth: State Sen. Louise Lucas, D-Portsmouth, shifted $300,000 from her campaign account to legal-defense costs on June 30, a day before a new Virginia law banning personal use of campaign funds took effect. Lucas faces an FBI investigation but no charges. (More)

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➤ The Washington Commanders moved former All-Pro receiver Wes Welker into the tight end coaching role after firing Ben Steele for violating team policy. Welker had already overseen the position group during minicamp while Steele was on leave. (More)

➤ Virginia basketball ranked No. 2 and Virginia Tech No. 8 in Jon Rothstein’s preseason ACC power rankings. Duke holds down the top spot. (More)

➤ The Washington Capitals raised more than $1.8 million for charity during the 2025-26 season, including $824,417 through fan-supported 50/50 raffles. (More)

➤ Yesterday’s Results: MLB | WNBA | Soccer

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➤ State regulators are reviewing Dominion Energy’s proposed $67 billion merger with Florida-based NextEra Energy, a deal that would form the nation’s largest regulated utility. Two Roanoke County Republican lawmakers want Gov. Abigail Spanberger to call a special session to extend the review. (More)

➤ Richmond consulting firm Sandbox, founded by Jill Lemon and Liz Doerr, has relocated from the Arts District to a larger 6,500-square-foot headquarters on the ground floor of the recently sold 1401 E. Cary St. building in Shockoe Slip. (More)

➤ Botetourt County supervisors voted 3-1 Tuesday to create an appointed five-member commission to study how a proposed Google data center would affect the county’s water supply, rather than the public forum its planning commission had urged. Residents packed the meeting and protested outside. (More)

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➤ Many people believe what they eat is the biggest factor affecting their blood sugar, but Blood Sugar Secrets says other everyday habits—like when you eat dinner and even the color of your urine—may provide important clues about your overall health. Discover what these simple signs could reveal by clicking to learn more.

Flying together with our sponsor

Collagen does far more than support healthy skin, hair, and nails.

It also plays an important role in maintaining strength, mobility, heart health, and gut health as you age. But according to Dr. Steven Gundry, simply eating more collagen isn't the most effective way to support your body's collagen levels.

That's why Dr. Gundry developed his "collagen reset technique," a unique approach designed to help your body produce its own collagen naturally. Learn how this technique may help support an active, healthy lifestyle and discover Dr. Gundry's presentation today.

➤ Three Virginia Tech projects received Department of Energy Genesis Mission phase-one grants totaling up to $750,000 each to apply AI toward quantum data accuracy, weather prediction, and rare earth extraction optimization. (More)

➤ Osprey chicks are starving in the saltier reaches of the Chesapeake Bay. A College of William & Mary-led study ties the nest failures to a shortage of Atlantic menhaden, prompting calls to rein in Virginia's industrial menhaden fishery, the last of its kind on the Atlantic coast. (More)

➤ USA TODAY named Accordia Natural Wine Bar & Eatery in Staunton one of the nation’s 38 best bars for 2026, praising its low-intervention natural wines from around the world and story-driven atmosphere. (More and See Full List)

Flying together with our sponsor

➤ Take five seconds before your next trip to the bathroom and notice the color of your urine. According to Blood Sugar Secrets, this simple observation may provide surprising clues about your overall health and could even point to an underlying parasite that many people don't realize they have. Learn what your urine color may reveal by clicking to find out more.

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:

➤ These five everyday foods are quietly increasing your chance of heart disease. (Hear Details)

➤ Federal officials are ending a Medicare drug subsidy, raising concerns that millions of seniors could face higher costs. (Hear Episode)

➤ One of America's most prescribed drugs, taken daily by roughly 23 million people, has been hit with a nationwide recall. (Listen Now)