TUESDAY, AUGUST 18, 2026

Good morning! On this day in 1774, explorer Meriwether Lewis was born at Locust Hill in Albemarle County. He served as Thomas Jefferson’s secretary before co-leading the Corps of Discovery with William Clark to the Pacific from 1804 to 1806.

A Virginia Tech engineer landed a grant to help NASA astronauts work through the moon’s two-week night. Learn more in Top Stories.

Before you pour the coffee, go take a look at your thermostat. Do you know why it's set to that number, or did you pick it years ago and never touch it again? You're not alone. A federal energy survey found that only 12% of American households program their thermostats to match their actual schedules. Everyone else runs one flat number all day on the single biggest expense in their power bill. There's a specific setting, a certain number of degrees for a certain number of hours, that unlocks real savings with no new equipment. Ayla has the numbers on today's podcast. Tune in here!

Later today, watch for a message from our partner Fisher Investments on 13 common retirement investing mistakes that could quietly cost you over time, and how to spot them before they derail your long-term plans.

We're always interested in products that take an everyday task and simply make it easier. That's what caught our attention about today's sponsor, the Sonic Glow Brush. If you've ever wished brushing your teeth was quicker without sacrificing a thorough clean, this is worth a look.

VT Engineer Lands NASA Moon Grant

NASA has chosen a Virginia Tech engineer for one of 18 grants to develop insulation that could keep robots working through the moon’s two-week night.

Austin Phoenix, mission systems division director in the university’s National Security Institute, will study a concept called ECLIPSE under NASA’s Innovative Advanced Concepts program, which is giving up to $175,000 for each nine-month study.

The moon swings roughly 500 degrees between lunar day and the frigid two-week night, and today’s rovers burn scarce power on heaters and batteries to survive it. ECLIPSE would replace much of that with a passive material—a variable-conductivity metamaterial triggered by shape-memory alloys—that traps heat when it turns cold and sheds it as it warms.

Phoenix earned two degrees at Virginia Tech and spent nearly a decade at the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory. NASA says the payoff could reach beyond the moon to satellites, electric vehicles, and energy-efficient buildings.

Arrest Made in VSU Shooting

Police have arrested Camron Harris, 19, in the mass shooting at Virginia State University in Ettrick that wounded five people early Saturday.

Chesterfield County police found Harris hiding in a closet in the university’s Seward Hall at least 12 hours after the gunfire and charged him with eight felonies. He’s being held without bond.

Five people were shot, including one VSU student. One man was critically injured, and the other four are expected to recover. Investigators say more than one person fired, and they are still searching for others involved.

On Sunday evening, VSU President Makola Abdullah addressed the historically black university in a letter, writing that “The safety and well-being of our students and our entire campus community remain among our highest priorities.” Classes at the Ettrick campus began Monday.

Speaker Johnson Campaigns for Kiggans

House Speaker Mike Johnson visited Virginia Beach Monday to campaign for Rep. Jen Kiggans in Virginia’s competitive 2nd Congressional District.

The race is a rematch of 2022, when Kiggans defeated Democrat Elaine Luria. Analysts say the high-profile stop underscores Republicans’ priority on retaining the seat and their House majority.

The district leans Republican but remains a target, with Democrats showing recent strength there ahead of early voting on Sept. 18 and Election Day on Nov. 3.

Johnson is also launching a “Contrast for America” nationwide tour and website. The effort aims to educate young voters on the historical failures of socialism and communism while highlighting differences between the parties.

Flying together with our sponsor

A Smarter Way to Brush in Just 30 Seconds

Most of us spend two minutes brushing our teeth twice a day. The Sonic Glow Brush takes a different approach. Its soft, U-shaped mouthpiece surrounds your teeth and uses sonic vibrations to clean them all at once, delivering a full brushing routine in as little as 30 seconds.

It's easy to see why so many people are making the switch. Whether you're trying to get out the door faster in the morning, simplify your evening routine, or just want an easier way to stay consistent, this brush offers a refreshing alternative to a traditional toothbrush. It also features multiple cleaning modes, built-in blue light whitening technology, and a rechargeable battery that's perfect for home or travel.

If you're looking for a smarter, faster way to brush, see how the Sonic Glow Brush works here.

➤ Statewide: Virginia's median household income of $93,170 slightly exceeds the estimated $92,266 needed to comfortably buy a median-priced home, leaving a thin $904 affordability surplus. (See Data)

➤ Eastern Shore: As Accomack and Northampton counties spotlight their history for the nation’s 250th anniversary, VDOT is reminding travelers that its highway signs remain key to navigating the Eastern Shore's growing network of heritage trails. (More)

➤ Hampton: Officials pushed back against a $4.2 billion Army Corps flood-mitigation plan that would voluntarily elevate 4,000 homes, calling the city's $1.5 billion share unaffordable and pushing for structural solutions instead. (More)

➤ Lynchburg: Lynchburg Regional Airport received an $8 million FAA grant to expand its terminal, adding a wider TSA exit lane and elevator to improve passenger flow and accommodate future growth. (More)

➤ Richmond: Virginia Union University is asking the city for permission to develop the former Richmond Community Hospital property, pledging to preserve the historic hospital building. (More)

➤ Smith Mountain Lake: Three people suffered non-life-threatening injuries Saturday night when their center console boat ran ashore, prompting a marine rescue response and hospital transport for all three occupants. (More)

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

➤ Washington Commanders backup quarterback Marcus Mariota sprained the MCL in his right knee during this weekend’s preseason opener against the Dolphins and will miss the rest of the preseason. (More)

➤ UVA sophomore Sara Curtis collected six medals at the European Swimming Championships in Paris, including gold in the 50-meter backstroke in a world-record time of 26.56 seconds. She set two world records and five individual Italian records across the meet. (More)

➤ Meanwhile, incoming UVA tennis freshman Jack Kennedy won the USTA Boys’ 18s National Championships, earning a wild card into the main draw of the 2026 US Open. He’s the No. 1 recruit in the country. (More)

➤ Yesterday’s Results: MLB | WNBA | Tennis

Flying together with our sponsor

➤ Upgrade Your Kitchen with Tivano. The Tivano Cutting Board features a non-porous TitaniumShield™ surface designed to resist odors, stains, and bacteria while staying gentle on your knives. It’s microplastic-free, waterproof, durable, and dishwasher-safe, making everyday meal prep cleaner and easier. Upgrade to Tivano today >>

➤ Goolrick’s soda fountain has reopened in downtown Fredericksburg after a four-year renovation of its historic Caroline Street space. (More)

➤ Denver-based Four Mile Capital is suing River’s Edge developers, alleging fraud over persistent water leaks and shoddy construction at the 212-unit Manchester riverfront tower it purchased for $50 million. (More)

➤ HoneyBloom Company, a maternity clothing boutique, is opening its first standalone storefront at Stony Point Fashion Park after Painted Tree Boutiques’ national chain abruptly closed all locations. (More)

Flying together with our sponsor

➤ Quiet Nights Start with SleepZee. SleepZee is a customizable anti-snoring mouthpiece designed to gently reposition your jaw and support better airflow while you sleep. Its moldable, compact design offers a personalized fit without complicated equipment—helping reduce snoring for more peaceful nights for you and your partner. Try SleepZee today >>

Flying together with our sponsor

A Small Upgrade You'll Use Every Day

Some products promise to change your life. Others simply make your daily routine a little better. We think this falls into the second category. If you're going to brush your teeth every day anyway, it makes sense to see if there's a faster, easier way to do it.

Learn more about the Sonic Glow Brush and see if it's right for you today.

➤ Two World War II-era warbirds, including a 1942 Boeing Stearman biplane, landed at New River Valley Airport in Dublin, offering static displays and rides to the public. (Watch Report)

➤ Virginia ranks 43rd and among the eight worst states for women’s equality in a study of 50 states measuring metrics such as pay gaps, leadership roles, education and health outcomes. (More)

➤ Norfolk musician Scott Medina plans to release Slow Fast, his final collaboration with Tony Camarillo, donating proceeds to Camarillo’s grieving family after his shooting death. (More)

Flying together with our sponsor

➤ What’s the Best Breakfast Food in 2026? Oatmeal, eggs, cereal, coffee…The best breakfast choice may not be what you think and how you prepare it could make all the difference. A leading cardiologist reveals his surprising breakfast recommendation, plus one simple morning change that may help support a healthy metabolism and your weight-management goals. See the Full List of Breakfast Recommendations >> "

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:

➤ Most Americans never program their thermostats, and it's costing them. There's an exact degrees-and-hours setting that can trim real money off heating and cooling costs. (Hear Setting)

➤ Newly declassified files show the FBI stumbled onto former Rep. Eric Swalwell's affair with a suspected Chinese spy while trying to recruit her as a confidential informant. (Hear Story)

➤ A popular Maryland state park is partially closed after rabid beavers attacked two teens. Experts say there are warning signs to watch for. (Hear Warning Signs)