Saturday, August 8, 2026

Good Morning! On this day in 1863, Confederate General Robert E. Lee wrote a letter of resignation to President Jefferson Davis after the defeat at Gettysburg. Davis rejected the offer, and Lee continued commanding the Army of Northern Virginia until its surrender in April 1865.

Virginia Tech researchers have found a way to turn notoriously hard-to-recycle PVC plastic into synthetic lubricant oil. What’s the most surprising thing you’ve ever seen recycled or repurposed? Hit reply and let us know!

Scam calls used to be easy to spot. Not anymore. AI can now clone your loved one's voice, and criminals are using it to stage fake emergency calls across the country. Americans lost billions to AI-enabled scams last year, and experts say the numbers are climbing fast. But here's the good news. The single most effective defense doesn't require an app, a subscription, or any tech skills at all. You won't believe how easy it is to protect what you care about. Today on The Flyover Podcast, Amy breaks down how these scams work and the quick fix that stops them cold. Tune in here!

Today's sponsor is Green Coffee Company, a Colombian coffee producer expanding its vertically integrated business and bringing the legendary Juan Valdez® brand to more consumers across North America.

Virginia Tech Turns PVC into Lubricant

Virginia Tech researchers developed a process that converts PVC plastic waste into polyalphaolefin, a key ingredient used in lubricants such as engine oil.

PVC is among the hardest plastics to recycle because of its chlorine content and varying additives. Much of the material instead ends up in landfills.

The process removes chlorine and converts the remaining material into synthetic lubricant oils that performed competitively with commercial products, according to the study published in Nature.

Researchers said the method could address two problems at once by reducing difficult-to-recycle plastic waste while producing a higher-value material used across transportation and industry.

Virginia Farmers Gain Drought Assistance

Farmers across Virginia can now seek federal drought assistance after the USDA added 40 localities to its disaster designations, bringing the statewide total to 125.

The additions mean every Virginia county now carries a drought disaster designation for 2026. Eligible farmers may apply for assistance through the USDA Farm Service Agency.

Programs include emergency loans, with applications evaluated individually based on eligibility, circumstances, and financial need. Farmers generally have eight months from the disaster declaration to apply.

The designations apply to areas that experienced severe drought for at least eight consecutive weeks or reached extreme or exceptional drought levels during the growing season.

Flood Strands Kibler Valley Residents

Weekend flooding washed out a private bridge in Patrick County’s Kibler Valley, leaving 11 residents without vehicle access to their homes and debris blocking the crossing.

Because the bridge is privately owned, residents are responsible for clearing the debris and replacing it. Neighbors built a temporary footbridge to restore pedestrian access.

Volunteers from Virginia and neighboring states arrived with heavy equipment Friday to begin clearing the river. Resident Angie Nelson said the response showed “the power of community.”

Flying together with our sponsor

Could This Be the Next $110B Coffee Giant?

Dunkin' was acquired for $11B. JDE Peet's IPO’d at $17B. Starbucks today is valued at a $110B market cap. They all achieved this without owning the whole coffee supply chain.

Imagine how much more market they could capture if they did.

Green Coffee Company controls its entire coffee-making process from seed to sale. As Colombia’s #1 producer, they’ve seen revenue grow from $1M to $26M since 2021.

Now, they have exclusive distribution rights to the legendary Juan Valdez® brand in North America, and they’re reigniting it across the U.S. coffee market. Become a Green Coffee Company investor today and get up to 20% bonus shares.

➤ Statewide: State Police seized more than $2.7 million in illegal drugs during a weeklong operation, including cocaine, marijuana, methamphetamine, and fentanyl, along with six firearms. (More)

➤ Giles County: Regulators approved Appalachian Power’s $340 million plan to move 6.8 million cubic yards of coal ash from the retired Glen Lyn plant to a new landfill on the property. (More)

➤ Shenandoah County: A federal judge ordered the school board to rename two schools after finding its 2024 restoration of Confederate names discriminated against black students. (More)

➤ Appomattox County: Deputy Burlie W. Duvall III was killed Thursday while assisting at a crash scene in Campbell County. Authorities said the investigation remains ongoing. (More)

➤ Roanoke County: A boil water advisory was issued for the Roselawn, Homewood, and Smokey Ridge pressure zones after an equipment failure caused water pressure problems. (More)

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➤ Commanders wide receiver Stefon Diggs practiced with the team for the first time yesterday after signing a one-year deal worth up to $12 million earlier this week. The four-time Pro Bowler had 85 catches for over 1,000 yards with the Patriots last season. (More)

➤ The Washington Wizards and Anthony Davis will reportedly hold off on extension talks until the regular season. Davis became eligible for a deal worth up to $275 million on Thursday, but the team’s hesitant to commit long term. (More)

➤ Mandatory athletic fees at Virginia's state colleges rose 5.5% this year, the fastest-growing category of student costs. At James Madison University, those fees fund 74% of the athletic budget, more than donors give annually to Michigan's sports programs. (More)

➤ Virginia Tech men's basketball will play in the Charleston Classic alongside Dayton, Minnesota, Northwestern, Oklahoma State, and Utah. The two-day event tips off Nov. 20. (More)

Flying together with our sponsor

➤ Still Brushing the Old-Fashioned Way? Sonic Glow cleans your entire mouth in just 30 seconds with thousands of sonic bristle movements, making it a great option for anyone who wants an easier, more effective routine, especially if dexterity is a challenge. See why so many people are making the switch today.(More)

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The Coffee Producer Riding 26X Growth

Everyone should know about Green Coffee Company, because they’re Colombia’s #1 largest coffee producer. They’ve already grown revenue 26X since 2021 and reached over 2,500 retailers.

But here’s why 2026 could be their biggest year yet.

They’ve acquired exclusive rights to distribute Juan Valdez® coffee across North America. As Green Coffee Company brings this iconic coffee brand to Raley’s, Target, and other big box stores, investors are paying attention. They’ve already invested over $120M so far.

Become a Green Coffee Company investor today and get up to 20% bonus shares.

This is a paid advertisement for Green Coffee Company's Regulation A offering. Please read the offering circular at https://invest.greencoffeecompany.com/. Timelines are subject to change. Listing on the NASDAQ is contingent upon necessary approvals, and reserving a ticker symbol does not guarantee a company's public listing.

➤ A Fairfax County high school student launched Raaha, a free AI tool that helps neurodivergent job seekers evaluate whether a workplace matches how they work. (More)

➤ Three Henrico County high school students developed BusGuard, a device designed to alert students when vehicles illegally pass stopped school buses. Their prototype recorded 95.35% accuracy in 211 trials. (More)

➤ Virginia Tech’s mining program is among 14 schools named in a federal initiative that could provide up to $100 million to expand the critical minerals workforce. (More)

Flying together with our sponsor

➤ Big AC companies are panicking over this new cooling invention that helps Americans stay cool for less. Stop suffering from extreme temperatures and high electric bills. Get instant cooling in summer and cozy warmth in winter with CoolCove. Learn 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, straight from the heart of the country. Clicking the link will take you directly to these stories:

➤ Scammers can now clone your loved one's voice, but this simple defense makes them harmless. (Hear More)

➤ Meta was ordered to pay a $567 million penalty over findings that it fueled a youth mental health crisis. (Listen Now)

➤ Louisiana health officials are warning residents after a deadly spike in flesh-eating bacteria infections tied to seawater exposure. (Podcast Available)