Saturday, September 26, 2026

Good Morning! On this day in 1931, the keel of the USS Ranger was laid at Newport News. It was the first American ship designed and built from the keel up as an aircraft carrier.

Yesterday brought Dolly Parton Day celebrations filled with pink, music, books, and plenty of sparkle. Head to today’s Poll and tell us how you celebrated the woman who taught generations to work 9 to 5, dream big, and give generously.

The age at which Americans can start collecting full Social Security checks could drop for millions of workers. A new bill in Congress would move retirement up years early for some, just as Social Security speeds toward insolvency, and not everyone thinks it's a good idea. So who would qualify, and who gets left out? Amy has the full story on today's episode of The Flyover Podcast. Tune in here!

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Feds Charge Alexandria Software Firm’s CEO

Federal prosecutors charged Oxygen Forensics CEO Lee Reiber and Moscow businessman Oleg Davydov with conspiracy to commit wire fraud, alleging they hid that five Russian nationals owned and controlled the Alexandria company and that its software was developed in Russia.

Oxygen’s digital-forensics tools extract data from electronic devices and were sold to the Secret Service and Department of War. Prosecutors say a Russian company owned by the same five sold versions of the software to customers reportedly including Russia’s security service, the FSB.

Reiber, 55, became CEO in March 2022, when the Russian owners were removed from public filings but allegedly retained control. His ownership certification helped Oxygen secure a five-year contract with the Secret Service carrying a $12 million ceiling.

Authorities seized corporate accounts, about 57 domains, and other cyberinfrastructure Sept. 20. Each man faces up to 20 years if convicted; the complaint does not allege that the software contained malicious code.

$7.2 Million Grant to Expand Child Care

Virginia received a $7.2 million federal disaster-recovery grant to expand child care across Southwest and Southside Virginia by building two centers and expanding a third.

Danville and Pittsylvania County receive $2.7 million toward a 20,000-square-foot center with space for about 200 children and 30 new jobs.

Tazewell County receives $2.5 million for a 10,000-square-foot center serving about 148 children. Washington County gets $615,000 to add classrooms and outdoor space at EO Companies’ workforce hub, which will offer after-school and summer programs for children ages 5 to 12.

The grant comes through federal disaster-recovery funding approved after Hurricane Helene, which damaged roads and bridges and killed two Virginians. The projects are expected to create more than 55 jobs in a state where child care gaps hinder hiring and retention for more than eight in 10 employers.

Norfolk Soldier Is 19th Death in Iran-War Tally

An Army captain from Norfolk died Sept. 18 after suffering a medical incident aboard a military flight to Saudi Arabia, bringing the Pentagon’s public tally of service members who have died while supporting the Iran war to 19.

Capt. Bianca C. Wilkerson, 37, was posthumously promoted to major. She was assigned to Headquarters, U.S. Army Central & Third Army at Shaw Air Force Base and deployed to Doha, Qatar; the Army classified her death as noncombat-related.

Wilkerson graduated from Virginia Commonwealth University and served with the 678th Transportation Company in Newport News before moving to active duty. "She understood what it meant to be accountable for something bigger than herself," said Lt. Col. Markus Hopkins, a former colleague.

Five unidentified officials told The Washington Post that at least 22 service members have died in the Middle East since the war began Feb. 28, although not all were directly tied to the fighting; a sixth official estimated 23. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth disputed the reporting, saying, "Even if we wanted to attempt to hide a combat death, we never would and we never could."

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➤ Statewide: Virginia schools could be required to have at least one licensed nurse in every building or one per 325 students by July 1, 2028, under a proposal introduced Wednesday. A Virginia School Boards Association lobbyist supported the goal but said districts already struggle to find applicants. (Read Nurse Proposal)

➤ Fairfax County: The school board voted unanimously Thursday to prohibit automatic license plate readers, including Flock systems, on school property. None are installed, and speed cameras and school bus stop-arm cameras are unaffected. (See Board Vote)

➤ Hampton Roads: Crews will repave inside the Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel, closing it westbound Oct. 2-5 and eastbound Oct. 16-19. Backup weekends are Oct. 9-12 and Oct. 30-Nov. 2, and more than 100,000 vehicles use the tunnels daily. (See Closure Schedule)

➤ Henrico County: The county will submit 50% design plans next week for a 13-mile water main connecting western water plants to eastern homes and businesses now served by Richmond. The $304 million pipeline is scheduled for completion in April 2031, although Henrico must continue buying Richmond water through July 2040. (Read Pipeline Plans)

➤ Statewide: A Virginia law taking effect Jan. 1 will require qualifying health plans with obstetrical benefits to cover maternal mental health screenings during pregnancy and postpartum. Several states passed or considered related measures this year, and advocates expect more interest after this month’s mistrial in the Lindsay Clancy murder case. (See State Efforts)

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➤ James Madison is among three schools that have discussed joining the American Conference, along with Miami (Ohio) and UConn, although the league says it is not proactively seeking new members. The Dukes, the first Sun Belt team to reach the College Football Playoff, reportedly want full membership. (Read Conference Report)

➤ Virginia’s four public FBS schools collected $125.05 million in mandatory student athletics fees in fiscal 2025, up from $93.39 million in 2015. Those fees accounted for 74% of James Madison’s athletics budget, compared with 11% at Virginia and 10% at Virginia Tech. (Review Fee Figures)

➤ Colonial Forge’s Eagles defeated Stafford County rival Mountain View 3-1 in girls volleyball Thursday night. (See Match Photos)

➤ Yesterday’s Results: NCAAF | MLB | NHL | Soccer | Golf

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➤ Chuck Norris spent years researching what he believed were hidden threats inside the body that contribute to “rapid aging.” He identified three “internal enemies” that may affect energy, digestion, muscles, and joints. Before his passing, Chuck recorded a short video explaining what he discovered and the approach he believed could help. Watch the video here >>

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➤ The State Fair of Virginia opened Friday at The Meadow Event Park in Doswell and runs through Oct. 4, featuring rides, pig races, livestock shows, fair food, and new attractions and exhibits. (See Fair Highlights)

➤ Downtown Lynchburg businesses served Dolly-inspired drinks, sold pink bouquets, and hosted karaoke Friday for the city’s first Downtown Dolly Day. The Sept. 25 date nodded to her hit 9 to 5, with select events and donations benefiting Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library. (See Dolly Lineup)

➤ A 200-foot Danville mural dedicated Friday depicts a local girl reaching toward a great blue heron amid dragonflies, river reeds, and the Dan River. Residents helped artist Jon Murrill paint The River’s Radiance, with support from Riverview Rotary. (See Mural Details)

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➤ Most Americans think eating sweets for breakfast is unhealthy… But according to Stanford researchers, there's one delicious “dessert” food that Costa Ricans in the famous "blue zone" there eat each morning that… So, what's the #1 “dessert” food that helps Costa Ricans live healthy, lean, and energetic past 100?

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.

➤ Some American workers could start collecting full Social Security years early, but critics warn of fallout. (Hear Details)

➤ Coastal flood alerts cover 33 million people as a rare multiday nor'easter threatens the East Coast through the weekend. (Listen Now)

➤ The robotic spacecraft launched to save a failing NASA telescope has itself plunged back to Earth. (Podcast Available)