Saturday, August 1, 2026

Voting Rights, NASA Wind Tunnel, and Guard Transformation

SATURDAY, AUGUST 1, 2026

Good Morning! On this day in 1770, William Clark was born in Caroline County. He later co-commanded the Lewis and Clark Expedition with Meriwether Lewis from 1804 to 1806, mapping the West, keeping detailed journals, and serving afterward as Missouri Territory governor and U.S. Superintendent of Indian Affairs.

NASA just opened its first major new wind tunnel in more than 40 years at Langley, where researchers could help shape everything from tomorrow’s aircraft to vehicles designed for Mars. If you could tour one Virginia research or military facility, which would you choose? Hit reply, and let us know!

Are you paying $139 a year for Amazon Prime just to get free shipping? Odds are you're only using a fraction of what that money buys. Beyond fast delivery, your membership includes five benefits that could save you hundreds of dollars annually on everyday things. On today's episode of The Flyover Podcast, Amy shares five Prime features hiding in plain sight, plus exactly how to activate each one. So what are you already paying for and leaving on the table? Tune in here!

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Spanberger Restores Rights to 66,085

Since taking office in January, Gov. Spanberger has restored civil rights to 66,085 Virginians with past felony convictions, including voting and jury service.

Virginia’s constitution currently bars people with felony convictions from voting unless the governor restores their rights. Spanberger reinstated a proactive review process after taking office.

Voters will consider a constitutional amendment Nov. 3 that would automatically restore voting rights upon release from incarceration, removing the decision from the governor.

Virginia Guard Tests New Brigade Model

Virginia’s 116th Mobile Brigade Combat Team became the first National Guard brigade to complete a readiness rotation under the Army’s new mobile structure.

Over 18 months, the brigade fielded about 35 new capabilities, including squad vehicles, drones, counter-drone technology, electronic warfare systems, and updated command tools.

The Army plans to convert 25 of 27 National Guard combat brigades, using the Virginia unit’s training lessons to guide future transitions.

NASA Opens New Langley Wind Tunnel

NASA opened its first major new wind tunnel in more than 40 years Friday at Langley Research Center in Hampton.

The research facility will test scale models of aircraft, drones, rockets, and spacecraft through free-flight and mounted experiments.

The 25,000-square-foot facility can reach 117 mph and will support research involving X-planes, reentry capsules, and vehicles designed for flight on Mars.

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➤ Statewide: Extreme drought fell to 8% and severe drought to 21%, though most of the commonwealth remains under some drought designation. (More)

➤ Culpeper: Three Eastern View High School golfers swam into Lake Culpeper and rescued two adults and a child after the family’s kayaks capsized. (More)

➤ Ashburn: Homeowners in a 143-house subdivision are considering a reported $4 million-per-home sale to a data center developer; every owner must agree and rezoning is required. (More)

➤ Northern Virginia: University of Maryland researchers are tracking black bears to estimate population size and movement, including one that crossed the Potomac River into Herndon. (More)

➤ Albemarle County: Eastbound I-64 will have daytime left-lane closures between mile markers 130 and 132 Aug. 3-6 for tree trimming. Expect delays. (More)

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➤ Virginia Tech cross country and track & field received a $1.2 million gift from Lynchburg donors Martha and Paul Seufer, the largest in program history. The gift will fund a new Champions For Life area in Rector Field House and a covered pavilion at the outdoor practice facility. (More)

➤ Capitals star Alex Ovechkin went viral this week after accidentally wandering into a couple's wedding photo shoot hotel while carrying a hockey stick. The bride initially thought he was a janitor. (More)

➤ Commanders receiver Terry McLaurin said this offseason has been a welcome return to normalcy after last year's holdout and injury-shortened season. He also said he’s been building chemistry with quarterback Jayden Daniels and mentoring the team's younger receivers. (More)

➤ Washington Wizards wing Jamir Watkins underwent surgery Thursday to repair a torn ACL in his left knee and is expected to miss most of the 2026-27 season. The 43rd pick in the 2025 draft, he averaged 7.4 points in 50 games as a rookie. (More)

➤ Yesterday’s Results: MLB | Golf | WNBA | Soccer

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➤ The historic Cavalier Hotel sold for $23.9 million as part of a $174 million deal that also included three other Virginia Beach Oceanfront properties. (More)

➤ The Virginia Zoo welcomed its first-ever green oropendola chick and two Kenya crested guineafowl keets, whose mother set a breeding-age record. (See Photos)

➤ The “Greetings from Richmond” mural returned to Broad Street with hidden city landmarks and a tribute to late Valentine museum director Bill Martin. (See Photos)

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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, straight from the heart of the country. Clicking the link will take you directly to these stories:

➤ Your $139 Amazon Prime membership includes hidden benefits most members are unknowingly paying for and never using. (Hear More)

➤ Mortgage rates have climbed to their highest level in a year as war fears and Fed doubts fuel inflation concerns. (Listen Now)

➤ Shark sightings are surging off New York City beaches, forcing police to send drones into the sky over swimmers. (Podcast Available)

Have you attended an America 250 event this year?

Yesterday’s Results:

Football season is almost here! Do you follow college or NFL?

Both: 28
Neither: 28%
College: 25%
NFL: 19%

Who was Caroline County named after?

Show me the answer

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Tornado Confirmed, Red Bull Showrun, and Perfect SAT Score

Saturday, August 1, 2026

Good morning! On this day in 1829, the first documented report of gold in Georgia appeared in an edition of the Georgia Journal, a newspaper published in Milledgeville.

The Red Bull Showrun is taking place today in Atlanta’s Summerhill neighborhood. Learn more in Top Stories.

Are you paying $139 a year for Amazon Prime just to get free shipping? Odds are you're only using a fraction of what that money buys. Beyond fast delivery, your membership includes five benefits that could save you hundreds of dollars annually on everyday things. On today's episode of The Flyover Podcast, Amy shares five Prime features hiding in plain sight, plus exactly how to activate each one. So what are you already paying for and leaving on the table? Tune in here!

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.

Atlanta Faces Environmental Lawsuit Threat

Two environmental groups notified the city of Atlanta and Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport on Wednesday that they intend to sue over fuel, sewage, and other pollution flowing from the airport into the Flint River.

The Southern Environmental Law Center and the Flint Riverkeeper filed a 60-day notice under the federal Clean Water Act. They say testing has found elevated "forever chemicals," or PFAS in the river and that the pollution violates federal clean water and solid waste laws.

In 2026, there have been three jet fuel spills reported at the airport that flowed into the Flint River, which serves as a source of drinking water for more than 400,000 people.

A city spokesperson declined to comment, citing the pending litigation. The two lawsuits are scheduled to take effect in late September and October.

Tornado Confirmed in Pickens County

The National Weather Service (NWS) confirmed that an EF-0 tornado touched down in Pickens County during Tuesday night's storms, leaving sporadic damage.

The twister snapped trees that blocked roads and was estimated to have maximum winds of 80 to 85 mph, with its path starting near East Price Creek Road. It largely spared structures due to it remaining primarily off the ground, the agency said.

The storm left more than 5,000 people without power and a historic 1930 monument in downtown Jasper was hit by lightning.

The NWS is still mapping the tornado's full path, and the agency expects to share more information as the review continues.

Red Bull Showrun Kicks Off Today

Formula One and off-road race cars will roar down Hank Aaron Drive in Atlanta's Summerhill neighborhood today for the free Red Bull Showrun.

The exhibition, scheduled from 5 to 7 p.m., is not an official race but a showcase featuring high-speed runs, precision driving, burnouts, and other demonstrations.

The show is one of four U.S. stops on the Red Bull Showrun tour in 2026. The event is open to the public and is expected to draw close to 50,000 people.

Several street sections go resident-only starting at 10 a.m. and MARTA’s Rapid A-Line is detouring through 6 p.m. Sunday. Organizers say residents keep access to their homes.

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➤ Augusta: A Goodwill on Wrightsboro Road reopened Thursday with new renovations after sitting closed for several years following the end of its lease. (More)

➤ Valdosta: The city is pouring more than $24 million into downtown, aiming to fill 180,000 square feet with housing, shops, restaurants, and other establishments over the next eight to 10 months. (More)

➤ Forsyth County: First responders rescued an overheated hiker on a Tower Road mountain trail earlier this week, hiking up to reach the woman before helping her back down for medical evaluation. (More)

➤ Savannah: Police will reactivate school zone speed cameras for the Savannah-Chatham County school district's first day on Aug. 3, issuing warnings for the first two weeks before drivers who violate speed limits begin receiving fines. (More)

➤ Warner Robins: A police officer has returned to duty six months after being wounded in a shooting while responding to a domestic violence call. (More)

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➤ The Georgia High School Association will require all girls flag football players to wear protective headgear this fall, a first for the sport in the state. More than 11,000 athletes across 307 high schools now play flag football in Georgia, and research shows nearly one in four injuries in the sport involve the head, face, or neck. (More)

➤ Atlanta Falcons receiver Drake London proposed to girlfriend Sofia Gabay over a Taco Bell spread at a desert ranch in Los Angeles, complete with Crunchwrap Supremes and hot sauce. She told London on their second date three years ago that being proposed to with Taco Bell would be "a dream." (More)

➤ Cristina Ulbrich, the wife of Falcons defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich, passed away this week after a battle with cancer. Ulbrich had been absent from the start of training camp this week to be with his family. (More)

➤ Yesterday’s Results: MLB | Golf | WNBA | Soccer

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➤ A Dairy Queen in Gray raised $250,000 for a Macon children's hospital on Miracle Treat Day, more than double its goal and surpassing last year's total of $180,000. (More)

➤ A Columbus K-9 is getting a donated bullet and stab-resistant vest worth about $1,800 from a nonprofit. (More)

➤ A senior at New Manchester High School in Douglasville scored a perfect 1600 on the SAT, a mark fewer than 0.05% of test takers reach. (More)

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