Thursday, October 22, 2026

Salmonella Outbreak, Clear Backpacks, and an Eastern Mountain Bongo

Thursday, October 22, 2026

Good Morning! On this day in 1982, pro football tight end Heath Miller was born in Richlands. Miller grew up in Swords Creek, starred at UVA, and was Pittsburgh’s first-round pick in 2005. He earned two Pro Bowl selections and won two Super Bowl titles.

A salmonella outbreak has been linked to oysters harvested in Virginia. Learn more in Top Stories, then reply to let us know if you’re a fan of raw oysters and whether this outbreak worries you.

Your milk says it expired seven days ago. Some people pour it straight down the drain, and others pour a glass without a second thought. It’s one of the oldest standoffs in the kitchen. Is the date on the label a hard deadline, or just a suggestion? Researchers at Ohio State have an answer. And milk is just the start. We break down the verdicts on that canned soup from last summer and the mystery bag in your freezer, too. So who has been right all along, the tossers or the keepers? Ayla has the full story on today’s episode of The Flyover Podcast. Tune in here!

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Virginia Oysters Linked to Salmonella Outbreak

Raw oysters from a single Northern Neck harvester have been linked to a salmonella outbreak that has sickened 27 people across 12 states, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The Little Wicomico Oyster Company of Heathsville voluntarily recalled oysters harvested from the Little Wicomico River between Sept. 18 and Oct. 8 after investigators identified the company's oysters as the common link among the traced cases. Five people have been hospitalized, and no deaths have been reported.

The Virginia Department of Health closed the river in Northumberland County to oyster and clam harvesting on Oct. 9. Virginia has three cases in the CDC count.

Oysters from other Virginia growing areas are not part of the recall. Health officials say cooking kills the bacteria—hot sauce and lemon juice do not.

Panel Backs Itemized Public-Records Fees

A Virginia advisory panel endorsed a proposal Monday that would require government agencies to include an itemized breakdown whenever they give a requester a cost estimate for public records.

The records subcommittee of the Virginia Freedom of Information Advisory Council backed the change, proposed by the Virginia Coalition for Open Government. Supporters say it would let requesters see how a fee was calculated and decide whether to narrow or drop a request before paying.

Under current law, agencies may charge up to their “actual cost” to search for and produce records, but they don’t have to show their math. Fee estimates in Virginia have reached the thousands, and occasionally tens of thousands, of dollars. With 133 localities, requesters face a patchwork of approaches.

Past fee-reform efforts have repeatedly stalled in Richmond. The proposal now goes to the full council. Any change would ultimately need General Assembly approval.

Clear Backpacks Required Following Gun Scare

Williamsburg Christian Academy now requires all students to use clear backpacks immediately after a 10-year-old allegedly brought an unloaded handgun onto campus in a backpack last week.

Head of School Mark Kirk announced the policy in a Monday email to parents, noting the school has already purchased clear bags for those who need them.

The change follows the Oct. 16 incident in which a fifth-grader reportedly showed the gun to a classmate before taking a bus to an after-school program. York-Poquoson Sheriff’s deputies recovered the weapon at BaePlex, the after-school facility, after the school alerted authorities. Officials said there is no ongoing threat.

Additional measures include more frequent locker and backpack checks, inspection of athletic bags, periodic law enforcement presence, and staff safety training. School leaders held a parent town hall Monday and said further long-term security improvements remain under review.

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➤ Statewide: Supporters of Virginia’s three proposed constitutional amendments have out-raised opponents by more than 5-to-1 ahead of the Nov. 3 vote, reporting $4.47 million to $871,061. The amendments cover abortion rights, voting rights for people with felony convictions, and same-sex marriage. (More)

➤ Richmond: Newly released state records show the administrator of Thrive Learning Center East had brought a loaded gun to work before, which staff reportedly called a “normal routine.” On Sept. 25, a 2-year-old got hold of the gun and put it in their mouth. (More)

➤ Also Richmond: Terry Ward, 64, was arrested Oct. 11 on felony abduction and domestic assault charges after allegedly taping his wife to a basement chair so he could watch Sunday Night Football in peace. (More)

➤ Portsmouth: A roughly 100-by-50-foot section of the Portsmouth Pavilion’s concrete pier collapsed Monday night in the venue’s VIP area. The city is investigating the cause and says there’s no risk to the public. (More)

➤ Bristol: Six candidates are running for three city council seats on Nov. 3, and several want the city to claim a bigger share of Hard Rock Casino gaming taxes. Bristol now splits that revenue equally with 13 other Southwest Virginia localities, taking about 7%. (More)

➤ Suffolk: The city is gathering public input on a proposed Martin Luther King Jr. memorial at Peanut Park, honoring King’s 1963 visit. A statue is the early favorite among design options, and the proposal would convert the park’s ballfield to turf for multiple sports. (More)

➤ Lynchburg: City school officials told the school board Tuesday that 13 of the division’s 15 schools missed Virginia’s performance expectations this year, up from 11 last year. (More)

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➤ Anthony Davis scored 34 points and grabbed 12 rebounds as the Washington Wizards opened the season with a 128-116 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks last night. (More)

➤ Unbeaten James Madison football visits App State tonight at 7 p.m. in Boone. College Football News predicts the Dukes will ride their strong running game to a 31-24 win. (See Preview)

➤ Liberty football, winner of five straight games, is predicted to edge reigning Conference USA champion Kennesaw State 27-24 Thursday in Kennesaw, Georgia. (See Preview)

➤ UVA received 30 votes and Virginia Tech one in the preseason AP women’s basketball poll, leaving both outside the Top 25. (More and See Poll)

➤ Yesterday’s Results: NCAAF | NBA | WNBA | NHL | Soccer

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➤ A former nurse has filed a lawsuit alleging Chesapeake Regional Healthcare violated the Fair Labor Standards Act and Virginia Overtime Wage Act by automatically deducting 30 minutes of pay each day for meal breaks, even when employees worked through them. (More)

➤ Richmond’s Planning Commission unanimously recommended approving a special-use permit for Virginia Union University to finish an apartment complex on the grounds of the historic former Richmond Community Hospital. The city council will have the final say. (More)

➤ A Chick-fil-A at Norfolk’s Broad Creek Crossing is preparing to reopen and is hiring 160 full- and part-time workers. A reopening date has not yet been released. (More)

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➤ Norfolk International Airport, on track for its busiest year on record, auctioned off unclaimed lost-and-found items Tuesday, from jewelry and electronics to luggage and even a car. (More)

➤ The Virginia Zoo in Norfolk announced that Clover, an eastern mountain bongo, gave birth to a female calf last week, a milestone for the critically endangered antelope. The mother and calf are bonding. (See Photos)

➤ A one-year Virginia Tech Transportation Institute pilot on Route 460 used thermal cameras, AI software, and roadside signs to warn drivers about elk. Drivers approaching activated signs slowed by an average of 3 mph. (More)

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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.

➤ Expiration dates on your groceries are mostly guesses, except for the one you should never ignore. (Listen Now)

➤ An Australian lawmaker lost both of her legs after a car was deliberately driven into her outside her office. (Hear Story)

➤ Passengers began vomiting mid-flight, forcing a priority landing and a hazmat response in Germany. (Hear Details)

Is a roadside wildlife crossing detection system a good idea?

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Blue Bird Expansion, Trump Rally Moved, and Police Force Resigns

Thursday, October 22, 2026

Good Morning! On this day in 2001, fans of famed folk and album cover artist Howard Finster mourned his death in northwest Georgia. He created over 46,000 works of art.

Blue Bird Adding 375 Jobs

School bus maker Blue Bird announced plans to invest about $300 million in a new Fort Valley manufacturing plant, creating 375 jobs over three years.

The company will convert a former motorhome factory into a 1-million-square-foot facility that will build Type C buses with diesel, gasoline, propane, and electric powertrains.

Hiring will take place for manufacturing, operations, and technician roles. Construction on the plant is expected to start in early 2027.

Founded in 1927, Blue Bird is headquartered in Fort Valley.

"For nearly 100 years, Blue Bird has been an incredible part of Georgia's story, and now that story will continue to be written for years to come," Gov. Brian Kemp said in a statement.

Trump Rally Moves to Perry

President Trump’s rally on Saturday has been moved from Macon to Guardian Centers in Perry. Doors open at 3:30 p.m., and Trump is set to speak around 7 p.m.

The 830-acre Guardian Centers site trains first responders and military teams by simulating floods, fires, earthquakes, and chemical disasters.

Trump's visit comes eight days after his rally in Dalton, where he campaigned alongside governor candidate Rick Jackson and U.S. Senate candidate Mike Collins.

Jackson will not attend Saturday’s event to campaign in suburban Atlanta, a decision his campaign said is designed to boost Republican turnout elsewhere. Collins will attend.

911 Upgrades on Ballot

Georgians are voting on whether to create a dedicated state fund to modernize the state’s 911 system, including adding technology designed for cell phones.

Listed as Amendment 3 on the Nov. 3 ballot, the measure would let lawmakers set aside money exclusively for expanding, maintaining, and operating 911 services.

Only 17 of the state's 159 counties are compliant with Next Generation 911 standards, according to the state's county government association.

The current $1.50 monthly 911 fee would not change, and House Speaker Jon Burns’ office said the money could not fund Flock license plate cameras.

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➤ DeKalb County: Major construction finished on the I-285 and I-20 East interchange, with peak rush-hour speeds more than doubling to 55.7 mph from 26.1 mph. (More)

➤ Douglas: Family and friends began a fundraising campaign in support of South Georgia State College rodeo team member Clayton Dover, who was paralyzed in his lower body after shattering two vertebrae during a weekend competition. (More)

➤ Milner: Police Chief Lamar Bunn and the city’s full-time officers submitted resignations effective Oct. 28, citing concerns about the mayor and some council members. The city administrator is also leaving. (More)

➤ Augusta: A proposed zoning rewrite would ban short-term rentals in most neighborhoods, a change that could affect Masters week rentals. (More)

➤ Atlanta: Police and FBI agents are investigating after an apparent incendiary device was thrown at the downtown ICE field office Tuesday night. No fire broke out, and no one was hurt. (More)

➤ Sandy Springs: The city completed its $18 million Mount Vernon Highway sidewalk and multiuse path project, though some sidewalk gaps will remain until underground utilities are relocated. (More)

➤ Fort Gordon: Natravien Landry, a former Army National Guard soldier, was sentenced to 25 years in federal prison for the December 2024 shooting death of Sgt. Andre Stewart Jr. (More)

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➤ The Atlanta Hawks opened their season with a 132-125 road win over the Orlando Magic on Wednesday night. (More)

➤ The Atlanta Dream took a 2-1 lead in the WNBA Finals with a 97-71 home win against Golden State on Wednesday, with both teams again leaving the court for the national anthem. (Results | More)

➤ Georgia football is off this week and will next face Florida at 3:30 p.m. Oct. 31 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, airing on ABC. (More)

➤ Yesterday’s Results: NCAAF | NBA | WNBA | NHL | Soccer

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➤ Effingham County hired Charles Abbott Associates to oversee Phase 1 of OpenAI’s planned 1,400-acre data center project, with about 12 people handling inspections and plan reviews. (More)

➤ Macon-Bibb commissioners approved up to $30 million in bond financing for a Costco at New Forsyth Road and Wesleyan Drive. (More)

➤ Georgia Power unveiled a 68-container Tesla-built battery storage system at Plant Hammond near Rome that can deliver about 57 megawatts for up to four hours. Plans call for expanding to about 250 containers over time. (More)

➤ Automotive supplier Yura Corp. will open a plant in Bloomingdale, investing $5 million and creating 55 jobs to supply wiring harnesses and electronic modules to Hyundai’s Metaplant. (More)

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➤ The 64th annual Kiwanis Ogeechee Fair opened at the fairgrounds in Statesboro and runs through Saturday, with carnival rides, games, livestock shows, and food vendors. (See Photos)

➤ World-renowned cellist Yo-Yo Ma will perform with pianist Solon Gordon on April 6 at Lucas Theatre in Savannah as part of the 2027 Savannah Music Festival. (More)

➤ Running enthusiasts are invited to join ultrarunner William Goodge on Saturday as he continues his effort to set a Guinness World Record by running 50 marathons in 50 states in 24 days. (More)

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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.

➤ Expiration dates on your groceries are mostly guesses, except for the one you should never ignore. (Listen Now)

➤ An Australian lawmaker lost both of her legs after a car was deliberately driven into her outside her office. (Hear Story)

➤ Passengers began vomiting mid-flight, forcing a priority landing and a hazmat response in Germany. (Hear Details)

Will the Atlanta Hawks make the playoffs?

Yesterday's Results:

Do you watch online how-to videos?

Sometimes: 63%
Often: 27%
Never: 10%

Ford dealer and future Blue Bird founder Albert Luce Sr. began building steel-framed school buses after what part of a bus he sold fell apart on rural Georgia roads?

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