Tuesday, August 19, 2025

Good Morning! On this day in 1969, Hurricane Camille reached Virginia as a tropical depression. It caused one of the worst natural disasters in state history, killing 124 people and causing $116 million in damage, which is more than $1 billion in today's currency.

Virginia Beach residents are used to seeing surfboards in the water. But a skateboard? In our Et Cetera section, The Virginia Flyover witnesses the end of a historic ride.

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VMI Taps a New Leader

The Virginia Military Institute (VMI) welcomed students back to campus with a new leader. Lt. Gen. David Furness, a VMI graduate and a retired three-star Marine Corps general, has taken over as the college's 16th superintendent.

Furness follows retired Maj. Gen. Cedric Wins, who was not retained by VMI when his contract expired at the end of June.

"Furness graduated summa cum laude from VMI with a degree in history. He attained the rank of first captain and regimental commander, the highest-ranking position a cadet can earn. He commissioned into the Marine Corps, where he served for 36 years," a VMI statement said.

"I am indebted to the Institute for molding me into the man I am today, and it is an immense honor to give back and serve the VMI community as Superintendent," Furness said.

School Year Begins with Changes

Hundreds of thousands of students across the Commonwealth are back in class for the 2025-26 academic year, and they are seeing several notable changes. For example, a new state law restricts the use of cellphones on campus during the school day.

In Fairfax County, all middle and high school students will pass through weapons detectors every morning. Teachers will also be using a new grading system.

Lynchburg City Schools students have a new leader. Dr. Kristy Somerville-Midgette, a former special ed teacher in the district, is now the superintendent.

More than 90% of kindergartners in Virginia were fully vaccinated at this time last year, and the percentage is rising. Free shots are available for students who are not yet vaccinated.

Medicaid Cuts become Campaign Issue

A change in federal law could cause hundreds of thousands of Virginians to lose Medicaid coverage and could cost the state's hospitals as much as $2 billion annually. The state estimates that Virginia would lose out on $26 billion over 14 years beginning in 2028.

The new policy is part of President Trump's newly passed One Big Beautiful Bill and is set to take effect in 2027. It reduces the amounts paid to providers and caps Medicaid reimbursement payments, which would force hospitals to pay more when they care for low-income patients.

The issue is coming up in the gubernatorial campaign. "We want to make sure that whatever happens with Medicaid, we have the money here to help," Republican candidate Winsome Earle-Sears said last week, suggesting the state could dip into its rainy day fund.

Democratic state Sen. Creigh Deeds said that wouldn't work. "There's no way we can make up the Medicaid cuts with the rainy day fund because it's not sufficient," he said during an event in Charlottesville.

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➤ Hampton Roads: Life-threatening rip currents and coastal flooding are possible as winds and waves triggered by Hurricane Erin impact the region over the next several days. (Details)

➤ Statewide: The Office of the State Inspector General announced this month that Virginia's Motor Vehicle Dealer Board has apparently been delinquent in performing inspections. The auditors submitted a list of 11 recommendations. (More)

➤ Nottoway County: State police reported that a suspect was killed and a deputy wounded in a weekend shooting after an officer attempted to pull over a driver going more than 100 mph. The suspect crashed and fled on foot, leading to the exchange of gunfire. (Details)

➤ Fredericksburg: Spotsylvania County sheriff's deputies charged Austin Wilson with abduction after he allegedly attacked a woman with a knife in the bathroom at a convenience store. (More)

➤ Statewide: The federal EPA rescinded its Solar for All award, which had been scheduled to give Virginia $156 million to install rooftop solar or buy into community solar projects for 15,000 households. (Details)

➤ Richmond: Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares, in a case joined by 51 fellow attorneys general, obtained full GI Bill benefits for retired Army Lt. Colonel Paul Yoon. The case may set a precedent for other veterans. (More)

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➤ Washington Capitals goalie Logan Thompson will throw out the first pitch before tomorrow's Nationals game as part of a partnership to promote pet adoption in the D.C. area. (More)

➤ Former James Madison golfer Neal Shipley earned his card and will play on the PGA Tour next season. (Details)

➤ Former UVA quarterback Bryce Perkins signed a contract with the Carolina Panthers after the team's backup, Andy Dalton, suffered an injury. (More)

Yesterday's Results: MLB | Soccer | LLWS | NFL Preseason

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➤ The average price of a gallon of gas was $2.98 yesterday, according to AAA. That's down from $3.03 last week and $3.29 at this time last year. (Details)

➤ VB Laskin Road LLC is looking to purchase a shopping center in Virginia Beach where it would develop a mixed-use project with an apartment complex, ground-floor retail, and a parking deck. (More)

➤ Comstock Companies plans to finish a 1.6-million-square-foot district in its Reston Station development this year, featuring condos and hotel space. (Details)

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➤ Brooke Johnson rode her skateboard into Virginia Beach to end a historic cross-country trip. It took her 118 days to become the first woman to skateboard across the U.S. She raised more than $50,000 for spinal cord injury research. (Watch Video)

➤ It isn't too late in the season to go crabbing at Ocean View Fishing Pier, along the Chesapeake Bay near where it meets the Atlantic Ocean. (More)

➤ Interstate 95 isn't the only way to get your car from Virginia to Florida. Erika Kengni, a reporter in Tampa, hitched a ride on Amtrak's Auto Train. (Details)

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