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It has poured at my house four days this month. How are we still in drought?
Think beyond your backyard, much wider in space and time, to understand that drought is more than about what falls in your particular rain gauge.
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Politics
Notes from the Square: General Assembly backs Spanberger’s appeal to SCC regarding data center transmission costs
Plus: Hashmi releases a reading list ahead of autumn Southwest Virginia college tour; Griffith applauds federal money for Helene housing recovery, announces $3 million for Head Start programs.
Local
Lynchburg Field Notes: Main Street reopens following years of construction
Also in this edition, get updates on Lynchburg’s new data center zoning rules, the region’s efforts to conserve water and an ongoing transportation survey that you can weigh in on.
Culture
Tedeschi Trucks Band cancels FloydFest appearance, citing singer’s illness
The group was atop the bill for the 2026 festival in Floyd County and was scheduled for a two-hour main stage set on Friday.
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education
Youth rescue camp aims to inspire Virginia’s next generation of first responders
More than 40 kids attended last month’s camp, which is part of the Virginia Association of First Responders’ efforts to bolster fire and rescue recruitment efforts.
eCONOMY
Tech Briefs: Virginia Tech researchers’ AI model is meant to manage water use
Plus: #AppalachiaBuiltThis event scheduled in Abingdon bills itself as “a hands-on community build night” for AI.
OPinion
Former Botetourt County supervisor: A constructive path forward on regional water planning
A well-structured public forum would allow for open examination of data, historical performance and future scenarios in a civil setting. It would not replace ongoing technical work by the Western Virginia Water Authority or state-mandated regional planning, but it could help build broader public understanding and confidence in the decisions ahead.
HealthCare
The Pulse: LewisGale adds simulation lab for nurses and clinicians
Plus: Bristol’s methadone clinic reaches its three-month milestone, and the Southside Health District plans a measles outreach clinic.
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news briefs
Headlines from across the state: Virginia crabbers are helping map the bottom of the Chesapeake Bay; more …
From elsewhere: United to add nonstop daily flights from Charlottesville to Newark. A $52K AI assistant is answering Richmond’s non-emergency calls. Remembering a prolific Roanoke sci-fi and fantasy author.
Sports
VHSL 2026: With victory in girls tennis, Bland County wins its first team championship ever in any sport
Meanwhile, Ridgeview High won the Class 2 girls championship Thursday at Liberty University with a 5-2 victory over Bruton.
WEATHER
Canadian wildfire smoke wafts over Virginia, dirtying skies and posing health risks
The Department of Enviromental Qualilty has issued an Air Quality Alert for most of the state as far west as the Roanoke Valley, as unhealthy levels of smoke are expected to reach the surface on this Friday.
Cardinal 250
Virginia’s royal governor made a grim last stand on a disease-ridden island by the Chesapeake Bay where corpses lay unburied
Lord Dunmore set up on Gwynn’s Island, but disease swept through his ranks. Then Andrew Lewis arrived with cannons.
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