AGP Executive Report

9/11 Remembrance in Virginia: Communities across the state marked the 25th anniversary with ceremonies honoring victims and first responders, including a National D-Day Memorial service in Bedford and a Virginia Beach event at the Fire Training Center featuring steel recovered from the World Trade Center. Local Public Safety Training: Virginia Beach is replacing decades-old public safety classes with separate firefighting and law enforcement pathways starting fall 2027, aiming for stronger city partnerships and clearer career tracks. Road & Travel Updates: VDOT reopened Six Mount Zion Road in James City County after bridge work tied to the I-64 Gap Widening project, while Hampton Roads posted detailed bridge-tunnel lane closure schedules and Caroline County set brief overnight I-95 traffic stops for Dominion Energy work. Drought Watch: Norfolk and Virginia Beach urged residents to cut non-essential water use as reservoir levels drop. Health & Care Access: Mountain Valley Hospice received a grant to launch a Mobile Dementia Activity Lab, expanding memory-care activities across parts of Virginia and North Carolina.

9/11 Commemoration: President Trump is set to honor 9/11 victims and first responders at the Pentagon on the 25th anniversary, while local and national remembrance stories continue to circulate across Virginia and beyond. Public Safety Law: The Ashanti Alert Act, named for a Virginia Beach woman, has been signed into law to help locate missing adults aged 18–65 faster. Travel & Aviation Impact: A new look at how 9/11 reshaped air travel highlights longer screening lines and the lasting security costs that still affect trips today. Data & Identity Risks: IDScan says hackers accessed data tied to 153 million driver’s license scans, a reminder for travelers and businesses using identity checks. Nature-Based Learning: IslandWood’s programs keep drawing families outdoors, with low-cost events that turn Virginia-area visitors into hands-on learners. Maritime/Local Courts: A Virginia federal ruling found a shipyard’s Limitation of Liability filing was late, based on what counted as notice of a claim.

Bridge & Road Updates: Route 627 (Bacon Hollow Road) in Greene County is back open after crews completed rehabilitation of the bridge over the Roach River, with extra work continuing nearby. Local Tourism Dollars: Visitor spending in Front Royal and Warren County hit $98.2M in 2025 (+2.5%), buoyed by access to Shenandoah National Park and Skyline Drive. Sports Travel Planning: UVA is warning fans about parking lot clear-out times, traffic buildup, and shuttle/Transit changes for its Friday night home opener at Scott Stadium. Virginia Beach Safety & Justice: Two suspects tied to an April Oceanfront shooting appeared in court, where prosecutors played surveillance video and described how the confrontation escalated. Tourism Economy Watch: Henrico County reports visitor spending topped $2B in 2025, with tourism supporting hundreds of jobs and more event-driven growth ahead. Travel Tech & Security: William & Mary students joined a Virginia Army National Guard cybersecurity exercise in Virginia Beach focused on protecting critical infrastructure like water systems. On the Road (Transit): Amtrak plans a nine-day disruption to Virginia–D.C. service in October for track upgrades. Remembering 9/11 (Travel Impact): Multiple stories mark the 25th anniversary, including how the attacks reshaped air travel security and passenger experience.

Rail & Commuter Updates: Amtrak is planning a nine-day “Pause for Progress” outage in Washington, D.C.’s First Street Tunnel (Oct. 16–26) that will cut service for trains moving between Union Station and Virginia Railway Express. EV Charging Reality Check: A new report contrasts a federal-subsidized fast charger with a private Tesla Supercharger experience—raising questions about how useful public EV infrastructure is for real road trips. Travel Safety & Access: A guide highlights the best accessible hiking trails at seven national parks, with options like paved routes and low-elevation walks for visitors with mobility needs. Local Visitor Economy: Charlottesville and Albemarle County visitor spending topped $1 billion, underscoring how tourism continues to drive Virginia’s economy. Road & Getting Around: A multi-vehicle crash closed the Norris Bridge for hours, a reminder to plan detours during peak travel days. Virginia Family Safety: Fairfax City police report a fatal truck-and-bike crash involving a 13-year-old near a shopping area, with officials urging extra caution around school travel. Outdoor & Nature: Virginia’s wild ginseng harvest is underway, adding another seasonal reason to get outside and explore the state’s rural landscapes.

Road Safety: Virginia State Police reported 10 deaths in eight crashes over the Labor Day holiday, including three pedestrians, with officials urging drivers to stay alert and pedestrians to use crosswalks and avoid crossing interstates. Tourism Numbers: Virginia tourism hit a record $36.2B in visitor spending in 2025; Danville/Pittsylvania logged $415.2M (+50.9%), and Waynesboro saw nearly $93M (+8.2%), supporting jobs and local tax revenue. Local Roads & Travel: VDOT crews begin a new Albemarle County hybrid roundabout at Routes 53 and 20 (work starting Sept. 14), while in Hanover County I-95 northbound lanes were shut after a tanker overturned and spilled fuel, with delays expected for hours. Outdoor & Community: The Virginia Department of Forestry is collecting acorns and walnuts at 25 drop-off sites statewide through Oct. 11 to grow seedlings for sale. Family Fun: The Smith Mountain Lake Wine Festival returns Sept. 26-27 at Bernards Landing with nearly 30 wineries/distilleries, 100+ vendors, and live music. Sports & Events: Virginia Beach will seek new proposals for the former MOCA property, and Virginia Tech keeps its QB competition open after Bryce Baker’s debut.

Virginia Tourism Numbers: Eastern Shore visitor spending hit $267M in 2025 (+2.1%), supporting 1,857 jobs and $10.7M in local tax revenue, while statewide tourism set a record $36.2B in visitor spending and 46.6M overnight visitors. Outdoor & Nature: VDACS says Virginia’s wild ginseng season runs Sept. 1–Dec. 31, with strict rules on plant age, stem scars, and replanting seeds—plus most public lands ban harvesting. Heritage & Family Fun: Poplar Forest in Bedford is rolling out special fall events and a Declaration of Independence exhibit through Dec. 2026. Community Remembrance: The Rotary Club of Forest’s Field of Honor returns Sept. 11–23 with 1,100+ flags and nightly taps, marking the 25th anniversary of 9/11. Travel Watch: Sunshine Tours, a 45-year motorcoach operator in southwestern Virginia, shut down immediately, citing higher costs and fewer passengers; refunds are being handled through legal counsel. Safety on the Road: Virginia State Police identified two drivers charged after a deadly I-66 Express Lanes crash involving an oxygen-tank truck.

New VA travel health access: Hampton VA opened a new Western Branch outpatient clinic in Chesapeake, expanding care for 10,000+ veterans and adding services like diagnostic imaging and a first-in-VHA drive-through pharmacy—aimed at cutting bridge/tunnel travel burdens. Surf tourism spotlight: Virginia Beach’s inaugural Super Girl Surf Festival drew major attention over Labor Day weekend, with elite surfers pushing toward top-tier competition. Local visitor economy shake-up: Dublin’s Sunshine Tours is shutting down after 45 years, citing higher fuel/lodging costs and fewer passengers; refunds are being handled through legal counsel. Roadside disruption: Norfolk officials say graffiti tagged several Military Highway signs; VDOT will cover and a contractor will remove them, with costs estimated around $20,000. Outdoor/seasonal planning: Virginia Department of Forestry is asking residents to collect acorns and walnuts for forest repopulation, but only at 25 specific drop-off locations.

Outdoor Access & Fees: Virginia’s Board of Wildlife Resources approved the first hunting, fishing, trapping, boating and primitive camping fee increases in 14 years, effective Oct. 1, with most licenses up $5 and a new $10 authorization fee for camping on state lands. Tourism & Community: Labor Day crowds kept Claytor Lake State Park busy with boating, fishing, swimming and rentals, while Virginia Beach’s Super Girl Surf Festival drew 70,000+ people in two days and 2,000 women competing. Transit & Travel Planning: Amtrak will suspend Virginia-to-D.C. service Oct. 16–26 for critical track upgrades, and Virginia State Police added extra Labor Day enforcement with hundreds of citations and DUI charges. Safety on the Road: A fiery I-66 Express Lanes crash killed three after a Honda hit an oxygen-tank truck; drivers were later charged with reckless driving. Tech & Identity Risk: A report says 153 million driver’s license records were sold on the dark web, tied to an identity verification firm. Research & Health: Virginia Tech received three HHS grants, including work on ultrasound imaging, yellow-fever mosquito research, and dementia caregiver support.

Amtrak Disruption: Amtrak will suspend Virginia-to-D.C. service Oct. 16–26 for critical track upgrades, with many trips ending at Alexandria and Richmond/Charlottesville/Lynchburg/Hampton Roads riders shifting to express buses. Road Safety: Virginia State Police report a fatal I-66 Express Lanes crash in Fairfax involving a truck carrying oxygen tanks; three people died and two drivers face reckless driving charges. Labor Day Travel Costs: AAA says Labor Day gas prices hit record highs, with Virginia averaging about $3.96 Monday morning and national prices around $4.15. Virginia Beach Surf Spotlight: A last-minute trip paid off for California surfer Eden Walla, who won the inaugural Super Girl Pro at the Oceanfront. Local Tourism & Food: Blue Cow Ice Cream is seeking Danville IDA approval for a new shop at the former Dan River Mills complex, with plans for an ice cream truck on-site. Family Fun Events: The Carroll County Agricultural Fair wrapped up after five days of livestock shows, rides, and local vendors. Transit Planning Watch: Rail passengers should also expect broader Northeast Corridor cancellations and route changes tied to the same D.C. tunnel upgrade project.

State Oversight: Gov. Abigail Spanberger appointed Daniel Young as Virginia’s next State Inspector General, tasked with investigating fraud, waste, and abuse across state government. Appalachian Tourism: Grayson County’s free Ag & Art Adventure returns for its fifth year, with self-guided farm and gallery tours Saturday, Sept. 12, and an old-time concert Sunday at the Historic Fries Theatre. Offshore Wind Watch: Dominion’s Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind project continues building near Virginia Beach, even as offshore wind faces political headwinds elsewhere. Public Health: Virginia health leaders are tracking an uptick in rabies cases around Richmond, including new animal cases in Henrico, Richmond, and Greensville County. Historic Placekeeping: Norfolk Botanical Garden is spotlighting the Black workers who built the garden in the late 1930s, honoring their legacy as the site continues to draw visitors. Safety & Travel Alerts: A fatal Amazon cargo plane crash in Miami prompted federal scrutiny, with firefighters climbing into the aircraft after an overshot runway.

Virginia Tech & VMI: Hokies opened James Franklin’s era with a 73-3 rout of VMI in the Military Classic of the South, showing off a complete-game effort under new LED lights. Health & Safety: A preliminary autopsy in the death of 5-year-old Saylor Hayes found pulmonary edema consistent with drowning; her family was visiting from Virginia and her parents were arrested. Offshore Wind: Dominion’s Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind project keeps moving forward offshore Virginia Beach, with 41 turbines installed so far and plans for 176. Travel Alerts: Amtrak is warning of Labor Day weekend cancellations and delays at major stations, with weather and speed restrictions affecting service in parts of the network. Outdoors & Local Life: Virginia’s wild ginseng season runs Sept. 1–Dec. 31, with strict age and harvest rules and limits on public lands. Scams: BBB Scam Tracker shows Glasgow tied with 114 other Virginia cities for 84th in July scam reports. Road Watch: Campostella Road in Norfolk reopened after crashes damaged utilities and knocked out power.

Labor Day Road Safety: Virginia State Police says troopers will ramp up patrols over the holiday, especially Sept. 4 and Sept. 7, as officials cite 480 fatalities so far this year and urge seat belts, sober driving, and no distractions. Holiday Travel Costs: AAA reports Labor Day airfare is up about 2% overall (and roughly 20% for top destinations), with Virginia gas at a Labor Day record—plus more hotel and tour bookings. Weather Watch: Thunderstorm and severe thunderstorm watches could affect parts of Virginia and the Carolinas during the weekend, with conditions easing by Monday in most areas. Local Tourism & History: The Blue Ridge Rising Two-State Summit brought tourism and outdoor recreation leaders together across Virginia and North Carolina, highlighting the Parkway’s regional pull. Community & Development: Spotsylvania residents are pushing back against Belvedere Plantation’s planned sale for a large data center campus, while Petersburg tenants report roaches and sewage issues at Perry Street Lofts and seek lease relief. Outdoor/Travel Inspiration: Kinzua Bridge State Park’s skywalk continues to draw visitors after the tornado-era transformation into a pedestrian attraction.

Maritime Heritage: French and U.S. Navy officials marked the 245th anniversary of the Battle of the Capes at Fort Story in Virginia Beach, tying it to the French Navy’s 400th anniversary and the Comte de Grasse statue’s 50th. Regional Tourism & Outdoor Economy: The Blue Ridge Rising Two-State Summit brought nearly 200 leaders together in Asheville to coordinate tourism, economic development, and outdoor recreation across the Blue Ridge Parkway region. Labor Day Travel Watch: Severe weather could disrupt holiday plans, with a “slight risk” stretching into Hampton Roads and other parts of the mid-Atlantic, bringing damaging winds and flash flooding. Shenandoah Valley Night Train: Wayne Theatre and Virginia Scenic Railway launch “The Last Passenger: Ghost Stories of the Shenandoah Valley,” an immersive, three-hour dining-and-story ride from Staunton on Oct. 30-31. Oceanfront Festival: Super Girl Surf Festival debuts on the Virginia Beach Oceanfront with women’s sports, concerts, and family activities over Labor Day weekend. Local Makers: Roanoke’s Virginia Made Saturday Market wrapped its 2026 season, highlighting small businesses and boosting the city’s travel appeal. Wildlife How-To: A guide explains how to spot opossum nests in yards and garages, including what materials and locations to look for.

Labor Day Road Planning: VDOT says most lane closures across Virginia will be lifted from noon Friday, Sept. 4, to noon Tuesday, Sept. 8, with drivers urged to use Virginia 511 and consider I-664 and the Monitor-Merrimac Bridge-Tunnel if heading toward Hampton Roads. Outdoor & Water Quality: Rowan County’s Creek Week runs Sept. 13–19, with a rain garden workshop Sept. 15 at the South Rowan Library—rain gardens help absorb stormwater and protect streams. Local Conservation: The James River Association highlights its VACS program, pairing volunteers and Virginia’s soil and water conservation districts with farmers to cut nutrient and sediment runoff. Tourism & Culture: Charlottesville Opera continues its 49th season with performances across the city, emphasizing education and bringing opera to younger audiences. Community Giving: Bluefield’s Lions Club keeps “Blessings in a Backpack” running for 270 students, funded by its Sept. 11 golf tournament.

Coastal Resilience & Tourism: Denmark and the University of Miami are teaming up to tackle rising sea levels and waterfront planning—an issue that hits Virginia travelers too as coastal flooding and erosion threaten beaches and visitor infrastructure. Forest Recreation at Stake: The USDA is seeking to fully repeal the 2001 Roadless Rule, which could reshape management in the George Washington and Jefferson National Forests—potentially affecting hiking, the Appalachian Trail, and local tourism tied to protected wild areas. DMV Mobile ID Push: Virginia DMV is using targeted email campaigns to boost Mobile ID signups, a practical update for travelers who want faster, phone-based identification. Labor Day Travel Reality Check: Multiple reports focus on holiday traffic and roadwork planning, including VDOT lane-closure changes and local alerts—useful for anyone driving to Virginia’s weekend getaways. Wildfire Safety for Outdoor Folks: Virginia forestry officials warn that yard equipment can spark wildfires during hot, dry conditions, with tips aimed at people using forests and nearby homes. Local School & Community Events: A Virginia tourism-facing note: Virginia Tourism highlights a Charlottesville entrepreneur, while local school start dates and community library programming round out the week’s “plan your trip” vibe.

Labor Day Travel & Safety: Virginia State Police and local agencies are ramping up enforcement for the holiday, including “saturation patrols” and Operation CARE aimed at impaired driving, speeding, and seatbelt violations, with extra attention expected around U.S. 58 and the Hillsville Labor Day flea market and gun show. Southwest Virginia Tourism: The Virginia Creeper Trail Conservancy and Kiewit are launching a stewardship fund campaign to keep the 34-mile rail trail maintained and improved, with Kiewit matching early donations and crews rebuilding about 18 miles washed out by Hurricane Helene; the trail is slated to reopen in March 2027. Local Schools & Community Impact: Roanoke City Public Schools is pursuing a second appeal to keep Patrick Henry High School from moving up to Class 6, arguing the realignment would increase travel time and transportation costs. Outdoor & Family Travel: Virginia State Parks are reminding visitors to bring pets responsibly—leash rules, where pets are allowed, and heat-safety guidance—so everyone can enjoy the outdoors safely. Sports on the Calendar: The ACC released the 2026-27 women’s basketball schedule for Virginia, including 18 conference games and matchups at John Paul Jones Arena.