The week in review

Latest in the McDonnell scandal: Governor Bob McDonnell repays more than $120,000 in loans from Star Scientific CEO Jonnie Williams, and issues an apology July 23 for "the embarrassment certain members of my family and I brought upon my beloved Virginia and her citizens"— while insisting on no wrongdoing, the Washington Post reports.

Latest McDonnell high-profile lawyer hire: Former U.S. attorney John Brownlee joins the guv's legal team, which includes Emmet Flood, who represented former President Bill Clinton and former VP Dick Cheney.

Latest breach of UVA student info: The Social Security numbers of 18,700 students are included in address labels on a brochure sent out by Aetna Student Health, the Cav Daily reports.

Biggest spill: A 150-car CSX train loaded with coal derails crossing Warren Ferry Road between Howardsville and Scottsville July 18, and 24 cars dump their contents on the road, according to the Daily Progress. No one was injured, and the cause of the derailment is currently unknown.

Highest water: Rosie Thomas and her mother, Mildred Gibson, were tubing on the James River July 18 when Thomas was swept under the Hatton Ferry. Bystander Debra Bean jumps in to free her, and all three are swept down the river and stranded on the banks until rescuers come, the DP reports. 

Biggest fundraisers— county: Democratic candidate for the Albemarle Board of Supervisors Diantha McKeel out-raises independent Philip Seay $26,377 to $1,800 in the Jack Jouett District; Dem Liz Palmer with $29,389— including a $7,500 check from John Grisham— more than doubles incumbent Republican Duane Snow's $10,175 in the Samuel Miller District, and Dem Brad Sheffield reports $13,197 to incumbent Republican Rodney Thomas' $9,266 in the Rio District, according to the Virginia Public Access Project.

Biggest fundraisers— city: Republican City Council candidates Mike Farruggio and Buddy Weber report $4,120 and $3,778 respectively, compared to Dems Kristin Szakos at $3,391 and Bob Fenwick with $1,227.

Latest sign Big Brother is watching: The ACLU reports that police departments are using license plate scanners, and both Charlottesville and Albemarle police each have one of the devices.

Latest Lake Anna casualty: A 23-year-old man is killed when his jet ski collides with one driven by his 19-year-old brother around 9am July 17.

Latest Augusta-to-Albemarle police chase: Tracy Claytor attempts to elude Augusta deputies, ditches his car on Newtown Road in Greenwood and flees on foot around 4:45pm July 19. He's captured around 6:30pm.

Worst breach of historical information: Albemarle County pitches Depression era land records compiled by the Works Progress Administration that local historians say were still being used. Albemarle says it met state requirements for records retention, while the local historial society says it would have taken them in. Bryan McKenzie has the story in the DP.

Sharpest change of heart: Fifty percent of registered Virginia voters say they support gay marriage compared to 43 percent who say they don't, according to a Quinnipiac University poll, the AP reports. That comes seven years after 56 percent of Virginia voters supported a constitutional amendment to ban gay marriage.

Most dangerous family business: The Longs—Howie, and sons Kyle and Chris— are featured in a lengthy Washington Post piece about the hazards of football. The famed Raiders' defensive end has had 13 surgeries at age 53, and he coaches Chicago Bears' Kyle, 24, and St. Louis Rams' Chris, 27, on protecting themselves in a sport in which 4,300 former players are suing the NFL for past injuries.

Most scenic: A 12.7-mile portion of the Tye River could get an official Virginia Scenic River designation if the Nelson Board of Supervisors pass a resolution to get local legislators to act as patrons in the General Assembly, the Nelson County Times reports. The supes are seeking input from landowners along the river.

Worst litterbox idea: An unidentified 59-year-old woman in Waynesboro puts dirt inside her house to provide facilities for the 25 cats, four dogs and a bird removed by animal control July 19, according to the AP.

Correction 8/3/2013: "Breach" was misspelled in the original version.