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Newport News Fire Paramedic Program Earns National Accreditation According to the City of Newport News, the Newport News Fire Department’s Paramedic Program has received national accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs, making it one of only four such programs in Virginia. Fire Chief Wesley Rogers said the achievement reflects staff dedication and strengthens the department’s ability to train paramedics internally. The program’s status supports consistent, high level emergency medical care for Newport News residents and builds a pipeline of skilled paramedics for the city’s future.

Government

Virginia Peninsula Mayors and Chairs Commission on Homelessness to Meet September 11 The Virginia Peninsula Mayors and Chairs Commission on Homelessness will convene on September 11, 2026, according to the City of Newport News. The meeting is scheduled to take place from 1:30 PM to 3:00 PM at Two City Center in the Mariner’s Row DEV Conference Room, located at 11820 Fountain Way, Suite 301. Residents interested in regional efforts to address homelessness can access the meeting agenda through the city’s website.

Education

Christopher Newport University Announces Fall and Spring Open House Dates Christopher Newport University reveals three upcoming Saturday open house opportunities for prospective students and their families to explore campus life. The events, scheduled for October 17, 2026, February 20, 2027, and April 24, 2027, will run from 8:30am to 12:00pm at the Newport News campus. Visitors will have the chance to tour the university grounds, interact with faculty members, discover student life opportunities, and connect with current students known as Captains. The open houses provide families an opportunity to experience the campus atmosphere and learn about academic programs in a welcoming environment.

Business

September legislative roundtable The Virginia Peninsula Chamber announced that registration is now open for its upcoming Legislative Roundtable series. The first event, scheduled for Thursday, September 10th, will focus on “DEAL: Building the Industries that Drive Hampton Roads,” examining the region’s economic development priorities.

Science & Technology

NASA Langley innovation opportunity The Virginia Peninsula Chamber notes that NASA Langley represents a significant opportunity to build a nationally recognized aerospace and technology cluster in the region. The Chamber is sending a delegation to Huntsville later this month to study how that community developed a successful innovation ecosystem centered on NASA Marshall Space Flight Center and Redstone Arsenal.

Newport News and Peninsula Airport Host Hybrid Electric Aircraft Demonstration According to the City of Newport News, the Peninsula Airport Commission hosted Electra’s hybrid electric EL2 aircraft demonstration at Newport News Williamsburg Airport, part of a federal Advanced Air Mobility pilot program. Mayor Phillip Jones said the event helps position Newport News for future aviation investment. The technology could connect Newport News directly to Washington and Richmond, cutting travel times while giving the region a chance to attract aerospace jobs and strengthen PHF as an innovation hub.

Community & Services

City of Newport News seeks donations for September hunger relief effort The City of Newport News announces a month-long Peanut Butter and Jelly Collection Drive running through September 30 to address food insecurity in the community. Residents, businesses, schools, churches, and community groups are encouraged to collect unopened jars of peanut butter and jelly to support local food banks as part of Hunger Action Month.

Newport News Public Library Expands Card Benefits Beyond Books This September Newport News Public Library reports that September marks Library Card Sign-Up Month, offering residents an opportunity to discover far more than traditional book borrowing through a free library card. The library provides access to entertainment streaming, educational resources, technology and materials designed for the entire family.

Recreation & Events

City of Newport News announces September events including parades and community programs The City of Newport News reports a full calendar of September events offering community members opportunities to connect, learn, and celebrate together. Activities range from commemorative ceremonies to festivals, educational programs, and charitable fundraisers throughout the month.

Port Warwick Art and Sculpture Festival to Return October 10-11 Visit Newport News announced the 22nd Annual Port Warwick Art and Sculpture Festival will take place October 10-11 at Port Warwick. The weekend celebration invites art enthusiasts and families to explore works from over 90 juried artists and sculptors from across the United States while enjoying live performances and local food vendors throughout the grounds.

Mariners Museum plans fall festival and maritime career events The Mariners’ Museum and Park reports upcoming fall events designed to engage the Newport News community. The museum will host its Fall Festival on Saturday, November 7, from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., featuring family-friendly activities. Additionally, the third annual Maritime Career Festival takes place on September 19 and is presented by The Propeller Clubs of Norfolk and Newport News to showcase career opportunities in the maritime industry.

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The Newport News Public Schools Board held a regular session on Tuesday, August 18, 2026, to review construction progress across the school division, establish a collective bargaining study group to investigate workforce organization, and receive an update on summer programming and back-to-school preparations. The board covered three primary items affecting school operations and facilities, providing monthly updates on ongoing projects and addressing employee interest in collective bargaining representation. The session included detailed reports on building renovations, HVAC replacements, solar installations, and summer enrollment figures that reflected expanded educational programming beyond traditional summer school offerings.

Multiple school construction and renovation projects advanced during the reporting period. The Construction Report detailed progress on Huntington Middle School at 63 percent overall completion with zone-by-zone updates, Solar Projects at Discovery STEM Academy with an October 12, 2026 projected completion date, NNPS Campus for Student Success auditorium renovations at 70 percent complete with an August 2026 substantial completion target, HVAC replacements at Mary Passage Middle School with Phase 1 at 95 percent and Phase 2 completed in July 2026, BT Washington Middle School with Phase 1 at 91 percent complete and Phase 2 scheduled for August 2026 substantial completion, Menchville High School with Phase 1 planned for June through October 2026 and Phase 2 from June through October 2027, and Heritage High School Media Center at 85 percent complete with an August 2026 substantial completion target. Watch the full discussion, beginning at 1:08:20.

The Newport News Public Schools Board established a Collective Bargaining Study Group to examine workforce organization. The board adopted a Collective Bargaining Resolution that created a nine-member study group including employee association representatives and School Board representatives to investigate collective bargaining issues following interest expressed by the Newport News Education Association and School Board employees. The study group will examine the scope of bargaining including wages, benefits, scheduling, work hours and working conditions, the appropriate number of bargaining units, long-term personnel and administrative costs, revenue flexibility considering the school division’s fiscal dependency status, fiscal timing alignment with budget adoption cycles, and potential impact on students and school operations including instructional continuity, staffing flexibility and student achievement. The study group must forward recommendations to the School Board on or before October 1, 2027. Listen to the full discussion, beginning at 1:07:27.

The board received a comprehensive update on summer programming and back-to-school preparations. Summer programming extended significantly beyond traditional summer school, with nearly 600 students participating in STEAM camps during the extended summer period. The presentation covered Elevate summer school initiatives and provided a back-to-school update for the upcoming school year. The full discussion is available, beginning at 46:17.

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The City of Newport News is looking to hire a company to handle staffing for its public events, from spring festivals to holiday celebrations. The city says its event calendar has grown significantly in both number and scope in recent years, straining its ability to keep events properly staffed. Officials also point to a newly purchased mobile stage, used for concerts and performances, which requires personnel with specific training to set up and operate.

An estimated 250 supervisor hours and 3,050 support staff hours were logged across the 2025 and 2026 event seasons combined, according to the city. The scope of work spells out the specific jobs staff would perform. A small crew, two to three people, must be trained to set up and take down the mobile stage. Every event needs a supervisor plus enough workers to match its size, along with 10 to 15 staff trained to monitor and enforce boundaries around alcohol consumption at events.

Staff would also drive golf carts to shuttle guests, assist performers before and during shows, and provide unarmed security support alongside city personnel. Additional duties include general event setup and cleanup, such as tents, barricades and signage, along with parking assistance. Shifts can run as long as 13 hours, spanning weekdays, weekends and holidays, and the company must notify the city of each event’s supervisor and staff count at least 10 days in advance.

The city has provided a detailed list of the specific events the company may be asked to staff, along with past staffing levels where available. That list covers 15 events or event types in total, of which three illustrate the range involved. The Juneteenth Freedom Festival, held each June, draws about 9,000 attendees and has previously used roughly 25 support staff plus a supervisor on the day of the event.

The two-day Fall-o-Ween Festival in October expects about 17,000 visitors combined and has used a rotating crew of two to six staff per day across its setup and event days. A new farmers market series planned for King-Lincoln Park, running seven Saturdays this summer, has no past staffing data since it has not been held before. The city notes that events, services and locations tied to the contract may be added or removed as needed.

Firms interested in bidding have until September 28, 2026, at 5:00 pm to submit proposals through the city’s online procurement portal. The solicitation is listed as RFP No. 27-0340-3017. Questions must be submitted through the portal by September 10, 2026.

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Government

Newport News Announces Improvements to Outdoor Special Event Permitting Process The City of Newport News announced plans to improve its outdoor special event permitting process to make it easier for residents and visitors planning community gatherings, according to the city. Future improvements will include a single online application, real-time application status tracking, and enhanced communication between event organizers and city departments. The city notes that until these improvements are complete, a central resource page provides guidance for planning outdoor events, including festivals, parades, and other temporary activities on public or private property. A Special Event Permit Coordinator serves as the primary point of contact to help organizers understand city requirements and navigate the approval process for events that may affect public safety, transportation, or surrounding properties.

Education

Newport News Public Schools welcomes students for 2026-27 school year Newport News Public Schools highlighted the beginning of the 2026-27 school year with a video capturing the first day of classes. The district’s schools welcomed back students as the new academic year commenced throughout Newport News.

BayPort Credit Union gives $25,000 and supplies to Newport News schools According to a press release from BayPort Credit Union, the Newport News based credit union donated a $25,000 sponsorship to Newport News Public Schools for the 2026-2027 year, plus 100 pounds of school supplies collected during a Norfolk Tides game night. Founded in 1928 by shipyard workers in Newport News, BayPort continues its long local partnership by funding family engagement programs, financial education sessions, and youth conferences for students and families in the community it has served for nearly a century.

Business

Ferguson Completes Acquisition of FloWorks Ferguson announced today the completion of its acquisition of FWI Holdings, Inc., known as FloWorks, as reported by CEO Kevin Murphy for Ferguson. The transaction, which closed on August 31, 2026, brings together Ferguson’s distribution capabilities with FloWorks’ technical expertise in valves, automation, rotating equipment and fluid handling. Scott Jackson, CEO of FloWorks, notes that the combination will benefit both customers and associates through enhanced service capabilities and product access while maintaining the distinctive qualities of both companies. The acquisition expands Ferguson’s reach in serving North American construction markets.

Community & Services

United Way Community Assistance Network Launches Public Service Campaign Newport News TV shared a video about the United Way Community Assistance Network’s public service announcement for 2026. The video highlights the organization’s commitment to connecting Newport News residents with community assistance resources and support services designed to address local needs.

Newport News Waterworks Celebrates Employee Contributions on Water Monitoring Day Newport News Waterworks shared a video about an employee spotlight marking World Water Monitoring Day. The feature recognizes the contributions of staff members working to ensure safe and reliable water service for the community.

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Construction is scheduled to begin this month on the first of two projects to build a new interchange on Interstate 64 at Denbigh Boulevard, the Virginia Department of Transportation announced Aug. 28. The $58 million contract was awarded in October 2025 and beyond the new ramps, the work includes widening I-64 near the interchange and adding turn lanes and intersection improvements at Warwick Boulevard and Jefferson Avenue.

The “Phase 1” project will build new westbound ramps at Denbigh Boulevard and improve nearby intersections, work VDOT says will improve safety, ease congestion and expand access to the area. Once complete, as early as summer 2029, the project will give drivers a new westbound access point on I-64 between Fort Eustis Boulevard and Jefferson Avenue. Eastbound access will follow later through a separate Phase 2 project.

Drivers should expect lane closures and shifts on I-64 and Denbigh Boulevard during construction. A connector road between Pagewood Drive and Denbigh Boulevard Service Road will close long-term starting as early as Aug. 31, and access to Richneck Road at Denbigh Boulevard will permanently close as early as fall 2026. VDOT says the schedule could change depending on weather and other factors.

VDOT had previously announced a June 2024 public hearing on the project, followed by an environmental review that concluded that October. More project information is available on VDOT’s project page. The project is one of several underway on this stretch of I-64 in Newport News; VDOT is also working nearby on the Hampton Roads Express Lanes project near Victory Boulevard, part of a larger tolled express lanes network planned for the region.

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Government

Councilmen Coleman and Long to Host Central District Town Hall Sept. 1 Newport News city government’s calendar lists a Central District Town Hall hosted by Councilman Rob Coleman and Councilman Cleon Long, set for September 1, 2026, from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at the City Center Building’s James Room. The listing invites residents to hear updates on district and citywide projects and to share their own input on community priorities.

Newport News Public Works Department to Host Job Fair on September 26 Residents seeking employment opportunities are invited to attend a job fair hosted by the Public Works Department on September 26 from 9 AM to 1 PM, as announced by the city. The event will feature various positions including Construction Maintenance Workers, Pipelayers, and Equipment Operators, with on-site applications and interviews available. Attendees can learn about different divisions, observe equipment demonstrations, and discover employee benefits such as a $500 CDL hiring bonus, free CDL training after obtaining a permit, provided uniforms and boots, health insurance options, paid parental leave, and two paid mental health days annually.

Newport News Public Works to Host Open House on September 26 Residents can get a behind-the-scenes look at city services during a Public Works open house on September 26 from 9 AM to 1 PM, as announced by the department. Visitors will have the opportunity to meet staff members at information stations, watch live equipment demonstrations, and take guided tours of the Road Yard and Simulator to learn about the essential services that keep the community clean, safe, and moving every day.

Business & Science

Jefferson Lab Receives Environmental Award for Collaborative Stormwater Management Efforts Jefferson Lab has been recognized with an environmental award for its collaborative stormwater management work, according to the laboratory. The award acknowledges efforts by multiple departments across the facility that came together to address water quality and environmental sustainability concerns. The labwide collaboration focused on managing stormwater flows, reflecting the organization’s commitment to environmental stewardship and responsible facility operations that benefit the surrounding community.

Jefferson Lab Develops Enhanced Toolkit for Particle Accelerator Performance Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility announced that scientists have developed an enhanced topographic analysis toolkit that helps predict and improve how particle accelerators perform. According to Jefferson Lab, the new toolkit focuses on creating smoother surfaces for better particle accelerator operation. The facility, which serves as a U.S. Department of Energy Office of Science national laboratory, uses its unique particle accelerator to help scientists worldwide understand the most basic building blocks of matter and the forces that bind them.

Public Safety

Newport News Offers Free Community Emergency Response Team Training Newport News announces free Community Emergency Response Team training for residents age 18 and older to develop emergency preparedness skills that benefit families and neighbors. The program involves an initial four-day training course with sessions of approximately two hours each, typically held once a week over four evenings, plus quarterly training thereafter. Participants learn to support the city during major emergencies or disasters by assisting with human and pet sheltering, distribution operations, and initial damage assessment. The program emphasizes a neighbors-helping-neighbors approach to build community resilience, with members providing support rather than serving as first responders.

Community & Services

Newport News Community Forum Set for September 10 With Shannon Jones The Newport News Office of the Commonwealth’s Attorney and Shalom Baptist Church are hosting a Community Forum on Thursday, September 10, 2026, at 7 p.m. at Shalom Baptist Church, 1111 24th Street. Commonwealth’s Attorney Shannon Jones will serve as guest speaker, part of a “Together for a Stronger Community” event billed as a conversation aimed at building a better future for local residents.

Newport News to Hold 25th Anniversary 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony Newport News announces a commemorative ceremony marking the 25th anniversary of the September 11 attacks. The 9/11 Never Forgotten: Honor & Remembrance Ceremony will take place on Friday, September 11, 2026, at 10 a.m. at Christopher Newport University’s Gaines Theatre, located at 1 University Place. Community members are invited to attend the event honoring those lost on that day and reflecting on its lasting impact on the nation.

Recreation & Events

Ferguson Center announces fall programming with classical and gospel performances The Ferguson Center for the Arts announces an exciting fall season featuring classical music performances and special guest artists. The lineup includes Mahler’s Titan Symphony on September 10, Vivaldi’s Four Seasons and Philip Glass’s Lincoln on September 25, a John Williams and Steven Spielberg tribute on October 23, and Gospel Night with Tamela and David Mann on November 14.

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The Virginia Symphony Orchestra announced it will present “Rhythms of Resilience,” a free concert on August 29, 2026, at Christopher Newport University’s Ferguson Center for the Arts. The performance is presented by the American Music Collective (AMC250) and the National Endowment for the Arts in recognition of America’s 250th and the annual African Landing Commemoration at Fort Monroe. VSO Principal Guest Conductor Thomas Wilkins will conduct.

The concert, scheduled for 7:30 p.m., will feature works by composers William Grant Still, William Dawson, Adolphus Hailstork and Florence Price, along with choral works by Richard Smallwood, Moses Hogan and Duke Ellington’s “Harlem.” Conductor Thomas Wilkins said, “I am truly honored to be a part of this project. The program represents the incredible diversity and richness of our creative spirits and subsequent artistic endeavors, spanning many generations.”

The concert will feature soprano Symone Harcum and the Norfolk State University Chorus. Admission is free, but registration is required. Rhythms of Resilience will take place August 29, 2026, at 7:30 p.m. at the Ferguson Center for the Arts, 1 Avenue of the Arts, Newport News, VA 23606.

Education

Virginia Tech Program Trains Water Operators Statewide, Including Newport News According to Virginia Tech News, the university’s Continuing and Professional Education program trains water and wastewater operators through short courses held at Commonwealth Campus Centers, including the one in Newport News, alongside locations in Richmond and Roanoke. These regional sessions bring hands on instruction closer to local utility employees, sparing them from traveling to Blacksburg. The program also includes weeklong schools and a free webinar series, together forming a statewide network connecting Virginia operators with researchers and regulators to help maintain safe drinking water and wastewater treatment.

CNU Professor’s Commentary Examines AI’s Impact on Language Education Kevin Anzzolin, a lecturer of Spanish at Christopher Newport University, wrote a commentary published in University World News examining how todays pressures on language departments echo the decline of Latin and Greek a century ago. He argues AI and computer literacy have become the new disciplinary lodestar pushing universities to reframe modern languages around technology. A CNU faculty member, Anzzolin questions whether tethering language study to digital skills preserves what makes it meaningful, or flattens the human connection language teaching is meant to build.

Military

Newport News Shipbuilding Employees Donate School Supplies to Local Kids According to NNS TO GO, employees in Newport News Shipbuilding’s Engineering, Technology and Design division collected backpacks and supplies for this year’s School Tools Drive. The PREPY team donated 252 backpacks, more than half the shipyard’s goal, while Aircraft Carrier Engineering ran a friendly competition among its teams. The shipyard is channeling these donations through local partners including Newport News, Hampton, and York/Poquoson Social Services, Boys & Girls Clubs of the Virginia Peninsula, ForKids and Achievable Dream, directly supporting local children ahead of the school year.

Newport News Shipbuilding Leaders Update Employees on 2026 Goals According to NNS TO GO, Newport News Shipbuilding held a Peer to Pier session on August 25 in the Assembly Hall breakroom, where Vice President of Operations Lucas Hicks briefed shipbuilders on the company’s 2026 goals and initiatives and took questions from employees. Stage builder Marvin Harris said the session helped workers see the bigger picture beyond daily tasks. The shipyard’s ongoing communication efforts reflect its significant role in Newport News, connecting thousands of local workers directly to company leadership and strategy.

Business

Virginia Peninsula Chamber Announces Two-Part AI Seminar Series The Virginia Peninsula Chamber announcedregistration is now open for its two-part artificial intelligence seminar series scheduled for September 8 and September 17. The sessions will bring together business professionals to explore practical applications of AI technology in the workplace.

Community & Services

Newport News Fire Department hosts community health event today The Newport News Fire Department reportsthat residents can access free health care services, information and community resources during a Community Health Event today, August 27, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Brittingham-Midtown Community Center, located at 570 McLawhorne Drive. The program is offered in partnership with Riverside Health.

Recreation & Events

Mariners’ Museum and Park reports summer updates on trails and water quality The Mariners’ Museum and Park reports significant progress across its grounds during the summer months, with staff and volunteers completing multiple enhancement projects. The Park’s dedicated teams have focused on trail maintenance, environmental monitoring, and habitat restoration to preserve the natural landscape.

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Contractor crews will begin implementing a long-term single-lane closure on I-64 east near Victory Boulevard (exit 256) in Newport News as early as Aug. 26, as construction continues on the Hampton Roads Express Lanes (HREL) Newport News Segment, VDOT announced. Once in place, I-64 east will be reduced from four travel lanes to three through the Victory Boulevard interchange through early fall 2026, while crews lengthen the acceleration lane at the Victory Boulevard northbound on-ramp to I-64 east.

To implement the lane reduction, crews will temporarily close up to two lanes on I-64 east at Victory Boulevard overnight for up to two nights starting as early as Aug. 26, from 7 p.m. to 5 a.m. Access to all Victory Boulevard ramps will be maintained during this work. VDOT said all work is weather- and schedule-dependent and the schedule is subject to change. The agency reminded motorists to use caution near work zones, obey posted speed limits, follow lane markings and barrier guides, watch for digital message signs, and drive distraction-free, and suggested checking 511 Virginia traffic tools or the Waze app before traveling.

VDOT said the HREL Newport News Segment spans about 11.5 miles on I-64, from just east of LaSalle Avenue (exit 265) in Hampton to 1.2 miles west of Denbigh Boulevard in Newport News. For 10.5 miles of the segment, from just west of Jefferson Avenue (exit 255) to I-664 (exit 264), the existing HOV lane in each direction will be converted into an Express Lane alongside three general purpose lanes.

For the final mile of the segment, between I-664 and LaSalle Avenue, one general purpose lane in each direction will be converted into an Express Lane alongside two general purpose lanes. VDOT said the Newport News Segment will become part of an overall 45-mile high-occupancy toll Express Lanes network on I-64, extending from west of Denbigh Boulevard in Newport News to the I-264/I-664 Bowers Hill interchange in Chesapeake.

In other news:

Government

Central District Town Hall to Be Set for September 1 with Coleman and Long Newport News City Councilmen Rob Coleman and Cleon Long will host a Central District Town Hall on September 1, 2026, from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at the City Center Building, 700 Town Center Drive, in the James Room on the first floor. The event gives Newport News residents a chance to hear updates on district and city projects and to share their own concerns directly with local elected officials shaping community decisions.

Education

Newport News Names New Student Representatives to School Board for 2026-2027 Newport News Public Schools announced that Cameron Smith, a senior at Warwick High School, will serve as Student Representative to the Newport News School Board for the 2026-2027 year, with Hopeton Bailey of An Achievable Dream Middle and High School serving as the new Alternate Student Representative. Both are class presidents active in honor societies and community service. Smith took his oath at the August 18 meeting, while Bailey will be sworn in September 15, and both will co-lead student advisory meetings with the superintendent.

Newport News Public Schools Welcomes Students Back for New School Year Newport News Public Schools reported that students, teachers and staff across the district’s 40 schools celebrated a warm first day on August 24 to start the 2026-2027 school year. Superintendent Dr. Michele Mitchell toured schools starting at Woodside High School, and Newport News Mayor Phillip Jones greeted students at Greenwood Elementary. New principals took over at Hines Middle, Gildersleeve Middle and Saunders Elementary, while veteran and new teachers alike expressed enthusiasm for building relationships and supporting students throughout the district.

Mayor Phillip Jones Welcomes Newport News Students on First Day The City of Newport News reported that Mayor Phillip Jones visited Greenwood Elementary School on August 24 to greet students on the first day of the 2026-2027 school year. Jones highlighted recent city investments in local schools, including two million dollars in student technology funding, two million dollars in annual bus replacements, and three million dollars for daily operations. School Board Chairman Dr. Terri Best praised the partnership between the city and Newport News Public Schools as key to student success.

Military

Newport News Built Submarine USS Massachusetts Completes Navy Trials ExchangeMonitor reported that the Navy completed shakedown trials on the USS Massachusetts on August 17, waiving its post shakedown availability period due to the submarine’s strong material condition. HII’s Newport News Shipbuilding first delivered the vessel in November 2025 before it was commissioned in March. Navy leaders praised the ship’s readiness and said the move lets the Newport News shipbuilding workforce focus on constructing the next generation of Virginia class submarines instead.

Business

BayPort Credit Union Opens Sixth Virginia Beach Branch on Pacific Avenue BayPort CU, in a company press release, announced that the Newport News based credit union opened its sixth Virginia Beach branch, its first at the Oceanfront, located at 3012 Pacific Avenue. Founded in 1928 by shipyard workers from Newport News Shipbuilding, BayPort now holds $2.7 billion in assets across 31 Virginia branches. The expansion follows the company’s recent shift to a federal charter, allowing growth beyond its original Newport News based footprint while it continues serving over 18,000 members in Virginia Beach.

Community & Services

Mariners’ Museum unveils newly conserved ancient Mediterranean amphora artifact The Mariners’ Museum and Park Conservation Department has put on display a newly conserved ancient amphora from the Mediterranean region. This artifact, which raises as many questions as it answers, represents an important tool used in trade for thousands of years.

THRIVE Peninsula to host ice cream social Friday to thank volunteers THRIVE Peninsula is hosting an ice cream social on Friday, August 28 from 2:00 to 3:00 PM to thank its volunteers and supporters for their contributions to the organization. The event offers an afternoon of community connection and celebration.

Hampton-Newport News Community Services Board to host 55th anniversary gala The Hampton-Newport News Community Services Board announced its 55th anniversary gala, set for Saturday, October 3rd at the Hampton Roads Convention Center in Hampton. Doors open at 6 p.m., with dinner and presentations beginning at 7 p.m. Tickets are priced at $100 each, and organizers request RSVPs by Friday, September 18th.

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At a recent Newport News Public Schools School Board work meeting, the Department of Teaching and Learning presented preliminary results from the 2025–26 school year, highlighting SOL performance across grade levels, changes in school performance categories, and the division’s focus on strengthening Tier 1 instruction through its Teaching & Learning Framework as Virginia raises proficiency expectations.

The Department’s August 18, 2026 presentation to the Board reported gains across several areas, including elementary reading and mathematics, Grade 8 mathematics, high school Geometry and science, and high school history and social studies. The results showed that 30 of 37 schools, or 81%, were classified as On Track or Distinguished in the preliminary 2026–27 results, compared with 18 schools the previous year, while 13 schools moved to a higher performance category.

Elementary Gains Across Subjects

Elementary schools showed broad-based improvement, with 7 of 8 measured SOL areas increasing from 2024–25 to 2025–26. The strongest gains came in Grade 3 Reading and Math, each rising 7 points, while Grade 4 Virginia Studies increased 6 points, reflecting continued progress across multiple content areas.

Middle School Gains With Areas of Focus

Middle school results showed notable gains in Grade 6, with Reading improving 6 points and Math increasing 10 points. Grade 8 Math posted the largest gain at 16 points, while declines in Grade 7 Math and Grade 8 Reading and Science highlight areas where continued instructional focus is needed.

High School Gains in Math and Science

High school results showed particularly strong gains in Chemistry, where the pass rate increased 46 points, and Earth Science, which improved 13 points. Geometry also rose 7 points, while Algebra I, Algebra II, and Biology remained relatively stable, reinforcing the importance of sustaining gains while addressing individual areas of need.

Strong Gains in History

EOC Reading remained steady, increasing 1 point, while history and social studies results showed substantial improvement across multiple assessments. World History II increased 36 points and World Geography rose 33 points, with additional gains in World History I and Virginia & U.S. History demonstrating broad progress in these content areas.

Preparing for Higher Standards

Virginia is raising SOL proficiency expectations, with new benchmarks being phased in across Reading and Mathematics assessments. NNPS’s progress is encouraging, but the higher standards reinforce the need to strengthen instruction and ensure students are prepared to demonstrate deeper learning.

Newport News Police SROs introduce themselves ahead of new school year Newport News Police Department posted a video introducing the School Resource Officers who will be working in Newport News Public Schools this year. The video gives students an opportunity to put faces to the badges of the SROs who will be present in their schools throughout the academic year.

Christopher Newport University welcomes students for fall move-in day Christopher Newport University shared a video documenting the energy and activity of move-in day for the fall 2026 semester. The video provides a glimpse into the arrival process as students moved into campus housing and began their academic year at the Newport News institution.

Christopher Newport University students volunteer for Newport News schools Christopher Newport University students participated in a service day to support Newport News Public Schools teachers in preparation for the new school year. The volunteers helped with classroom setup and other pre-opening tasks to ensure schools were ready for students.

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We deliver targeted local coverage to residents, business owners, and community leaders across the city. Whether you are a local business, nonprofit, or service provider, advertising with us puts your message in front of an audience that is actively invested in the topics that matter most, including economic development, local business activity, public schools, and community events. To learn more about advertising opportunities, contact us at newportnewsdaily@gmail.com.

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Newport News City Council voted unanimously earlier this month to adopt the South Central Jefferson Avenue Area Plan, formally amending the city’s One City, One Future 2045 Comprehensive Plan. City officials praised the vote as a milestone for what they described as a corridor long plagued by blighted buildings and streetscape. Leadership hopes that the plan will be a major step toward strategic, community-driven revitalization along that stretch of the busy road.

The plan adopted at the Council’s regular meeting on August 11, 2026 focuses on economic growth, mobility, and community life. On the business front, residents favored a family entertainment center with an outdoor ropes course. The city also plans to promote existing tools, like facade improvement grants, to support small business owners along the corridor. For transportation, the plan drops an earlier idea to widen Jefferson Avenue’s travel lanes, a change driven by high right-of-way costs and the difficulty of getting buy-in from property owners. Instead, the plan calls for a more modest fix, converting outside travel lanes in both directions into combined right-turn and bus lanes.

The corridor’s need for a comprehensive plan is decades in the making. A 1960s city planning document infamously dubbed the area the “Five Messy Miles” for its haphazard layout, and formal surveys in the 1970s confirmed multiple pockets of blight. Later development pushes in the 1980s through the early 2000s brought scattered commercial investment, but never at a scale residents felt matched the corridor’s needs.

City planners built the new plan around an extensive public process that began in February 2025, anchored by a 30-member Citizen Advisory Committee spanning ages 17 to 85 and representing nine of the corridor’s ten neighborhoods. When asked to describe their vision for the area, residents repeatedly reached for three words, accessible, unique, and historic. That community input is already translating into action. On August 8, 2026, the city hosted a pilot Community Family Fun Day at the North Newport News Community Center, an early step toward transforming the facility from a senior-focused space into one serving residents of all ages.

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Seafood company continues Newport News operations. Wanchese Fish Company is a vertically integrated seafood harvester, processor, and distributor headquartered in Suffolk, Virginia. According to their website, the company supplies North American and European markets and can harvest more than 4,000 tons of wild scallops, shrimp, oysters, king crab, and other seafood annually. The company has also expanded its Newport News operations and employment since relocating to the City in 2021. It will continue operations at Seafood Industrial Park Parcels 3, 7, and 8C under five-year leases running October 1, 2026, through September 30, 2031, including associated waterfront bulkhead and mooring areas. The leases generate a combined $63,197.50 in annual revenue for the City. City Council approved the three leases on August 11, 2026.

Property purchased to protect Lee Hall Reservoir watershed and nearby Waterworks infrastructure. The property at 14 Yorktown Road encompasses 0.58 acres within the reservoir watershed and is directly adjacent to City-owned land. Acquiring the parcel will allow the City to remove existing debris, restore the site to a more natural condition, help protect water quality, and control access to protected watershed lands and nearby Waterworks facilities. The agreed-upon purchase price is $62,400, funded through the Waterworks Enterprise Land Fund, which has sufficient funds for the transaction.

Record August Diesel Prices Squeeze School Bus Fleets Nationwide. Fleet Equipment Magazine’s Kevin Linger reports that national diesel prices hit a record August average of $5.30 per gallon, citing Propane Education & Research Council data, as districts face rising transportation costs. According to Linger’s reporting, Newport News Public Schools operates 189 propane buses covering over 2.7 million miles a year, saving about $439,000 in fuel last year and $2 million over nine years. The article quotes maintenance manager Sam Corson saying the savings kept the district from pulling funds from other transportation needs.

Princeton Review Names Christopher Newport a Top College Nationally. CNU News writer Jim Hanchett reports that Christopher Newport University, located in Newport News, Virginia, was named one of the nation’s top 392 colleges in the Princeton Review’s 2027 college guide. The ranking draws on survey responses from students and administrators, who praised the school’s engaged faculty, strong financial aid, and welcoming campus culture. Students highlighted close relationships with professors, around 200 clubs and organizations, and community traditions like sunset gatherings at Lions Bridge near campus.

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Christopher Shores, a south Newport News neighborhood built in 1949, has aging and inadequate stormwater infrastructure that contributes to street flooding during heavy rain. Some areas lack adequate drainage infrastructure altogether, while the existing system elsewhere cannot accommodate current runoff rates or meet modern stormwater requirements. Newport News is moving forward with the second phase of a major stormwater system replacement, with Henry S. Branscome LLC submitting the winning bid of $9,996,900, which was the lowest received by the City. The next-lowest bid was $12.9 million and the highest bid was around $14 million.

Construction on this phase of work is expected to take about two years, while a separate scope of work by Newport News Waterworks will cover water-line installation, valves and service transfers. The bid results show that Branscome’s overall advantage was driven particularly by its pricing on the stormwater infrastructure at the center of the project, which is intended meet current stormwater management standards and reduce the risk of street flooding from a 10-year storm event.

The contract covers considerably more than underground pipe. The work includes installation of storm sewer, dozens of precast concrete manholes and curb drop inlets, removal of the existing storm system, pavement demolition and replacement, curb and gutter replacement, driveway and sidewalk work, traffic control, tree removal, erosion and sediment control and right-of-way restoration. About 6,500 square yards of pavement will be demolished and replaced.

In other news:

Newport News Offers Programs to Reduce Flood Risk and Damage Newport News, Virginia, outlines several community resilience initiatives on its official city website aimed at reducing flood risks for residents. The Floodplain Assistance Program buys flood-prone properties and converts them into open space, while the Virginia Conservation Assistance Program funds stormwater improvements on private property. The FloodREADY Homes Program, now in its first phase, will provide resilience assessments to 150 homeowners in vulnerable and high-risk areas over three years.

Newport News Public Schools Plans New Attendance Zone Boundaries Newport News Public Schools is undertakinga Capacity and Utilization Study to redraw school attendance zones for the 2027-2028 school year. Working with planning firm WXY, the division will study facility capacity, enrollment projections, and transportation patterns before recommending revised boundaries to the School Board in January 2027. Public meetings begin in late September 2026, with an interactive web tool letting Newport News residents review data and share feedback on draft scenarios.

Mariner’s Museum Expert Explains Why Tiny Pests Cause Big Trouble Oliver Peterson, a conservation team member at The Mariners’ Museum and Park in Newport News, explains why the smallest pests, not the large scary ones, pose the greatest threat to collections. Booklice, cabinet beetles, and similar insects can measure just 1 to 3 millimeters, making them easy to miss until damage is done. The museum relies on Integrated Pest Management across its 90,000 square feet of collection space, using physical barriers, humidity control, and quarantine practices to protect wood, paper, textiles, and furs.

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Newport News is drawing real estate investment across its industrial and residential sectors, from an industrial building acquisition to the renovation of a historic affordable housing property. Two recent deals reflect this activity, each serving a different segment of the city’s real estate market.

Vitus Group has kicked off a $183.5 million rehabilitation of Stuart Gardens, a 491 unit affordable housing community in Newport News built in 1941 for military personnel and wartime workers. Located on 40 acres at 1326 Garden Drive, the property comprises 109 one- and two-story buildings and is listed on the Virginia Landmarks Register as a historic wartime housing community. It serves residents earning up to 40, 50 and 60 percent of the area median income, and renters may also use Section 8 vouchers. The historic property will receive new plumbing, roofing, windows and amenity upgrades, with completion expected in late 2027. Vitus originally purchased the site from Frye Properties for $42.6 million in 2022, and the renovation is being financed through Merchants Bank and HUD.

At the same time, Cove Capital has acquired an 81,426 square foot industrial building at 813 Diligence Drive for $13.4 million, a deal that closed on July 29, 2026, working out to about $165 per square foot. Derek DeLaura and Andreanna Grillo of Friedman Real Estate represented the private investor seller, while Brian Brockman of Bang Realty served as the in state broker for Cove Capital.

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Government

Newport News Department of Human Services Relocates Denbigh Office The Newport News Department of Human Services announced that its Denbigh Satellite Office will permanently close at the end of business on Monday, August 31. The closure is part of a planned property redevelopment that will become the future site of a new City of Newport News fire station. The department confirms that all human services programs and assistance will continue without interruption.

Federal Grants to Fund New Amtrak Trainsets Serving Newport News According to Marybeth Luczak of Railway Age, the Federal Railroad Administration is awarding grant funding through the National Railroad Partnership Program to support Virginia passenger rail. The Virginia Passenger Rail Authority says the funds will help Amtrak buy 43 additional Airo trainsets, which will replace aging Amfleet cars on four corridors including the route to Newport News. The new trainsets, offering improved seating and dual powered service, are scheduled to begin operating in Virginia next year.

Education

CNU President Kelly Delivers State of the University Address In his State of the University address at Christopher Newport University, President Bill Kelly outlined budget cuts of about ten million dollars for fiscal year 2027, including the elimination of roughly 60 vacant positions. He also highlighted the newly opened Science and Engineering Research Center, a new artificial intelligence major, and an economic impact on the region exceeding half a billion dollars. Kelly emphasized affordability, noting CNU’s tuition increase was the smallest in Virginia this year.

Military

USS John F. Kennedy Finishes Sea Trials Ahead of Commissioning The USS John F. Kennedy has completed the Navy’s acceptance sea trials, a key step before the carrier joins the fleet. According to Gary Warner of Stars and Stripes, the 100,000 ton nuclear powered ship was built by HII Newport News Shipbuilding and completed builder’s trials in February before finishing acceptance trials Saturday. The Navy inspected propulsion, combat systems and seaworthiness. Kennedy was christened in December 2019, but design changes and delays pushed the project back, with commissioning now planned for March 2027.

Navy Clears Newport News Built Submarine USS Massachusetts for Duty According to Sujita Sinha of Interesting Engineering, the Navy has cleared the USS Massachusetts, a Virginia class attack submarine, for fleet duty after strong shakedown trial results. The submarine was built and delivered by HII’s Newport News Shipbuilding in November 2025 as the yard’s 12th Virginia class boat. By waiving planned maintenance, the Navy speeds the submarine into service while freeing up Newport News workforce and facility capacity for other construction and maintenance projects.

Business

Virginia Peninsula Chamber Opens Registration for Business Management Seminar The Virginia Peninsula Chamber announced that registration is now open for the Start, Grow, Thrive: Succeeding in Business series seminar scheduled for Wednesday, September 2, 2026. The event will focus on professionalizing management through systems thinking and management systems, featuring facilitator Professor Willy Donaldson, Ph.D. from Christopher Newport University.

Community & Services

Public Works Department to Host Open House Highlighting City Career Opportunities The city’s Public Works Department will hold an open house on Saturday, September 26, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 513 Oyster Point Road. Residents can tour the Road Yard and Simulator, watch equipment demonstrations, and meet staff from various divisions. The event also targets job seekers, offering on-site computers for applications and the chance to interview on the spot with hiring panels and Human Resources representatives. Officials encourage attendees to bring questions and a résumé to explore public service career paths. Note: no source publication, author, or URL was included in the content you provided, so I haven’t fabricated one. Let me know if you’d like to add those details. https://www.nnva.gov/human-services

Recreation & Events

Trolley Tour Highlights Newport News African American Heritage Sites August 22 Newport News Tourism is hosting a guided trolley tour on August 22 exploring the city’s African American heritage. According to Visit Newport News, the three hour tour runs from 9 a.m. to noon, starting and ending at the Downing Gross Cultural Arts Center. Stops include the Torggler Center, Newsome House, Lee Hall Depot, and public sculptures honoring Black history. Tickets cost 20 dollars and include a souvenir. The trolley is wheelchair accessible and suited for guests ages five and up.

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The City of Newport News is inviting bids to supply new service weapons, optics, and holsters for its Police Department, Fire Marshals, Park Rangers, and City Security. The department aims to outfit its firearms instructors first, with 25 units delivered by mid-October, followed by the remaining units by early 2027.

The solicitation stems from the Police Department and other city agencies’ plan to transition their currently issued sidearms to a newer generation of the same pistol line, according to bid documents. Glock, the manufacturer, describes the newer generation as incorporating updated ergonomics and a design compatible with an attached sighting optic, intended to improve grip control and adaptability for duty use. Specifications call for a variant configured for the mounted optic, of which the city is seeking 555 units. The city also specified compatible holster models.

Separately, it included a trade-in provision for a similar quantity of currently issued pistols and holsters, all described as in excellent or good condition. Those credits will be subtracted from the purchase cost when the city compares bids for the weapons and optics. Per the solicitation, the actual exchange of trade-in items cannot begin until all police personnel have transitioned to the new pistols. Bids are due August 28, 2026.

In other news:

Government

Newport News launches free flood risk assessment program for homeowners The City of Newport News has introduced the FloodREADY Homes Program, a city initiative supported by the Virginia Community Flood Preparedness Fund. According to the city’s official website, participating homeowners in vulnerable areas receive a no-cost resilience assessment, a customized mitigation report, and an Elevation Certificate documenting their home’s elevation relative to FEMA’s Base Flood Elevation. The program will also help the city evaluate the feasibility of a larger, expanded mitigation effort and pursue future funding. Interested residents can apply through an online interest form.

Education

Newport News Public Schools Releases Key Back-to-School Dates for 2026-27 Newport News Public Schools is preparing for the 2026-27 school year with several important dates for families to note. The Bus Stops and Zonefinder will be updated today at 1 p.m., while middle school schedules become available at noon on that same date. High school schedules will be released at noon on Thursday, August 20.

Christopher Newport University junior researches alcohol’s effects on brain Peyton Gary, a junior neuroscience major at Christopher Newport University, is participating in the school’s Summer Scholars program, according to a CNU social media post. Her research focuses on how alcohol affects myelin in the brain. The program gives Gary hands on experience in research and data analysis while helping prepare her for graduate school.

Business

Virginia Peninsula Chamber announces Business Connection After Hours event The Virginia Peninsula Chamber announces a Business Connection After Hours event scheduled for Thursday, August 27, 2026, from 4:30 to 6:00 PM. The networking gathering will be hosted by Southern Bank at their location on Rock Landing Drive in Newport News.

Community & Services

Virginia Peninsula Chamber invites community to 2026 Military Recognition Breakfast The Virginia Peninsula Chamber reminds the community that registration is now open for the 2026 Military Recognition Breakfast, an event dedicated to recognizing the men and women who serve and protect the country. Individual tickets are available for $45 and include breakfast.

Newport News Housing Summit set for September at Christopher Newport University Newport News Housing & Neighborhood Services will host the Newport News Housing Summit on September 25 and 26, 2026, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Christopher Newport University’s Gaines Theater. According to the event graphic, the two day summit, themed Building Home. Building Community., invites housing industry professionals, organizations, and residents to workshops, networking, and expert discussions on housing innovation, homeownership, and expanding community opportunities. The event is sponsored by Virginia Housing. Registration details will be announced soon.

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Newport News City Council unanimously approved the FY 2026-2027 Annual Action Plan on August 11, 2026, authorizing $1,446,779 in Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds and $839,530.21 in HOME Investment Partnerships Program funds, more than $2.3 million combined, for local housing and community development efforts. The plan is a required annual submission to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), tied to the City’s five-year Consolidated Plan.

With council approval secured, the plan now heads to HUD for review. Newport News is designated a HUD entitlement community, meaning it automatically receives an annual formula-based allocation of CDBG and HOME funds rather than having to compete for grants.

The money will support a range of tangible projects across the city. The largest single allocation, $600,000, will go toward single-family home repairs through the Newport News Redevelopment and Housing Authority. Other CDBG funds will pay for demolishing unsafe structures and supporting small business loans aimed at job creation. On the HOME side, $200,000 is earmarked for down payment and closing cost assistance for first-time homebuyers, while $155,077 will fund the rehabilitation of multi-family rental housing. Local nonprofits will also benefit, including Transitions Family Violence Services ($40,000), LINK of Hampton Roads’ winter shelter program ($28,170), and the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Virginia Peninsula ($50,000) for after-school programming.

The plan reflects months of community input. City and Housing Authority staff held public meetings in February and July 2026, reviewed 17 funding applications, and opened the draft plan for a 30-day public comment period before the council’s vote. Past performance suggests the investment pays off: last year’s funding helped rehabilitate 25 owner-occupied homes, assist 3,033 people experiencing homelessness or with special needs, and serve more than 5,000 youth and seniors through local programs.

In other news:

The City of Newport News has recently announced five procurement opportunities open for bidding.

• Huntington Beach Restroom Renovations: The City is requesting bids to replace toilet facilities at Fort Fun and renovate restrooms at the Lifeguard Station. Bids are due through the City’s e-Procurement Portal by 2:00 pm on Friday, September 4, 2026.

• Elevator Inspection Services: The City is soliciting proposals from qualified contractors to provide comprehensive elevator inspection services, on an as-needed basis, for 58 elevator units across City-owned facilities. Proposals are due through the City’s e-Procurement Portal by 5:00 pm on Tuesday, August 25, 2026.

• Central Services Cost Allocation Plan: The City is inviting proposals from qualified firms to develop a Central Services Cost Allocation Plan, a Citywide Full Cost Allocation Plan, and an indirect cost rate calculation, used for reimbursement of costs tied to federal and state grant-funded programs. Proposals are due through the City’s e-Procurement Portal by 5:00 pm on Wednesday, August 26, 2026.

• EZ-Tap Drilling Machine and Related Equipment: The City is requesting quotes to furnish brand-specific tools for its Waterworks Department, including an EZ-Tap Drilling Machine, EZ-Tap Kit, Air Power Operator, Water Pump, and Impact Wrench. Quotes are due through the City’s e-Procurement Portal by 1:00 pm on Wednesday, August 19, 2026.

• Leeward Marina Boat Channel Dredging: The City is calling for bids from qualified contractors for the dredging of the Leeward Marina boat channel. Bids are due through the City’s e-Procurement Portal by 2:30 pm on Friday, September 4, 2026.

Government

Gov. Spanberger signs workforce development bill at VPCC Newport News Virginia Peninsula Community College hosted Governor Abigail Spanberger at its Newport News Trades Center on Wednesday to mark the conclusion of Community College Month. During the visit, Governor Spanberger signed Virginia House Bill 772, legislation designed to strengthen workforce development initiatives across the state.

Education

Warwick High Math Teacher Named NNPS Teacher of the Year Newport News Public Schools wrote about John Lovett, a math teacher and volunteer assistant coach at Warwick High School with 31 years of experience, has been named the 2026-2027 NNPS High School and Division-wide Teacher of the Year. Lovett will represent teachers and the division at events throughout the year. He shared advice for teachers, students, and families on building relationships, staying involved, and communicating openly as the new school year begins August 24.

Business

BayPort Credit Union Wins Third Straight Top Workplace Honor BayPort Credit Union announced it has been named a 2026 Top Workplace in Hampton Roads for the third consecutive year, ranking No. 10 among large companies on the list presented by Inside Business and Energage. The Newport News based credit union also earned eight additional distinctions covering employee well being, appreciation, leadership, compensation, and professional development. CEO Jim Mears said the recognition reflects feedback directly from employees and the culture they help create.

Jefferson Lab to host free networking event with Peninsula Chamber Jefferson Lab and the Virginia Peninsula Chamber are hosting a free information session and networking event designed to bring together local community stakeholders and leaders. The event takes place Friday, August 28, 2026, from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM at Jefferson Lab, located at 12000 Jefferson Avenue in Newport News.

Newport News Shipbuilding announces 2026 hiring events for job seekers Newport News Shipbuilding is conducting hiring events throughout 2026 to recruit workers for various positions within the shipyard. The company is actively seeking qualified candidates to join its workforce across multiple job categories.

Navy Waives Post-Shakedown Availability for USS Massachusetts Submarine According to Ocean News and Technology, the Navy has waived the post-shakedown availability for USS Massachusetts, a Virginia-class fast attack submarine, citing its exceptional material condition and combat readiness after completing shakedown trials. Newport News Shipbuilding delivered the ship in November 2025, and it was commissioned in Boston Harbor in March 2026. Officials said the decision speeds combat capability to the fleet while freeing shipbuilding capacity for future submarines.

Community & Services

Alternatives Inc. Receives Grant to Support Childcare Health Initiatives Alternatives, Inc. has been selected to receive a three-year Healthy Community Action Team grant from the Virginia Foundation for Healthy Youth according to the City. The initiative will bring training, coaching, and resources to early childcare centers throughout Hampton Roads to help create sustainable routines that support children’s physical and emotional health.

Newport News Public Library to Host Bestselling Author Lucy Foley Virtual Talk The Newport News Public Library announces a virtual author talk featuring acclaimed mystery writer Lucy Foley on Thursday, August 27, at 2 p.m. Foley will discuss her latest novel, Murder at the Grand Alpine Hotel, as part of the Library Speakers Consortium’s ongoing Virtual Author Talks series. The event is free and open to residents.

United Way Peninsula Sets Volunteer Day of Caring for September United Way of the Virginia Peninsula announced its 2026 Day of Caring will take place Friday, September 18th, kicking off the organization’s annual giving campaign. According to the United Way of the Virginia Peninsula, volunteers and local businesses will partner with nonprofits across the Peninsula on projects like landscaping, painting, and organizing. Registration runs August 10th through 31st, with early sign-ups guaranteed an event T-shirt. A community kick-off event follows the volunteer projects that evening.

Newport News Public Schools highlights community sidewalk food pantry initiative Newport News Public Schools posted a video about a sidewalk food pantry initiative operating within the city. The program provides community members with convenient access to food resources at street level locations throughout Newport News. This effort reflects the school system’s commitment to supporting food security and addressing hunger in the neighborhoods it serves.

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Local newsrooms across the country have been cutting coverage or closing altogether, leaving communities without reliable reporting on the issues that affect them most. Dog Street Press is part of a growing movement of independent local news organizations stepping in to fill that void, bringing dedicated, community-focused journalism back to the places that need it most.

As big media continues to consolidate and retreat from local markets, this shift creates a unique opportunity for businesses and organizations to market through smaller, niche outlets like Newport News Daily, where readership is focused, loyal, and growing. We deliver targeted local coverage to residents, business owners, and community leaders across the city.

Whether you are a local business, nonprofit, or service provider, advertising with us puts your message in front of an audience that is actively invested in the topics that matter most, including economic development, local business activity, public schools, and community events. To learn more about advertising opportunities, contact us at newportnewsdaily@gmail.com.

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Minority-owned and woman-owned businesses were substantially underutilized on Newport News city contracting work over a five-year period, a shortfall significant enough to serve as an inference of discrimination, according to the findings of a recent disparity study commissioned by the city. The Newport News City Council agreed with and formally accepted the study at its Regular Meeting on August 11, 2026, held at the CNU Freeman Center’s Gaines Theater. City administrators intend to carry out its recommendations through an initiative known as Bridgeforward, a business access program meant to help underrepresented businesses in Newport News gain greater entry to city procurement opportunities.

City administration will guide a phased rollout of the study’s recommendations. That work includes writing formal contracting goals and policies, setting citywide participation targets for prime contractors, and pushing those targets down into subcontracting requirements for minority-, woman- and service-disabled veteran-owned businesses. Officials also plan to build out a tiered program for small businesses, break large contracts into smaller pieces that more vendors can compete for, speed up payments to contractors, and expand outreach and training to draw in new businesses. Supporting that effort will require new staff, software and a self-certification system to track who is winning city work going forward.

The disparity study examined more than $814 million in city contracting over five years to gauge participation, availability and disparities for minority- and woman-owned businesses, with the aim of addressing barriers those businesses face in the marketplace. A disparity index at or below 80 cents signals substantial underutilization and can point to an inference of discrimination; both groups fell well short of that threshold, with minority-owned businesses showing the wider gap.

Key findings of the City’s disparity study include:

• Minority-owned businesses received 1.8% of contract dollars against 14.9% availability.

• Woman-owned businesses received 3.4% of contract dollars against 10.4% availability.

• Service-disabled veteran-owned businesses received 0.3% of contract dollars against 6.8% availability.

• Disparities appeared across every contract category studied.

• About 50% of dollars for contracts under $1 million went to 12.9% of participating businesses.

A city webpage about the study presents the reason that residents should be concerned with the studies findings, stating “More competition increases innovation, strengthens the local economy, expands opportunity, and helps ensure small businesses thrive in our City.”

An ordinance authorizes rolling out the study’s recommendations in phases over roughly 18 months, with costs set by an implementation working group still finishing its review. It does not itself commit city funds; finance will price each phase, with funding expected in fiscal years 2027 and 2028 and council approval required before each phase proceeds.

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In other news:

Government

Newport News Amtrak Route to Get New Federal Grant Funded Trains Amtrak’s D.C. to Newport News route is among 20 lines set to receive new trainsets, according to an Amtrak news release. The Federal Railroad Administration awarded Amtrak nearly 3 billion dollars across seven projects to buy new trains and upgrade service nationwide. Amtrak interim president Byl Herrmann said the funding will drive economic growth and improve rail service. The new trains will be built in the United States using close to 100 suppliers across 31 states, supporting jobs and local economies.

Education

Jefferson Lab AI Model Predicts Fusion Reactor Hardware Shifts Jefferson Lab data scientists, along with researchers from General Atomics, the University of Houston and Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, developed a machine learning framework that predicts small hardware shifts in the DIII-D fusion facility’s toroidal field coils, according to AIwire and quoted lead author Kishan Rajput. The system uses a digital twin and continuously updating neural network models to forecast coil movement between plasma shots, which occur roughly every ten minutes, so operators can catch problems before they affect the machine.

CNU Cybersecurity Lecture Set for November at Yoder Barn Christopher Newport University’s LifeLong Learning Society will host a lecture titled Stay Safe Over the Cyberverse, according to the CNU events calendar. Dr. Abhishek Phadke of CNU will speak on Monday, November 16, 2026, from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. at Yoder Barn on Hamilton Drive in Newport News. The talk is open to all CNU faculty, staff and students. Specific details on the lecture’s content were not included in the listing.

Christopher Newport University Professor Emphasizes Mentorship in Cybersecurity Christopher Newport University shared a video about Dr. Christopher Kreider, a faculty member in the cybersecurity program who highlights the importance of mentorship in guiding students toward their career goals.

Christopher Newport University Welcomes New Students and Announces State of the University AddressChristopher Newport University is extending a welcome to incoming students and announcing an important community event. The university is encouraging prospective and current Captains to mark their calendars for the State of the University Address, a key annual gathering for the CNU community.

CNU Unveils New Campus Spaces, Programs and Amenities for Fall Christopher Newport University rolled out several campus changes for the new academic year, Kelley McGee reported for CNU News. Additions include a 24 hour cashless convenience store called The H.E.L.M., faculty and staff meal plans, robotic lawn mowers, new electric vehicle charging stations, and renovated James River Hall. The university also announced a new police chief, Sean L. Peterson, a Spanish certificate program, a philosophy of law concentration, and partnerships involving virtual reality and theater development.

Business

Newport News Firm Debuts Obsidian Shield for Legacy Aircraft Defense Robbin Laird reported for Defense.info that Newport News based Integrity Defense Solutions has introduced Obsidian Shield, a modular system meant to add modern air and missile defense capability to older Air Force aircraft without costly airframe by airframe rework. The system advanced through the Air Force’s GRID-IRON prototype contract, awarded in May 2026. IDS is also part of the Missile Defense Agency’s SHIELD contract vehicle and has formed a joint venture with KIHOMAC focused on AI assurance and resilient communications.

Newport News Shipbuilding Completes Sea Trials of Carrier John F. Kennedy HII announced in a news release that its Newport News Shipbuilding division has finished acceptance sea trials for the aircraft carrier John F. Kennedy (CVN 79), the second Gerald R. Ford class carrier. NNS vice president Derek Murphy called the trials a testament to the shipbuilding workforce. The trials involved NNS shipbuilders, Navy sailors and Navy personnel testing ship systems at sea. Kennedy now moves toward preliminary acceptance, allowing the Navy to begin underway testing of its systems.

Community & Services

The Mariners’ Museum Explores USS Indianola Civil War Naval Deception The Mariners’ Museum posted a video on the USS Indianola, a casemate ironclad that played a significant role in Mississippi River operations during the Civil War. The vessel, armed with four guns and powered by sidewheels and twin propellers, served primarily on patrol and convoy duty below Vicksburg alongside the ram Queen of the West.

Newport News Urban Farm Seeks Volunteers for New Growing Season VOLUNTEER Hampton Roads is recruiting volunteers for Hampton Roads Urban Agriculture’s urban farm in Newport News, Virginia, according to a listing on volunteerhr.org. Tasks include setting up the on site farmers market, harvesting, planting, weeding, laying drip irrigation and organizing the growing area. No experience is required, and volunteers can bring family or friends. The opportunity is led by Renee Foster and is limited to 25 volunteers per shift, with several shifts still open.

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Newport News City Council held a work session on Tuesday, August 11, 2026, to present the city’s 2026-2030 strategic plan. Developed through a comprehensive 20-week planning process involving approximately 20 department heads and more than 17 departments, the plan consolidates individual departmental priorities into a unified citywide vision. The presentation covered the project’s foundational goals, the consolidation of departmental strategies, the extensive feedback and revision process, the implementation framework, and the governance structures required to track progress through key performance indicators over the next four to five years.

The planning initiative established clear foundational goals for successful strategy development. The project aimed to create department-owned strategies reflecting city staff work across all levels of the organization. Beyond departmental ownership, planners sought to develop a focused set of key performance indicators derived directly from those strategies, establish clear accountability structures, and create proper documentation for ongoing measurement and tracking. These goals ensured that the resulting strategic plan would be grounded in operational reality and actionable across all city departments. Watch the full discussion beginning at 9:57.

Individual department plans were consolidated into broader citywide strategies through collaborative workshops. Four goal-area workshops brought approximately 20 department heads together to align individual departmental priorities with citywide objectives. The consolidation process produced a strategic framework consisting of four overarching goals, 17 distinct objectives, 69 strategies, and 27 key performance indicators. The KPIs are distributed across the four goal areas, with the first goal containing seven KPIs, the second containing 11 KPIs, the third containing three KPIs, and the fourth containing six KPIs. Listen to the full discussion beginning at 14:29.

The strategic plan underwent extensive review across multiple rounds of departmental feedback. Over eight rounds of feedback, 17 or more departments provided approximately 109 individual pieces of input that shaped the final plan. This iterative revision process refined the framework from initial concept through the final 27 KPIs distributed across 17 objectives. The significant volume of feedback reflects the breadth of stakeholder input incorporated into the strategic planning process. View the full discussion beginning at 17:32.

Implementation requires integrating strategic priorities directly into city budget and capital decisions. The city must establish regular reporting schedules for leadership and provide an annual view for city council and the public. Shared ownership of the plan’s execution is assigned across the City Manager’s Office, Budget and Evaluation, and the Office of Innovation. Testing major capital investments against the strategic framework ensures that funding decisions align with the city’s four-year priorities. Watch the full discussion beginning at 20:15.

In other news:

Government

Carrier John F. Kennedy Departs Newport News for Sea Trials According to USNI News, written by Sam LaGrone, the aircraft carrier John F. Kennedy (CVN-79) left Newport News Shipbuilding on Wednesday to begin acceptance sea trials, testing key systems after years of delays. HII confirmed the milestone in a statement praising shipbuilders and Navy teammates. The Navy recently told Congress that seven of the eleven advanced weapons elevators are now complete, enough to access all magazines. The carrier, delayed partly by arresting gear and elevator testing, is still scheduled for delivery in March.

Education

Mariners’ Museum and Park Enhances Environmental Education Through Gamified Learning The Mariners’ Museum and Park has enhanced its Lake Stewards program to better engage local high school students in environmental education, as reported by educators Amy Nicholson and Haleigh Bird. The program brings environmental science students from Newport News City, York County, and Hampton City Public Schools to the park for hands-on watershed experiences, including eelgrass planting, water quality testing, and a land fishing game. Educators recently updated the fishing station to improve participation among students of all skill levels and strengthen connections between classroom content and real-world environmental impacts. The program helps students understand how human actions shape local ecosystems while providing memorable outdoor learning experiences that connect to their community’s watershed.

Community & Services

Four Riverside Hospitals Recognized for Leapfrog Full Transparency Badge According to Riverside Health’s news center, Riverside Regional Medical Center (Full Transparency Badge), Riverside Walter Reed Hospital (Full Transparency Badge), Riverside Doctors’ Hospital Williamsburg (Full Transparency Badge), and Riverside Shore Memorial Hospital (Full Transparency Badge) earned Leapfrog’s inaugural Full Transparency Badge for voluntarily reporting quality and patient safety data. Riverside Smithfield Hospital was not eligible this year due to timing requirements. Terry Sievers, Vice President of Quality, said the survey helps the system track performance, while Dr. Michael Oshiki emphasized the organization’s commitment to transparency and accountability in patient care.

Business

Newport News Shipbuilding Highlights Talent Acquisition Representative LaShand Coleman in Employee Spotlight Series Newport News Shipbuilding features LaShand Coleman, a talent acquisition representative with eight years at the company, in its We Are Shipbuilders series, as reported by NNS To Go. Coleman shares her journey from being a Habitat for Humanity homeowner sponsored by the shipbuilding company to becoming an advocate for workforce development and The Apprentice School in the community. Her father worked as a shipbuilder for nearly 40 years, and she notes her passion for helping individuals change their socioeconomic status through quality education and employment opportunities. The series invites other shipbuilders interested in being highlighted to participate by contacting the communications team.

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Dog Street Press LLC is an independent media company based in Williamsburg, VA, and the publisher of Newport News Daily and the Williamsburg Independent. Our publications cover the stories that shape everyday life in our communities, including budget analysis, taxes, and government spending, real estate and business development, public school issues, local industry activity, charitable organizations, and community events. We are committed to transparency, accountability, and delivering accurate, trustworthy news using official sources and AI-assisted tools.

Local newsrooms across the country have been cutting coverage or closing altogether, leaving communities without reliable reporting on the issues that affect them most. Dog Street Press is part of a growing movement of independent local news organizations stepping in to fill that void, bringing dedicated, community-focused journalism back to the places that need it most.

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Whether you are a local business, nonprofit, or service provider, advertising with us puts your message in front of an audience that is actively invested in the topics that matter most, including economic development, local business activity, public schools, and community events. To learn more about advertising opportunities, contact us at newportnewsdaily@gmail.com.

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The Newport News City Council entered closed session during its Aug. 11, 2026 Work Session meeting, citing “probable litigation” tied to “contractual claims related to the construction of the transportation center.” City officials offered no further detail before convening privately. The closed-door discussion comes almost two years after the transportation center formally opened in 2024, raising questions about what contractual issues have since emerged.

The Newport News Transportation Center, located at 500-B Bland Blvd., is described as a “multimodal project” offering an improved, enhanced, and accessible experience for Amtrak Virginia and regional bus customers, and opened to passengers on Aug. 22. The project added two miles of new track, a mainline switch connection, and supporting earthwork, replacing a station plagued by inadequate parking, an exposed platform, and ridership beyond capacity. Planning dated back to 2012, with PE/Design work beginning that year.

The project drew together a wide range of partners, including the City of Newport News, the Virginia Passenger Rail Authority (VPRA), CSX, the Federal Railroad Administration, and Virginia’s departments of Rail and Public Transportation and Transportation, according to Amtrak. VPRA served as the project grantee, receiving federal funding through the Fiscal Year 2023 Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements program. The city itself contributed $1.4 million of its own funds toward the $53 million project, according to Virginia-Pilot reporting by Josh Janney in February 2024. That reporting also identified WSP USA as the project’s design firm and M.B. Kahn Construction as the builder — though neither company was identified as part of the matter behind this week’s closed session.

In other news:

Government

Vice Mayor Bethany Selected for Virginia Hunt State Policy Fellows The City of Newport News announced that Vice Mayor Curtis D. Bethany III has been selected for the Virginia Hunt State Policy Fellows program, a bipartisan initiative by The Hunt Institute. This prestigious opportunity allows the Vice Mayor to represent Newport News while helping strengthen local education policy and expand opportunities for city students.

Education

Newport News Waterworks Opens Fall Citizen Water Academy Applications Newport News Waterworks announced that applications are now open for its Fall 2026 Citizen Water Academy, a free six-week educational program designed to give residents an in-depth look at how the city’s water system operates. The academy runs Thursdays from September 17 through October 22, from 6 to 8 p.m.

Business

Virginia Peninsula Chamber news

• The Virginia Peninsula Chamber announced that registration is now open for its Talent Recruitment and Retention workshop, part of the Strategies, Purpose, Progress series for business professionals. The event takes place on Tuesday, August 18, 2026, from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM at the chamber’s location in Newport News.

• The Virginia Peninsula Chamber is now accepting applications from member organizations interested in hosting networking events or speaking at business programs throughout 2027. Chamber members in good standing can submit applications to participate in one or more of the organization’s signature business development series.

Community & Services

Salvation Army to host 11th Red Kettle Classic charity event October first The Salvation Army of the Virginia Peninsula announces the 11th Annual Red Kettle Classic, scheduled for Thursday, October 1, 2026. This annual community event brings together local residents and organizations to support the charitable mission of the Salvation Army.

Peninsula Health District offers free back-to-school vaccinations this month The Peninsula Health District is offering free immunizations for students entering kindergarten, seventh grade and twelfth grade as families prepare for the new school year. Walk-in vaccination clinics will be held at the Peninsula Health Center, located at 836-A J Clyde Morris Blvd., on August 18, 19, 24, 25 and 26 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., with an additional clinic on August 21 from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

VersAbility Resources announces 2026 gala featuring armless pilot Jessica Cox VersAbility Resources announced tickets are now available for Hidden Talents, the organization’s 2026 Annual Fundraising Gala scheduled for Thursday, October 22 at the Hampton Roads Convention Center. The evening celebrates the abilities of people with disabilities while raising support for regional programs that help individuals live, work, and thrive in their communities.

City of Newport News to host free back-to-school weekend events The City of Newport News announces a series of free community events this weekend designed to support families preparing for the upcoming school year. The activities, hosted by City Councilman John Eley, will feature entertainment, resources and practical support for residents of all ages.

Recreation & Events

Christopher Newport University to host Anchor Bowl Kickoff Luncheon August 27 The Anchor Bowl Kickoff Luncheon was announced, scheduled for August 27 to launch Anchor Bowl Week and celebrate the upcoming football matchup between Christopher Newport University and The Apprentice School before their September 5 game at TowneBank Stadium. Former NFL quarterback Aaron Brooks will serve as the featured guest speaker, sharing his professional experiences with regional attendees.

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Dog Street Press LLC is an independent media company based in Williamsburg, VA, and the publisher of Newport News Daily and the Williamsburg Independent. Our publications cover the stories that shape everyday life in our communities, including budget analysis, taxes, and government spending, real estate and business development, public school issues, local industry activity, charitable organizations, and community events. We are committed to transparency, accountability, and delivering accurate, trustworthy news using official sources and AI-assisted tools.

Local newsrooms across the country have been cutting coverage or closing altogether, leaving communities without reliable reporting on the issues that affect them most. Dog Street Press is part of a growing movement of independent local news organizations stepping in to fill that void, bringing dedicated, community-focused journalism back to the places that need it most.

As big media continues to consolidate and retreat from local markets, this shift creates a unique opportunity for businesses and organizations to market through smaller, niche outlets like Newport News Daily, where readership is focused, loyal, and growing. We deliver targeted local coverage to residents, business owners, and community leaders across the city.

Whether you are a local business, nonprofit, or service provider, advertising with us puts your message in front of an audience that is actively invested in the topics that matter most, including economic development, local business activity, public schools, and community events. To learn more about advertising opportunities, contact us at newportnewsdaily@gmail.com.

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Manufactured homes in Newport News could soon be allowed in far more places than just mobile home parks. Under two zoning changes now moving through city review, homes that have been legally converted into real estate would become permitted, without needing special permission, in most single-family neighborhoods across the city, plus a couple of office zoned areas, essentially anywhere a normal, site-built house is already allowed to be built. Both changes would satisfy new requirements mandated by the state.

The change rests on recognizing two different kinds of manufactured homes. The first kind is the traditional mobile home, built off site and transported in, which can stay classified as a home you own but not attach to the land, similar to how a car is owned separately from the property it’s parked on. The second kind is a manufactured home that has gone through a legal process to be converted into real estate, meaning it’s now treated just like a regular house that’s permanently part of the land it sits on. One of the two proposed changes officially adds this second category to the city’s rulebook and lays out what’s required for a home to qualify: it has to go through that legal conversion process, sit on its own lot, meet state safety construction standards, and get final approval from the city within five years of when it was originally built.

The second proposal updates the city’s map of what’s allowed where. Right now, manufactured homes are mostly restricted to one specific area set aside for mobile home parks. Under the new rules, that area would still be reserved for traditional mobile homes and mobile home parks, unchanged. But the newly recognized “converted to real estate” manufactured homes would gain access to residential zones across the city where they were not previously allowed.

Virginia lawmakers recently passed a law directing cities to allow manufactured homes that have been legally converted into real estate in the same neighborhoods where regular houses are permitted. Supporters say this fixes an outdated rule that treated manufactured homes as automatically different from “real” houses, even when a manufactured home has been permanently installed and legally converted to match.

The city’s Regulations Committee reviewed both proposals on July 15, 2026, and recommended them for approval. The Planning Commission followed suit, voting 8 to 0 on August 5, 2026, to recommend that City Council adopt both amendments. If Council gives final approval, homeowners who properly convert a manufactured home into real estate would be able to place it in most residential neighborhoods throughout Newport News without needing special permission, marking a concrete shift from how the rules currently work.

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In other news:

Jefferson Lab Researchers Combine Fusion Science with AI to Forecast DIII-D Tokamak Performance Scientists at Jefferson Lab are working to advance clean energy research by applying artificial intelligence to predict how fusion reactors behave, according to the laboratory. The research focuses on the DIII-D tokamak, a device designed to harness the same energy process that powers the sun. This work represents efforts to develop new approaches that could eventually contribute to sustainable energy solutions for communities in the future.

Ferguson Reports Second Quarter Financial Results, Raises Full Year Guidance Ferguson announced financial results for the quarter ended June 30, 2026, and increased its full year guidance, as reported by the company on August 10, 2026. The company noted that continued execution drove solid results for the period. Ferguson operates as North America’s largest value-added distributor in the $340 billion residential and non-residential construction markets, with fiscal year 2025 sales of $31.3 billion. The Newport News, Virginia-based company serves specialized professionals through approximately 1,700 locations across North America with a workforce of roughly 35,000 associates.

HII Autonomous Vessel Completes Critical Defense Innovation Unit Testing HII announced that the U.S. Defense Innovation Unit has officially recognized the successful completion of the company’s Production-Ready, Inexpensive, Maritime Expeditionary prototype project, featuring the Watcher small Unmanned Surface Vessel. The recognition follows HII’s delivery and successful sea testing of two autonomous Watcher ROMULUS-25 vessels in December 2025 under a Defense Innovation Unit contract to develop smaller-form-factor autonomous surface vessels for the U.S. Marine Corps. Developed in partnership with MetalCraft Marine, the Watcher successfully met the program’s technical objectives and is now positioned for a potential transition to production under Other Transaction Authority prototype agreements. Following a full and open competition that attracted 116 solution briefs, HII was selected to design, build, and demonstrate its solution. The ROMULUS-25 is a high-speed interceptor capable of carrying payloads of up to 1,000 pounds and operating at ranges of up to 1,000 nautical miles.

HII Secures $2.2 Billion Contract to Boost Intelligence Operations for U.S. Southern Command HII revealed that its Mission Technologies division has been awarded a $2.2 billion task order to deliver advanced surveillance and intelligence capabilities supporting U.S. Southern Command operations. The STINGRAI program will provide integrated intelligence gathering systems, advanced technologies, and adaptable platforms to counter transnational criminal organizations and drug trafficking networks, according to Andy Green, executive vice president of HII and president of Mission Technologies. The contract was awarded under the General Services Administration ASTRO Indefinite Delivery, Indefinite Quantity contract and includes one base year with six option years. The McLean, Virginia-based defense contractor employs approximately 45,000 workers and specializes in shipbuilding and mission technologies.

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Dog Street Press LLC is an independent media company based in Williamsburg, VA, and the publisher of Newport News Daily and the Williamsburg Independent. Our publications cover the stories that shape everyday life in our communities, including budget analysis, taxes, and government spending, real estate and business development, public school issues, local industry activity, charitable organizations, and community events. We are committed to transparency, accountability, and delivering accurate, trustworthy news using official sources and AI-assisted tools.

Local newsrooms across the country have been cutting coverage or closing altogether, leaving communities without reliable reporting on the issues that affect them most. Dog Street Press is part of a growing movement of independent local news organizations stepping in to fill that void, bringing dedicated, community-focused journalism back to the places that need it most.

As big media continues to consolidate and retreat from local markets, this shift creates a unique opportunity for businesses and organizations to market through smaller, niche outlets like Newport News Daily, where readership is focused, loyal, and growing. We deliver targeted local coverage to residents, business owners, and community leaders across the city.

Whether you are a local business, nonprofit, or service provider, advertising with us puts your message in front of an audience that is actively invested in the topics that matter most, including economic development, local business activity, public schools, and community events. To learn more about advertising opportunities, contact us at newportnewsdaily@gmail.com.

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HII announced long-term production agreements with Path Robotics and GrayMatter Robotics, its partners in the High-Yield Production Robotics program. The performance-based deals could bring the two companies up to $900 million in shipbuilding work over seven years, contingent on meeting technology and manufacturing milestones. The agreements aim to speed up automated welding, grinding, painting, and inspection processes across Navy programs including carriers, submarines, destroyers, and unmanned vessels, supporting HII’s broader push to expand distributed shipbuilding capacity.

Colonna’s Shipyard signs multi-year Navy fabrication deal with NNS Colonna’s Shipyard, Inc. announced a multi-year agreement with HII’s Newport News Shipbuilding for structural component fabrication supporting U.S. Navy nuclear shipbuilding programs, Maritime Executive reports. CEO Randall Crutchfield said the distributed shipbuilding partnership gives CSI predictable workload and supports facility expansion and workforce training. The deal could extend through 2030, though financial terms were not disclosed. Work will draw on CSI’s Kentucky and Norfolk operations, which have already supported Navy programs including the carriers CVN 78 and CVN 80.

Newport News Shipbuilding revamps its employee referral hiring program Newport News Shipbuilding launched an improved Employee Referral Program aimed at recruiting experienced candidates. HR vice president Xavier Beale said the company urgently needs skilled hires who can contribute immediately. The Talent Acquisition team simplified the process, requiring shipbuilders to email a referral with the candidate’s name and job requisition number, then having the candidate apply online to an eligible position. Acting Talent Acquisition director Cindi Wolfe noted that some of the best hires come from employees who already know the company’s culture.

In other news:

Business

Ferguson declares $0.89 quarterly dividend for shareholders Ferguson Enterprises’ Board of Directors declared a quarterly dividend of $0.89 per share on its common stock. Shareholders of record as of August 21, 2026 will receive the payout on October 7, 2026. Holders of Depositary Interests have until September 10, 2026 to make their currency election. Ferguson is North America’s largest distributor of water and air solutions for construction professionals, with $31.3 billion in sales and about 35,000 associates across more than 1,700 locations.

Education

Newport News Youth Career Program Celebrates 2026 Graduation Class Newport News TV shared a video about the 2026 graduation for the city’s Youth Career Program, celebrating the accomplishments of participating students. The program provides career development opportunities and training to young people in the community.

Christopher Newport University Presents Fear to Hope 2026 Program Christopher Newport University posted a video on Fear to Hope 2026, showcasing the university’s commitment to supporting student well-being and fostering resilience within the campus community.

Christopher Newport University Invites High School Students to Theatre Major Thursday Experience Christopher Newport University announces Theatre Major Thursday events designed for high school juniors and seniors interested in studying theatre. According to the university, participating students can shadow current theatre majors in their area of interest, sit in on classes, and discuss the program throughout the day. The experience concludes with complimentary attendance at a production in the Ferguson Center for the Arts. The events are scheduled for November 12, 2026, February 18, 2027, and March 18, 2027, providing multiple opportunities for prospective students and their families to explore what being a theatre student at Christopher Newport involves.

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Newport News Shipbuilding mentors students through Sweet Briar engineering series Newport News Shipbuilding sent representatives to Sweet Briar College, a small private liberal arts college in Sweet Briar, Virginia, as part of an effort to build its future talent pipeline through the school’s Engineering Lunch & Learn series, a student-led program that the campus chapter of the Society of Women Engineers runs. The shipbuilder’s involvement helps address its ongoing hiring needs by giving students direct access to industry professionals, with past participants going on to secure internships, job offers, and graduate school opportunities through these campus connections.

Community & Services

Hampton Roads communities participate in 29th annual Mayor’s Cup Blood Drive through August 30 Residents across Hampton Roads can help save lives by donating blood through August 30 as part of the 29th annual Mayor’s Cup Blood Drive, as announced by the City of Newport News. The regional competition, held in partnership with American Red Cross, encourages community members to represent their city while supporting a critical healthcare need. Newport News Mayor Phillip Jones notes that each donation can save up to three lives, with blood products used daily for emergency treatment, surgeries, cancer care, and chronic illness treatment. Last year, Newport News donors collected 265 units of blood, potentially helping 795 patients, while all participating localities contributed 1,973 units. Donors will receive various incentives throughout the summer, including gift cards and promotional items. Residents can schedule appointments and select their city to contribute to their locality’s total.

Public Safety

NNPD Officer Walker Shares Path to Police Service in Running Code The Newport News Police Department shared a video exploring the professional journey of Officer Kahlia Walker in the 57th episode of their Running Code podcast series. Walker, who joined the department in 2025, discusses how she came to pursue a career in law enforcement despite initial hesitations from her family.

Newport News Prepares to Launch FY27 Safer Communities Grant Program The City of Newport News Office of Community Safety is preparing to launch the FY27 Safer Communities Grant Program, as announced on the city website. The program is designed to strengthen community-based violence prevention, intervention, healing, and engagement efforts that align with the Momentum for Peace, Comprehensive Community Safety Plan. The office will host two information sessions in August 2026 for interested applicants, including a virtual Grants 101 session on August 12 and a logic model workshop on August 19. The grant program supports a public health approach to reducing violence and enhancing community well-being across Newport News, with the application portal expected to open at the end of August.

Newport News Fire Department to host free community fire safety event The Newport News Fire Department is hosting a free Fire Prevention Showcase on Saturday, October 10, 2026, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Huntington Park. The three-hour, all-ages event lets attendees meet firefighters and specialty teams, view fire engine displays, watch specialty team presentations, take part in educational activities, and get photo opportunities. Free parking will be available, and the event is open to the public at no cost.

Recreation & Events

Newport News hosts Washington Oyster Day celebration Newport News hosted Washington Oyster Day, bringing the community together to celebrate the area’s significant oyster industry and waterfront culture. The event highlighted the historical importance of oyster harvesting to the region’s economy and identity.

Christopher Newport University Announces 2026-2027 Theatre and Dance Season Christopher Newport University’s Department of Music, Theatre, and Dance has announced its upcoming slate of productions:

• “The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui”: a Brechtian satire following a depression-era gangster who uses corruption, bribery, and violence to dominate the vegetable trade, with performances in the Studio Theater on November 13, 14, 20, and 21 at 7:30 p.m. and matinees on November 15 and 22 at 2:00 p.m. in 2026, as announced by the university.

• One-Act Play Festival: featuring student directors, designers, and actors working alongside guest artists, on December 3 and 4, 2026, at 7:00pm in the Studio Theater, as announced by the university.

• Tony Award-winning mystery musical: celebrating themes of connection and belonging, at Peebles Theatre from February 19 through 26, 2027, in partnership with Virginia Stage Company, as announced by the university.

• 18th Annual Dance Concert: showcasing tap, ballet, jazz, modern, Afro-Caribbean, and musical theatre choreography by students, faculty, and guest artists, on March 18 and 19, 2027, at 7:00 p.m. at Peebles Theatre, as announced by the department.

• “Now to Ashes”: the world premiere of a new theatrical production written by TheatreCNU alumni that follows four abolitionist women and draws parallels between a polarized period in American history and contemporary times, staged in partnership with Hampton University Theatre at Studio Theater on April 9, 10, 16, and 17 at 7:30 p.m., with matinees on April 11 and 18 at 2:00 p.m. in 2027, as announced by the university.

Tickets across the season are free for students, with general admission priced at $14 and discounted rates of $9 for seniors and university faculty and staff.

Featured Sponsor

Dog Street Press LLC is an independent media company based in Williamsburg, VA, and the publisher of Newport News Daily and the Williamsburg Independent. Our publications cover the stories that shape everyday life in our communities, including budget analysis, taxes, and government spending, real estate and business development, public school issues, local industry activity, charitable organizations, and community events. We are committed to transparency, accountability, and delivering accurate, trustworthy news using official sources and AI-assisted tools.

Local newsrooms across the country have been cutting coverage or closing altogether, leaving communities without reliable reporting on the issues that affect them most. Dog Street Press is part of a growing movement of independent local news organizations stepping in to fill that void, bringing dedicated, community-focused journalism back to the places that need it most.

As big media continues to consolidate and retreat from local markets, this shift creates a unique opportunity for businesses and organizations to market through smaller, niche outlets like Newport News Daily, where readership is focused, loyal, and growing. We deliver targeted local coverage to residents, business owners, and community leaders across the city.

Whether you are a local business, nonprofit, or service provider, advertising with us puts your message in front of an audience that is actively invested in the topics that matter most, including economic development, local business activity, public schools, and community events. To learn more about advertising opportunities, contact us at newportnewsdaily@gmail.com.

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Newport News Public Schools kicked off New Educator Orientation with a welcome event on August 4 at Heritage High School. The school system reported that after spending the morning of their first day at their assigned schools, new teachers gathered together that afternoon to officially begin their orientation. School Board Vice Chairman Maritsa Alger welcomed the group, expressing gratitude that they accepted the district’s invitation to be “part of a winning team.” New teachers will continue a week-long orientation before being joined by all teachers and instructional assistants on August 13, ahead of the new school year, which begins August 24.

Mayor Phillip Jones, Alger, Superintendent Dr. Michele Mitchell, and 2026-2027 NNPS Division-wide Teacher of the Year John Lovett all spoke to the incoming educators. Lovett, a 31-year veteran math teacher at Warwick High School, emphasized the lasting impact of building relationships with students, noting that years later, students remember how their teachers made them feel rather than specific lessons. Superintendent Mitchell echoed that sentiment, telling the new hires that their story now becomes part of every student’s story, and that relationships build the trust and belonging that lead to student achievement.

In other news:

Business

Habit Burger & Grill to Open Newport News Location with Free Charburger Events Habit Burger & Grill announces its Newport News restaurant will open Monday, August 10, offering residents opportunities to enjoy complimentary meals during promotional events. The first 200 guests visiting on August 8 between 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. will receive a free freshly made Charburger, while the grand opening on August 10 at 10:30 a.m. will feature giveaways including Flavor Passports for the first 500 guests and custom totes with surprises for the first 100 attendees.

The new location at 12080 Jefferson Avenue follows the recent Hampton opening and marks the third Habit restaurant in Hampton Roads, with a Suffolk location planned for later this year. Jonathan Trapesonian, Head of Franchising and Real Estate for Habit Burger & Grill, notes that Hampton Roads represents a natural fit for the brand due to its location between Carolina and Richmond markets, with company officials indicating significant opportunity exists for additional restaurants in the region. Additionally, the chain revealed that on August 22, the first 50 guests at each of its three Hampton Roads locations, including Virginia Beach and Hampton, will receive a free Double Charburger to celebrate being named USA Today’s 10Best number one Burger in America for three consecutive years. (No compensation was received for this update).

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Education

Families Will Need to Provide Clear Backpacks for Students in 2026-2027 School Year Families in Newport News will be responsible for providing clear backpacks for their students during the upcoming 2026-2027 school year, according to Newport News Public Schools. The district announced that the clear backpack requirement will continue for all students, maintaining the same standards currently in place. Acceptable backpacks must be fully clear on all sides and constructed of transparent material, school officials note.

NNPS posts back to school video primer for families. This Just In #858: August 3, 2026 covers tips and guidelines for students getting ready to start the new school year, including registration, supplies, open houses, buses, IDs and more. ‘This Just In’ is a weekly show that quickly highlights some of the exciting happenings in the NNPS school district.

51 Students Receive Diplomas at NNPS Summer Graduation Ceremony Newport News Public Schools reports that 51 students celebrated their academic achievement at a summer graduation ceremony held August 4 at Heritage High School. The graduates completed their diploma requirements during the summer and represented all five high schools in the city. Students and school staff gathered for the ceremony to mark this educational milestone for the summer 2026 graduating class.

Community & Services

Bonefish Grill Williamsburg to Partner with Habitat for Humanity for Community Fundraiser Night Habitat for Humanity Peninsula and Greater Williamsburg announces a Give Back Night fundraiser at Bonefish Grill Williamsburg on Tuesday, August 18, from 5 to 9 p.m. Families and residents dining at the restaurant that evening can support affordable homeownership in the local community, as the restaurant will contribute 15% of participating sales to Habitat. Diners can pick up a coupon at the Habitat table and present it with their bill to ensure their purchase counts toward the fundraiser. The event takes place at Bonefish Grill Williamsburg, located at 5212 Monticello Avenue in Williamsburg, Virginia. (No compensation was received for this update.)

Serve the City Peninsula is seeking volunteers across Newport News and the Virginia Peninsula. The organization, which describes its goals as serving practical needs and transforming lives through everyday acts of kindness, recently announced upcoming events in August. Aug 8: Aug 8: Diaper Bank Packing Project, 9:30 AM–11:30 AM.

• Aug 8: Diaper Bank Packing Project, 9:30 AM–11:30 AM.

• Aug 8: The Heart of Giving, 9:30 AM–12:00 PM.

• Aug 8: BINGO @ Spratley House, 9:30 AM–12:00 PM.

• Aug 11: SAME Mobile Food Pantry, 10:30 AM–1:30 PM.

• Aug 14: BINGO @ Ashe Manor, 12:45 PM–2:30 PM.

• Aug 15: Community Garden, 9:00 AM–12:00 PM.

• Aug 19: Captain John Smith Elementary Facelift, 9:00 AM–12:00 PM.

• Aug 20: Peninsula Foodbank w/ Zion Baptist, 9:00 AM–12:00 PM; ECHO Family Care - Diaper Packing, 1:00 PM–2:30 PM.

• Aug 24: SAME Support, 9:00 AM–1:30 PM.

• Aug 29: EarthBond U Litter Cleanup, 8:00 AM–11:00 AM.

• Aug 29: Friday Night Food Pantry @ Hilton Baptist, 5:30 PM–7:45 PM.

• Aug 30: The Simple Sunflower - Arrangements, 1:30 PM–3:30 PM.

“ANCESTRAL SOIL: 1865” Exhibition Chronicles Journey of Callis Brothers from Enslavement to Land Ownership Artist Christopher Diont’e presents “ANCESTRAL SOIL: 1865 – THE FOUNDATION OF FREEMAN, VIRGINIA,” a free exhibition featuring paintings, drawings, textiles, garments and photographs honoring his family’s history. The show chronicles the remarkable story of his ancestors, Ira and Ruffin Callis, brothers who were enslaved in Louisiana, gained their freedom in 1865, and walked back to Virginia where they purchased over 1,500 acres of land that became Freeman, Virginia. The exhibition runs August 5-15, 2026 at Newport News Community Gallery 2410 Wickham Avenue.

Free Community Quilt Workshops Invite All Ages to Create Collaborative Art Installation Community Quilt Creation Workshops at the Downing-Gross Cultural Arts Center invite residents of all ages to participate in a free collaborative art experience on August 7, 8, and 14. Multidisciplinary artist Christopher Diont’e will guide participants in creating a community quilt that serves as a shared artistic expression of local heritage and personal identity. Families and individuals are encouraged to bring old clothing, fabric remnants, or meaningful textiles to be incorporated into the collective artwork. The workshops require no prior quilting experience and offer participants an opportunity to connect with neighbors while contributing to a lasting community art piece. 2410 Wickham Avenue.

Featured Sponsor

Dog Street Press LLC is an independent media company based in Williamsburg, VA, and the publisher of Newport News Daily and the Williamsburg Independent. Our publications cover the stories that shape everyday life in our communities, including budget analysis, taxes, and government spending, real estate and business development, public school issues, local industry activity, charitable organizations, and community events. We are committed to transparency, accountability, and delivering accurate, trustworthy news using official sources and AI-assisted tools.

Local newsrooms across the country have been cutting coverage or closing altogether, leaving communities without reliable reporting on the issues that affect them most. Dog Street Press is part of a growing movement of independent local news organizations stepping in to fill that void, bringing dedicated, community-focused journalism back to the places that need it most.

As big media continues to consolidate and retreat from local markets, this shift creates a unique opportunity for businesses and organizations to market through smaller, niche outlets like Newport News Daily, where readership is focused, loyal, and growing. We deliver targeted local coverage to residents, business owners, and community leaders across the city.

Whether you are a local business, nonprofit, or service provider, advertising with us puts your message in front of an audience that is actively invested in the topics that matter most, including economic development, local business activity, public schools, and community events. To learn more about advertising opportunities, contact us at newportnewsdaily@gmail.com.

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Newport News sought contractors for the second phase of a stormwater system replacement in Christopher Shores, a south Newport News neighborhood built in 1949 whose aging drainage network struggles with modern runoff and causes street flooding. Bids submitted for the project, which will be designed for a 10 year storm event, ranged from about $10 million to $14 million, with construction expected to take about two years to complete.

With the bidding period now closed, the city has posted pricing results from four vendors, though no vendor has yet been formally selected. Henry S. Branscome LLC submitted the lowest bid at $9,996,900, followed by Bridgeman Civil, Inc. at $12,880,000, LandWerks Contracting, Inc. at $13,494,310, and Tidewater Utility Construction, Inc. at $14,018,725. The city has said it will award the contract to the lowest responsive and responsible bidder.

Popular real estate website Homes.com describes Christopher Shores as an affordable, established community in south Newport News, close to Hampton, the Monitor Merrimac Bridge Tunnel, and Newport News Shipbuilding. Some areas of the neighborhood currently lack adequate stormwater infrastructure entirely, while the existing system elsewhere cannot manage current runoff flow rates or meet modern standards. The project is intended to reduce the risk of street flooding throughout the neighborhood by installing a new drainage system capable of conveying runoff from a 10 year storm event and meeting current stormwater management requirements.

The bid covers a broad scope of work, including installation of storm sewer pipe along with dozens of precast concrete manholes and curb drop inlets. It also includes removal of the existing storm system, pavement demolition and replacement across 6,500 square yards, curb and gutter replacement, driveway and sidewalk work, traffic control, tree removal, erosion and sediment control, and right of way restoration. A separate scope for Newport News Waterworks covers water line installation, valves, and service transfers.

In other news:

Government

Newport News Waterworks Conducts Twice-Annual Fire Hydrant Inspections Newport News Waterworks reminds residents that fire hydrant inspections are performed twice yearly to ensure adequate water supply for fire suppression and maintain high-quality drinking water. The work is conducted Monday through Friday from 7 AM to 3:30 PM, weather permitting, typically at two to three locations simultaneously. An independent contractor hired by Waterworks performs the inspections, so residents may not see uniformed Waterworks employees or vehicles. When inspections occur near homes or businesses, residents may experience reduced water pressure and discolored water. The agency notes that these conditions are temporary and often caused by accumulated sediment being flushed from water mains. Residents experiencing low pressure lasting more than a few minutes should contact Waterworks Customer Service at 757-926-1000 or submit a report through the customer portal. For discolored water, running water through a bathtub faucet for several minutes typically resolves the issue. Newport News currently maintains 11,752 fire hydrants throughout the city.

Vice Mayor Bethany Selected for Virginia Hunt State Policy Fellows Program The City of Newport News announced that Vice Mayor Curtis D. Bethany III has been selected to join the second cohort of the Virginia Hunt State Policy Fellows, a bipartisan initiative of The Hunt Institute. This program brings together local elected officials from across Virginia to engage in collaborative discussions on critical education policy issues. Through the fellowship, participants will participate in sessions addressing early childhood education, K-12 systems, postsecondary attainment, and workforce development. Fellows will work across party lines with experts, legislators, and educators to identify strategies that improve student outcomes and strengthen education systems. According to Vice Mayor Bethany, Newport News remains committed to investing in youth through initiatives like the new Huntington Middle School and the Youth Career Program.

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Education

Newport News Schools Set Open House and Orientation Dates Newport News Public Schools has scheduled orientations and open houses to help students and families get acquainted with their schools. Sixth grade orientation and middle school open house are set for Aug. 19, elementary open house for Aug. 20, and ninth grade orientation for Aug. 21. Preschool orientations begin Aug. 3 at select centers. Back-to-school nights follow in September for high school, middle school, and elementary families. Student schedules will be available in ParentVUE and StudentVUE in August. Families needing childcare bus transportation must submit requests by Aug. 5 to secure a stop by the first day. All NNPS students receive free breakfast and lunch, and questions should be directed to individual schools.

Business

Newport News Shipbuilding showcases inside machinist Thomas Hatfield HII shared a video about Thomas Hatfield, an inside machinist in Newport News Shipbuilding’s Machine Shop. Hatfield carries forward a family tradition of shipbuilding, inspired by his Master Shipbuilder grandfather to pursue work in mechanical systems and precision machining.

HII Names New Infrastructure Vice President at Newport News Shipbuilding HII announced that Chris Helton has been appointed vice president of infrastructure and sustainability at its Newport News Shipbuilding division, effective Aug. 31. In the role, he will oversee infrastructure modernization, facilities, environmental health and safety, and security at the shipyard, reporting to Karey Malyszko, NNS vice president of quality, process excellence and plant operations. A 35-year shipbuilder, he joins NNS from HII’s Ingalls Shipbuilding division, where he most recently served as director of post-launch electrical operations. He holds a bachelor’s degree in industrial engineering technology and an MBA from the University of Southern Mississippi.

Public Safety

Newport News Fire Department Outlines Open Burning Permit Requirements The City of Newport News Fire Department reminds residents that open burning regulations are strictly enforced to protect public safety. Most types of outdoor burning require an approved permit and adherence to specific safety standards. Land clearing, debris disposal, pit burns, and bonfires are prohibited without a permit. However, certain activities like religious fires, warming fires, cooking fires, recreational fires, and portable outdoor fireplaces may be permitted with restrictions. Open burning permits cost $300 plus $35 per acre or fraction thereof. All permitted fires must use untreated wood only, be constantly attended, and have extinguishment methods readily available. Fires must be located at least 50 feet from structures, with exceptions for smaller fires and approved containers. For more information or to request a permit, contact Interim Chief Fire Marshal Joseph Carucci at 757-975-5400.

Recreation & Events

Christopher Newport University President to Lead Weekly Campus Walks Christopher Newport University is inviting the campus community to participate in Wednesday Walks with President Kelly beginning August 19. These casual walking sessions take place every Wednesday morning at 6:30 a.m., starting at DSU Plaza, and provide an opportunity for community members to connect with one another before the day begins. The walks proceed at a conversational pace and welcome both new and returning participants looking to get some exercise or meet friends. During inclement weather, the walks move indoors to the Freeman Center. The program continues weekly throughout the academic year, with exceptions made when the University is closed for holidays or breaks.

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Dog Street Press LLC is an independent media company based in Williamsburg, VA, and the publisher of Newport News Daily and the Williamsburg Independent. Our publications cover the stories that shape everyday life in our communities, including budget analysis, taxes, and government spending, real estate and business development, public school issues, local industry activity, charitable organizations, and community events. We are committed to transparency, accountability, and delivering accurate, trustworthy news using official sources and AI-assisted tools.

Local newsrooms across the country have been cutting coverage or closing altogether, leaving communities without reliable reporting on the issues that affect them most. Dog Street Press is part of a growing movement of independent local news organizations stepping in to fill that void, bringing dedicated, community-focused journalism back to the places that need it most.

As big media continues to consolidate and retreat from local markets, this shift creates a unique opportunity for businesses and organizations to market through smaller, niche outlets like Newport News Daily, where readership is focused, loyal, and growing. We deliver targeted local coverage to residents, business owners, and community leaders across the city.

Whether you are a local business, nonprofit, or service provider, advertising with us puts your message in front of an audience that is actively invested in the topics that matter most, including economic development, local business activity, public schools, and community events. To learn more about advertising opportunities, contact us at newportnewsdaily@gmail.com.

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Ferguson Enterprises Inc. (NYSE: FERG), headquartered in Newport News, announced its selection for inclusion in the S&P 500 index, effective at the open of trading on August 5, 2026. The company distributes water and air solutions to residential and non-residential construction markets and reports approximately 35,000 associates across more than 1,700 locations. The addition follows a five-year transition from a London-listed, FTSE 100 company to a solely NYSE-listed, North American headquartered company, which the company said marks the final step in that transition.

Ferguson CEO Kevin Murphy said, “Joining the S&P 500 is a significant milestone made possible by our 35,000 expert associates and their commitment to the specialized professionals who build and maintain North America.” The S&P 500 includes 500 companies selected based on market capitalization, liquidity and financial viability, according to the release.

S&P Dow Jones Indices, the organization that administers the benchmark, describes the S&P 500 on its official site as a gauge of large-cap U.S. equities made up of 500 companies covering roughly 80 percent of available U.S. market capitalization. The index launched on March 4, 1957.

In other news:

Government

City honors board and commission members at annual appreciation dinner Newport News TV shared a video about the city’s Boards and Commissions Appreciation Dinner, an event celebrating the contributions of volunteers who dedicate their time to serving on various municipal boards and commissions throughout Newport News.

Newport News Electoral Board to Canvass Republican Primary Results The Newport News Voter Registrar announced that the Electoral Board will convene on August 5, 2026, at 10:00 AM to canvass the election results from the Republican Primary held on August 4. The meeting will take place at the Brentwood facility located at 10516 Jefferson Avenue. The Board has scheduled a separate meeting for August 10, 2026, at 10:00 AM at the office of the Director of Elections in City Hall, 2400 Washington Avenue, to review provisional ballots from the same Republican Primary election.

Education

NNPS Shares Back to School Information for Families NNPS-TV shared a video about back to school preparations for Newport News Public Schools students and families. The segment addressed multiple topics families need to know as the new school year approaches.

Business

Local Apartment Community Wins Regional Multifamily Housing Award The Coastal Multifamily Housing Council recognized Abbitt Management’s Holland Apartments in Newport News for communities completed between 1940 and 1960 during its 41st annual Awards of Excellence Competition. The council, part of the Coastal Virginia Building Industry Association, announced the winners July 16 at a ceremony held at The Founders Inn in Virginia Beach. The event also included Merit Awards for individual performance, Residents’ Choice honors, and Platinum Awards recognizing models, amenities, curb appeal, and maintenance facilities across southeastern Virginia apartment communities.

Virginia Peninsula Chamber to host legislative roundtable Tuesday on nonprofit future The Virginia Peninsula Chamber reports that its Legislative Roundtable series will convene on Tuesday, August 11th to address “The Future of the Nonprofit Sector.” The event brings together community leaders and stakeholders to discuss policy and strategic directions affecting nonprofits across the region.

Huntington Ingalls Industries celebrates 140 years of Newport News Shipbuilding Huntington Ingalls Industries reports that its Newport News Shipbuilding division is celebrating 140 years of operations this year. Founded on January 28, 1886, by businessman Collis P. Huntington, the shipyard has grown into a cornerstone of American defense manufacturing and Virginia’s economy. The facility has designed, constructed, overhauled and repaired more than 800 ships throughout its history, including 49 vessels during World War II. Today, Newport News Shipbuilding serves exclusively as a U.S. Navy contractor, employing 26,000 workers and standing as Virginia’s largest industrial employer. The shipyard’s founding principle, displayed on a memorial to Huntington, remains central to operations: “We shall build good ships here, at a profit if we can, at a loss if we must, but always good ships.” The facility merged with Mississippi-based Ingalls Shipbuilding in 2011 to form HII, now America’s largest shipbuilder.

Community & Services

Peninsula Regional Animal Shelter Launches August Clear the Shelters Campaign The Peninsula Regional Animal Shelter announces its participation in the annual Clear the Shelters campaign throughout August, offering reduced adoption fees and weekly specials to help more pets find permanent homes. The month-long initiative creates opportunities for residents to provide loving homes for animals in need while taking advantage of special promotions.

Local Teacher Transforms ReStore Donations Into Community Art Galleries Habitat for Humanity Peninsula and Greater Williamsburg reports that items donated to its ReStores are fueling creative community projects beyond their original purpose. Local art teacher Alison Pariso discovered materials at the Williamsburg ReStore that she transformed into Pocket Museums, tiny galleries hosted in local businesses where young artists can display their work and make art more accessible to the public. The initiative demonstrates how ReStore donations create multiple layers of community impact. A recycled newspaper stand purchased from the ReStore is being converted into an art display for a local school, while decorative pieces and other materials found new life as museum fixtures. By donating to or shopping at Habitat ReStores, community members support affordable housing initiatives while enabling unexpected creative projects that inspire local youth and reduce waste.

Mariners’ Museum explores Monitor’s steam engine mechanics and operations The Mariners’ Museum posted a video exploring the mechanical systems that powered the ironclad USS Monitor. The episode provides an in-depth examination of how the vessel’s steam engines functioned, featuring detailed explanations of engine operation, cutoff mechanisms, and the reversing gear that allowed the historic ship to maneuver during combat.

Mariners’ Museum wins four Coastal Virginia Magazine Reader’s Choice Awards The Mariners’ Museum and Park has been recognized in four categories in the Coastal Virginia Magazine Best of Readers’ Choice Awards. The institution earned Best History Museum (Gold), Best Place to Hike or Walk (Gold), Best Science or Nature Museum (Silver), Best Local Attraction (Silver).

Featured Sponsor

Dog Street Press LLC is an independent media company based in Williamsburg, VA, and the publisher of Newport News Daily and the Williamsburg Independent. Our publications cover the stories that shape everyday life in our communities, including budget analysis, taxes, and government spending, real estate and business development, public school issues, local industry activity, charitable organizations, and community events. We are committed to transparency, accountability, and delivering accurate, trustworthy news using official sources and AI-assisted tools.

Local newsrooms across the country have been cutting coverage or closing altogether, leaving communities without reliable reporting on the issues that affect them most. Dog Street Press is part of a growing movement of independent local news organizations stepping in to fill that void, bringing dedicated, community-focused journalism back to the places that need it most.

As big media continues to consolidate and retreat from local markets, this shift creates a unique opportunity for businesses and organizations to market through smaller, niche outlets like Newport News Daily, where readership is focused, loyal, and growing. We deliver targeted local coverage to residents, business owners, and community leaders across the city.

Whether you are a local business, nonprofit, or service provider, advertising with us puts your message in front of an audience that is actively invested in the topics that matter most, including economic development, local business activity, public schools, and community events. To learn more about advertising opportunities, contact us at newportnewsdaily@gmail.com.