In recent State of the City address, Newport News Mayor reports safety, housing, education gains
Event at Christopher Newport University was presented by Virginia Peninsula Chamber of Commerce
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The 2026 Newport News State of the City address was delivered by Newport News Mayor Phillip D. Jones at Christopher Newport University and hosted by the Virginia Peninsula Chamber of Commerce. Jones reported that the city has exceeded public safety goals, achieved full school accreditation across all campuses, launched a new housing initiative targeting 21,000 units over the next decade, and announced plans to pursue collective bargaining for city employees before July.
Under the Momentum for Peace plan, homicides dropped 63 percent and non-fatal shootings fell 38 percent, representing a combined 47 percent reduction in the most serious forms of gun violence. The mayor credited prevention strategies, community partnerships, and leadership from police and fire chiefs, who were recognized during the address.
Every Newport News public school reached full accreditation, graduation rates rose from below 94 percent to above 97 percent, and chronic truancy dropped 16 percent division-wide. The mayor credited educators, the school board, and the superintendent, and highlighted a new trade center partnership with Virginia Peninsula Community College and Newport News Shipbuilding as a direct pipeline from classroom to career.
The summary below covers each major topic from the address in order of significance, with each section linking directly to that moment in the full meeting recording on YouTube.
Public safety: homicides down 63 percent under Momentum for Peace plan
The mayor reported exceeding all three public safety commitments made two years ago, citing a 63 percent drop in homicides and a 38 percent reduction in non-fatal shootings. The city will deploy drones as first responders, integrating fire and police operations, and has enhanced its real-time crime center. Mental health clinicians have been added to crisis response, and violence interrupters are active in neighborhoods.
Hear Jones detail crime reduction results and safety investments from 7:29:
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Newport News to pursue collective bargaining vote before July
Jones announced intent to bring a vote before city council before July to authorize collective bargaining for city employees, describing it as a decision Newport News will make independently without waiting for a state mandate. The mayor cited a two-year task force process and stated the move would strengthen the city workforce and broader community. The vote has not yet been scheduled.
Hear the mayor announce the collective bargaining timeline from 21:13:
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Full school accreditation, rising graduation rates mark education progress
All Newport News public schools reached full accreditation for the first time on record. Graduation rates climbed from below 94 percent to above 97 percent, and chronic truancy fell 16 percent division-wide. The mayor also highlighted expanded pre-K seats, dual enrollment, work-based learning, and wraparound mental health supports as part of what he described as an educational evolution underway in the city.
Hear the mayor report on school accreditation and graduation gains from 14:21:
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Newport News Trade Center opens, training 400 students annually for maritime careers
A new 16,000-square-foot Newport News Trade Center opened this spring in partnership with Virginia Peninsula Community College and Newport News Shipbuilding. The facility is designed to train more than 400 students per year for careers in maritime trades and construction. The mayor described it as a pipeline from classroom to credential to career and called it a model for education, industry, and government working together.
See the mayor describe the Trade Center opening and its workforce pipeline from 15:08:
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Strategic Housing Initiatives Plan targets 21,000 new units over next decade
The city launched the Strategic Housing Initiatives Plan, known as SHIP, with a goal of building 21,000 housing units over ten years. Projects at Parkside, Inview, and Morrison Station are underway with developer Dr. Horton, targeting more than 1,200 new units. The mayor described housing as fundamental to belonging and noted that the plan addresses affordability, neighborhood reinvestment, and the ability of long-term residents to remain in the city.
Hear the mayor introduce the SHIP housing plan and development projects from 29:38:
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New CIP advances four fire stations, emergency campus, and waterworks upgrades
A new capital improvement program includes four new fire stations, a collocated emergency response campus that will consolidate police, fire, 911, and EMS operations, and seven major waterworks projects. Ground was broken earlier this year on Fire Station 11, the first new station in over a decade, dedicated to former fire chief Larry Ory, who became the city’s first African American firefighter in 1968 and later served as chief.
See the mayor outline public safety capital investments and Fire Station 11 from 11:36:
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Justice complex master plan to unify courtrooms and replace correctional facility
The city is finalizing a master plan for a new multi-story justice administration complex that would bring all courtrooms under one roof. The plan also calls for replacing the adult correctional facility with a modern building designed to improve space, security, and support for those in custody and staff. The mayor said the process has been shaped with input from judges and called it an example of responsible modern leadership.
Hear the mayor describe the justice complex and correctional facility replacement from 12:41:
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City Center and Sherwood sites anchor long-term economic development strategy
The city is investing in a new government center at City Center, an approximately 38-acre area positioned near Oyster Point Business Park, Jefferson Laboratory, and the Tech Center Research Park. At Sherwood, demolition of the former shopping center will clear land for a new 40-million-dollar Gryom Library. Active requests for proposals are also advancing for the former West Avenue Library and a downtown Greek Orthodox Church site.
See the mayor outline City Center and Sherwood economic development plans from 24:50:
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Navy and Hunt Military Communities to invest 450 million dollars in downtown housing
The Navy, in partnership with Hunt Military Communities, will break ground next quarter on a 450-million-dollar investment in new unaccompanied sailor housing and quality-of-life facilities in downtown Newport News. The project will bring new housing, parking, services, and retail, strengthening connections between downtown, the shipyard, and naval personnel. A separate 3,000-space parking garage being constructed by WM Jordan is expected to be completed this summer.
Hear the mayor announce the Navy housing investment and downtown development from 26:35:
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City employees to receive paid parental leave and 18-dollar minimum wage
Beginning in May, the city will launch paid parental leave providing up to four weeks of paid leave for welcoming a new child or caring for a sick parent or adult child. The mayor described this as one of the first such programs in Virginia for a city government. In July, the city’s minimum wage will rise to 18 dollars per hour, described as among the highest in the state.
Hear the mayor announce employee benefits including parental leave and wage increase from 18:15:
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Employee health clinic launching through Marathon Health partnership
The city announced a new employee health clinic through a partnership with Marathon Health, available to city employees and their families enrolled in the city health plan. The clinic will offer free or low-cost appointments available within 24 hours, along with specialty referral coordination. The mayor described the approach as one very few cities in the nation have embraced and framed it as a commitment to employee well-being and early care.
Hear the mayor introduce the Marathon Health employee clinic from 19:05:
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Noodle the Thinkers Convention set for Memorial Day weekend at Yard District
Newport News will host Noodle the Thinkers Convention over Memorial Day weekend, described as the first event of its kind in Hampton Roads. The event will take place at Yard District and Vid Landing Park and is designed to bring together global talent in technology, entertainment, new media, business, and science. The mayor described it as a statement that Newport News is ready to convene, lead, and attract big ideas.
Hear the mayor introduce the Noodle Convention and its vision for the city from 33:05:
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Secure energy and healthcare investments expand economic foundation
The launch of a Secure Energy Future Center, led by the Virginia Tech Corporate Research Center, positions Newport News within a regional energy innovation and resilience strategy. Christopher Newport University’s science and engineering research center is contributing applied research and talent. Healthcare sector growth includes Bon Secours Mary Immaculate Hospital’s new critical care tower and Riverside’s healthcare center at work and an internal medical residency program.
See the mayor describe energy and healthcare economic investments from 27:58:
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All 41 school principals receive key to the city in ceremonial recognition
The mayor presented the key to the city to the principals of Newport News public schools, describing them as city-builders who shape the next generation of leaders, innovators, entrepreneurs, and public servants. A video tribute featured students describing how their principals believe in them. The mayor noted that all 41 principals were present and said their work represents the future of Newport News being built in practice every day.
Watch the mayor present the key to the city to Newport News school principals from 41:45:
A Newport News Daily editor used official sources and AI tools for this report.
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