New Early Childhood Center Opens as Model Public-Private Partnership
Newport News Launching Flock Drone-First-Responder Program Citywide
Newport News officials and education leaders have opened a new early childhood education center built through a public-private partnership, describing it as a model investment in the region’s youngest residents. Officials said the initiative brought together multiple levels of government along with private partners to ensure children have access to education starting at an early age, and characterized the project as reflecting a level of innovation and collaboration they consider distinctive to Newport News.
Program leaders said the goal is for children to enter kindergarten better prepared, graduate high school at higher rates, and go on to college, with the broader aim of strengthening Virginia’s workforce talent pipeline. They expressed hope that within five to ten years, the partnership will be recognized as having made a measurable difference for hundreds of children and families in the region, and that the model could be replicated elsewhere in the Commonwealth and beyond.
The building’s design, modeled to look like a structure made of building blocks, with intentionally varied angles in its corridors and classrooms rather than uniform, straight lines, was also described by officials. The facility includes large classrooms, ample natural light, and restrooms in every classroom to support potty training. Hallways are positioned around the playground so children can be observed from inside the building.
Newport News Launches Flock Drone Program for Police, Fire Newport News, Virginia, will launch a drone-as-first-responder program next week, according to a report from DroneXL. The city has staged eight drones at four launch sites, ready to respond to high-priority 911 calls such as a homicide, shooting, missing person, or medical emergency, with some aircraft reaching a scene in under 90 seconds, DroneXL reported. Roughly 20 police and fire personnel are certified to fly the drones, which come from vendor Flock Safety and carry thermal imaging alongside live video, with coverage stretching across the city, including Interstate 64 and the James River waterfront.
Unlike most drone-first-responder programs, which are typically run by police departments alone, Newport News has folded its fire department into the same system, which city leaders say makes it one of the first in Virginia to operate a single drone fleet for both law enforcement and fire, according to DroneXL.
City officials sought to address privacy concerns ahead of launch. City Manager Alan Archer said the drones “are really not intended for surveillance purposes” and are “intended to respond to what we call priority one calls for service,” DroneXL reported. Police Chief Steve Drew called the program “the future of law enforcement.” https://dronexl.co/2026/06/21/newport-news-drones-911-90-seconds/
In other news:
Government
Jefferson Lab Writer Reflects on Serving as Program Deputy Matt Cahill, a Jefferson Lab Communications Office writer-editor, writes about his service as program deputy (PD) during CEBAF’s 2025 physics run after just under two years at the lab. The PD volunteers as a two-week, on-call coordinator linking accelerator work groups with lab leadership during daily Machine Control Center briefings. Cahill, who came from the “outside the fence” business-operations side, found training eased his initial uncertainty, and crew chiefs and experts supported him throughout. As Ken Surles-Law, the acting MCC group leader, put it, “We don’t expect you to know everything, and we don’t expect you to figure out all the answers.” Cahill says he gained deeper insight into CEBAF’s operations and plans to volunteer again.
Jefferson Lab is inviting SURATech employees to submit proposals for the fiscal year 2027 LDRD program (October 2026–September 2027), offering a chance to develop and demonstrate new scientific or technological ideas.
Business
Analysis finds Huntington Ingalls stock undervalued relative to financial health A recent financial analysis of Huntington Ingalls, posted by investing website Seeking Alpha, notes that “Newport News segment revenue rose 19% to $1.665B, driven by higher volumes in naval nuclear support, aircraft carriers, and submarines.”
Virginia Peninsula Chamber hosts TwelveStone Infusion Center ribbon cutting today The Virginia Peninsula Chamber announced a ribbon cutting ceremony for TwelveStone Infusion Center taking place today, June 23, 2026, at 11:00 AM. The event is located at 580 City Center Boulevard, Suite 3, in Newport News and is open to the public at no cost.
Community & Services
City Offers Free Sports Physicals and Vaccinations for Students The Newport News Fire Department, Love The Tree of Life Free Clinic, and Virginia Department of Health are partnering to deliver free sports physicals and required school vaccinations to local students throughout the community. These services are available at no cost with appropriate parental consent and approval.
Recreation & Events
Raise a Glass to 250 Years: Celebrate America’s Birthday in Newport News America is turning 250 and Newport News, Virginia is ready to celebrate in a big way. From Revolutionary War era landmarks to world class museums, waterfront parks, and local craftsmen honoring the milestone with limited-edition sips, there has never been a better reason to spend your Fourth of July.
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