WHRO Reports

Portsmouth doesn’t want the Port to buy land it leases in the city. The Port says it doesn’t know what the city is talking about.

January 26, 2024 16:41 - 59 seconds - 1.38 MB

While Portsmouth is asking state lawmakers to help stop the purchase of 300 privately-owned acres at it's riverfront terminal, the Port says its not trying to buy the land - and has no idea where this came from.

Hampton Roads hospitals ask people to start masking again in their facilities

January 25, 2024 19:24 - 629 KB

Area health systems “strongly recommend” patients begin masking again at hospitals and clinics around Hampton Roads. Sentara, Bon Secours, Chesapeake Regional Medical Center, Eastern Virginia Medical School and Children’s Hospital of the King’s Daughters issued a joint statement asking patients and visitors to mask. The announcement comes on the heels of an uptick across the state in viruses like flu, COVID-19 and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).

“As a mother, I hurt”: Latino families fear for children’s safety in Norfolk’s public schools

January 24, 2024 15:49 - 3 minutes - 5.51 MB

Several Latino students from Norfolk public schools and their families told WHRO they’re being targeted, robbed and attacked by their Black classmates. Their parents worry the schools aren't doing enough to protect them.

Amtrak passengers in the Commonwealth continue to set ridership records

January 23, 2024 19:56 - 652 KB

More than 1.3 million people rode the rails in Virginia last year – the highest ridership numbers since the state-supported service began in 2009. The Virginia Passenger Rail Authority says all four travel corridors – Newport News, Norfolk, Roanoke, and Richmond – saw double-digit percentage increases in ridership.

Pamunkey Indian Tribe will ask Norfolk board again to let it move forward with casino project

January 19, 2024 18:23 - 41 seconds - 992 KB

The tribe have said it needs to start construction soon on its long-awaited casino in order to open by the state-mandated deadline.

Port of Virginia now using 100% clean energy

January 19, 2024 16:24 - 1 minute - 1.43 MB

The new milestone is part of the port's larger goal to reach net-zero carbon emissions by 2040.

Flood disclosure bill should focus on insurance claims, not sellers, says local real estate agent

January 18, 2024 17:05 - 1 minute - 1.43 MB

Longtime Realtor Barry Jenkins shares his thoughts on the proposed changes with WHRO.

Early voting for Virginia's presidential primaries starts Friday

January 18, 2024 16:02 - 38 seconds - 911 KB

The primaries won't be held until March 5, but early voting starts this weekend.

Lawmaker seeks study, relief for Black communities uprooted by Virginia universities

January 18, 2024 15:26 - 1.04 MB

Following an investigation by the Virginia Center for Investigative Journalism at WHRO and ProPublica, Del. Delores McQuinn introduces bill for a commission to investigate the displacement of Black neighborhoods by Virginia’s public colleges and universities

Port Authority contributes to road improvements near Suffolk warehouse development

January 17, 2024 19:50 - 926 KB

Virginia Port Authority will give Suffolk $1 million toward the redesign of the intersection between Route 460 and the U.S. 58 bypass. The full project is estimated to cost $86 million.

Proposed bill would boost flood risk disclosures in real estate

January 17, 2024 19:37 - 51 seconds - 1.18 MB

Under changes proposed at the General Assembly, home buyers and renters in Virginia would get more information up front about a property's flooding risk and history.

After five years and nearly $29 million, Virginia Aquarium reopens expanded South Building

January 12, 2024 20:31 - 1 minute - 1.41 MB

The overhauled building includes the aquarium's popular river otter enclosure, new exhibits, outdoor play areas and a majorly expanded veterinarian care center. It reopens to the public on Jan. 14.

USS Ford will return week of Jan. 14 after more than 8 months deployed

January 12, 2024 16:34 - 575 KB

The Ford was supposed to be replaced by the USS Eisenhower in the fall — but that carrier was diverted to the Middle East in mid-October. The Ford’s deployment was on track to match the longest post-Vietnam stint at sea before Navy leadership made the call to send it home.

Empty retail space at Peninsula Town Center won’t become housing

January 11, 2024 01:27 - 1.08 MB

Hampton City Council denied a request from developers to convert unoccupied retail space into apartment homes.

"Fossil fuel moratorium" proposed in Virginia

January 10, 2024 18:12 - 1 minute - 1.37 MB

Del. Mike Jones' ambitious bill would halt approvals of any new fossil fuel projects like power plants or pipelines.

Former fire chief wins special Virginia Beach council special election

January 10, 2024 13:54 - 1.15 MB

Former Virginia Beach Fire Chief David Hutcheson won a special Virginia Beach City Council Tuesday election to represent the Kempsville area of the city, according to unofficial election results.

Virginia needs more coordination, oversight on flood resilience

January 09, 2024 20:15 - 55 seconds - 1.26 MB

A new report from a state working group calls on state leaders to improve funding transparency and create a central resilience office.

Virginia State Police close two Colonial Parkway homicide cases

January 08, 2024 22:08 - 760 KB

After nearly four decades, Virginia State Police say they've found a culprit behind two of the infamous Colonial Parkway murders. Alan Wade Wilmer Sr. of Lancaster, Va. killed David Lee Knobling and Robin Margaret Edwards in 1987, the agency announced Monday. Wilmer, who died in 2017, is also linked to a July 1989 Hampton homicide.

With contract ending soon, Norfolk seeks input on recycling program

January 08, 2024 16:16 - 46 seconds - 1.06 MB

Much like Virginia Beach's recent survey, Norfolk's asks residents about their interest in continued curbside recycling.

Pamunkey Tribe submits latest construction plans for Norfolk casino

January 05, 2024 16:34 - 40 seconds - 948 KB

The plans now feature a single-phase build, starting with the casino itself, as the tribe races against the clock. But a part of the original plan has gone missing.

Education Secretary Cardona highlights new federal funds for schools in Portsmouth

January 04, 2024 21:57 - 735 KB

U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona visited a Portsmouth elementary school with Senator Tim Kaine and U.S. Rep. Bobby Scott to highlight new federal infrastructure dollars for Virginia schools.

Former governor, lots of current Democratic lawmakers support former Norfolk delegate for 2025 Attorney General run

January 04, 2024 19:52 - 53 seconds - 1.23 MB

Jay Jones spent two terms in the General Assembly and unsuccessfully challenged a previous AG for the Democratic nomination. Now, a big group of Democrats is starting a committee to push for Jones' 2025 run.

Norfolk Costco employees vote to unionize

January 03, 2024 19:37 - 585 KB

Employees at the Military Circle Costco voted to join the local Teamsters chapter. More than 200 workers are part of the new union.

Virginia Tech research finds East Coast cities are sinking “slowly but surely"

January 03, 2024 17:20 - 1 minute - 1.38 MB

More than half of the infrastructure in cities like Norfolk and New York is threatened by high rates of subsidence, according to the study.

The USS Ford bound for Norfolk

January 02, 2024 21:47 - 59 seconds - 1.32 MB

The carrier could be back home by the middle of January, after an extended maiden voyage. The USS Gerald R. Ford could be back in Norfolk in a little more than two weeks. The U.S Sixth Fleet made the announcement Monday.

Vape taxes, ATV seizures and lots of cash: Hampton Roads cities assemble their General Assembly wishlists

January 02, 2024 16:12 - 46 seconds - 1.07 MB

At the end of every year, cities and counties around Virginia put together their wish lists. But they’re not sending them to the North Pole - they’re sending them to Richmond.

Virginia Wesleyan invests $120 million endowment with ESG framework

January 02, 2024 16:12 - 1 minute - 1.51 MB

The Virginia Beach university has adopted climate-focused investment policies. Read more about Virginia universities using ESG at WHRO.org.

Which city has the highest average rent in Hampton Roads? The answer may surprise you.

December 29, 2023 13:00 - 1 minute - 1.4 MB

With its luxurious waterfront neighborhoods, many Hampton Roads residents may think surely Virginia Beach has the region’s highest rents. But it was surpassed earlier this year.

Which city has the highest average rent in Hampton Roads? The answer may surprise you.

December 29, 2023 13:00 - 1 minute - 1.4 MB

With its luxurious waterfront neighborhoods, many Hampton Roads residents may think surely Virginia Beach has the region’s highest rents. But it was surpassed earlier this year.

USS Roosevelt suicide investigation uncovers toxic leadership

December 28, 2023 21:44 - 4 minutes - 6.3 MB

Jacob Slocum died amid a culture on the USS Roosevelt that left dozens of sailors to leave the Navy over mental health concerns, as the Navy pressed to lower the number of suicides after high profile deaths in Norfolk.

One in four troops experience food insecurity. Advocates want Congress to adapt a program to help.

December 28, 2023 21:42 - 59 seconds - 1.35 MB

Advocates are pushing Congress to take another look at helping young military families, who often struggle to pay for basic needs.

Virginia universities put billions in endowment funds into climate-friendly investments

December 28, 2023 16:09 - 57 seconds - 1.32 MB

Virginia Wesleyan and the University of Virginia are among colleges turning to an investing framework known as ESG. Read more at WHRO.org.

A Chesapeake doctor is planning to take her pacemaker on the "ultimate challenge": Mt. Everest

December 28, 2023 16:07 - 850 KB

Elizabeth Kostal has already done plenty of big things. She’s a doctor. She has a pilot’s license with an instrument rating, so she can fly at night with no landmarks to see by. Now, she's working on one of the biggest adventures in the world: Climbing Mt. Everest.

Advocates say Virginia is behind on addressing human trafficking. This is what they say could help the state catch up.

December 28, 2023 16:05 - 1.46 MB

This story discusses sex trafficking and references child and adult sexual abuse. Please use discretion when reading and listening.

Norfolk sailors remain deployed as attacks in the Middle East escalate

December 27, 2023 21:36 - 1 minute - 1.42 MB

This week, the USS Eisenhower strike group destroyed more than a dozen missiles and drones in the Red Sea, part of a series of attacks since the war between Israel and Hamas began in October. The attacks make it increasingly less likely the two Norfolk-based carriers or the five other ships homeported in Hampton Roads will return quickly from the Middle East after the New Year.

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