Good morning, this is Virginia Beach Local Pulse for Thursday, August 7, 2025. We start our day with news of some rain and overcast skies, so grab an umbrella if you’re heading out. The National Weather Service tells us we can expect showers through the morning, a chance of thunderstorms later, and gusty northeast winds up to thirty miles per hour. Temperatures will be cooler, staying in the upper seventies, but it’ll feel humid. Looking ahead, we get some sun breaking through by Saturday with nice weather into the weekend, so hang in there for brighter days.

From city hall, the big news is about downtown development. The city is seeking proposals from developers for a major project near the convention center at 18th Street and Parks Avenue. This lot, currently used for parking, could soon become a mix of residential, commercial, and retail space, along with a much-needed public parking garage. City leaders hope this will breathe new life into the area by the ViBe Creative District. The deadline for proposals is mid-October, with construction possibly breaking ground in 2026. Local officials say this is part of a long-term vision to establish Virginia Beach as a year-round, world-class coastal community.

Turning to public safety, police report a crash Wednesday morning at Virginia Beach Boulevard and Constitution Drive. Two people were injured and taken to the hospital. Emergency crews urge vigilance at busy intersections, especially with the wet weather. In another serious incident, the fire department responded last night to a farming accident, leaving one person on advanced life support. Our thoughts are with the families involved. In the Kempsville neighborhood, four people were hurt in a shooting Thursday, and police are asking anyone with information to come forward as investigations continue. Stay alert and look out for each other as we move through the day.

On the health front, a reminder from WTKR News 3 to watch for cases of vibrio, a bacteria sometimes caused by eating raw seafood, especially with recent warm weather. If you’re heading to the beach, remember there’s a beach hazards statement in effect through tonight, and there could be strong currents.

In real estate, activity remains steady as the city begins taking bids for the new development downtown. Interest remains strong in housing near the Oceanfront, with homes averaging just under four hundred seventy thousand dollars. The job market, meanwhile, is relatively stable with openings in tourism, restaurant, and healthcare sectors, particularly near Town Center and along Laskin Road.

Turning to schools and sports, congratulations are in order for the Princess Anne High volleyball team, who clinched a big win last night, and for student artists at Cox High, whose mural project was unveiled at Hilltop Plaza this week.

For music lovers and families, upcoming events include the Boardwalk Art Show this weekend and the Neptune Park summer concert series. The Sandler Center is ho

This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI.