WHRO Weekly Edition

This week, a new state program plans to bring change across the Commonwealth. Virginians should expect to see a boom in housing and business development in the coming years. Suffolk just elected its first Black woman to their city council. WHRO’s Nick McNamara sat down with Ebony Wright to discuss her plans for office. Finally, rising water levels are a bogeyman for coastal cities. So what exactly will happen around the country? It depends on where you look.

This week, the tourism industry in Virginia Beach is alive and well. It raked in 3.8 billion dollars last year. We'll break down what those numbers mean. A former Norfolk delegate is putting his foot in the race for the Democratic nomination in the Virginia Attorney General contest. Finally, a Suffolk nonprofit is attempting to stem pollution in the Nansemond River -- and they need your help to do it.

This week a whole slew of elections took place. We'll have you covered on a few of the important state and local races that highlighted the region. It's Fight Night Friday in Hampton Roads. We catch up with Norfolk lightweight fighter Keyshawn Davis before this historic moment. Finally, data centers are booming in Virginia. But what does that mean for energy and sustainability concerns? We dig into the details.

This week, there will be lots of veterans working the polls this year and that's not a coincidence. Our Democracy at Work series continues with a look at the Vet the Vote Campaign. Service members try to navigate a complicated health care dilemma in the wake of the 2022 Dobbs decision. Finally, it's the 50th anniversary of the high-flying Old Dominion men's basketball championship. We take you back to that magical run.

This week, army watercraft is not all it's cracked up to be. In fact, a new report says the equipment is falling into disrepair. The next installment of our Democracy at Work series brings us to Richlands, Virginia, where a woman filed a FOIA request to bring 911 service to the small community. Finally, early voting started last week in North Carolina. People are turning out in droves.

This week, another chapter in the Williamsburg and James City County school district saga. Williamsburg now says it wants to stay. Ever wonder how voting rights advocates do their work? WHRO's Cianna Morales went to Richmond to speak with a man who is spreading the word. Finally, the Navy doesn't have enough people or parts to keep its ships afloat. We find out what that means for operations moving forward.

This week, Virginia Beach City Council approved funding for medical screenings that will help firefighters catch cancer and other illnesses. Our Democracy in Action series continues with a look at how the Hampton City Clerk organizes meetings and counts votes. Finally, Hampton Roads hospitals are monitoring their IV fluid supplies after a plant was damaged by Hurricane Helene.

This week, the planning commission has given the all go for Norfolk's anticipated casino project. We take you inside how women in the military have subverted the military health care system in the aftermath of the Dobbs decision. And did you miss this week's Virginia Senate debate? Well WHRO's Mechelle Hankerson has you covered.

This week, we're back with another installment of our Democracy at Work series. We take a look at what's needed to keep the election machine churning year after year. Suffolk has approved new zoning rules for historic neighborhoods. Finally, if you're a Norfolk student or you know one, then you know they walked away with a free book at the start of the school year. It's part of an initiative to improve and promote literacy.

This week, the Williamsburg and James City County School Board have rejected a collective bargaining agreement for division employees. Military reporter Steve Walsh sits down with a Virginia veteran whose personal and professional life changed in the wake of the 2022 Dobbs decision. It's a good week to catch a flick. Old Dominion is hosting the second annual Virginia Queer Film Festival.