WHRO Weekly Edition

This week the Norfolk-based USS George H.W. Bush is now back in the Middle East after a brief break from action. Virginia's 2nd Congressional District is a pivotal race in the national electoral landscape and a recent poll shows its neck-and-neck. Finally, dozens of scientists and leaders gathered at William & Mary this week to discuss the future development of nuclear fusion technology.

This week former Virginia Governor Ralph Northam has maintained a lower profile since leaving office in 2022. WHRO sat down with Northam to discuss his medical career and post-politics life. Early voting has started in Virginia and as we approach Election Day there are a lot of things voters will need to decide on, including a one-cent tax referendum. Finally, the home insurance industry is upending across the country due to climate change. That trend includes properties in coastal Virginia.

This week the Hampton Roads Bridge Tunnel will close in one direction for multiple weekends in October for scheduled maintenance. Two-thirds of Virginia voters statewide told pollsters that energy costs are too high. Profit-driven power companies and growing demand are the culprits according to people across the political spectrum. Finally, American military deaths sit at 19 as we hit seven months of the U.S. and Israeli military campaign against Iran. The financial burden of the war continues to rise.

This week a new report this week details how some Hampton Roads hospitals posted prices that passed federal checks, yet hold rates that are still difficult to calculate. The U.S. Department of Education ruled that Virginia Beach City Public Schools failed to sufficiently investigate Title IX violations. Finally, Portsmouth City Council voted this week to allow first responders to negotiate pay and other benefits.

This week the Navy announced a $1.7 billion project to privatize all of the barracks in Hampton Roads. It will be the largest attempt by the military to to turn housing for junior enlisted sailors to a private company. Virginia Beach City Council gave the all clear to build apartment buildings on a site that's currently home to a brewery. Finally, the Military Aviation Museum is set to open a live theatrical production chronicling the Tuskegee Airmen during World War II.

This week federal data revealed more than 100 nursing homes across Virginia have been cited for problems linked to abuse, neglect or exploitation. Virginia Beach is looking for ways to breathe life into the former home of the Virginia Museum of Contemporary Art. Finally, the Board of Commissioners in Dare County voted unanimously to remove 14 Flock cameras operated by its sheriff's office. The decision comes in the wake of divisive reactions to the cameras across the country.

This week extreme heat causes numerous issues to road and building infrastructure and the problem is likely to escalate as climate change persists. Local officials hope to solve the dilemma and the costs that come with it. Super Girl Surf Festival debuts in Virginia Beach this weekend with loads of local talent. WHRO has a rundown of the event. Finally, a group of programmers and developers in Hampton Roads are creating a community designed to foster skills and spark connections.

This week the Chief of Naval Operations says the Navy is still figuring out how to handle an extended blockade in the Middle East. That's amidst ships in the region still facing fire from Iran. The Virginia Department of Education released its annual standardized test scores, showing small increases in proficiency and areas of need. Finally, Dominion Energy's $67 billion merger with Florida's NextEra Energy has solar advocates on edge about the benefits homeowners could lose thanks to the deal.

This week the Department of Justice launched an investigation into William & Mary University for possible civil rights violations. The Trump administration opened similar investigations into George Mason University and the University of Virginia. A federal judge ruled that Shenandoah County must remove Confederate names from two schools in its district. WHRO reports what it could mean for Hampton Roads schools with similar naming conventions. Finally, high housing costs are hurting seniors in the area. Local leaders are suggesting people's spare bedrooms as a possible solution to the problem.

This week congressional analysts are skeptical that Newport News Shipbuilding has the surplus capacity needed to fulfill the Trump administration's mandate for new battleships. Volunteers around Hampton Roads spend each month lending time during their weekends to pick and arrange flowers that have been rescued from trash bins. Finally, a contract dispute between Sentara Health and Anthem Insurance could negatively affect nearly 380,000 Anthem members across Virginia.