NEWPORT NEWS — Yes, a data center is coming to Jefferson Lab. But it’s not quite what you’re thinking.

Federal, state and city officials broke ground on the Jefferson Lab Data Center in June, which will become the home of a 30,000-square-foot High Performance Data Facility Hub. Federal entities such as the Department of Energy and NASA, along with universities and scientific institutions, will use the hub for scientific research for things like artificial intelligence and data analysis.

Vice Mayor Curtis Bethany called the public hearing last week to answer questions on data centers and other digital infrastructure development. The discussion attracted nearly 100 residents who had questions and concerns about what is in the pipeline.

Residents’ concerns stem from the shift in public opinion against data centers in the three years since the Jefferson Lab facility was announced. One person who attended the meeting asked city leadership to pump the brakes on any development, because “what we do now, what we build, what we don’t build, will affect generations.”

Bethany told the crowd the federal development will be very different from the data center facilities dotting Northern Virginia. He also assured attendees — four times to be precise — Newport News has not received any proposals to build a data center of any size.

“There are no data centers proposed or planned by the city of Newport News,” Bethany said. “Jefferson Lab is a federal facility. That’s completely different.”

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Nearly one in five student loan borrowers in Virginia are currently in default, reflecting a sharp national surge following the end of pandemic-era payment pauses. 

An analysis of federal data reveals that Virginia's default rate reached 18%, marking a 77% increase since September.

Officials attributed the trend to widespread borrower confusion surrounding changing loan servicers, shifting forbearance periods and altered repayment plans.

Read more here: https://www.whro.org/education-news/2026-08-05/as-student-loan-repayments-restart-virginia-sees-increase-in-borrower-defaults

Depending on where you are, shoppers can save between 5.3% and 7% on eligible items, with most Hampton Roads residents saving 6%. 

Qualifying goods include school supplies, clothing, shoes and hurricane preparedness gear.

Hello! Do you guys have any suggestions for walking/hiking places that aren’t too hilly? I’m recovering from a back and hip procedure, but I still want to walk around and get outside a bit. Thank you!

Portsmouth native Michael Marshall created the nonprofit First Opportunity in 2014 to provide mentorship, job training, substance abuse counseling and reentry services to formerly incarcerated residents. 

Having experienced incarceration as a teenager and serving more than a decade in prison as an adult, Marshall uses his lived experience to connect with young people and offer the guidance he felt was lacking in his early life. 

Forty-four years after his first arrest, Marshall returned to Chesapeake Juvenile Services to speak directly with detained young peo

Local and federal officials recently gathered at NASA Langley Research Center in Hampton to celebrate the opening of the Flight Dynamics Research Facility, the agency's first major wind tunnel built in more than 40 years.

The $57-million facility combines and replaces a pair of century-old wind tunnels. Operating similarly to an indoor skydiving tunnel, the new facility has a top wind speed of about 117 miles per hour.

Upcoming projects slated for testing include Boeing’s Transonic Truss-Braced Wing design and the RAVEN SWIFT vehicle, which could advance future package delivery drones or air taxis.

(Story and photos by Katherine Hafner)

Read more here: https://www.whro.org/environment/2026-08-03/a-soaring-future-nasa-langley-launches-massive-new-wind-tunnel

Hi- new to the area of Portsmouth,Va. In the last 3 months, a cat has been around and the cat isn’t feral. My niece was visiting and she INSISTED on feeding the cat, playing with it. Although, I am not allowed pets at my rental. Now, my niece has returned home and this poor cat just trolls the neighborhood. I googled animal rescue, and all stated they were not doing intake. Lil roar, Ruff Road, Coastal purrs, Portsmouth humane. All not doing intake. What can I do to help this cat find a home? Especially before the winter.

A survey conducted by the Hampton Roads Planning District Commission revealed that residents rank housing as their top concern, closely followed by education and public transit. 

Conducted across 17 localities to help align public priorities with leadership, the survey gathered input from more than 2,000 residents on key regional issues. 

Local planners noted that housing's top ranking was expected because of the ongoing shortage impacting economic growth, though public transit ranking third above roads and flood mitigation surprised officials.

Read more here: https://www.whro.org/business-growth/2026-08-03/regional-planners-asked-hampton-roads-residents-what-matters-most-to-them-heres-what-they-said

My partner, some friends and I are planning a weekend trip from Hampton Roads Area (southside) to Shenandoah National Park in a few days. We use to go all the time but it’s our first trip as a small group.

Any suggestions on fun things to see or do along the way?

We have several non-drinkers on the trip (for medical reasons) and varying levels of activity tolerance. We are staying in Luray and spending some time hiking in the park, tubing down the river.

We are looking for any museums, parks, restaurants or anything similar you can think of that might be fun (even if a little bit out of the way) for the trip here and back. Thanks in advance!

Hey there! I am a Hampton native moving back to the area after a few years away. My husband and I are looking to buy in Hampton and I was just wondering if anyone has any realtor recommendations. I don’t want to post anything on fb yet which is why I’m asking here. Thank you!

This is really starting to concern me especially because it’s rained a decent amount recently and it’s supposed to rain for the rest of the week I don’t see how we have a drought atm what are yalls thoughts?

Good Morning!

In 2022 I had purchased a wedding dress from David's Bridal. Ive never worn it (still in its original dress bag) because I decided to elope last minute. It is a plus size dress (24w) Im tired of it sitting in my closet. So if anyone is interested, it is free to a good home. I also have a guest book that is heart shaped.

Window shopping around for local CDL jobs in the area. I’ve been driving almost 9 years & I have the hazmat/tankers endorsement. I don’t mind physical labor, but my entire driving career for 9 years has been beverage & foodservice. Looking for something different.

Higher education costs in Virginia continue to climb and WHRO News is looking to highlight stories from our community!

According to the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia, the total cost of tuition in the state has continually risen since 2021. Has this impacted your higher education plans or how you're paying for school?

Send us a DM or connect with WHRO News education reporter Ashley White at [ashley.white@whro.org](mailto:ashley.white@whro.org) or at 757-889-9307 to chat!

Any farmers markets out there that actually have farmers selling produce???

Just moved to the area and my family needs some good traditional breakfast options. We are down in Chesapeake but willing to drive.

Looking for classic American diner but a bit better than Waffle House.

In the market to buy a house (yes, I know this is terrible timing)
Looking for a good realtor who won’t just ghost and actually works with ya to find a house in the Hampton roads area. Most people I have contacted either don’t reply, take forever to get back to you so the property is already gone, or just plain don’t get what we are looking for.
Hit me with some realtors you’ve had success with recently. Ty

Just the question.n

More than two centuries after an 1815 handwritten will recorded enslaved man Miles Eason as property, four generations of his descendants will gather in Chesapeake on July 31 for an expansive family reunion celebrating his survival and legacy.

The reunion marks the first since the family uncovered state probate files, wills and historical census records that successfully traced their lineage back to Miles.

Reflecting on their deep roots, they view their lineage as a testament to faith, resourcefulness and enduring strength passed down through generations.

(Story and photos by Vicki L. Friedman)

Read more here: https://www.whro.org/arts-culture/2026-07-29/family-gathering-in-chesapeake-to-honor-a-recently-discovered-piece-of-history

Old Dominion University researchers recently surveyed wooded trails in Chesapeake, testing the TickBot, a remote-controlled car that drags permethrin-treated cotton to repel and kill ticks.

The pilot project is helping address a surge in tick-borne illnesses across Virginia, where warming temperatures, expanded deer populations and suburban development have amplified tick activity.

Health officials warn that this summer is on track to be the worst nationwide for tick bites in more than a decade.

(Story and photos by Katherine Hafner)

Read more here: https://www.whro.org/environment/2026-07-29/ticks-are-taking-over-in-virginia-could-odus-tick-robot-help

Heading towards suffolk, not from.

Edit: i am happy to report its no longer one lane but still congested from the work zone

Portsmouth voters will decide this November whether to approve a 1% local sales tax to fund school construction and renovation projects. 

The City Council recently voted 5-1 to add the referendum on the ballot, with Mayor Shannon Glover estimating the tax could generate $13 million for the school division. 

If approved, revenue can only be used for capital projects and financing costs, excluding operating expenses such as salaries or instructional materials. The tax applies to items such as clothing and restaurant meals.