Virginia Beach News Today | 2 Min News | The Daily News Now!

Christopher Newport University’s president, William G. Kelly, has just received a unanimous vote to extend his contract through 2031 — a powerful endorsement of his “transformational leadership” during a pivotal time for the school. Since taking the helm in 2021, Kelly has steered the university through major milestones, including launching the Strategic Compass, opening a state-of-the-art Science...

Newport News just released a damning report revealing deep inequities in how city contracts are awarded — minority, women, and veteran-owned businesses are being systematically left out despite their qualifications and readiness to compete. Over $800 million in contracts over five years showed minority-owned firms available for 15% of work but receiving just 1.8%, Black-owned businesses snagged a...

Tragedy strikes the U.S. Navy as Commander Gabriel Edwards, a 20-year veteran and commanding officer of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 5, is confirmed lost after his helicopter crashed in the Arabian Sea — with rescue efforts suspended after 102 harrowing hours. Three crew members survived. Meanwhile, the USS Nimitz, the Navy’s longest-serving aircraft carrier, returns home after a four-month depl...

Live music is exploding this week—grab your tickets or your free passes! Christopher Newport University’s improv Broadway musical lets you shape the show live, Friday at 7:30 PM. Head to Downtown Festival Park for the TGIF Summer Concert with BJ Griffin Band, Friday 6–9:30 PM. Two days of tribute bands await at Virginia Beach’s Oceanfront. Tidewater Winds offers a free patriotic concert Sunday thr...

A martial arts champion with a fourth-degree black belt and world title gets into a chaotic Virginia Beach standoff after allegedly believing his car was stolen—leading to a hoverboard escape, a spinning heel kick at an officer, and multiple charges. While Wegert insists it was all a misunderstanding and denies throwing the kick, prosecutors highlight his violent past, including a Florida incident...

The Thinkers Convention in Newport News smashed economic goals, bringing in $1.01M–$1.14M in activity and $58K–$65K in local taxes—all while being free to attend. With a star-studded lineup including Chance the Rapper, Rhett & Link, and Daymond John, the event aimed to ignite innovation by connecting local leaders with big-name thinkers. Organizers are already eyeing a return next year, fueled by...

A Virginia assault weapons ban is on hold statewide after a Washington County judge blocked enforcement — delaying the law’s July 1st rollout until July 21st, citing constitutional rights and the impracticality of patchwork enforcement across county lines. Listen in comfort: Get a discount on a Soli Pillow: http://solipillow.com/discount/dnn. Advertise on DNN: advertise@thednn.ai This is an automa...

A new poll reveals deep fractures in America’s Jewish community over Israel, with religious Jews seeing Israel as a sacred homeland and justifying its military actions, while secular Jews, disconnected from religious identity, are far more critical of Israel’s conduct in the current conflict. Listen in comfort: Get a discount on a Soli Pillow: http://solipillow.com/discount/dnn. Advertise on DNN:...

Tensions flare as U.S. and Iran exchange fresh strikes, sending markets tumbling and raising fears of escalating conflict — with Trump hinting negotiations may be over, leaving the region teetering on the brink of disaster. Listen in comfort: Get a discount on a Soli Pillow: http://solipillow.com/discount/dnn. Advertise on DNN: advertise@thednn.ai This is an automated, high-level news summary base...

A Hampton Roads delegation of mayors and economic leaders jetted to the UK in March to steal a page from Sheffield’s playbook—how to supercharge defense, advanced manufacturing, and maritime industries. While the Hampton Roads Alliance covered group events, individual cities footed their own travel bills, with Virginia Beach leading spending at $30K. Some officials saw it as a personal investment...

Law enforcement in Pasquotank County just pulled off a major bust, seizing over 100 grams of MDMA, 17 doses of fentanyl, and a firearm from Jonathan Letare Patterson. Charged with trafficking and intent to sell deadly drugs, he’s now locked up without bond — a clear signal of how seriously authorities are treating this crackdown aimed at dismantling drug networks in the area. Listen in comfort: Ge...

Teen Stabbing on Westminster Lane | Virginia Beach News

Fifteen lives were lost in Virginia’s Independence Day weekend traffic chaos — 892 crashes, 14 fatal — with speed and seat belt neglect cited as key killers. Troopers handed out thousands of tickets, including 3K for speeding and 1.5K for reckless driving, plus 70 DUI arrests. Officials warn: these deaths were preventable, and the price of ignoring the rules? Your life. Listen in comfort: Get a di...

Tyler Robinson’s preliminary hearing in Utah is heating up as prosecutors push for an aggravated murder charge and death penalty, citing DNA evidence linking him to the murder weapon — a claim the defense fiercely disputes, arguing the match isn’t definitive. The prosecution says defense doubts can be addressed later at trial, while the defense is already fighting hard to undermine the case at eve...

A Virginia man, 27, faces four counts of second-degree murder and four counts of OWI causing death after a horrific crash in Oakland County, Michigan, that killed two adults and two young children. Prosecutors allege he was speeding over 90 mph, weaving through traffic, and slammed into a stopped car. His blood alcohol level was more than triple the legal limit, and he had a prior alcohol offense...

An ICE officer shot and killed Lorenzo Salgado Araujo in Houston after his vehicle allegedly struck an ICE vehicle during a high-speed chase — sparking outrage, demands for an independent investigation, and renewed scrutiny of federal immigration enforcement tactics. The victim, a 35-year U.S. resident and construction worker, was reportedly trying to flee authorities while driving without legal s...

Virginia just smashed it again—claiming the top spot nationwide for customized workforce training for the fourth straight year, thanks to the powerhouse Virginia Talent Accelerator Program. This initiative, a collaboration between the state’s economic development team and community colleges, connects growing businesses with hyper-targeted training, helping them hire and upskill workers fast. Since...

Newport News just dropped the numbers from its big NOODLE event—and they’re jaw-dropping: $1.01M to $1.14M in economic impact, plus $58K–$65K in local taxes. Day one drew 250 folks, but day two exploded with 3,750 attendees—69% from out of town. That meant nearly 2,000 hotel nights booked and a major win for local businesses. This wasn’t just a networking event—it was a financial powerhouse for th...

New Grocery Outlet Bargain Market opens Thursday in Chesapeake—first 100 shoppers get gift cards, free reusable bags, and a shot at winning $1K in groceries. Stocked with overproduced, surplus, or repackaged goods, it’s all about unbeatable deals and store brands. Run by Betty Poggioli, it’s the second outlet in Chesapeake and fifth in Hampton Roads—so grab your list and hit 4325 Indian River Road...

Oil prices surged six percent after Trump declared an interim Iran deal void, sparking market jitters as U.S. strikes on Iran follow attacks on ships in the Strait of Hormuz. Brent crude hit $78.80, U.S. crude $75, reversing earlier drops from over $100. The deal’s 60-day ship passage waiver ended as Iran sought control and fees—despite ships being attacked near Oman, not Tehran’s designated route...

Tensions in the Strait of Hormuz are escalating as the U.S. strikes Iranian military targets after Tehran attacked ships, triggering oil price spikes and fears of a wider Middle East conflict. With the temporary ceasefire dissolved and sanctions reinstated, Iran blames Qatar for a tanker attack while U.S. forces hit Revolutionary Guard boats and air defenses. Funeral rites for Iran’s late Supreme...

A $17.9 million sale of Virginia Beach’s National Golf Club is sparking heated debate, as Dragas Companies plans to renovate the course and build up to 660 homes—with nearly $20 million in city funding and a new childcare center. But residents are furious over the secretive timeline, claiming the city negotiated with Dragas for over a year before public proposals were even sought. At a public hear...

Joseph Alfonzo Cross is sentenced to life in prison after being convicted of murdering twin brothers Alvin and Calvin Joyner and critically injuring a woman in a brutal 2023 Nashville Avenue ambush. Armed and violent, Cross demanded money, then opened fire, forcing the woman to feign death to survive. He and his accomplice stole the car, looted the victims, and torched it. The judge handed down a...

Two senators, one Democrat and one Republican, are demanding urgent changes to TRICARE’s autism therapy coverage, urging the Pentagon to remove barriers to applied behavior analysis—critical for kids with autism. After a military family’s struggle to access care sparked national attention, providers say TRICARE’s increasingly restrictive rules make therapy harder to obtain than with civilian plans...

Dare County is moving to regulate kratom—not ban it—focusing on products with artificially boosted or added levels of the active ingredient 7-OH, which mimics opioids. Local officials aim to protect public health while preserving access for those using kratom for pain relief or addiction recovery, especially veterans. A proposed ordinance, backed by public input, could make violations a misdemeano...